Today we’d like to introduce you to David Huval.
Hi David, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always seen the world a little differently – through creative eyes captivated by vivid colors, natural beauty, and the quiet power of a single moment.
Hi, my name is David Huval. I’m the Creative Director and founder of Roam and Focus. I am a Dallas-based photographer specializing in commercial, personal branding, and travel photography. With over 20 years behind the lens, photography has been a lifelong craft, one I’ve continued to refine and evolve over the years.
I grew up in the country. My childhood was spent playing outdoors and exploring. My siblings and I spent countless hours wandering through the countryside, just getting lost in the land. When I wasn’t outside exploring, you could usually find me inside drawing in my sketchbook.
As a child, I was captivated by comic books, not just the characters or the action, but the art and the storytelling. Every panel felt like a little world of its own, and I remember wanting to learn how to create captivating visual stories.
I was fortunate enough to attend a school that offered real art classes. There I learned the fundamental elements of art (line, shape, form, and texture) and how they combine through balance, rhythm, and contrast to form a composition.
I didn’t pick up my first real camera until years later, while I was serving in the Army, as an infantryman with the 10th Mountain Division. This was back in the early 2000s, shortly after 9/11. I saved up and bought a used Canon Rebel DSLR with the kit lens. It made me feel like I was a “real” photographer, but I was just trying to capture a few moments from that time in my life. That camera came with me on patrols, on downtime between missions, and into places I wanted to remember… and few I didn’t.
I wouldn’t have called myself a photographer then. But looking back, I realize I was drawn to documenting the things that mattered—the small moments between the chaos. That instinct to capture raw emotion, mood, and meaning… I never really lost it.”
After the Army, I wanted to learn more about photography, so I went back to school. I took photography classes where I learned how to shoot and develop film in a darkroom, and really understand how to properly compose an image.
At one point, I even thought I’d major in photography. But a good friend who had already graduated with a photography degree, gave me some honest advice: she told me that if I wanted to make a successful living as a photographer, I needed to understand design and marketing as well. So, I pivoted and began studying graphic design, advertising, and marketing. After graduation, I moved to Dallas and started a career, working in marketing.
Over the years, I worked on a wide variety of projects, everything from websites and branding to full-scale marketing campaigns. At first, I was energized by all the new skills I was learning. But as years passed, the work started to feel… repetitive. Predictable. Year after year, I was producing the same types of content, following the same formulas. As a creative person, this felt like a slow death.
I started craving more creative freedom. I wanted to take on new projects, to work with new people who were passionate about their own endeavors. I wanted to explore new places, and tell stories that mattered.
By this point, I had worked in marketing for over a decade. I had a great job, with a great company, but at the end of the day, I was left feeling unfulfilled. Something needed to change. I decided that it was time to create something of my own. I made the decision to leave my career, and I knew exactly what I wanted to do.
Throughout the years, photography always stayed with me. Even while working full-time, I never stopped shooting. With over 20 years behind the camera, I knew this wasn’t just a hobby—it was a calling.
That’s what led me to start Roam and Focus. A creative studio built around freedom, creativity, adventure, and connection.
I believe every person and brand has a story, my job is to help share it. Roam and Focus is where I bring together all of my experience—in design, marketing, photography, and storytelling, to help business owners, brands, entrepreneurs, and non-profits share their stories through captivating visual content that connects with their target audiences and drives meaning engagement. Imagery that capture who they are, what they believe in, and why they do what they do.
Today I shoot everything from brand campaigns and lifestyle imagery, to personal branding, portraits, and product photography. Whether I’m capturing photos for a product launch or documenting a small business owner’s personal journey, I focus on the human side of visual storytelling—the emotion, the environment, the energy.”
The people I work with are passionate about what they do. They’ve built something from scratch, or they’re chasing a dream, and they want to show it off in a way that feels authentic—not overproduced or generic.
Connection is important. It builds trust, it builds brand loyalty, and it builds credibility. People want to buy from people they connect with. I love helping brands share their stories. It’s so rewarding to work with like-minded individuals and help each other grow.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Smooth is definitely not the word I’d use. The past nine months have been both exciting and challenging. While I’m confident in my photography skills and have a solid understanding of how a business operates, transitioning into entrepreneurship has been an adjustment.
One of the biggest hurdles has been stepping into sales, something I’d never done before. As someone who tends to be more introverted, putting myself out there, networking, and selling my services hasn’t come naturally. But it’s also been an opportunity for growth. I’ve been investing in personal development, pushing myself outside my comfort zone, and learning to approach sales as another way of building relationships. It’s still a work in progress, but each step forward has made me stronger and more confident in this journey.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
When I’m not behind the camera, I spend as much time as possible traveling and sailing, chasing wind, waves, and new horizons, meeting new people and experiencing new cultures.
Over the last few years, sailing has become a huge part of my life, not just as a passion, but as a path forward. I’m currently working on gaining the offshore experience required to become a licensed captain, combining my love for the ocean with my commitment to personal growth and adventure. To date I have sailed over 3,300 offshore miles!
My love of sailing led me to Skeleton Crew Adventures, a veteran-run nonprofit based in Kemah, Texas. Their mission is close to my heart: helping veterans and first responders reconnect with themselves, each other, and the world around them through offshore sailing and purposeful adventure. The ocean has a way of clearing the noise, building confidence, and restoring a sense of purpose—and Skeleton Crew is harnessing that power to fight PTSD, isolation, and suicide among those who’ve served.
In January, I had the honor of producing my first documentary series, The Return of Godspeed, with Skeleton Crew Adventures. I documented the delivery of their 51-foot Nautor Swan, Godspeed. That experience solidified everything I love about what I do: storytelling, connection, and the healing power of the open water. You can read more about the documentary in my blog: https://roamandfocus.com/brand-storytelling-skeleton-crew-adventures/
How do you think about luck?
I’ve never really believed in luck. Sure, there are moments in life that might feel like good or bad luck, but I think the overwhelming majority of what happens to us is a direct result of the choices we make every day. Success doesn’t just appear—it comes from showing up, putting in the work, and staying consistent even when things get tough. For me, building this business has only reinforced that idea. The more effort, focus, and persistence I put in, the more opportunities seem to open up. What some might call luck, I see as preparation meeting opportunity.
Pricing:
- Pricing really depends on the project because every client’s needs are unique. Whether it’s helping a brand connect with its audience, capturing a creative idea, or telling a personal story, I approach each project with fresh eyes. I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions—every story deserves its own treatment. The best way to get started is simply to reach out. I’m always happy to schedule a call, learn more about your vision, and discuss how we can bring it to life in a way that fits both your goals and your budget.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://roamandfocus.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roamandfocus/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/61579033535194/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/roam-focus-llc/
- Other: https://roamandfocus.com/blog/
Image Credits
All photos were taken and are owned by David Huval, Roam & Focus, LLC.
