Meet Douglas Burress of Douglas Burress Photography

Today we’d like to introduce you to Douglas Burress.

Douglas, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I was raised in the shadows of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and my passion from a young age was to be able to visualize, capture and hold on to the sound, motion, emotion, color and raw power of the most spectacular sporting event in the world – The Indianapolis 500.

This passion lent me at the young age of 14 to purchase my first camera, a Kodak Brownie for $3.00. From race to race I wanted to be able to hold on to the color and majesty of the cars, the emotion of the driver’s, win or lose and the feeling the speed and excitement elicited within me.

I have come a long way since that first Brownie purchased at a garage sale, finding I had an eye and talent for seeing and capturing what many others couldn’t until I translated the visual to prints. I earned a degree in Commercial Photography and Multimedia from the Art Institute of Dallas.

The legacy I share with my wife and family, is my ability to encapsulate a mere moment in time. Seeing well beyond normal and mundane to the never-ending beauty in the simplicity of life for many generations to come.

Has it been a smooth road?
It’s been more of an amusement park thrill ride. You know the gut wrenching feeling when you make that first drop, the g forces that make you want to puke, the blinding speed and then it’s over and you get off the ride and get right back in line to do it all over again.

When I started the photo biz it was film and darkrooms. That’s evolved to digital cameras and Photoshop. The fundamentals of photography are the same but the evolution in the last 25 years has been amazing. I replace my cameras about every 3-4 years to keep up with the latest technology. My film cameras and lenses would last forever. Now I spend much of my time and money on software and upgrades and learning how to use them. Sometimes I miss the days of the darkroom.

Digital photography definitely made life easier for me but also a zillion other photographers. Now everyone is a photographer. Everybody and their brother went out bought a digital camera and went into business. But, the results are not the same. I look at business photographs posted on LinkedIn and know part of my mission is to show what a “real” headshot can do to start you on the road to success.

My first foray into the mountains of Utah and Wyoming lead me to a historical barn at sunrise, while surrounded by other photographers I realized that while mother nature creates the beauty my eye and passion are what truly produce my one of a kind photographs.

The sales and marketing aspects of the business provide the greatest hurdle for me. I wish they had taught this side of the business in photography school. Word of mouth referrals and the passion of those close to me to promote my work have been good to me.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Douglas Burress Photography – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
For over 25 years, I have been doing projects for Corporations such as; AT&T, Capital One, Pepsi, Frito Lay, Marriott, Prudential and Wells Fargo which have included custom events, corporate head shots, and architectural work. Product and food photography are also in my wheelhouse… Many of these projects have entailed custom graphics and one of kind effects.

While I have a passion for shooting Indy Car racing, it is a labor of love. Nobody gets rich shooting motorsports but I have had some of my racing photos featured on billboards. I get a real kick out of driving down the highway and seeing my images blown up for everyone to see.

I have spent much of my professional life creating photographs for others. I am now enjoying creating the photographs that bring me pleasure and peace. Landscape photography is an adventure, allowing me to connect to places that Mother Nature has spent eons evolving. There are no deadlines or art directors or stylists. But, I know I must be patient and wait for the perfect conditions. I am putting together a collection that I will bring to market via fine art collectors later this year.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I moved to Dallas to attend photography school. I had every intention of moving back to Indiana, but loved the mild winters and made this home. From a strong economy to constant growth and excitement including a fantastic food scene one of my other passions, my wife and I are here to stay. We live in the Dallas suburb of Plano and love lighting up the barbeque or stoking the smoker and inviting crowds to enjoy cooking and art. The population influx provides traffic challenges, but also brings more opportunity.

Contact Info:

• Website: dougburressphoto.com
• Phone: (214) 679-6577
• Email: doug@dougburressphoto.com

Image Credit:
Douglas Burress