Our speaker this month is familiar to all SSCC members: Dave Powell, who now runs the Members’ Open Forum on 4th Thursdays. And what a resource he is for SSCC! Dave joined SSCC a couple of years ago as one way to give back to the profession that’s been sustaining him for 50 years. Few of us, however, are familiar with Dave’s background, so we’ve asked him to kick off the new year by talking about his experiences, emphasizing his primary area of interest – lighting and light.
In his decades as a professional photographer, Dave has used a wide range of photo gear, lighting equipment, and film and video equipment. He has shot on assignment in all 48 contiguous states and has photographed in many locations overseas. While now somewhat retired, Dave continues to do limited assignment work for clients.

Dave has used various media to tell stories that illustrate and bring to life the high impact, high visibility, high pressure, and fast moving worlds of business, schools, museums, and government. He helps his clients refine, clarify, and heighten their messages so they can increase sales, boost fund-raising, or educate. Surprising to us, perhaps, is the fact that Dave is far more than a very successful commercial photographer. He’s an award-winning film and documentary maker and the creator and producer of video and multi-screen slide shows. He’s written and edited scripts. He’s served as advisor on AV equipment and graphic software packages. He’s also a web designer and a one-on-one executive coach for public speaking and presentations.

Here an example of a typical assignment for Dave: He created and produced two complex, multiimage, multi-screen slide shows for National Gallery exhibitions, which were used to give historical and thematic perspectives. In another example, Dave created an anti-smoking film commissioned by the government aimed at students – for which he won an Emmy Award. Since 1990, Dave has been the owner of David W. Powell Communications. Earlier, he held the responsibilities of partner in several communications media firms after serving as a producer/director at WETA and Voice of America. Dave’s client list fills pages; outstanding assignments have come from the World Bank, the CIA, University of Maryland, AT&T, British Airways, GEICO, Exxon Corporation, Hillwood Museum, Georgetown University, and the Egyptian government.

In his own education, Dave received his BA in Radio, Television, and Film Production at the University of Maryland, with an emphasis on public speaking and music. He also plays a mean saxophone.