Open Heart Writing - Dave LaBelle Answers

Below is my fourth in a 31 day series about writing; each day I feature a different writer and ask three similar questions. Today's writer, Dave LaBelle, is a famous photographer who may be better known for "writing the book on feature photography." 

In a previous post, I explained how I met Dave. Now, Dave is a friend; the photos from November's Journalism Education Association's National Convention in Washington, D.C. illustrate why I like Dave. I often forget that he is a famous photographer, writer and educator.

Even though Dave has taught seven Pulitzer Prize winning photographers, Dave enjoys working with high school students as much as professional photographers. Dave enjoys people.

When two high school students from Nebraska visited his table, he talked with them for fifteen minutes. This happens at every conference often. He speaks to several hundred people, and remains behind and talks to anyone who wants to meet with him. 

He also writes books. Paul Myers, a visual journalism educator at Brooks Institute, first told me that Dave wrote the book on feature photography. Paul's former boss reviewed The Great Picture Hunt when Dave released the second edition. (To learn more, please read Jim McNay's Review. )

Besides learning about feature photography, I have learned something important about life from Dave. I have learned the importance of  clarity. I have learned to be more purposeful.

During Dave's presentations, he often tells his audience a brief life story. He tells students how photography (and a high school teacher) saved his life. He is also very clear that religion is central to his work. 

Some audience members might become uncomfortable, perhaps because they are afraid Dave is going to preach. He never does. I think more people become nervous, because they realize that their photography lacks purpose... or, like me, I realized I had a purpose, but I had become afraid to reveal it. Until I met Dave. 

Dave's responses to my three questions, as well as his website links, are provided below. If you have a Dave Labelle story, please feel free to share it here or on Dave's Facebook site.

 

1. Why do you write?
BECAUSE I NEED TO.
COMMUNICATING, SHARING IS WHAT I DO!

2. What inspires you?
Not what, But who. All true inspiration comes from God. 

3. What do you do to overcome "writers' block?"
Like printing in the old days, when I couldn't print, I left the darkroom and took a walk.  You cannot force writing; at least I cannot.  I am a morning person, so I do most of my meaningful writing before 10 A.M. I am up by 5:30 or 6 most days. The most difficult thing for me is when I am really in a groove ( a zone) and my family needs me to be present.  I have yet to find an easy way to reconcile this.

That said, here are three things I do:

Take a walk, talk to God and share what I am feeling. This clears my mind, my heart.

Listen to classical music (away from the laptop)

Find a quiet place (this is tough) and read authors I admire.

 

Dave LaBelle's Links are below:

The Great Picture Hunt: http://www.greatpicturehunt.com/

Complete List of Book Title's: http://www.greatpicturehunt.com/books.html

to join Dave's Facebook Fan Page, Search, "I Just Want To Shoot Pictures."

Comments

[Cam LaBelle]

Dave LaBelle is the genuine article! He is truly living an authentic life, and in doing so, is such an inspiration. His students, his peers, his friends, and those of us blessed to be a part of his family have so much love, appreciation, and respect for him.

Thank you for shining a light on Dave!!

[bryan farley]

Thanks Cam for posting the two links.

I have also enjoyed reading your site lately, and I would encourage other people to visit http://www.journeywildly.com/

great title.

hope to see you in Georgia or elsewhere.

bryan

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