Meet Don Holtz | Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Don Holtz and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Don, what inspires you?
Stories. I’m inspired by stories. Whether it’s a person, a landscape, or an object, everyone and everything has a story, and I love telling that story through a photograph. When it comes to portraits, I could spend hours listening to someone while they tell me their life’s tale, and never run out of questions. I feel like if you look long enough and sincerely enough you can always find common ground with someone, which is a key ingredient to creating an honest portrait. Being able to capture a person’s true essence in a portrait brings me great satisfaction.
When it comes to landscapes, I could sit quietly for days on a mountainside (preferably with my dog Lulu) as an ancient land tells me it’s story through wind, weather, and light. The sense of peace I get from these moments of solitude is the closest thing to heaven I can imagine.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
What sets me apart from other photographers and artists is also what sets them apart from me: we each have our own unique perspective on life, and the way I voice my perspective through photography either strikes a chord with someone, or it doesn’t. I’ve learned not to chase after what I think someone wants to see, but simply to tell the story in my own unique voice, and from my own unique perspective. Being as honest, sincere, and open as possible is the surest way I’ve found to create authentic and compelling art. Whenever I’ve made art for the gratification of my ego, the work feels forced and usually sucks.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was visiting, much of what I’d plan would be outdoors. I’ve lived in Topanga Canyon for 17 years and I love it. There are trails and secret spots throughout the canyon and I love showing friends and family these hidden spots. I’d take them to the Topanga Canyon Gallery, the Canyon Bistro, Cafe Mimosa, and the Canyon Gourmet. We’d drive down Highway 27 to PCH and head north into Malibu and beyond for a drive up the coast. I love the Greek Theater for live music and LACMA for the latest exhibits. One of my favorite hidden gems in the L.A. area is the 102-year-old Old Town Music Hall in El Segundo where they show classic movies, some of which are accompanied by a live organist. I’d take them to Jean Jacques Machado’s Jiu Jitsu academy where I train Jiu Jitsu, and I’d end every evening with hot yoga and massage therapy at my favorite yoga studio, Valley Hot Yoga in Woodland Hills.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My wife Tina has been my biggest supporter. She’s always the first to make sacrifices in order to accommodate my jobs that require travel, leaving her to hold down the fort at home. During times when my confidence was at it’s lowest, she’s been there to remind me that I have a voice and a vision that’s unique to me. Photographically speaking, I’m incredibly inspired by two of my dearest friends from Detroit, Tom Stoye, and Eric Perry. Both are two of the purest and most authentic photographers I’ve ever seen, and I’ve been lucky enough that I happen to be friends with both of them. They never cease to inspire and amaze me. I’ve also recently met a photographer named Ian Spanier, who I’ve gotten to know a bit, and who’s work really moves me. Ian is a master of lighting, and I pick his brain every chance I get. His portrait work is on another level, and the quality of light in his photographs creates depth and mood, and tells a story like only the elite photographers can.

Website: www.DonHoltz.com

Instagram: @dholtzphoto

Facebook: Don Holtz Photography

Image Credits
copyright Don Holtz Photography