PHOTOGRAPHER DAVIS HILTON ISNT EVEN OUT OF UNIVERSITY YET BUT ALREADY HE'S BUILT AN INCREDIBLE REPUTATION AND FOLLOWING FOR HIS PHOTOGRAPHY

DAVIS HILTON

You're a fab young photographer with an incredible eye from Portland, USA - tell us about yourself, Who Davis Hilton? And how did he get into photography?

Thank you! That's such a big question! While I live in Portland, I'm actually from a small town in Idaho! I grew up in a very conservative home and had a pretty typical childhood. My biggest journey in life has to be my coming to terms with being gay, and accepting all sides of myself. Essentially, photography was my escape from normal life and it helped me cope with my coming of age in many ways.

Your photography shoots are predominantly portraits but they vary from weddings, to seniors to family shoot - which kind of shoot do you find yourself gravitating towards as a favourite?

I love working with other creatives. Models are always so interesting and also they are passionate about creating images, which I love. I feel most inspired and driven when working with other models. However, the money for me comes from working with families and wedding couples, and it is equally interesting to get to know these people as I work with them to create images that capture their special moments forever.

Some of the wedding shoots you've done like 'emily + blakes' are shot in the most beautiful locations, but what is it like shoot over the sea and giant rocks? What kind of obstacles does it pose - do you worry about accidentally dropping all the equipment in the sea, or the couple getting soaked by waves?

Thank you! Generally, the clients that book me for work are the more adventurous type. They're the ones who bring up the ideas of using the ocean, or a bluff, or a rocky outlook as the destination for their photos. I love working with this type of person! Sometimes these hikes, crashing waves, and muddy paths are big obstacles, especially with a nicely dressed wedding couples clothing to keep in mind, but it's always really fun to get past them and capture some funny/cute photos in the process. I think it makes the moments more real.

Alongside your work you've also started hosting workshops in your home town of Oregon - you had once last month, how did it go? What was it like to teach others how to shoot?

My first workshop was amazing! I had a much larger turnout than I ever expected and it was a lot of fun to work with driven and creative individuals who had a sincere desire to learn.

Are they something you want to do more of?

YES

What are your plans for the future - I know your still at college, but where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

I have about 2 years left until I graduate with my major in advertising! Then I plan to relocate and work for an ad agency or open up a photo studio! I don't have a solid plan yet, but I generally have learned to just go with the flow and work hard, and things end up coming my way. Wish me luck!