Interview by Kati Driscoll
Have you always lived in Delaware? If not, what brought you here?
No, I was born and raised in New Jersey. There's some sense of pride in being from New Jersey, I'm sure that's true for most folks about the places they grew up, but Jersey is alright... I lived in Florida for a while then ended up in Delaware when I was about 17. I met my wife Charise only a few days after moving to Delaware. That was about 15 years ago now...
You're a photographer known for experimenting with a variety of formats. Which is your favorite and why?
I'm not quite sure yet, there are still a few things I have yet to try. I've been making preparations to start making wet plate tintypes, I'll be starting up as soon as I finish the work for Fun-A-Day. I love 35mm film photography and I really enjoy large format photography, I recently purchased a 4x5 camera, it's a really peaceful process for me. It slows me down, I like that.
What is your favorite subject to photograph? What draws you to said subject?
Hands down, portraits.
I really enjoy the interaction with my subjects. It's a great challenge for me to try and reach the soul of a person and freeze that moment in time forever. It's another reason I really would rather shoot film, it's something you can hold in your hands, it's real.
Do you have any other creative pursuits, aside from photography?
I play music a bit, I was in bands when I was younger, but singing and playing guitar is more of a hobby nowadays. I also write a bit, nothing serious, but I contribute to a mobile photo blog wearejuxt.com.
How does music influence your work?
I consider Tom Waits and Bruce Springsteen my biggest influences.
Might not make sense, as I am a photographer, but the songs influence my style, at least in my mind. Especially when I'm shooting street photography. I want my photos to look how a Springsteen song sounds.
You were also responsible for the ALIVE art show last year. What made you want to take the reins of such a large project?
I get theses grand, romantic ideas, and before I know it, it's in motion.
None of ALIVE would have been possible without the other artists, in fact I encourage anyone reading this to go and find these folks and look at what they are doing, true inspiration!
Joe Breitenbach, Bonaia Rosado, Danielle Quigley, Dave Mele and Grant Cox.
Any plans for similar shows in the future?
We'll see, I'm entertaining the idea of a permanent space to do events like ALIVE on a more regular basis. But the city of Wilmington isn't making it easy.
Can you tell us a little bit about this year's Fun-A-Day project?
It involves raw, unguarded portraits. The folks that I'm working with are amazing and beautiful and have given me more than I could have imagined.
You are someone who always seems to have something in the works. Any other grand things for 2014 that we should expect from you?
Tintypes, lots of tintypes.
Thanks so much, Dave! For more of Dave's work check out his website or follow him on instagram @dnorphoto.
Portrait of Dave by Nichole Fusca.