American artist, David Bricquet was born in Wiesbaden, Germany toward the end of the Cold War. His father was an electrical engineer in the US Air Force, leading the family to move frequently. Bored with High School, David was at best, an average student. He challenged mindless convention in favor of innovation and the exploration of new ideas. This often frustrated parents and teachers and lead to searching for truth and expression outside the traditional education system. His sophmore year in Fort Worth, Texas, David borrowed his father’s old Olympus OM-1 and skipped class to take pictures with other delinquents in the downtown Botanical Gardens. This was the beginning of his love affair with photography. At college and beyond, David studied the performing arts, design, mythology, literature, psychology, evolutionary biology, physics, metaphysics, epistemology, philosophy and earned degrees in Forensic Osteology and Theatre.

In 2010, while working with Wilhelmina Models of Atlanta, David rekindled his interest in photography. Armed with a strong understanding of the theatre, direction and staging, David honed his new craft enough to be named a two time Portrait Photographer of the Year (Oklahoman) and (D Magazine)

Since 2014, David has voraciously sought to distill and transform his style. Being a long time stage director, David often coaches his subjects, crafting images with genuine, bold and cinematic expression. Inspired by Old Hollywood and 1920s German Expressionist Film, David works in clean lines, rich dramatic color, lighting and dynamic, often otherworldly composition. He pours over the works of painters like John Singer Seargent and Georges de la Tour. Other photographers like Anton Corbjin and Herb Ritts influence each session. David does not limit himself to the digital medium. He uses an arsenal of techniques and skills including both digital and analog photography, digital sculpture, oil and acrylic painting, collage, and of course a vast array of editing tools.

“Photography is not about story telling.” says David. “That’s just some marketing buzzword. Photography is an exorcism, a negotiation of truths, half-truths and outright sorcery. Storytelling can be wonderful. But if an artist can’t stir the viewer, if you can’t make them feel all the love or passion or hate or whatever indescribable cocktail of emotions you have growling inside, then your story is meaningless. Make me feel something real. If the viewer feels something, they will create their own story. They will become part of this conversation between artist and observer. The photographer’s job is to leave the observer wounded with wonder.”

Throughout Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana, David established himself as one of the great campaign photographers in the entertainment industry. Comapanies like Oklahoma City Repertory, Stage West, Circle Theatre, Zach Theatre, Oklahoma Ballet, Oklahoma Philharmonic, Casa Manana, Alley Theatre and many many more have all used his art and photography to promote their works.

In 2023 David moved to Winston-Salem with his wife, Mariah. There he directs and acts in live theatre, creates art and travels on occasion for assignments.

~369~