I grew up in England...now live full time in Kauai
Aloha, I'm David Fraser-Marsh
In England, when I was six years old I used a big old cardboard box to make a stage for my toy soldiers. I cut holes in the box sides and asked my mom for 3 torches (flashlights) to poke through the holes so that my set could be illuminated the way I wanted it. I didn’t know what 3-point lighting was, that it was the foundation for all professional production lighting; it just sort of seemed right to me. From that early age my parents knew where I was headed—the arts. Well, perhaps that and being terrible at mathematics. I was given my first film camera at fifteen and I taught myself how to use it. At age 20, I got a job at Pinewood Film Studios in England, which was the closest I ever came to being taught anything about film. I never went to film school. Never went to an art college. But I’ve only spent my entire professional life as a film maker and photographer.
Today, I wear a hat that identifies me as a Kauai photographer, which I’ve been doing since 2010. Here’s some of the other creative things I’ve done. In the 80s and 90s I directed 17 horror and art films. I ran one of the world’s pioneer digital production studios (Digital Post) in Los Angeles. I taught film students at USC non-linear editing on George’s Lucas’ Edit Droid NLE. I spent a decade in the car business directing local car commercials. I’ve always loved cooking and I’m told I’m pretty good at it—that’s creative, right? Oh, and I’ve written 5 novels.
"When you want something done well, ask a busy person"
If you run into me on the beach with my camera and want to hire me, search English photographer Kauai. For sure Sunsets at the Beach will show up.
David on the makai golf course, Princeville. November 2023
PROFESSIONAL Photographer IN KAUAI david Marsh
My Photography art
Here are a few things about me and my photography art, in no particular order.
- I love bringing kids out of their shell and getting them to shine in a photo session.
- I'm a stickler for backlight.
- A photo that tells a story is my kind of photo.
- Editing is the icing on the cake.
- Hotspots are not always bad.
- Flat feet create flat photos, so point those toes, or cross your ankles, or dig your feet in, and if all fails, kick!
Tidbits about me personally.
- Winter is citrus time in Kauai and you'll find me at the farmers' market buying tangelos by the crate load.
- I’m into sunsets more than sunrises, not because of lighting—equal there— but dawn shoots make my day very long.
- I dig broccoli and cayenne pepper in smoothies. Peanut butter, yes, but never with jelly.
- Favorite movie? I like so many.
- Favorite book? As a kid, all Jules Verne and H.G Wells. As an adult, I'm an eclectic reader. Michael Crichton to Isabel Wilkerson and a hundred in between.
- Favorite color? Maybe blue, no, purple, no, primrose yellow. You get it. It's the same with most things. I've read thousands of books, no best, seen thousands of movies, tasted more foods than I can name, don't have a bestie but do have a few. Is that weird?
Or is this weird?
- I talk to strangers I pass on the street, "hi, good morning, I like your sneakers."I do the same at the supermarket, in the parking lot at the beach after I’ve finished a photo session. Growing up I was a shy one. Who knew I’d be such a chatter box?
- I’d sooner have the three cameras on me, each with a different lens rather than a single camera and a backpack of lenses.
- I speak one language, three different speeds.
- I'll give my photography and videography time freely to bring awareness to animal cruelty, such as hoarding situations. I've done Youtube videos for these causes. I love cats and dogs equally. So yes I'm an animal-loving photographer Kauai locals can trust.
Okay, nuff said, for now.
Meet SAMUEL WHO SOMETIMES SHOOTS WITH ME
Samuel R. J. Gillilan - Kauai photographer
Samuel R. J. Gillilan (b. 1989) is an award-winning international Leica photographer, visionary artist, educator, explorer, author, and exceptional photographer Kauai visitors are sure to love. His photographic work is found in Vogue, AP, Getty, and more.
Samuel spent his early years growing up on a sail boat in the Pacific Northwest. Visual arts and music were at the forefront of his home-based education.
Samuel and David have worked together since 2016 on major corporate videos, weddings, events and family photography.
david the author
Photographer / author
My first book, a sci-fi fantasy novel for young adults, was published in 2004 and sold, well, a piddly amount of hardback copies although it did garner some complimentary reviews.
Amazon still sells it:
I have 4 novels that will be published, either by a publishing house or self-published. TBD but not before late this year or early 2027. The first is "A Peculiar Form Of Light." After hearing a persistent voice in her mind. fourteen-year-old Aubrey thought she was going crazy. But Aubrey is far from going crazy. She's the first clear telepath ever...only she's not communicating with a human being but an ancient creature far more intelligent than Man who wants to be heard...and maybe seen.
Latest info about my novels including teaser descriptions Here
Sassy posts.
"You need to cough up to read..."
Climate change (an article I wrote many years ago).
In the Rialto Report there's an article detailing some of my stranger film adventures.