I am david.

Ask me what I do, and I won't simply say "photographer." I see myself as a problem solver who uses a camera, finding the creative possibilities in every assignment and building them into something striking.

Over 21 years, my work has taken me from newspaper photojournalism and weddings in New Jersey to commercial and aviation photography, and to U.S. Coast Guard assignments from across the U.S. to Japan and Singapore. Along the way, Nikon Singapore and Nikon Asia selected me to teach other photographers.

Every chapter pushed me in a different way. I'm no help assembling IKEA furniture or changing a car's oil. Hand me a creative problem, though, and I know exactly what to do.

Today, I bring that experience to brand photography in Boston and beyond, working with fitness, wellness, hospitality and lifestyle businesses to create imagery built around how they need to be seen. I also serve as Creative Partner for U.S. Coast Guard Academy Athletics, shaping the program's visual identity through sport, portraiture and athlete storytelling.

Honestly, it has never felt like work.

at a glance

2004

the year I started shooting professionally

5+

years living and working in Singapore

1.9M

miles flown for work and travel

70,418

entries from 180 countries. Mine was one of 13 chosen for the 2024 Nikon Calendar.

Nikon photowalk led by David Lau in Singapore

PHOTOWALKS

Led Nikon photowalks and hands-on shooting experiences using the latest Nikon equipment.

TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY

Presented travel photography masterclasses covering location planning, composition and creating distinctive imagery.

COMMERCIAL LIGHTING

Led advanced lighting workshops combining Nikon cameras with professional lighting systems.

Commercial lighting workshop with Nikon Singapore

Commercial lighting workshop with Nikon Singapore led by David Lau

Nikon dog photography workshop led by David Lau in Singapore

INTRO TO LIGHTING

Taught photographers how to shape natural and artificial light through practical, hands-on demonstrations.

VISUAL STORYTELLING

Led workshops focused on turning everyday moments into compelling visual stories.

DOG PHOTOGRAPHY

Created hands-on workshops covering action, composition and photographing dogs outdoors.

NIKON WORKSHOPS & MASTERCLASSES

While living in Singapore, I worked with Nikon Singapore and Nikon Asia, leading photography workshops, photowalks, masterclasses, and presentations across a wide range of photographic disciplines.

David Lau presenting travel photography workshop

Black and white photo of Coast Guard crew member in flight gear looking out helicopter window.

Aerial view of coastline with four helicopters flying in formation over lighthouse.

American flag flying from the mast of a sailing vessel on blue waters.

Industrial view of a Jayhawk helicopter undergoing maintenance overhaul in a Pennsylvania facility.

U.S. Coast Guard and Guam flags wave together as the service establishes a new base on the Pacific island.

Large group of military personnel posing with international flags at Exercise SEACAT.

Modern military aircraft cockpit view showing digital instrument displays during flight.

US Coast Guard Jayhawk helicopter parked inside a large maintenance hangar.

Two Coast Guard helicopters parked on tarmac under blue sky with white clouds.

Coast Guard helicopter flies past a sailing vessel with full sails and American flag.

Aerial view of Washington DC monuments and buildings from NORAD News webpage.

US Coast Guard Proceedings magazine cover featuring orange and yellow helicopters in formation.

Article about women in Coast Guard aviation maintenance with helicopter hangar background.

Coast Guard magazine cover featuring white ship with red stripe against ocean background.

A black and white photo of a US Coast Guard HC-130 aircraft on a runway with propellers visible.

An athlete clears hurdles on a track at the US Coast Guard Academy.

US Coast Guard Acquisition Directorate webpage showing a response boat in rough waters.

A STORY OF SERVICE

For more than 14 years, I've served our nation through what I do best — photography. It has been one of my greatest honors to visually tell the story of the U.S. Coast Guard: 24,000+ final images across more than 100 assignments, from cutters and air stations to multinational exercises including RIMPAC 2024 and SEACAT.

Person in black jacket holding camera equipment in snowy conditions near an aircraft.

WHERE IT ALL STARTED

Group photo at night with city skyline visible in the background.

My career began in 2004 as a freelance wedding photographer. A year later, I was also shooting for the Asbury Park Press in New Jersey as a freelance newspaper photojournalist. By 2006, my wedding work was being recognized by the Wedding Photojournalist Association and featured by The Knot.

I still remember being asked to photograph a triathlon because I was the new kid in the newsroom, and apparently the one who could wake up early enough. I loved it. The adrenaline, the action, never knowing exactly what was going to happen next and the challenge of finding something beautiful to photograph, no matter the assignment.

I had no idea then how much that assignment would shape the next two decades of my career. Turns out, I might just be an adrenaline and technical junkie. Give me something fast, complicated, or a little challenging to create, and I'm happy.

Collection of fashion and lifestyle magazines spread out on wooden floor.

Silhouetted couple walking down church aisle in dramatic black and white composition.

Newlyweds running through ocean waves in wedding attire on beach.

Contents page of bridal magazine featuring traditional paper parasol and red flower accent.

Business professionals in suits standing together outside modern glass building entrance.

Vintage style magazine article about wedding toasts showing celebratory moment at reception.

Wall Street Journal article showing travelers aboard plane and group photo outside Lufthansa hangar.

Romantic beach wedding photo with flowing veil catching ocean breeze.

Glamorous wedding spread with showgirls in gold costumes and celebration moments captured in photos.

Aviation magazine spread featuring cockpit displays and technical specifications.

Black and white newspaper page showing multiple photos and text about a Red Bank show.

Wedding magazine layout featuring pink peonies bouquet and celebration details.

Black and white wedding reception photo capturing celebratory dancing moment.

Passion Projects

Rollerblader jumping over metal rail at illuminated urban skate park with colorful mural backdrop.

Not every photograph needs an assignment. Travel, street, urban sports — personal work is where I experiment, take creative risks, and photograph simply because something catches my eye.

That freedom has shaped some of my favorite images, including the photograph selected for the 2024 Nikon Worldwide Calendar. What I work out on my own time usually finds its way into the next commercial assignment.

Long-tailed macaque with crackers in Singapore, photographed by David Lau, featured in the 2024 Nikon Worldwide Calendar

Outside of photography, I enjoy cycling and bringing my Brompton foldable bicycle to explore a new country. So far, I have biked in Sydney Australia, Seoul in Korea, Taipei, Taiwan, Japan and Singapore. It's a fun and neat way to see the new place, meet people along the way and get a cup of coffee.

If you are in Boston area, send me a message. Let’s go for a ride , grab a coffee, and talk cameras!