About

Roots in the West

My love for photography began with my father, a devoted outdoorsman who filled my childhood with camping, hiking, hunting, and fishing trips. He shared with me his passion for photography, and the old slides and prints from our adventures left a lasting impression.

When he passed away suddenly when I was twelve, my world shifted overnight. Soon after, I moved to my uncle’s cattle ranch in Kalispell, Montana. Ranch life was relentless and demanding, but it instilled in me self-reliance, discipline, and a deep respect for the land.

From Cockpit to Camera

After graduating from the University of Utah and completing Air Force ROTC, I was commissioned as an officer and earned my silver wings as a U.S. Air Force jet pilot. Before leaving for training, my uncle and aunt gifted me a Canon AE1 film camera—a companion that stayed with me throughout my service.

I flew missions across the Middle East and the Pacific, and later served as the personal pilot to Marine General George B. Crist, commander of all U.S. forces in the Middle East, along with his senior staff.

When my military service concluded, I began a three-decade career as an airline captain, also serving in flight operations management. In 2020, with the pandemic driving my airline into bankruptcy, I chose early retirement to devote myself fully to the art and craft of photography.

An Artist’s Journey

Since founding Park City Photography in 2005, I’ve sought to grow not only in craft but in spirit. A graduate of the New York Institute of Photography, I’ve drawn inspiration from the great masters—Ansel Adams, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Sebastião Salgado, and Nick Brandt. Their works remind me that photography is part of a tradition seeking truth, beauty, and meaning.

During my airline career, I often planned trips and layovers around museums and photographic exhibitions. Those quiet pilgrimages, repeated over three decades, shaped my vision as much as any classroom.

Recognition and Service

Travel, study, and competition have also marked my journey. I’ve been fortunate to receive recognition in international competitions, juried museum exhibitions, and state fairs. Today, I serve on the Board of Directors of the Intermountain Professional Photographers Association, where I enjoy giving back to the craft that has given me so much.

My Philosophy

For me, photography is about more than making images. It is about telling stories, honoring wild places, and creating art that speaks to the soul. My goal is to bring beauty, peace, and a sense of connection into the spaces where you live and work.

I am always glad to meet collectors and offer in-home consultations, bringing finished pieces directly into your space so you can experience how they feel in person.

—David James Winegar