Touring the finest properties on the California coast would inspire just about anyone to get behind the lens. But The Agency’s David Solomon isn’t just anyone. He’s one of the top-producing real estate agents in the nation (#170 to be exact, according to the 2019 REAL Trends Inc. “The Thousand” ranking) and an extremely talented photographer, whose two passions have converged in the best possible way.
David recently held his first solo photography exhibit, displaying some of his personal works at one of his exceptional listings in Santa Monica. David and his guests gathered at 1705 Ocean Avenue #501, which he co-lists with Anna Solomon, to enjoy a private showing of his gallery-sized images (featured below). Guests were treated to light bites, cocktails and a tour of the corner residence at The Waverly, which features spectacular ocean views from nearly every room. On hand to support were fellow agents from The Agency, including Anna, Margaret Bradley, Jessica Solomon and Doug Sandler.
We caught up with David to get a first-hand account of how his passions for photography and real estate merged and for the story behind his photographic works.
When did you first discover an interest in photography?
I bought my first real camera right around the time my son was born 6.5 years ago. I didn’t want to document my son’s life on my iPhone only and risk losing some memories because the phone wasn’t backed up and then crashed. I’ve always had an interest in photography, especially because a big part of my job requires hiring the best possible photographers to shoot our listings. I love shooting photos as my creative outlet, especially when the surf is flat.
Where do you most like to shoot?
I take my camera with me when I go on family vacations so that I can document these special moments with my son growing up. After he goes to sleep or when he’s taking a nap, I will often go out, explore wherever we may be and take landscape shots and street photography.
Where were the images displayed at your exhibit taken? Are there any interesting stories behind them?
One interesting thing to note about my photo of the Venice Pier is that it’s a shot that will likely never be duplicated. I took it in 2016 around sunset on a rainy day in the middle of July. The lifeguards closed the pier that afternoon due to a fatal lightning strike that occurred at the same beach a few months before. I was able to squeeze my lens through the pier gates and capture an image of one of the busiest piers in California with no one on it. I got lucky to be in the right place at the right time. We were living across the street at the time, so I jumped at the opportunity. Two of the other images were taken on the Amalfi Coast when we were in Italy last summer for a wedding, and the lightning photo was taken from my balcony during that crazy electrical storm we had back in March. (See images below.)
What’s your favorite camera to use?
Right now, I’m shooting with a Sony A7Riii full-frame mirrorless camera.
View some of David’s works below. For more information, contact him at DS@TheAgencyRE.com and to check out 1705 Ocean Avenue #501, click here.
