David was introduced to me by Rebecca from Realty Butler, a really cool agency that helps realtors up their branding game. As soon as David and I got chatting, I knew he was exactly the type of client I love working with: witty, down-to-earth, and looking for something a little different. Our session (as you will read David describe below) was nothing short of fun, and we felt like old friends. I loved how as we moved about Fort Langley to some of David’s favourite spots that we ran into people that he knows, who ended up making cameos throughout the session as I was able to capture him often in mid-hug. David is truly a community man, and I could see that through this session. It almost made me want to pack up and move to Fort Langley based on how friendly it seemed through his interactions.
Below is my interview with David – get ready to have a good laugh and be inspired by quite a super cool guy.
Tell us a little bit about who you are, what you do and why you do it?
Technically, I’m a ‘REALTOR®.’ I can hear the booing and hissing already, but if I can just have a minute? I’m the kind of real estate professional you don’t hear enough about in the media – the kind that genuinely love our communities, that place our clients above ourselves, and that strive for excellence in all we do. I’m passionate about building a business that celebrates the good going on in the cities I serve, and that places people over property, always.
When you started to think about launching your business why did you decide to do a personal branding photoshoot?
I’ll be honest, I’m not a classically handsome man – my wife’s beautiful, I married up, but she didn’t marry me for my looks. Unfortunately, my industry is perhaps the only one left that feels it necessary to plaster our faces all over our branding materials. I’m still not sure why? I mean, I didn’t hire my lawyer because he was tall, dark, and handsome, or my accountant because she used to model in GQ? Nevertheless, as different as I want my business to be, it’s still important that my clients know what I look like, at least so when we meet at the coffee shop they know to look out for the guy with the beard and the glasses.
What were you looking for when you were on the search for a photographer?
I wanted a photographer that was able to capture a person’s personality, not just their appearance (see above.) I’m a millennial, again, give me a minute! Aesthetics matter to us. Authenticity matters to us. I desired a photographer that could make me look as good as possible, without resorting to the classic year-book headshot, or a picture of me on my cell phone. I needed a photographer that understood how, and more importantly, why I was building my business differently.
What was your favourite part about our shoot together?
Michele. Michele was my favourite part of our shoot! She immediately seemed to understand my intentions and got to work bringing them to life. She took control the way a professional should, she gave appropriate guidance, and displayed both her competence and experience throughout the duration of our time together. Confession: I made a mistake before our shoot, I tried to involve my family, including my two young kids – I wouldn’t recommend this, simply because kids are notoriously terrible to photograph, and my two lived up to the reputation. In spite of their refusal to cooperate, Michele remained unflustered and gracious. She even managed to shoot a picture of my kids that will remain an iconic image for the rest of our lives.
Where do you draw your inspirations from?
That’s not a difficult question for me to answer:
1. My parents – their work ethic and desire to help others sacrificially has influenced me more than anyone else.
2. My kids – the way they look at me motivates me to be the best role model I can be.
3. My faith – I always want to treat others the way I’d like to be treated. I believe one day I’ll be held to account for the way I care for people.
If you had an inspirational mood board, what would be pinned to it?
– Pictures of my family (I love them deeply, they motivate me daily.)
– Pictures of Tofino vacations (my happy place is on Chesterman Beach, with a cedar fire, a growler of local beer, and a face-full of Tacofino tacos…)
– Raw materials like wood shingles/slate tiles/rusted metals/etc. (Perhaps a little cliched, I know, but I’m a very tactile person.)
– Quotes from Scripture and my favourite authors (Wendell Berry, Thoreau, Marilynn Robinson, St. Augustine, Calvin, C.H. Spurgeon, Dostoyevsky, and others.)
My bucket list contains…
– A life I want to live.
– A relationship with God that authentically influences my whole life.
– A job that doesn’t feel like a job.
– A relationship with my spouse that’s life-giving.
– A long list of those I’ve had the opportunity to serve well.
– An ability to help support those I love when they are in need.
– A business that helps others provide for their families.
– A level of influence I can use to benefit others.
– Kids that have all of the above.
You can find David at: davidsmithhomes.ca Or get social with him on: Facebook & Instagram
