Artist David Stesner: Collaborating with Lamborghini, Selling to Royal families & Butterfly Project

David Stesner, a renowned photographer and artist, shares his journey from assisting legendary photographers to creating his iconic butterfly collection and building a luxury home decor brand.

David Stesner, a classically trained artist, has carved a unique path in the art world, transitioning from assisting iconic photographers like Albert Watson to creating his own globally recognized work, including his deeply personal butterfly collection inspired by life, loss, and transformation. His art, featured in prestigious galleries like the St Regis Hotel in Doha and collected by royal families, reflects a blend of fashion, nature, and emotional depth. In this episode, Stesner discusses the challenges of breaking into the competitive photography industry, the evolution from analog to digital, and the importance of networking and social media in amplifying his reach. He also shares how he balances passion and profit, culminating in the creation of David Stesner Art House, a luxury brand applying his art to home decor, making it accessible to a wider audience while maintaining exclusivity.

David Stesner’s Discusses:
◽️ Digital photography revolutionized his creative process
◽️ Capturing personality enhances portrait photography
◽️ Butterfly collection reflects life and loss
◽️ Luxury brand balances exclusivity and accessibility
◽️ Social media connected art with elites

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⏱ Timestamps
00:00 Intro
00:46 Why art? David’s early influences
01:36 From childhood interest to professional art
04:09 Balancing passion and profit early
09:15 Assisting legendary photographers: Lessons learned
15:06 Analog vs. digital photography shift
21:10 Building rapport for emotional portraits
23:38 What separates great photographers
26:50 Misconceptions about David’s on-set demeanor
30:41 Networking for elite galleries, collectors
33:46 Emotional weight of selling art
39:49 Balancing interpretation in art creation
43:39 Artist-collector relationship dynamics
45:38 Lamborghini collaboration for luxury show
50:04 Launching David Stesner Art House
59:19 Exclusivity’s role in pricing strategy
1:02:07 David’s legacy as artist, philanthropist
1:02:47 Future exhibits and brand scaling
1:03:53 Takeaway: Passion with a backup
1:04:56 Art, business, and branding insights
1:06:41 Outro

📌 Resources

David Stesner:
◽️ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidstesner/?hl=en
◽️ Website: https://www.davidstesner.com/
◽️ Home Decor Brand: https://davidstesnerarthouse.com/
◽️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-stesner-arthouse-b19a1710 

Harvey Bracken-Smith:
◽️ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/harveybracken-smith
◽️ Instagram: instagram.com/harveybsmith
◽️ X (Twitter): x.com/harveybsmith_

Personable Podcast:
◽️ Instagram: instagram.com/personable.podcast
◽️ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/personablepodcast
◽️ TikTok: tiktok.com/@personableclips
◽️ Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/7JOTYDER6m2FDrlhop4api
◽️ Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/personable/id1671640111

Additional:
◽️ The Draft (Sign up): thedraft.io
◽️ Fundraising: justgiving.com/crowdfunding/LouLouRacefoiundation?utm_term=PvByaxmdn

Personable is a podcast dedicated to helping listeners become the best they can be by learning from the world’s best in their respective fields. This mission is inspired by my mother, Louise, who encouraged me to become the best version of myself before she passed away from cancer in 2023.

This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not financial advice. Always consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. Investing involves risks, and past performance is not indicative