Early love of art took unexpected turn to photography

Some photographers grow up knowing they want to spend their lives behind the lens of a camera. David Fitzgerald did not.

"I didn't know I wanted to be a photographer until I began working in the public information office for the 45th Division of the Army Reserve,” he said.

His warrant officer, George Tapscott, a name well-known to longtime Oklahoman readers, sent Fitzgerald out in the field to take a variety of photographs.

When Fitzgerald turned in the assignment, Tapscott was impressed. "Fitzgerald, have you ever thought about being a photographer?” Tapscott asked, as recalled by Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald remembers that first click with photography with relish. "I had more fun that day when George discovered me,” Fitzgerald said.

Originally, he wanted to be an artist. He studied at the Kansas City Art Institute and later the Oklahoma City University School of Art. His first jobs were in the field of illustration. As founder of David G. Fitzgerald & Associates, a commercial photography studio in Oklahoma City, he created numerous images seen in the advertisements of national and international clients.

Early on, his work received national attention. But a nine to five life behind a desk was far from appealing — stifling — to Fitzgerald.

"I just couldn't do it,” he said. This is a man who needs sunshine and windows on the world. "Photography was my ‘out,' ” he admits. It allowed him to escape the confines and tight deadlines of illustration, although he has respect for what the world of advertising taught him.

Today, he is known as one of the state's premier photographers. His portfolio is diverse — from compelling landscapes and architecture to people profiles and commercial enterprises.

He remembers his first camera with great fondness.

"It was one of the first Nikon cameras, and my mother brought it home from a trip to Japan. I was in love with that camera,” he said. Now, his cache of cameras is much more sophisticated.

Thirty-seven years later, Fitzgerald has mastered the digital camera. He applauds his wife, Mari, who is a computer whiz, for helping him walk into this new realm of photography.

In recent years, Fitzgerald has moved a little away from the single subject beautiful photographs. Having covered almost every section of the state in his photographs — maybe a few rural locales are yet to be photographed — he has immersed himself in the history and lifestyles of Oklahoma through his books. His current project is a book in progress titled "Building One Fire.” It is due out next year.

"It occurred to me one day that I didn't know anything about Oklahoma,” he said. He grabbed his camera — no longer the old Nikon — and ran. "There may be some remote places in the state I haven