David Lee
David Lee grew up climbing trees, play structures, and anything that had a pinnacle he could ascend. Although he is an adventurer at heart, he didn’t begin to truly cultivate his love for the outdoors until adulthood. Although his family desired to go on camping trips, there were many barriers that made outdoor spaces difficult to access. A trip to Yosemite while in college left a longing to return year after year. He remembers the first time he visited the valley and wants to share those types of experiences with as many people as he can.
David is an African-American, Oakland-based photographer and writer. He has worked in social and human services teaching young people art, life skills, and wellness practices. His passion for working with young adults started when he was still a young adult himself. He began working with youth who were experiencing homelessness and in the foster care system and continued that work for over a decade. During that time, David has worked on photography projects that centered around the culture and development of Oakland through portraiture and street photography. David has dedicated himself to increasing the representation in outdoor spaces and creating access points to explore outdoor activities. He is an avid rock climber, backpacker, and alpinist.