Life through the lens

Photo by Emily Caswell LAPEER — Madonna, Rick James, Dolly Parton and Billy Joel. These are just a few of the 600 some musicians and celebrities that local photographer Dave Shaffer, a 1972 Lapeer High School grad, has photographed

throughout the years. “At first it started out as a hobby, then it became an obsession,” he said. While photographing celebs may have become an obsession for Shaffer, he’s no stalking paparazzi shooter. In fact, during his career as a photographer Shaffer rarely took a photo without a celebrity’s permission — a lesson he learned from Lassie’s June Lockhart, who once yelled at Shaffer for taking her picture at a convention and Conway Twitty, who once tried to have Shaffer thrown out of an event.

“There’s a lot of pictures I (have) missed out on by being polite,” he said. “(But) I realize these people get this 24 hours a day.”

Dottie West Photo Copyright David C. Shaffer Being polite, however, has also paid off. One of Shaffer’s favorite photos is of Rick James, shot backstage, and the photo only exists because Shaffer was patient and polite and of course, in the right place in the right time.

So, how exactly does one get in the right place to photograph Rick James backstage?

For Shaffer, who recently returned to Lapeer after living in the south for years, it started early with this love of photography.

Born and raised in Lapeer, Shaffer said he can’t remember a time when photography didn’t interest him.

“I always liked taking pictures,” he said.

In the fourth grade Shaffer was able to earn his own brownie box camera by selling Christmas cards.

Having never taken a photography lesson or class, Shaffer said all of his knowledge comes from a “shoot and miss” kind of attitude.

Madonna Photo Copyright David C. Shaffer Besides the fact that he exposed a lot of film in the beginning, Shaffer said his talent is “all natural.”

Through the years he continued to hone his craft by reading up on it and practicing.

Since his brownie box camera days, he’s come a long way. Now, for example, he much prefers his Canon and in the early 1970s Shaffer found a new muse for his art: celebrities.

His first chance to shoot a celebrity came the same year he graduated high school in 1972 when he got a shot of Micky Dolenz form the Monkees. Dolenz was in Flint to promote a movie and Shaffer saw an opportunity for a great photo. From there he began watching the papers for celebrity book signings and sneaking his camera into concerts.

After high school Shaffer joined the military, taking his camera along, which afforded him the opportunity to photograph Ronald Reagan.

“I’ve always had a camera with me,” he said.

Following the military Shaffer took a job as a truck driver — a profession he still holds — but never stopped taking pictures.

In the 1980s he took a job in a photo lab in Birmingham, Mich. and made connections with other photographers. Those connections eventually landed Shaffer freelance gigs with Detroit radio stations. Shaffer no longer had to sneak his camera into concerts. He had full access. He shot concerts, festivals — like the Detroit’s Downtown Hoedown — and more.

“I don’t think I bought a concert ticket for 20 years,” said Shaffer. “(I) had access to a lot of people.”

He even became friends with some of the performers including Dottie West. To this day he exchanges Christmas cards with her family.

During this same time Shaffer also did freelance work for The County Press, The Detroit Free Press, The Detroit News and various trade magazines.

When the transition to digital took place, Shaffer slowed down his photography business.

“I always keep my fingers in it,” he said, “(but) I do it more as a hobby now.”

Since his job as a truck driver keeps him on the road Shaffer sees a lot of America and has gotten into taking scenery shots. Still, he’ll never forget his days as a celebrity photographer.

“I have been blessed with everything I have seen and done in my life. Not very many people have the opportunity to do what I do,” said Shaffer. “A lot of it has been (being) in the right place at the right time. I have met some great people in my travels and have made some great

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