With three decades of Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce involvement under his belt, Dave Anderson knows better than anyone how to capture success.
You know the saying, “choose a job you love and you’ll never have to work a day in your life”? As president of InSync Photography + Design, Anderson has a busy job, but with his passion for photography, it doesn’t feel like work. He has donated countless hours of photography for Chamber events and programs, simply because he loves what he does. Anderson also continues to stay active in Chamber programs and utilizes its networking opportunities to the fullest extent. His passion and dedication make him our winter Chamber Champion. We took some time to get to know Anderson a little better.
BUSINESS ALTITUDE: What Impact has the Chamber had on your career and business?
DAVE ANDERSON: The Chamber’s impact is really immeasurable. I can’t begin to count the number of clients who have come through my camera’s shutter because of the Chamber. And it’s not just business generated through networking channels, but I have had the great fortune to be referred by the Chamber staff. Imagine the honor of personal referrals from [programs manger] Rob Rose … even [president and CEO] Kelly Brough. Kelly referred me to a private photo session with President Obama. No matter what your politics, to be able to photograph up-close and talk with the president of the United States—that’s pretty cool!
BA: What inspired you to become a photographer?
ANDERSON: Photography has been part of my life since high school. But it was a trip to Alaska during my junior year at [the University of Denver] when I really got the bug. Beginning as a nature and wildlife photographer, I started selling images to greeting card companies, wildlife posters and magazines. That later grew into photographing people (families, weddings, corporate and business portraits), which is what I primarily do now.
BA: What was your first job and the biggest lesson you learned from it?
ANDERSON: My first “real” job was a camp counselor at a canoe tripping camp in northern Ontario, Canada. I did that for five consecutive summers. I learned volumes about good customer service. We had to make sure the campers had a terrific summer experience, and of course we had to please the parents, too. If they weren’t happy, their sons wouldn’t come back!
BA: Who has been most influential to your success?
ANDERSON: My dad, from my earliest recollection, drilled into me the power of hard work and the moral compass of one’s ethical character. If you’re honest and you work hard, good things will always come your way. Today, my wife Amanda is my closest ally and daily key to my success—not only in business, but in life. Amanda truly makes me a better person.
BA: What is the best business advice you’ve ever received?
ANDERSON: I am a huge Peter Drucker fan. All of his books give me great inspiration and sound
advice—not just for business but in life as well. I think my favorite quote of his is, “Doing the right thing is more important than doing the thing right.” Close second is, “If you want something new, you have to stop doing something old.”
BA: What has been your favorite photoshoot as a photographer?
ANDERSON: I’ve had so many great photo session experiences. Photographing the training of the 2014 Winter Paralympic team for Liberty Mutual Insurance at Devil’s Thumb [Ranch] was a real treat. And not long ago, we shot a destination wedding in Puerto Vallarta. It was great fun because the bride and groom really valued photography, so we were able to spend lots of time with them in some awesome, high-end resort locations.
BA: What is your favorite thing about being a Chamber member?
ANDERSON: I’ve been associated with the Denver Chamber, first as a staffer (yes, I was on the staff here), then as a member since the ’80s. Throughout that long association, I have been able to get to know hundreds of Colorado’s most influential folks. No question, the best part of being a Chamber member is our membership!
Kathryn Goggin is the events specialist for the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce.
This was originally published in the Winter issue of Business Altitude. Click here to read the full issue.