About the Photographer

Dave Townsend is mostly a self taught photographer. When Dave sees what he feels is a good photo opportunity he pictures in his mind how it would look matted and framed and hanging on someone’s wall.

He grew up in South Jersey and has been visiting the Jersey Shore most of his life. The shore is in his genes. He is a direct descendant of John Townsend, who was allegedly the first white settler in Cape May County about 1681. Another relative was Richard Townsend who bought 663 acres of Pecks Beach in 1726. Pecks Beach is now Ocean City, NJ.

Dave’s love of the water is also part of his DNA. But the water was involved with several family tragedies.  In the 1834 his great, great, great grandfather, Captain Jehu Townsend, was lost at sea on the schooner R. Tomlin out of Cape May, NJ. Dave’s great grandfather and an uncle were drowned in the Delaware Bay while working for American Dredge Co. Their tugboat Durham was caught in a hurricane and sunk in 1904. A great uncle was killed as the pilot of the steamer, Major Reybold, which was docked in Camden, NJ and the pilot house was blown off in a cyclone in 1885.

Dave's inspiration for his Lifeboat Series of photos began with his daughter serving on the Upper Township Beach Patrol. The South Jersey Lifeguard competitions presented opportunities to photograph the boats from the various beach communities. Dave’s real niche is his multiple boat photos.

Dave's travel presents him with other photographic opportunities. He started the Lighthouse Series to compliment his Lifeboat Series, and has an extensive collection of lighthouse photos from around the U.S., which continues to grow. These series are complimented with other miscellaneous photos from his travels.

Dave uses his photography to help secure donations for the Blueyes Foundation, which in turn distributes all funds raised to various charities.