David Welch is a fine art photographer based in Sonoma County, California, whose work explores the lingering presence of the past in landscapes and places shaped by human activity, natural forces, and the passage of time. His photographs examine what remains—traces of history, memory, and change that continue to give places their distinctive character.

Following a career leading research and analytics organizations in Silicon Valley, Welch returned to his creative roots, pursuing photography as a means of interpreting the world around him. Drawn to places where history remains visible, he approaches his subjects with curiosity and a desire to understand the stories embedded within them.

His photographic projects range from the abandoned industrial structures of Mare Island Naval Shipyard to the fire-scarred forests of Northern California and the forgotten communities of the American West. Rather than simply documenting these environments, Welch uses light, form, abstraction, and atmosphere to create images that invite reflection on memory, loss, resilience, and the enduring presence of place.

Welch’s work has received multiple international honors, including Silver and Bronze awards from the Prix de la Photographie, Paris (PX3). His photography has been featured in L’Oeil de la Photographie and international photography publications, and exhibited at galleries including Viewpoint Photographic Art Center and Black Box Gallery.

Beyond his artistic practice, Welch founded David Welch Photographic Arts, a California nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the preservation of natural and cultural heritage and the advancement of photographic arts. Proceeds from print sales benefit public lands, historic preservation initiatives, and nonprofit photography organizations.

To learn more about this mission, read Why a Non-Profit and How Does It Work?

Download Artist CV (PDF) Updated October 2026.

Selected works are available through Viewpoint Photographic Art Center.

For inquiries about exhibitions, publications, prints, or other matters, please use the Contact Form.