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Author and photographer, David Toczko, is the eye behind the lens of Lone Dakota Photography. David's interest in photography began in 1985 and has grown to a successful career as a freelance, commercial photographer. While his work has garnered numerous awards and international recognition, David still calls Elizabethtown, Kentucky his home and prefers to focus on subjects in the “Bluegrass State”. His subject matter is a wide variety of Landscapes, Architecture, Still Life as well as Fine Art, Equestrian and Classical Performances. Acclaimed for its richness, depth of color, texture and clarity, his work seeks out the everyday and often overlooked aspects of life while accepting the gifts nature often gives him. His artistic vision is to create photographs with both visual and emotional impact and is focused in his signature style of low light / natural light which adds a dimension not always found in the studio while maintaining a high degree of technical excellence.
With four award winning books to his credit, David continues his search for the next best shot and shares his passion for photography with fellow photographers through college courses and seminars. His photographs are exhibited at galleries and shows across the country and throughout the commonwealth having been selected for display at the Kentucky State Capitol Rotunda, the Senate Offices in the State Capitol Annex and the office of Kentucky First Lady Jane Beshear.
Toczko is a juried member of Visual Arts at the Market (Kentucky Arts Council), the Kentucky Guild of Artists and Craftsman and a member of Professional Photographers of America. He is an archive photographer for the Kentucky Derby, The Rolex Three-Day Event and the Louisville Ballet.
Available for a variety of assignments ranging from commercial photography to commissioned work, David brings the same passion for perfection to all his assignments.
Signed and numbered, limited edition prints are also available for sale. Interested collectors may contact us at sales@lonedakota.com or call 270 766-7403
Artist Statement
My artwork examines the world around us through the photography of objects, people and places. In my work, I strive to portray the world “as is” with no special effects or special lighting. Documentary work produced reveals the social condition around us and draws the viewer into the work to reflect upon that condition. The viewer is engaged through unique angles and perspectives, often seeing subjects again….for the first time.
Through the use of available, natural light, the hues and colors of the
subjects are much more vivid. The shadows and contrasts provide drama and
an emotional connection for the viewer. The stark reality of the
black and white photography produced pulls the viewer into the image for
closer examination.
State of the art equipment and materials are used to produce work of the highest, archival quality. While subject matter may vary from piece to piece, a standardized workflow is employed to ensure a consistent, “signature” look and feel throughout my artwork.
Each piece is created with emotional impact in mind. What emotions are felt and what conclusions are drawn from them is unique to the individual.
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***Awards and Exhibitions***
Black and White Spider Awards 2016 Portraits
Kentucky Derby. KY 2007~2016
Contributing Photographer Kentucky Monthly Magazine September 2015.
Gold ADDY Award for Book Design "Buffalo Trace: Carving the Trail to Great Bourbon" 2014
Gold ADDY Award for Book Design "South Union Shaker Village" 2014
Book: Buffalo Trace: Carving the Trail to Great Bourbon-Author and Photographer Published September 2014
Contributing Photographer Rolls-Royce - A Legacy of Driving Excellence September 2014.
Contributing Photographer Kentucky Monthly Magazine September 2014.
Contributing Photographer Kentucky Monthly Magazine July 2014.
Book: South Union Shaker Village-Author and Photographer Published April 2014
Contributing Photographer Kentucky Monthly Magazine October 2013.
Gold ADDY Award for Book Design "The Ambassador of Bourbon" 2013
Solo Exhibition, Eastern Kentucky University's Center for the Performing Arts February~December 2013 Richmond, KY
Commissioned Exhibition Maker's Mark Distillery Tasting Room April 2012~Ongoing Loretto, KY
Louisville Ballet Contributing Archive Photographer 2007~2015.
Rolex Three-Day Event Contributing Photographer 2011~ 2016
Visions at the Capitol, Kentucky State Capitol
2008~2014 Frankfort, KY
Contributing Photographer Kentucky Magazine December 2012
Shaker Workshops Catalog Cover Image Holiday 2013, Holiday 2012, Holiday 2011, Holiday 2010, Holiday 2009, Fall
2009, Winter 2008
Book: The Ambassador of Bourbon: Maker's Mark and the Rebirth of America's Native Spirit-Author and Photographer Published September 2012
Cover Photo Kentucky Monthly September 2012
Featured Artist, Kentucky Arts Council July, 2012
Governor's Derby Exhibition, Kentucky State Capitol 2008~2013 Frankfort, KY
Office of the First Lady's Exhibition, Kentucky State Capitol 2008~2014 Frankfort, KY
Black and White Spider Awards 2012 Photojournalism
First Place Kentucky Bourbon Festival Photography Contest Bardstown, KY 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.
Group Exhibition Pyro Gallery Louisville, KY August 2012
Contributing Photographer Book: "Paws Forever" PAWS Shelter Foundation July 2012
Group Exhibition "Shaped By Water" Richmond, KY April 2012
Group Exhibition "Art at the Cathedral" Lexington, KY April 2012
Group Exhibition "Movements" Tuska Museum Lexington, KY April 2012
Group Exhibition "Faces" Kentucky Artisan Center March 2012
Yo-Yo Ma, University of Georgia Official Photographer January 2012
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, University of Georgia Official Photographer January 2012
Juried Member Kentucky Guild of Artists and Craftsman 2012 to present
Member of the Official Photography Team for the Kentucky Derby. KY 2007~2011
Personal Gallery Showing, Corner Stone Art Gallery March ~ April 2011 Frankfort, KY
Personal Gallery Showing, Elk Creek Winery March ~ May 2011 Owenton, KY
ADDY Award for Book Design "Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill" 2010
Book: Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill: 50th Anniversary of the Restoration-Author and Photographer Published November 2010
KY Arts Council 2009 Annual Report cover photo
Personal Gallery Showing, The Morrison Gallery Elizabethtown Community and Technical College January 2011 Elizabethtown, KY
Personal Gallery Showing, The State Theater Complex November 2010 Elizabethtown, KY
Vienna Symphony Orchestra, Centre College Official Photographer September 2010
Black and White Spider Awards 2010 Photojournalism
Tchaikovsky Ballet at Centre College Official Photographer February 2010
First Federal Savings Bank 2009 Annual Report cover photograph and contributing photographs.
New York Philharmonic at Centre College Official Photographer March 2009
Moscow Ballet at Centre College Official Photographer March 2008
Personal Gallery Showing, Ministry Workshop Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, KY September 2008
Smithsonian Magazine Photograph of the Day (August 18, 2008)
Gallery Exhibition, The State Theater Complex, Elizabethtown, KY January 26 thru February 16, 2007.
"At Home With Donald Gardner" Spring 2007 Edition Donald A. Gardner Publishing Greenville SC.
DxO Labs Image Master January 10, 2007. DxO Optics Boulogne, France.
"At Home With Donald Gardner" Winter 2006 Edition Donald A. Gardner Publishing Greenville SC.
Center for New Age Photography residence, Boston, MA September 13, 2006.
Canon Professional Services membership active since August 1, 2006.
"Serpent Magazine" July-August 2006 Edition Project Eve, Surrey, England.
White Mills Day Exhibition, White Mills, KY July 1, 2006
Professional Photographers of America membership active since May 31, 2006.