Conversations with Davin Lavikka

Today we’d like to introduce you to Davin Lavikka.

Hi Davin, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My path was never cut and dry. More of an evolution. After collage I started out as a technical illustrator for the company that made the machinery that processors are made on. I eventually left to paint full time only to overwhelm myself, then later, switching gears to find myself working for a design firm as a photographer and web developer in the late 90s . After 6 years (2005) I left the firm and started my own photography business. So yes 20 years of being self employed. to fully embrace photography I had to really learn the history fully. I taught myself all of the major processes like daguerreotypes, Tintypes, Wetplate, Dryplate, Making your own film and cameras. I even turned a van into a large format camera . In 2007 I also started an online gallery with an emphasis on photography and in 2009 it evolved into a brick and mortar business. I took over Artspace, a gallery in Oldtown Scottsdale and renamed it Method Art after the first year. The business model was art galleries with working artist studios and an event space. I ran my photography commercial business out of it along with my own artwork as an artist. To complicate my life even more in 2014 I started a YouTube channel – Lavikka Photography. In 2016 I was struggling to find good help with the gallery so I decided to kill the gallery side of the business and just become a working art studio. Covid was game changer too. A large part of my commercial photography business is shooting artwork for artists and during the shut down all of the Artist I knew where creating like wild fire so they kept me very busy which was a good thing because my personal life imploded with a divorce. 2 years ago I finally had to close the doors due to our building where we were leasing was sold. Commercial space just became way too expensive. At the time I was full time care giver to my mother so I was being pulled in a lot off different directions I welcomed the much needed break and embraced working from home. Currently my emphasis is shooting artwork. I shoot for 450 artists, and 50 museums and galleries. As an artist I sell and license my landscape photography. I current enjoy shooting infrared from a paddle board.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There have been many obstacles and challenges a long the way, In the beginning the biggest thing was funding and how to keep your head above water. Bad Landlords have always been an issue. One of the hardest things to sell is art. It doesn’t matter if its your own or some else’s, You have to believe in the importance of it.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
When it comes to my work as an artist I would have to say my biggest series was “The Great Yoga Project”. I worked on that over a ten year period Second would be my landscape photography. I have had some really good commercial success with this over the years. Currently I’m working with a design firm and a major resort here in the valley that will showcase 60 of my pieces. It’s more than that. Its also all of the crazy stories and memories of creating these works.

Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
Everyone needs a little luck. I think luck is putting the energy out there and allowing the universe to respond. Luck has kept me afloat when times were tough. A perfect example. Back when I had my gallery business I got to a point where I needed some funding. Two interior designers walked in off the street Looked around and said “This is the place!”. They sat down with me over lunch and did a custom order worth over 80K of mostly my landscape photography. That kept me funded for a year.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lavikkaphotography.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/azdavin
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/davin.lavikka
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LavikkaPhotography