The Daily Point of Light Award honors individuals making a meaningful impact through volunteer service. Established by President George H.W. Bush in 1989, this award recognizes those who demonstrate exceptional commitment to community service, improving the lives of others through dedicated and selfless efforts. Recipients come from diverse backgrounds and sectors, united by their passion for making a positive difference. 
I'm honored to be named a #DailyPointofLight Award honoree! 🌟 The Daily Point of Light Award, presented by @beapointoflight, recognizes individuals who drive positive change through exceptional volunteer efforts. This journey has not only allowed me to help others but also enriched my own well-being. I'm proud to be part of this amazing community! ​
Over many years I have had an opportunity to volunteer at the Williamson Museum, Crestview Baptist Church, Habitat for Humanity Williamson County, ROCK Ride on Center for Kids, USO, Give Kids the World.

I had the pleasure of hosting CBS News Anchor John Carlo Estrada at my home of a though provoking conversation about my White House Photography and the Texas Photography Festival to be held March 15,2025 in Georgetown,Texas.
​https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/tbt-experience-history-with-david-valdez-at-the-texas-photography-festival-this-weekend

This will be our 6th year! So excited to see The Texas Photography Festival growing. This year will be one of the best. Join us and get inspired!

I was recognized by the Texas Association of Museums for my effirts that have had a lasting influence on the museum community in the State of Texas. Thanks to Danelle Houck the Executive Director of the Williamson Museum for nominating me for this recognition.

"Eyes on History" with David Valdez
FREE to TPPA Members
Start Date
02/26/2025
Start Time
7:00 PM
End Date
02/26/2025
End Time
8:30 PMWhite House Photography
In the history of the United States on 13 people have been the Official Photographer for the President of the United States. David Valdez is number 5 of that group. David will tell the story of how he became the Official Photographer for President George H.W. Bush. 
He will detail how a White House photographer works, his relationship with The President of the United States. What it was like on a daily basis working in the White House and traveling to 75 countries and all 50 states. What the procedures were managing The White House Photo Office. What happens to all of the images and how they are managed by the United States Archives at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library.
REGISTER HERE
David will cover:

• Behind the scenes in this unique photography job
• Learn about archiving photos
• How to deal with other photographers
• How to be invisible as a photographer
• How to share opportunities with other photographers

Meet David Valez
After graduating from high school in Albuquerque, New Mexico, David Valdez enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, where he was trained as a photographer. He served with the 836th Combat Support Group for four years, and then earned a BA in journalism from the University of Maryland at College Park. While he was a student there, Valdez was employed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as a photographer.
He left the federal government to become chief photographer for Nations Business magazine published by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. In 1983, he became the personal photographer to then-Vice President George Bush. In 1988, President Bush appointed Valdez Director of the White House Photo Office. During this administration, he traveled to 75 countries and all 50 states with the President. In 1997, he published George Herbert Walker Bush: A Photographic Profile.
Valdez was appointed general manager of photography for Walt Disney Attractions in 1993. In 2001, he became Special Assistant to the HUD Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs. Valdez became the Vice President for Business Development for Blue Pixel Digital Experts. Blue Pixel was digital photography consulting firm. Blue Pixel contracted with Nikon and Microsoft. From 2003 to 2010, Valdez was the Director of Visual and Electronic Information for HUD’s Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs. He is the Founder of The Texas Photography Festival.





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Hope everyone can join me for this great Veterans Day Celebration.

We had a great to with our Texas Photography Festival pop up event at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library in College Station, Texas. Chris Allen and I both made presentations about our photography, Chris talked about working in the White House Photo Office and I talked about my time as the personal photographer for President George H.W. Bush. After the presentations  we had lunch at the new Daisy's Cafe and then did a photo walk around the grounds. We had folks come from all over the state including Texas A&M  Photography Club. A few from Austin, Huntsville and Bryan College Station.
Stay tuned for more Texas Photography Festival events around the state.