David J. Murphy is a photographer and visual storyteller with a strong foundation in public affairs and strategic communication. He brings more than 25 years of experience as a visual storyteller in the U.S. military, documenting real people and real moments across a wide range of environments. His work emphasizes authenticity, context, and narrative, with a focus on images that feel honest, intentional, and grounded in the real world.
Formally trained in photojournalism at Syracuse University and at the Defense Information School (DINFOS), Murphy approaches photography with a disciplined, thoughtful mindset shaped by mission-driven work and real-world constraints. His style is clean and cinematic, favoring natural light, strong composition, and restrained processing. Whether working on editorial, documentary, or creative projects, his goal is to create images that are clear, compelling, and built to last.
David is also the founder of Around the Lens, a discussion forum for visual journalism. He created AtL in 2015 after noticing a lack of online discussion about photojournalism and documentary filmmaking. The site now covers platform topics, not just these, but also the broader world of photography and narrative filmmaking, among other visual storytelling mediums.