Honoring David Beckham: A Lifetime Member of the Professional Photographers of Ohio

The Professional Photographers of Ohio has always existed because people were willing to show up, do the work, and care deeply about both the craft and the community. Few people embody that commitment more fully than David Beckham.

David served as President of PPO during a critical period in the organization’s history. At a time when PPO was facing real financial and structural challenges, David helped steady the ship. He asked difficult questions, made thoughtful decisions, and helped guide the organization toward a more sustainable future. His leadership was not flashy or self-serving. It was grounded, practical, and rooted in a genuine belief that PPO mattered, and that it was worth fighting for.

That belief extended far beyond board meetings. David has always been deeply passionate about photography itself, not just as a business, but as a way to serve people. Over a career spanning more than 15 years, he built a thriving senior portrait studio in Pickerington, earned national recognition for his work, and taught photographers across Ohio and around the country. His images have appeared in more than 20 national publications, including PPA Magazine, and his work earned multiple honors at the Grand Imaging Awards and beyond. Yet accolades were never the point. As David has often said, photography was about helping people see themselves as they truly are, worthy and beautiful.

Teaching and mentorship were central to his career. Whether hosting workshops in his studio, speaking at PPO events, or presenting nationally at conferences like Imaging USA, ShutterFest, and SYNC, David was generous with his knowledge and his time. Many photographers credit him not just with improving their work, but with helping them believe they belonged in this industry.

That generosity also showed up in quieter, less visible ways. David regularly donated his services to schools, nonprofits, and community organizations. He photographed seniors, sports teams, theater programs, and fundraising events at little or no cost. He used his platform to raise money for food pantries, homeless outreach, and local causes, often involving his senior models so they could experience giving back firsthand. Even as his studio closed, nearly everything inside it was donated to schools, community groups, and local organizations rather than discarded.

In January 2024, David suffered a severe stroke that permanently changed his ability to work as a professional photographer. After a long and difficult recovery process, he made the heartbreaking decision to close his studio in March 2025. The outpouring of support from photographers, clients, and community members spoke volumes. Hundreds of people contributed messages and donations, not because of what David had achieved, but because of who he had been to them.

As David’s PPO membership approached its expiration, the Board of Directors faced a simple but important question: should someone who gave so much to this organization ever truly “age out” of it?

The answer was unanimous.

The PPO Board has voted to grant David Beckham honorary lifetime membership in the Professional Photographers of Ohio. This membership recognizes not only his years of service as President, educator, and mentor, but also the lasting impact he has had on our organization and our community. While David may no longer be able to practice photography professionally, his influence remains woven into PPO’s present and future.

Honorary membership is not about titles. It is about acknowledging that PPO is stronger because David Beckham was part of it, and always will be.