Dave M. Shumway
Adjunct Instructor of Photography
Staff Photographer & Web Content Manager
B.S. Rocky Mountain College
Phone: (406) 657-1164
Email: shumway07@rocky.edu
Portfolio: DaveShumway.com
Stock Gallery: ShumwayPhotography.com
Open Studio Time: Nelson Lab, Tuesdays 2-4 p.m.
Biography
Dave is the web content manager and staff photographer for Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Mont. Raised in the western suburbs of Chicago, Ill. he moved to the West U.S. when he was 20 years old, and he “is never looking back.” Dave has two passions, one for the outdoors and one for photography. To this end he spends much of his time in the ecosystems in and around Yellowstone National Park, to the extent of at least one trip to the Park each month of the year. This gives him a perspective on the wildlife and the ecosystem that few have. Dave is also an adjunct instructor of Photography at RMC where he teaches middle and upper division photography courses. Working as the photographer for RMC, Dave’s assignments include all campus activities, from the academic to the athletic, which help keep his eye prepared for his next trip into nature. His extensive time in field shows through at online galleries which are loaded with images of North American wildlife and landscapes. To view his recent trips and his online galleries visit: ShumwayPhotography.com.
Courses Taught
- ART 499 Travel & Night Photography
- ART 499 Landscape Photography
- ART 347 Topics of Photography
- ART 380 Photographing the Faces of Winter
- ART 247 Nature Photography
- ART 280 Digital Nature Photography
What advice would you give to a prospective student?
Visit this beautiful campus. Take time to get to know your prospective professors. Realize we're near Yellowstone National Park. When you come to RMC, ask questions often, participate in student activities, and take advantage of our amazing outdoor recreation program. P.S. Take one of my photography courses and visit Yellowstone National Park with me.
What is your favorite class to teach and why?
I love teaching Digital Nature Photography - ART 247. My primary passion in life is wildlife and landscape photography, which is what I get to teach to my sophomore and junior students in this class. The class has no prerequisites, which allows me to have students who aren't art majors. This makes the classes more diverse.
What is on your iPod?
Dave Matthews Band, with plenty of Dispatch and Counting Crows mixed in. Plus the most eclectic mix of music one could imagine - excluding rap.
What are you currently reading?
The Darkest Mission by Richard Burton - not my typical read, but something I'm really enjoying. It was suggested to me by the author's daughter - my friend Meredith.
What do you do outside of class?
I spend between 100 and 150 days a year in National Parks and wild places across North America -- including around 70 days a year in Yellowstone National Park and frequent trips to the Canadian Rockies. I also cycle hundreds of miles each week and fuel all of those trips and miles on the bike with lots of healthy juice and smoothies - and homemade cookies.
What is your favorite getaway location?
Yellowstone National Park when the crowds aren't there. When the crowds are around, I really enjoy the Beartooth Pass.
What is your favorite thing about RMC?
I love the size of RMC. With small class sizes, I'm able to interact one-on-one with my students and be more involved with their progression as a photographer.
What activities or campus organizations are you actively involved with?
As the staff photographer for RMC, I'm involved with most every campus club and activity in one way or another. I am also working with a group of students to help chair the Photography Club.
