Donavan Freberg bio picture
  • My name is Donavan Freberg and I’m a Los Angeles based portrait photographer specializing in personality driven headshots for working actors, models and musicians.

    I shot my first picture in the summer of 1977, the same year that two of my favorite movies came out, Star Wars and Annie Hall.

    I was six, and the camera was the Polaroid SX-70.

    I can still remember the soft brown leather that smelled like an old wallet and the shiny round shutter release button that was the color of a freshly washed fire engine. I’ll never forget that camera and the way it felt to watch the little picture develop before my eyes. It was my first taste of magic.

    I've been chasing that magic ever since.

Fredo Viola

Fredo Viola and I go way, way back. In fact, about this far back…

In our teen years, Fredo and I collaborated on countless videos and photographs and we still collaborate as adults. He and I wrote a song together called “Let The Sad Out” which was featured in the 2004 remake of “The Manchurian Candidate”. Fredo is an amazingly talented person, a visual storyteller, recording artist, world touring performer and avant-garde filmmaker. Check out his brilliant work here.

Fredo, I am so glad we have stayed best friends all these years. Looking forward to many future projects together. I love you, pal.

Debby Boone-Headshots

Debby Boone is an old and dear family friend. At 7, I was the ring bearer in her wedding and I’ve pretty much had a crush on her ever since. She is one of those people that radiates light from the inside out. Being with her is being in the presence of true goodness and between her electric smile and piercing blue eyes, she is a photographers dream. Thank you, Debby for asking me to shoot you again!

Erica Through The Looking Glass

The ever delightful Erica Docimo, shot through a glass jar, with my iPhone.

Love Is My Religion

My sister, Donna Jean Freberg, recently published her book of essays, “Love Is My Religion”. She asked me to shoot some pics of her for her book jacket and promotional materials and I was delighted to do so. Donna is a human sunflower, beautiful inside and out. Her writing is wonderfully human, poignant, authentic and funny. Reading her words is like pulling up a chair and having a nice cup of tea with an old and trusted friend. Congratulations, Donna on your new book!

Sebastian Montoya

Shooting Sebastian Montoya was a total pleasure from beginning to end. Not only is he an amazing actor, he’s a serious professional with a strong sense of self and a strong sense of character. As hardworking as he is easy going and as fierce as he is fun, he is why I love being a portrait photographer. Thank you, Sebastian for reminding me why I do what I do.

Camille Wild Child

 

Jasmine *day*