Bill Davison: Behind the Lens

Bill Davison has been a member of Advocates’ Board of Directors for nearly ten years, but his involvement with the organization does not stop there. 

If you take a walk through the halls of Advocates Main Office, you will be greeted with a series of black and white portraits of individuals from the Advocates community. Behind the lens, is Bill. He not only takes the photos, but he connects with each individual – giving them a path to self-expression through photography. Bill works closely with each subject to make sure they are portrayed in exactly the way they wish to be seen. “Individually, we know that many in our community lack a voice that is heard. Together things get done and people feel a part of a wonderful community,” shared Bill.

Read on to learn more about Bill’s partnership with Advocates, then be sure to view a sample of his remarkable photography below.

How and why did you first get involved with Advocates?

I joined the Board of Directors after Dr. Gordon (Advocates’ Senior Vice President and Medical Director) and the late Bill Taylor (Advocates’ long time CEO) approached me in 2007. I had known Chris for many years and had had a couple of meetings and lunches with Bill over the years. They thought my background would be valuable to an organization like Advocates that was growing quickly and navigating a changing business environment. I knew nothing about the social services landscape and, as is typical with me, I often get intrigued with things I know nothing about.

How have you been involved in shaping creative solutions for better lives?

Most of what the Board of Directors does to help the Advocates organization is indirect. I'd like to think that my work on the Board has helped guide and strengthen the decision-making of the organization. But the Advocates' staff and management are really the people who deserve the credit for Advocates' success. Their insight into the industry and commitment to the individuals they serve is just marvelous to watch. I'm proud to offer the little I can to support their vision and caring.

The portrait project became a vehicle to add a different kind of contribution to Advocates. With it I have been able to meet a diverse group of extremely interesting people and develop friends I otherwise would have never met. Whereas the Board of Directors gives a very broad view of the organization but without a lot of depth in any one area, the Portrait project has given me a more focused and quite deep view into certain areas the community.

How did the Portrait Series begin? In addition to your photography background, what motivated you to initiate this project?

I made the original proposal in the fall of 2010. We began in June of 2011 after much discussion and preparation. At the time I was interested in making an extended portfolio of images. Advocates was one idea of several. But I really believed that a project with Advocates could be much more special than some of the other ideas I had. And I was already connected to the community. My wife really encouraged me in this direction also.

From the start, the possibilities for how it might contribute to the Advocates community were exciting. As the project progressed, it took on a much richer meaning and purpose. It wasn't just about - or for - me anymore. I was a midwife of sorts to help people express themselves to the world. 

What was your favorite moment when working on the Portrait Series? Do you have a memorable anecdote to share?

I have many favorite moments but the one that I always recall was working with a gifted young woman named Angel, who sadly passed away in 2014. When I worked with Angel, it was a full partnership. We sat and talked about how she felt rolling into a room in her wheelchair and how no one saw her but only this bulky, sophisticated chair. So we fashioned a way for her to be represented in the limelight but without ignoring the fact that she was confined to the chair. I believe she got what she was after. And I am very proud of the result. There have been many collaborations also, but that one sticks with me.

Then there was Jeff and his golf swing, Elsa and Tom and their artwork, Jazz and his tattoo, and on and on...

What do you envision for collaborating with Advocates in the future?

The plan right now is to continue the Portrait project as an open-ended effort, doing a few per year. And, because of the project, other opportunities arose, including introducing Rebecca Lader and Jason Musselman, (two young philanthropists and teachers) to Advocates and a resulting projects where they put cameras in the hands of the individuals served and generated a fabulous art show by the individuals. The nice thing about the project is how it inspires other opportunities projects and including many more people.

Why do you think partnerships are a key to success when supporting individuals with disabilities or other life challenges?

I believe partnerships are key to success for any endeavor whatsoever. But perhaps it's especially important in this environment because any progress begins with awakening an awareness of how close everyone is to the challenges of this community. People don't realize to what extent they are a part of this community. So partnerships create unified voices - and powerful voices. Individually, we know that many in our community lack a voice that is heard. Together things get done and people feel a part of a wonderful community.