Dave Bartruff likes to keep on top of things. He’s an award-winning international photojournalist who also likes to surround himself with fellow artists from whom he can learn new techniques and styles. He likes to climb to the top of Mount Rushmore where he shoots photos for stories on the famed monument. These mountain-top expeditions have resulted in many prestigious awards including one by the Society of American Travel Writers called the Lowell Thomas prizes, and also the Pacific Asia Travel Association award and Nikon Camera award. He maintains a worldwide photo archive of nearly 250,000 images, many with model releases. Nearly all of the images are shot on location overseas. He joined the daring work crew up a steep with special permission, twisting trail, and then cautiously climbed out on a maintenance ladder, and he finally pulled himself up to the crown of George Washington’s head by rope.
From atop the crown of George Washington’s head (5,725 ft. above sea level), he created an impressive portfolio of photographs. Bartruff went to Egypt for an assignment where he ascended Mount Sinai (This is where Moses received the Ten Commandments) and produced a photo essay on enchanted Monastery of St. Catherine requisitioned at the base of the “Mountain of God.” Bartruff also went to Tibet, where he visited the 17,000 ft high Rongbuk Monastery, the highest human habitation on earth. For over 3 decades the photographer has been covering religious publications and the world for travel. In the course of his work, he has completed more than 200 international shots in over 90 countries.
