“There’s a myriad of niches within the motorcycle community,” the photographer continues, “including those with a negative image. When you compare those people to the other verticals within this family – racers, builders, collectors, travelers – sure there’s a thin line that connects them all, but you’ll discover great people with powerful stories that you may not expect. I wanted these individuals to have the chance to tell their stories. It’s not for me, or anyone else, to say who these people are.”

David’s travels embodied the spirit of taking the long way around. He landed in Ireland, rode north to south through the United Kingdom, then moved across to France, exploring onwards through Spain, Portugal, Italy, and the remainder of the continent. Adventures were had, the clarity of what it meant to be a rider continued to crystalize – and themes grew.

“I remember very clearly when I took my motorcycle training class at 16, the instructor said: ‘When you break down, know that a motorcyclist is going to stop and help you out.’ And that’s so true. What I’m interested in is how people bond and connect over something,” David explains.

“When I go to document a place and have the camera in my hand, the community opens up and welcomes me. There aren’t many other things I’m aware of that can crack a door open like that.

“If I had to answer the questions I ask my subjects, the only thing I can think to say is that the bike has allowed me to meet incredible people, see amazing things, and share those stories. That’s what motorcycling means to me.”

And what stories he’s collected – both personally and for a viewer of his work. It’s one of an artist’s greatest challenges to reflect on their own creations, but David has standout moments from his European travels.

“I met the Formula One chief engineer Ben Norton, and he took me around the factory. I can’t explain how incredible that is to me. I grew up loving Formula One. I’ve been watching since the eighties, when you still had to tell people in the United States: ‘Yes, it’s racing, but they don’t go around in circles,’” he laughs.

“I know I’m incredibly privileged to be able to do this, and that comes with a responsibility. It’s important to share these things with people, either through the images or by talking about what travel will teach you. If I can be a conduit for experience and hopefully inspire people, I’m happy.

“What I’d love now is for the project to be seen on the widest level. I hope the people in a position to showcase this series don’t limit their scope, thinking it will only appeal to a certain group of enthusiasts. If people look at these images and only see a bunch of motorcyclists, they’re missing a lot.

“These portraits are of motorcyclists, but they could have been truck drivers, beekeepers, or anything else. It’s about individuals and finding a sense of connectedness, as well as a chance to view and listen to stories. Way beyond these people’s mutual passion, that’s what I wanted to share.”

To learn more about the technical process of The Motorcycle Portraits and the gear used, visit FUJIFILM Exposure Center.