Never a Drag

By Abigail Hill

Nearly forty-three years ago, David Bishop '67 found his roots while snapping away through the halls of Wesley College. At Wesley, Bishop was known as the editor of the newspaper and the yearbook, which he considers his first big success. His time on campus  helped him to find his calling in both photography and journalism.

Today, although Bishop has moved far beyond the walls of Wesley, he is still known for the same defining talents that he discovered at the College. He has chosen to embrace photography, journalism and a sense of business he accumulated at Wesley, and has turned his business savvy and art form into a full-time career.

Bishop’s career is never a drag, as he follows his other true love, racing, around the East Coast. He participates in the sport, along with photographing and writing about it, in his very own drag racing magazine.

In 1964 Bishop fell in love with drag car racing and continued to follow this passion during his entire time at Wesley. Then in 1966 he began a racing partnership with his cousin Charles "Tim" Bishop '63, fellow Wesley alumnus, with whom he still races today. In order to be able to afford racing, Bishop decided to sell photos and do race stories for national magazines.

“Some people could do the race photos, but not many could do the photos and understand enough to write quality stories to go along with it," Bishop explained. “Since I was actually racing I understood how to relate the story to the cars in such a way the fans and the racers could understand.” Having a multi-faceted talent allowed Bishop to be successful in his field. 

Born in Easton, Maryland, Bishop graduated from Easton High School in 1965, followed by his enrollment at Wesley Junior College. A few years later, he received his B.S. degree in business management with a minor in journalism from High Point University in North Carolina. After graduating college, Bishop took a job with Jefferson Pilot Life Insurance Company in Greensboro, North Carolina where he worked for a total of 6 years. In 1970, he started his own business, Competition Photos Inc., of which he is still the sole owner.

In 1976, after his father became ill andfollowing the death of his mother several years earlier, Bishop took over the family business  - The Hobby Horse Audio Visual Services Inc. He ran that business, along with Competition Photos, until he closed shop in 2006. His original company, however, remains today as one of Bishop's main business endeavors.

Bishop found his true niche in 2004. “My mother was a journalist and I promised her some day I would write a book or publish my own race paper,” Bishop said. “After working for others I finally started my own.” Bishop founded East Coast Drag News, LLC, his newest business to which he is both publisher and owner. "The publication is about the ordinary racers who put their heart and soul into sport, but rarely get recognized, " he explained. He hopes to reward these types of people for their achievements through his publication.

Bishop’s racing photographs have appeared in magazines like Hot Rod, Car Craft, Super Stock, National Dragster, Drag Times, Eastern Drag News and at least 50 others. He originally found his inspiration for photography close to home. “My father was a professional photographer,” Bishop explained. “He became my mentor, my inspiration and my best friend.”

Bishop also has done political photography for state officials and some national politicians due to his proximity to Washington, D.C. He has shot various cultural events in the tri-state area and has had his photographs published in newspapers such as the Baltimore Sun, Washington Post, USA Today, Philadelphia Inquirer as well as numerous history and nature books. Bishop also has photographed over 125 weddings and numerous commercial jobs for companies in his area.

When he's at home in Easton and not busy with work, Bishop has been enjoying a few new hobbies. Now a grandparent, he spends time with his son’s 6-year-old daughter Callie and their little Yorkie dog, Lucy. He and his wife Louise, whom he met through racing, have been happily married for over 30 years. Bishop follows baseball and all forms of motor sports.

Not one to stay idle, Bishop has recently accepted a new challenge selling cars at Hertrich Chevy Dodge in Denton, Maryland. Meanwhile, he continues to work on his magazine, and in order to follow the current trend, he has plans to improve the online magazine site at www.ecdnonline.com. Undeniably, he is one that goes after what he wants, and it has paid off thus far. For those at Wesley who also hope to one day pursue their passions the way he has, Bishop advises, “Dare to dream. Set a high goal and go after it.”