Derek grew up in New York, while spending part of his summers in Maine, where he developed an appreciation for its wild landscape and natural beauty. Moving from a metropolitan area to the wide-open spaces of Maine felt like an escape to an earlier time when life was simpler, he says. The air seemed pure and the dark night skies were both quiet and alive.
After graduating from the University of New England in Biddeford, Derek started his photojournalism career at a newspaper in White Plains, NY. In 2004, he moved to Scarborough and joined the staff at the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram. He lives with his wife and three children in Scarborough.
His favorite assignments are photographing the outdoors of Maine, especially along the coast, and covering local sporting events.
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PublishedOctober 10, 2022
In photos: A sunrise celebration of Indigenous Peoples Day
On Indigenous Peoples Day, a group gathers at the Presumpscot River in Westbrook at sunrise to greet and honor the day. Photos by Press Herald photographer Derek Davis.
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PublishedOctober 5, 2022
In photos: Best of September
September is our transition from summer into fall, a time of fairs and apples, classes and school sports. But this September also saw a wave of violent crime in Portland, a public housing high-rise that was without electricity for days after a storm, and the arrival of rescued beagles. Here are some of the best photos of the month from Press Herald photographers.
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PublishedAugust 19, 2022
In photos: The best of July
Hot and dry, that was July. But we’ll take summer in any weather. Here are some of the best photos from the Press Herald photographers for the month.
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PublishedJuly 17, 2022
In photos: In the summertime
There is no better place to be than right here, in Maine. Press Herald photographers capture the season in all its sun-soaked goodness.
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PublishedJune 6, 2022
Best of May photo gallery: A month of contrasts
May is a month of life, when Maine throws off winter’s gray and emerges into a golden, green spring. Yet it always ends with Memorial Day, when we honor those who died fighting for our country. This year, May will be remembered for the murder of 21 people, including 19 children, in Uvalde, Texas, as well as 10 people killed at a supermarket in Buffalo, New York. Here are some of the Press Herald’s best photos of May, many of them suffused with hope.
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PublishedMay 2, 2022
In photos: Muslims around Maine come together to celebrate Eid al-Fitr
There was laughter, dancing and smiles as hundreds gathered to pray and celebrate the Muslim holiday, Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan.
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PublishedApril 25, 2022
In photos: The Great Bridge Switcheroo
As the sun set Friday, construction workers began an engineering feat designed to demolish a four-lane highway bridge and replace it over a weekend. Pittsfield-based Cianbro hopes to have the I-295 bridge demolished by Saturday afternoon so it can start moving the replacement spans into place.
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PublishedApril 24, 2022
‘Like giant Legos going together’: Watch a time lapse of the I-295 bridge replacement
Watch the first 400-ton bridge section being rolled into place Saturday afternoon. Drone footage by staff photographer Gregory Rec.
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PublishedApril 18, 2022
In photos: Slowly, slowly, signs of spring
Officially, the first day of spring in 2022 was March 20. In Maine, March and April bring snow, frost, rain, mud and summer-like warmth within the space of a few days. Our signs of spring, like opening day at Red’s Dairy Freeze or the first Sea Dogs game, are celebrated whatever the weather. And nothing is as sweet as hearing the birds sing and seeing the first daffodils bloom halfway through April.
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PublishedApril 8, 2022
In photos: The best of March photography
March is the month when winter officially ends, spring takes hold, and daylight savings time, well, saves us. This year, it also brought us the start of spring high school sports outdoors, our first ice cream at Red’s Dairy Freeze, and, the heartbreaking news from the war in Ukraine. Here are some of the best photos of the month by Press Herald photographers.
