I want to continue a tradition of photo sharing that combines life's real emotions with display-worthy art.
Hi! My name is Richie, and I absolutely love photos. This is my journey.
Me & my lil' Knight!
Inspiration is planted:
Why and how did this all start?
As cliché as it sounds... my mom. She immigrated from South America by herself, leaving everything behind. Growing up, I saw firsthand how precious photos were to her. This was her way of connecting to her family.
Intentionality Observed:
I remember my mom meticulously taking time to get photos printed to send them to her family. These weren't just snapshots; they were tangible connections to her past and her family. This was the ONLY way to "see her family" between visits. At the time, there was no face-time or instagram - just photo prints. Simply put, they were treasures, especially since visits were years apart. This instilled in me a deep appreciation for the power of images. Each one held a story, a memory, an emotion.
A tradition emerges
Enter present day - social media and instant photo sharing is second nature, and yet there's something extra special with printed photos. You can hold them, feel them, even sniff them if you wanted to (I won't judge... okay, maybe a little bit).
Printed photos are now more rare. They are special. They are significant.
I want to be a photographer that embraces new modern technology to create print-worthy photos that will be displayed.
The Uphill Climb
So I start learning. First on a 35mm black & white film camera at a summer camp where I also learned to how to develop film in a dark room. Back home, I practiced on my family's DSLR - a Canon Rebel. In college (UCF - Go Knights), I finally bought my own "real" camera and became that friend with the camera always in hand. I loved sharing photos with others, and eventually, people started paying me! This opened my eyes. Hey - this can be the start of an actual career.
Looking back With Gratitude
Looking back at those early photoshoots makes me laugh (and feel incredibly humbled). I wasn't great, but my friends supported me anyway. I'm forever grateful to those that supported my journey in the beginning and I am very appreciative of the friends, family, and clients, that continue to support my journey 13 years later.
I truly value every client and remember every photoshoot. I love the connections we make and the special moments I get to witness from behind the camera. I'd be honored to create display-worthy images with you.
My wife (& my favorite person), Christen!