Richard has been a photographer for 20 years. During my interview I realized that his passion for photography has only increased. He has wholeheartedly embraced digital photography and is excited about editing pictures with computer programs allowing him to expand his creativity.

We met at his spacious studio in Burlingame where he shared with me his journey. He attended his first photography class in the tenth grade and immediately fell in love with the art. Since then, photography always has been an important part of his life. He studied at the Academy of Art College in San Francisco.

Taking pictures for newspapers and magazines and getting the opportunity to shoot backstage at special events gave him the perfect foundation for his own business. His experience, combined with his sense of composition and lighting make his work exceptional. It encourages you to reflect and imagine. An example is a photograph on which bride and groom are kissing, with children giggling next to them; another one shows the bride's emotions while hugging her grandmother.

Richard offers wedding albums that he creates alone, or, preferably, in joint efforts with his clients. He showed me his interactive designer tool that allows the couple to select their own layout and background for a truly custom-designed album.

Earlier this year Richard and I worked on a wedding together. Here I had the opportunity to experience Richard's calming, unobtrusive presence and his ability to put people at ease in front of the camera. The pictures later showed that everyone looked natural and beautiful.

Richard is on the recommended lists of many prestigious venues in the Bay Area, and he is highly respected by fellow event professionals. For the second year in a row, he received the "Affiliate Member of the Year" award from the National Association of Catering Executives in recognition of outstanding leadership and dedication.