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richard israel photography bio picture

welcome!

My name is Richard Israel and I am a photographer who lives in
Charlotte, NC with my beautiful wife Beth and our three amazing
daughters, Ferris twelve, Sophia nine and Priscilla five.

I love life, I love
photography.

stephanie & dan in the mountains

Hope you enjoy this small selection of photographs from Stephanie and Dan’s beautiful, eclectic, poetic, hillbilly mountain wedding on a cold and misty January day…………….

One of the thing I love most about my job is that I get to work with lovely people from all walks of life, this year I have wedding clients who are  Weavers, Book Sellers,  District Attorneys, Musicians,  Photographers, Graphic Designers, Yale Honor Graduates / Attorneys, Poets, Doctors, Hair Stylists, Publicists and the list goes on……

I’ve  always found it extremely difficult to describe my work,  two girls who recently inquired about my services described it perfectly.

” Your work always has this same look and feel but  you adapt to the different people”

“Everyone looks so natural and you seem to have captured every moment almost by accident”

Yesterday’s Spaces, Asheville, NC

Verge Events

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Yvette Roman - OH MY GOD RICHARD. I can't take it. Your work just stuns me. In the deepest way. XXOFebruary 3, 2012 - 11:03 am

Teresa - Does wow even sum it up? This is just so spectacular.February 3, 2012 - 11:27 am

Rachel - where were you when I was wedding planning last year???February 3, 2012 - 1:42 pm

my workshop {part three} the zone

For some, the reception is a time of boredom, random snapshots of dancing guests etc, etc…… but for some, the reception is a time of great opportunity if you stay in the zone.

What is being in the zone you may ask….. ” A state of focused attention or energy so that one’s performance is enhanced” and it’s antithesis, zoning out…….“To lose concentration or become inattentive”

Here are three of many portraits that I made at the reception of a recent wedding,  lots of interesting folks who indulged me and gave a few minutes of their time to sit for a portrait + a bride and groom who braved the freezing cold night just for me.

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reception  1.

thank you to wedding planner Jennifer King for catching the amazing orange sky (which strangely went completely dark shortly thereafter)

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reception 2.

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reception 3.

Robert Mariani - Richard ~ these are stunning!January 31, 2012 - 7:50 am

my workshop {part two} collaborate

Make some good photographer friends that will push you, collaborate, have play dates and second shoot weddings with each other.

Make some good photographer friends that will give you honest critique and by honest I don’t mean “awesome!!!!!” and “love, love love!!!!!!!”  I mean honest analysis from someone who’s opinion you admire and truly cares.

The photographs below were shot along side my friend Rodney back in December, it was his wedding and I was just a tag along, I wanted to have an opportunity to play a little and to see how shooting with the OM1 under different and challenging lighting conditions would work and if I could cover a wedding with just  4 rolls of film using only available light,  my conclusion, you could but I won’t.

north_carolina_wedding1“Rod and his M6″

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north_carolina_wedding3“treasured family heirloom locket”

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“flower girl”

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north_carolina_wedding6“one last ciggie”

tech note: Olympus OM1, 50mm lens,  Ilford HP5 film rated @ 800

my workshop {part one} Why?

I strongly believe it’ll be the photographers that shoot and run their businesses with passion, authenticity + a strong skill set that will survive and thrive both artistically and financially in the coming years.

The day of formula branding and marketing babble BS is drawing to its logical conclusion, the result of which is a totally numbed photography buying public drowning in a sea of mediocrity.

Yes of course there will always have to be a middle, but why stay there if you don’t have to and  have a heart to change,  btw. the dreaded low end no longer exists. Just a huge middle.

The following “bridal portraits” are an example of 4 years of shunning conventional wisdom and just shooting how I want to shoot, this has resulted in attracting clients that “get me”.  There is so much freedom in knowing I don’t need every person on earth to love what I do, I just want to resonate with 20 couples,  20 folks in the market for portrait commissions and 10 commercial clients who place a value in how I view the world……

Stephanie is a beautiful free spirited woman who spins wool, weaves beautiful things and live out her artful life in Asheville, NC.

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tech note: Shots of Stephanie, Pentax 67, 105mm, 2.4 lens, Kodak Tri-x and Ilford 3200 films, available light 1st and 3rd images,  Mole-Richardson movie light, the rest.

detail shots: Nikon D700, 50mm, 1.8 lens

neal carpenter - Preach it!January 24, 2012 - 10:11 am

Mathias Samuelson - Richard, I've been a great fan of your work for quite some time and I must say that seeing these shots completely made my jaw drop. Would you mind commenting on how you metered the shots of Stephanie? Thank you, and keep it coming! /MathiasJanuary 24, 2012 - 10:20 am

Parker J - Love the first image. I am one of your 20. Parker JJanuary 24, 2012 - 10:25 am

Evan - Amen my friendJanuary 24, 2012 - 12:49 pm

Jorge R. Gonzalez - Beautiful work like always Richard. You left me wanting more!!January 24, 2012 - 3:03 pm

Virgil Bunao - beautifully said and written Richard! Hope to meet you one day.January 26, 2012 - 4:52 am

admin - Thank you all! Mathias, I took a light reading of the light coming through the window and another from the deepest shadows and averaged it out.January 26, 2012 - 8:26 am

kristi - your conviction to be totally true to yourself, while still providing your lucky 20+ with amazing artistry is so inspiring and completely admirable. bravo for holding tight.January 29, 2012 - 10:35 am

G-Photo Design / Gary - Richard, I have not checked in lately but glad I just did. You stated very correctly above what the truly successful will be both in terms of photographic success and financial reward. Shoot what you love and let the trends go to the masses.February 3, 2012 - 4:45 am

{be your art} portrait of the artists

Portraits of emerging photographers Lauren and Mary Lou Lauren was one of my brides a couple of years ago and now second shoots with me. Mary Lou attended one of my workshops.

Speaking of which I’ve finally settled upon the format and structure of my new workshops which are inspired by my days at Vidal Sassoon, I’ll be posting full details on Monday…..

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tech note: Pentax 67, 165mm, 2.8 lens. Nikon F4, 85mm, 1.4 lens, Kodak Film

Kristin Vining - WOW! Simply WOW! Homerun, Friend!! xoJanuary 22, 2012 - 9:06 am

{be your art} fashion shoots

For nearly all of my commercial jobs I have to shoot digitally, however I do try to have my film cameras on hand, just in case! Here are a few few of my favorites from recent model shoots.

A big hug to Evolution. Beth and I are constantly amazed at their models, beauty, (inside and out) wonderful hearts and such sweet spirits…….

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tech note: First four photographs, Olympus OM1, 50 + 135mm lenses, Kodak film, last three photographs, Nikon D700, 85mm, 1.4 lens

Jorge R. Gonzalez - Beautiful work Richard. The second model has an incredibly gorgeous set of eyes. You have started the year rocking, congratulations.January 19, 2012 - 10:52 am

Smitten Magazine

I think Smitten Magazine is the best wedding publication out there and I ‘m particularly honored to be featured in the latest issue, we shot here in Charlotte with a marvelous styling team headed up by Alicia LaLone of the Charlotte Wedding Row, dresses by J Majors and my favorite muse, Lindsay Worsham

Below are a few additional images from the shoot, I used Fuji 400H, Ilford HP5 along with several different cameras, including,the Pentax 67, Olympus OM1 and the venerable Graflex Speed Graphic.

Interesting to note that  Lisa Lefkovitz who shot the cover and a beautiful inside feature also shoots analogue, who said film is dead ?

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Candice C. Wigfield - Stunning!!January 13, 2012 - 8:03 am

David Love - looked at these and the Smitten issue...just simply amazing images!!January 13, 2012 - 8:20 am

jess wilcox - Love your spread in Smitten Magazine. These are gorgeous!!!January 13, 2012 - 9:03 am

amanda caldwell - LOVE this! Gorgeous work as always..January 13, 2012 - 9:27 am

Misty McGuire Case - The pic taken on the inside stairwell is fabulous.January 13, 2012 - 2:48 pm

Lisa Lefkowitz - Gorgeous, Richard! Go film go!January 13, 2012 - 3:40 pm

Alyse - Richard. I'm speechless. This is STUNNING.January 13, 2012 - 8:13 pm

Paris - Love your work Richard. Such a gift.January 14, 2012 - 4:29 pm

Ryan Hutson - The second shot is pretty incredible. Your work provides me great inspiration. Thank you.January 31, 2012 - 2:34 pm

{Be Your Art} the family portrait

I have to admit the “traditional” family portrait is definitely something I tend to shy away from and will happily refer the requester to a list of photographers who will gladly oblige.

By traditional I mean everyone dressed the same, all denim or all white, a homogenized, auto-tuned version of the family.

For me, a family portrait is a pictorial story of the family, at that place and that time.

An example of which features the remarkably stylish and good looking Justin, Carey, Asa, Bellamy and the very handsome Blue……

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charlotte_portrait56tech note: Olympus OM1, 50mm, 1.8 lens, Kodak Portra 160 film

Jorge R. Gonzalez - Richard my wife and I loved the whole set specially the first one. That is a great family picture that will definitively bring back memories for this family once that little boy is as tall as his dad. I know it happened to me.January 4, 2012 - 5:49 am

A Merry Christmas and a Healthy, Happy, Artful & Prosperous 2012

From Beth, Ferris, Sophia, Priscilla and me……….xoxoxoxo

This is not just any family portrait, it’s the very first family portrait that the Israel’s have ever had made! Thank you to my dear friend Elisabeth- Rose (aka. Liz) for blessing us with this awesome gift!

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neal carpenter - The cobbler's kids have no shoes...until now! Wonderful.December 24, 2011 - 10:43 am

Alyse - Your girls are stunning. Lucky man you are! :)December 25, 2011 - 10:34 am

Heather Johnson - its very beautifulDecember 26, 2011 - 11:16 am

jess wilcox - What a beautiful family! Happy Holidays :)December 28, 2011 - 1:47 pm

scott - AWESOME FAMILY! GREAT PIC.January 20, 2012 - 4:50 pm

{Be Your Art} Hayley

Last shoot of the year and what an awesome way to end, beautiful Hayley in the pouring rain (+ 1 shot in the studio). I could have rescheduled but kudos to Haley for “getting it” and in the words of one of my all time photography heros…….

“Be daring, be different, be impractical, be anything that will assert integrity of purpose and imaginative vision against the play-it-safers, the creatures of the commonplace, the slaves of the ordinary”. – Peter Lindberg

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tech note: Olympus OM1, 135mm, 2.8 lens, Kodak film

Lindsey Regan Thorne - You are brilliant! That quote speaks so true of your art! Merry Christmas Richard!December 22, 2011 - 6:44 am

Kristin Vining - In love!!!!December 22, 2011 - 7:34 am

neal carpenter - These are awesome! I've always wanted to do a session in the rain.December 22, 2011 - 8:47 am

Jorge R. Gonzalez - Richard, pure fireworks at the end of the year!! Congratulations for having an individual that trusted your vision. Merry Christmas to you and your family.December 23, 2011 - 6:55 am