The Light Factory hosted a wonderful workshop this past March for photographers to learn how to build a wedding photography business and the class at times
looked like the paparazzi storming the streets of Charlotte.
Several photographers came to see and learn from Richard Israel who has been a Photographer in Charlotte for over 20 years.
Richard is from London and was an established hair stylist that travelled abroad styling hair at fashion shows for
runway models and salon product companies in Milan, Los Angeles, and Paris. During his career, he very soon became fascinated
with photography and decided to take a sabbatical from the salon industry. Richard invested all he had into immersing himself into photography
while building his portfolio and skills. Richard was offered a position with a photography studio in Charlotte and told his roommate
in London to sell or keep all his belongings never looking back. Richard spent years working in portaiture and contracting for companies such as
Cone Mills and Belks for print material. In 1999, just around the time that wedding photography started to be respected by truly skilled
and well established photographers Richard took his first wedding and fell in love with the work. He has become known as one of the most
sought after fashion and fine art photographers in the region. It does not take long at all being around Richard to know that he is a very social
person who thrives and is impassioned interacting with people. Richard is the father of three beautiful daughters and his wife Beth is his best
friend and toughest critic who manages the business and direction of Richard’s work.
Richard is a person of deep faith and is unashamed in his love for Christ and is very committed to His call to love and serve.
Richard continued over 2 days sharing many of his secrets and tips about this rapidly changing industry seeking to raise the bar of expectations,
standards and professionalism. As you can see below many people were very intrigued and entertained by Richard’s passion for the art of
photography, we all left with plenty of information and inspiration. People traveled as far away as San Francisco to take the
opportunity to learn from Richard’s 20 years of experience.
I cannot say that Richard sat down but a total of maybe 20 minutes the entire two days during teaching.
We were all like sponges.
While we hit the streets Richard showed us techniques for composition while working with models. I can definitely that
Richard is a wizard at getting authentic relaxed poses from anyone.
Throughout the day I was able to create some images I was pleased with… enjoy!
The Day ended on a great note with of course a wedding photographer’s favorite “group shot’s”
“Everyone look here and smile please”
Towards the end of the day I had the pleasure of meeting Eleanor and Thomas Mcnair. They walked hand in hand down Tryon street as they
worked their way back to their car. I had the pleasure of photographing them and they stopped and told us the secret to their love
as they approach their 60th wedding anniversary. When we asked them what their secret was Eleanor promptly replied that kindness and
friendship was the glue that keeps them in love. She continued to tell us the short story of their
life together of teaching and living abroad in places such as Turkey and Africa in their work and
life together teaching and doing research.
How cute can you get?
