Meet Richard Israel | Photograper

We had the good fortune of connecting with Richard Israel and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Richard, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I had a successfull career as a hairstylist in London, I wanted to immortalize my work, photography was how one would achieve that. I got a model, hair and make up artist and a photographer friend to show me how, I got the film back from the lab and I was completely and utterly hooked.

Two years later I had several published fashion and beauty editorials under my belt, I had come to a hair career crossroads and decided to follow my heart, hang up my scissors and go full time as a professional photographer.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I photograph people celebrating life, no matter if it’s a portrait, a wedding or a magazine editorial my ethos is always the same, capture the raw beauty, keep it organic, honest and real.

I try hard to zig while others zag.

The road to where I am today has not always been an easy journey, every creative business experience bumps in the road. I’ve been through multiple recessions, bubbles bursting and creative blocks, If you keep your eye on the prize, keep looking forward and have faith in what you do you’ll survive and thrive.

I eventually figured out that a working knowledge of business and finances are crucial, I also figured out that you cannot do this thing on your own, a great CPA and joining a good professional organization is a must.

Find a couple of trusted friends you can chat through issues with when they crop up.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
We would….Ride bikes through some the many beautiful Greenways in Charlotte. Rent a boat and cruise Lake Norman, afterwards eat a fabulous meal at Kindred.

Eat at Mama Ricotta’s Italian Restaurant and Lang Van Vietnamese Restaurant.
Explore SouthEnd and definitely visit Not Just Coffee,

Perhaps go fly fishing South Mountain State Park, just an hour from Charlotte.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
When I first started my business there was no internet, no online resources. In those days photographers in the most part were notorious for not sharing and not giving away “secrets”, however a gleaned many nuggets from many people along the way,

My creative photography mentor, although we never met is Peter Lindbergh, my business and marketing inspiration Sue Bryce and my wife Beth for her love and believing in me.

Website: https://www.the-israel.com

Instagram: @richardisrael

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/richard.israel.77

Other: https://www.portraitprovocateur.com https://www.richardisraelphoto.com