Today we’d like to introduce you to Randal Ford.
Randal, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I grew in up in Dallas, went to Highland Park High School, and attended Texas A&M University. I discovered photography in high school, but fell in love with it at A&M. Al- though my degree was in business, I shot for the student newspaper and student publications. Pretty soon, I was hooked. After graduation, I worked for a few photographers to get a sense of the industry and to learn more. About a year after graduating, I started my own business as a freelance photographer. I became fascinated by conceptual portraiture – creating a portrait of someone that tells a story. During these early days, the works of Richard Avedon, Irving Penn, Dan Winters, and Michael O’Brien really inspired me. Slowly but surely I began to accumulate clients (mostly advertising agencies) and over the last years have developed a career as an editorial and advertising photographer. Since then, I’ve worked with agencies all over the country–from New York to LA–along with a variety of brands, including Pepsi, Verizon, and Pfizer. One of my earliest goals as a photographer was to shoot Texas Monthly covers. Over the past 10 years, I’ve shot more than 20 of them. Texas Monthly has not only become a valued client, their team and I have become good friends. About 3 years ago, I started a fine art project photographing portraits of animals on black or gray backgrounds. This exploration of animal portraiture has become a passion project of mine. Later this year, Rizzoli New York will publish Animal Kingdom, The Animal Portrait Collection, and a collection of 150 of my animal portraits. The book was de- signed by the renowned team at Pentagram Design in New York City. It’s an honor to have this monograph published and I can’t wait to share it with the world. Moving forward, I am selling more of my work as fine art and it’s really gaining traction.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I’ve absolutely dealt with challenges along the way, and the challenges continue. That’s just part of the journey and my evolution as an artist and entrepreneur. Photography, whether it’s advertising, editorial, or fine art, is extremely competitive. You have to be 100% committed, passionate, and skilled, not only at your craft, but also the business aspect of it.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Randal Ford Productions story. Tell us more about the business.
I specialize in stylized, conceptual photographic portraits of people and animals. My animal portraits are an extension of my love of portraiture. The animals are all photographed in studio, under controlled conditions, which can be very challenging depending on the animal and its disposition. There are only a handful of photographers in the world who have done studio portraits of as many animals as I have. I’ve al- ways worked to evolve an aesthetic style that is unique, visually interesting, and respects each subject–human or animal. And that evolution continues.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I believe that luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity. So yes, I believe luck has played a role in my life and business. But like anything, you only get out what you put in. And I’ve put in a lot and will continue to do so.
Pricing:
- The Animal Kingdom: A Collection of Portraits will retail for $40
- My limited edition prints are for sale from $1500-$5000
Contact Info:
- Website: randalford.art
- Phone: 5122972651
- Email: rford@randalford.com
- Instagram: @randalford
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/randalfordphotography/
- Twitter: @randalford
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