I'm writing this review for a million different reasons. First and utmost because I know of Richard William's reputation in the Jewel City (Glendale CA). I know he's been the Photographer-Du-Jour for the city. For city events. Going on many years - at least twenty. And when it's a city as specific and as demanding as Glendale is - you know this makes Richard Williams/Richard Williams Photography something very special.
Met with Richard yesterday regarding additional orders I wanted to place. Duplicates of shots he'd already taken. I understood he was very good to work with. Very thorough. About as knowledge-able as it gets - also as creative. It was maybe the most interesting hour I've spent with anyone in the last fifteen years. That's how energetic, how vibrant, how enthusiastic Richard Williams is about not only his craft - but in making us all look good.
Richard spent maybe half of the session underscoring the importance of understanding our OWN needs. WHAT do we need the photographs for - i.e. what is the PURPOSE. Once you understand the question - once you can ANSWER this question - you can better tailor Richard's talents around your pictures/shoot/order. It's like in graduate school, film school - when legendary Chairman Frantisek Daniel would ask all of us: "What is your main character's GOAL?" Because once you get "goal" - the entire session can be broken down by another Master: Richard Williams.
Another big question was where will the photograph(s) SIT, be placed - do you need it/them for an office - for a home - a den - a study - it's critical to be able to answer this question.
When he takes you through these questions - your mind will start racing - if you're like me you hadn't pre-thought this - so it's only when you sit down with Richard - that you begin assessing why you're even THERE in the first place. I would have saved Richard a lot of time had I thought this out in advance - but he was patient - walked me through everything. By the time I left I knew I'd probably wasted about 45 minutes of Richard's time. On the plus side, however, I got to understand the life and world of a prized city photographer - a gem within the Jewel City - because he's so thorough, so patient - so helpful - Richard's a rarity.
I was privy to the various mountings for photographs - fell in love with Canvass - which is maybe a little more expensive than "flat" photography/photographs - but well worth whatever the extra cost/price is. Richard gave me 100 different ways to go - and not JUST for my own photographs - but for family photographs etc. for a dear friend. Once you spend enough time with Richard - once you see the dozens of ways you can go with any project/idea - your mind opens up to the actual importance of what Richard does. Gives.
I saw before and after photographs of numerous anonymous people - Richard showing me how they can do this to improve/enhance photo's - or maybe that. It's incredible what one man - with the education, background and training of a Richard Williams - can do for the longevity of family trees, lines - people, employees - offices. The only thing Richard William's CAN'T do in his conveniently located (Think Whole Foods on N. Glendale Ave. - and just before City Hall etc.) office? CREATE life - that's the only thing Richard didn't DO in the hour he spent with me - create an actual human being. Everything else he did, showed me, explained to me - and again I underscore his patience, expertise - thoroughness. Whatever your need, project, idea - trust RW and RWP.
Of course the ideas start rushing through your head, "Wow I could do this instead of that." "That instead of this." "Put it on canvass - instead of a flat photo, etc." Also the idea of giving Richard Williams Photography as a GIFT - because what's more priceless, what's more VALUED than a great photograph/great series of photographs? I have my high school and collegiate basketball pictures from forty years BACK - it never dawned on me that these could be salvaged, saved - improved - and by Richard & Company.
Because he's such a classy individual Richard did not push me - rush me to make choices, decisions - it occurred to me I would need a little time - probably to Richard, as well. He was more into what I'd need these for/what MY needs were - than his own. Look, an hour of time to a Richard William's is worth I don't know what - in that he, Richard - can do an entire SHOOT in an hour - trust me I've seen him on the set - and he's very good, very quick, very thorough. Yes, he'd need to scout the set first - see what the set would need in the way of lighting and equipment. So two visits and you have yourself a priceless set of memories. Former Mayors and Council People turned me on to Richard - so you know he's the Best. read more