Richard A. Smith studied fine art photography at the University of Derby - England’s oldest landscape and fine art photography school. It was here that the foundations for Richard’s practice were established, working alongside respected artists such as John Blakemore, Paul Hill and Lynn Silverman. After moving to London in 1996, he worked as a commercial photographer whilst his fine art was featured in numerous shows. In the summer of 2000 he relocated to New York City and worked as an assistant to top advertising photographers, travelling extensively throughout the U.S and around the world. He continues to shoot commercially, and to produce gallery work, most notably a series of ocean studies which exhibited at the Basil Art Fair in Miami.
Coming from a background of documentary and fine art photography, weddings were not an obvious choice of subject for Richard. However, the unusual circumstances of Pat and George Watson’s wedding were too compelling to refuse. Pat, 67, was marrying George, 71; they were childhood sweethearts separated and reunited after 30 years by their illegitimate daughter’s serious illness. Pat decided to wear a traditional bridal gown, and the reception was held at the local American Legion Hall. “I viewed the occasion as an opportunity to document an emotional and intimate day in the life of the family. Weddings are a unique environment in which to shoot. The photographer is given a rare invitation inside the workings of the family, on one of its most important days. People are well dressed, emotional and high spirited, all within the safety of their families. It’s a great opportunity to make portraits full of life and character, pictures which have everlasting value.”