The Mystery of Glass for: Distinction Magazine

Process can be a beautiful thing. 

At the Chrysler Museum Glass Studio the art of glass blowing becomes an act of rhythm and harmony.  The synchronization of ones breathe and movement is as much an art form as the elegant sculptures crafted from the glowing globs of glass molten.

Working in unison, two artists transform a chalk sketching on the concrete slab floor into a three dimensional dissertation of glass. This shapeshifting of molten takes on a sense of Zen and watching the dance assures me of this notion. 

“It is both liquid and solid, elastic and brittle, captivating and extremely humbling,”  says  studio manager Charlotte Potter.

Read more about The Mystery of Glass by Janine Latus in this seasons issue of Distinction Magazine.

Beer Reborn for: Distinction Magazine

Beer, beer, beer and more beer!

Several days after wrapping up this recent shoot for Distinction Magazine I kept thinking that I could smell the distinct aroma of hops brewing. A sweet yet bitter flavoring of the air seemed to be embedded in my senses.

I have to admit, I'm not really much of a beer guy, I might have a beer or two once or twice a year and it's always a challenge to finish just one measly pint. Needless to say, during this assignment, I really wished that I did embellish in the festivities of craft brews. Perhaps it was a blessing in disguise, at least all my pictures remained in focus. This may not have been the case if I were a raging drink-a-holic. HA!

All taste buds aside, I truly enjoyed learning about the process and passion of craft brewing from a few of Hampton Roads local brewers. Stories such as Kevin O'Connor's of O'Connor Brewing are inspiring and well worth a read - you can pick up a copy of the Spring 2013 issue of Distinction at Barnes & Nobles. 

Cheers!

Flavors of the Holidays for: Distinction Magazine

One of the the aspects I really enjoy about life as a freelancer is that I have the opportunity to shoot a range of subjects and topics for editorial, commercial and wedding clients. I've found that the diversity in both my clients and assignments nurtures problem solving skills, creativity, and the overall growth of my photography.

Some might argue that a photographer should brand himself as a specialist in one style or one specific subject matter. In doing so, editors, art buyers, and clients know you are the go-to-guy when they need someone to make photographs of that particular topic or style.

To some degree, I agree with that train of thought, after all if I go to the local fast food joint I go there because I know exactly what I want and how I want it. I know that if I go to "X" my pizza will be spicy, if I stop at "Y" my fries will have just the right amount of grease, or  if I go to "Z" my potato, egg and cheese burrito is going to taste exactly the way I want it.

That said, I'd like to think that rather than specializing in one specific style or subject matter I specialize in giving my clients peace of mind. I serve up stability, trust, and the reassurance that whatever they send my way they don't have to worry. I leave them with an aftertaste of confidence in both their decision in hiring me and in my ability to deliver.

Case in point, one of my recent shoots with Distinction Magazine was slated for an 11 page spread. I don't have any food photography on my website or in any of my portfolios. That's not to say that I have never shot food for other magazines or publications, I have definitely done my share of food photography. I actually enjoy it. However, the powers that be at Distinction trust me and my work, so without asking to see any of the aforementioned food images they hired me.

The images below are pages from that assignment. Thanks for looking and definitely try out one of the recipes from the article, you won't be sorry.

Rich-Joseph Facun Photography :: my (Favorite) Best of 2012

January 1, 2012 rang in the New Year inaugurating my fourth month of self-employment as a photographer. Just a few months earlier I was a staff photojournalist for an English language paper in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. I wasn't the cliche of a starving artist or the poor liberal photojournalist. For once, I was earning a decent living; poolside country club dining, five star hotels and European vacations with the family became the norm. I wasn't filthy rich, but lets just say I was no longer counting my change to buy a candy bar. Know what I mean?

After three years of kush living while reaping the benefits of another country's petroleum based economy my wife Jasmine and I decided to bail. As the stifling heat of a Middle Eastern summer arrived we relocated her, our baby girl Opal and young son Levi-Joseph back to the States. We agreed that I should stay behind for just a bit longer to earn a little more before permanently jumping ship. 

During this transition in my life (2011-2012) I shot the essay Coming to America. It takes the form of three acts. Act one looks at the formative years of an American expatriate boy, my son, returning to his native country. In act two, I follow with images from a time of solitude during my last two months in the UAE. Act three closes with a cautious celebration of my departure from the unfamiliar and a reunion with the familiar. I've included a small sampling of this essay in this year's my (Favorite) Best of 2012 .

Another essay I've extracted work from is my portrait series Child Hope. Simply stated, I paired portraits of at risk youth in Haiti with their favorite or most valued possessions. These images were made at Child Hope International, a non profit organization based in Haiti. The group provides orphaned, abandoned and needy children with physical, educational, spiritual and personal care through homes, programs and ministries. 

The remaining work consists of four images taken from editorial and commercial portraiture assignments. I close the final selection of my (Favorite) Best of 2012 with singles made on assignment for clients like the New York Times, Reuters, the Associated Press and Distinction Magazine. Lastly, I've also included some frames from personal work and even a few photographs made through my fine art wedding photography business Love Minus Zero. 

Thank you for looking, all the best!