Jill Richards Photography | Arizona Commercial and Editorial Photographer: Documentary

Showing posts with label Documentary. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

My first Arizona Highways spread vanishes in mushroom cloud

Back in May I was hired by Arizona Highways to venture down to Bisbee and shoot "anything that strikes your fancy for a six page piece that will run this fall." This was a dream assignment from a magazine I've loved for a long time.

But unfortunately, the October issue with my Bisbee spread won't make it to newsstands due to an error in one of the other articles — a mushroom was labeled as edible when it actually has unpredictable psychotropic and physical effects. In an effort to protect readers, the October issue will not be sold on newsstands. Magazine subscribers will still receive the October issue, as well as information regarding the error.

While this is unfortunate for my project, it's a great example of a publication doing the right thing. Arizona Highways has always been a class act. I feel lucky to work with them.

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Charreada, A Mexican Tradition

Hiding behind a cinderblock wall off Broadway in South Phoenix is Rancho Ochoa Rodeo Grounds and just down the road from there is Corona Ranch and Rodeo. If you're lucky enough to get down that way on a weekend, then treat yourself to an authentic Phoenix experience — a traditional Charreada, a Mexican-style rodeo that shows off roping and riding skills. Everyone loves a rodeo, but this cultural event is truly something to be celebrated. Not to mention, you'll always find home-cooked Mexican food, cold cerveza and a crowd passionately cheering for its charros and charras. In April, I was lucky enough to catch a early evening practice, but I will be back for the main event. ¡Salud!

Rope Tricks. Phoenix, AZ. 2013. ©Jill Richards Photography

Charros entering the arena. Phoenix, AZ. 2013. ©Jill Richards Photography

Escaramuzas charras. Phoenix, AZ. 2013. ©Jill Richards Photography

Charro in sombrero. Phoenix, AZ. 2013. ©Jill Richards Photography

Rope tricks. Phoenix, AZ. 2013. ©Jill Richards Photography

Escaramuzas charra and a young charro. Phoenix, AZ. 2013. ©Jill Richards Photography

The Charro Roping. Phoenix, AZ. 2013. ©Jill Richards Photography

Entering the arena. Phoenix, AZ. 2013. ©Jill Richards Photography

Traditional Charro clothing and sombrero. Phoenix, AZ. 2013. ©Jill Richards Photography

Rope Tricks. Phoenix, AZ. 2013. ©Jill Richards Photography

Monday, February 4, 2013

A lazy Sunday in New Orleans

Live music on every street corner. 2013. New Orleans, LA. ©Jill Richards Photography

Sunday afternoon. 2013. New Orleans, LA. ©Jill Richards Photography

Locals. 2013. New Orleans, LA. ©Jill Richards Photography

Barkus parade. 2013. New Orleans, LA. ©Jill Richards Photography

Sunday Mardi Gras parade. 2013. New Orleans, LA. ©Jill Richards Photography

Tourists. 2013. New Orleans, LA. ©Jill Richards Photography

Locals. 2013. New Orleans, LA. ©Jill Richards Photography

Throwing beads. 2013. New Orleans, LA. ©Jill Richards Photography

Purple, green and gold. 2013. New Orleans, LA. ©Jill Richards Photography

Barkus parade. 2013. New Orleans, LA. ©Jill Richards Photography

I had big plans for my trip to New Orleans — being in bed with the flu was not one of them. Sadly, I only got one day out in the sunshine with my camera. Being sick in New Orleans is a special kind of torture, but then again, one day of shooting in The Big Easy is better than 10 days shooting in other towns. Cheers to New Orleans.

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Western Mongolia, pt. 1

Mongolia. Where do I even start? My month spent in the land of Genghis Khan was unreal — horse trekking, milk drinking, meat eating and lots and lots of photo taking. The landscapes were unbelievable and the people were as hospitable as described in each travel book I read. I traveled to Mongolia with Rustic Pathways, the same group that sent me to Costa Rica last summer. Like last year, I was hired to help the company with images for marketing, as well as assist high school students as they traveled. This year I was also invited to lead an Advanced Photography Workshop with high school photographers. For this two-week workshop, we traveled to Western Mongolia to the Khovd Province, which is where most of the country's Kazakhs live.

During our stay, we're were lucky enough to catch a Naadam celebration taking place in the village where we were living. A Naadam is a festival of sport. It celebrates the country's long-time love of wrestling, horse racing and archery. Here are a few images from my time in Khovd Province.

Naadam Horse Race. 2012. Khovd Province, Mongolia. ©Jill Richards Photography

Naadam Celebration. 2012. Khovd Province, Mongolia. ©Jill Richards Photography

A Dinner for Honored Guests. 2012. Khovd Province, Mongolia. ©Jill Richards Photography

Making Fleece. 2012. Khovd Province, Mongolia. ©Jill Richards Photography

Village Life. 2012. Khovd Province, Mongolia. ©Jill Richards Photography

Family Photos. 2012. Khovd Province, Mongolia. ©Jill Richards Photography.

Naadam Horse Race. 2012. Khovd Province, Mongolia. ©Jill Richards Photography

Village Life. 2012. Khovd Province, Mongolia. ©Jill Richards Photography

Naadam Horse Race. 2012. Khovd Province, Mongolia. ©Jill Richards Photography

Naadam. 2012. Khovd Province, Mongolia. ©Jill Richards Photography

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Ile a Vache, Haiti

I traveled to Haiti for the third time in nine months. And like each time before, the transportation is grueling, the air quality is atrocious and the days are exhausting. The kids, however, are always amazing.

I travel to Haiti with Global Family Philanthropy, a Phoenix-based nonprofit that operates a home for children in Les Cayes, about a 4-hour bus ride from Port Au Prince. I volunteer as a photographer and serve on the board. On this past trip, GFP founder Lori Goldberg wanted to deliver a $5,000 donation to the L'oeuvre Saint François orphanage on the remote island of Ile a Vache. For 30 years, Sister Flora, a French-Canadian nun, has cared for 70+ children at this orphanage, many of whom are physically and mentally disabled. Her charitable work includes the opening of a school located in her village, where her children and neighborhood kids attend.

Visiting her is one of my favorite ways to experience Haiti. Not only are her children wonderful, but the island is gorgeous. Many visitors stay on the island in one of the two resorts. They volunteer with Sister Flora during the day and then hike back to their hotel. The beaches are pristine and the water is clear and warm. Ile a Vache is really something special.