Today we’d like to introduce you to Ric Lewis.
Hi Ric, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My journey to photography was an unexpected one. I’m an Electronic Engineer who specializes in fixing medical imaging equipment like nuclear cameras, CT scanners, and MRIs. The company that I worked for at the time relocated me to Atlanta in 2017. Three months after moving to Atlanta I was approached by a photographer at the airport about modeling. I had never done anything like that before and was surprised at the request but I said, “Sure. As long as it’s on a weekend.” When I showed up, there was a suit waiting for me and another model. I was asked to be a groom to her bride. Those photos were published in a wedding magazine and from there I was booked almost every weekend portraying a groom to a bride. I decided to learn photography in the hopes that it would make me a better model. I felt that if I knew what the photographer saw and what they were looking for, I’d be able to execute the poses and angles instinctually.
But in all honesty, the modeling and the photography was just a way of finding friends and keeping busy in a new state. It was also great for self-worth. Having just been cheated on in a five years relationship right before I moved, my self-esteem wasn’t the highest. I found that being asked to model or be in a picture really helped increase my self-esteem and that is a powerful thing. The first time I took someone else’s photograph, and I saw how much they loved the picture, I realized I wanted to help build that self-esteem and self-worth in others. Everyone deserves to have their picture taken and know how others see them. Sometimes we think the world views us in a negative light. It’s from our insecurities. However, when we’re shown that others don’t see us that way, we start to open up and be our true selves more. Needless to say, I fell in love with photography. I was captivated at how powerful it could be and that power left me feeling childlike wonder, hence the name, Capture Wonder Photography. I fell head first into photography and for the past four years, I’ve taken pictures every week.
Sometimes multiple sessions. I met Kayla a few months after getting into photography and our passions complement each other. I’ve supported her dream and desire to design angel wings and she’s supported my passion for photography. Together we both have successful businesses separate from each other but that also complement each other. I have a highly successful career as an Electronic Engineer but I’ve also been fortunate enough to turn my passion into a successful business. However, I hold myself accountable and remind myself that it’s my passion, it’s not all about money. Even though it’s a business, and I host photography and retouching workshops, and I have been successful at creating and selling editing actions and presets, and have a successful photography business, I still give away one or two sessions a month to someone in need. I have done weddings free of charge to young couples who couldn’t afford my rates, I’ve given away maternity sessions to an expecting couple in need, I’ve given away family portraits to a single mother who couldn’t afford pictures with her children, as well as given camera bodies, lenses, and lights to other local photographers that I’ve met that I believe in. For me, it’s all about community over competition but most importantly it’s about my passion helping others in some way.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It hasn’t always been smooth. Most other photographers see new photographers and photography businesses as competition. They could definitely say and do things to hinder progress amd cause you to doubt yourself. However, I decided to use those instances as fuel to the fire for success.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I specialize in underwater portraiture and creative portraits. Both styles are my passion. I love to make others feel magical and see the wonder they feel after seeing the images from their session.
What were you like growing up?
I was extremely quiet and isolated as a child but also very mature. I was overweight, terrible at anything athletic, and bullied a lot. However, I was also extremely compassionate toward others. I mostly kept to myself and was often lost in action figures and comic books. Terribly insecure and wishing I looked like the guys in the comics. I remember feeling that from a very young age, and I feel like it’s ingrained in us from a very young age through action movies and comics.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.capturewonderphotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/capturewonderphotography
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/capturewonderphotography
Image Credits
Kayla Douglas Willow Henderson Aphrodite Gerson Lopez Alyssa Rangel Thalia Sewell Layla
