Bio
I love telling stories with pictures.
Specializing in connective lifestyle and portraiture, my prior background in documentary image making greatly influences my commercial work today. Creating imagery that feels uplifting, visually beautiful, and totally authentic is incredibly fulfilling to me.
Having worked all over the globe for clients from American Express, Astra-Zeneca, Blackrock, Chevy, Chevron, Chase Bank, Four Seasons Resorts, Johnson & Johnson, Mercedes, MetLife, Microsoft, National Geographic, Pfizer, Travel & Leisure, Verizon, and many, many others, the amazing crews we pull together, large or small, allows us to bring top level production anywhere in the world or just around the corner. We love what we do.
I definitely didn't go into photography and directing for the awards (at all) but some industry recognition we've received so far has been; Archive's 200 Best Advertising Photographers Worldwide 2012/2013/2014/2015/2016/2017/2018/2019/2020/2021/2022, Multiple CA & Graphis awards, and numerous Addy's along the way. What I still appreciate most, though, is being out creating and making very happy clients.
I've tried to show a sampling of my work here, if it speaks to you, let's connect. Our studio is about 2.5 hours north of NYC across the bay from Newport, RI, (summers are insane here!). FAV'S: japan, amalfi coast, sushi, coffee, hot tubs, sun, rain, family, friends, natural light, exploring, DOGS(!!!), oceans, sailing, working with great creative people, and remembering to be thankful.
Best -RS
Clients
aarp. aetna. aerotek. agfa. american express. ameriprise. amgen. archstone. astra-zeneca. bayer. beringer vineyards. berkshire hathaway. blackrock investments. bmg entertainment. bonita bay properties. california academy of sciences. chevrolet. chevron. chase bank. clarian health. cvs. discovery channel. dolby labs. dupont. eddie bauer. employers insurance. esendant. exeter healthcare. farmer focus. fda. fidelity investments. fleet bank. four seasons resorts. ford motors. general motors. gilead pharmaceutical. hartford insurance. hewlett-packard. hyatt hotels. ibm. imanta resorts. johnson & johnson. justin boots. kaspersky software. liberty mutual. ll bean. luxottica. mercedes. merck. metlife. microsoft. national geographic. nescafe. nike. novartis. old dominion, pbs public television. pfizer pharmaceuticals. prudential. puritan software. range rover. raytheon. revo. robson properties. rolling stone. salix pharmaceuticals. sanofi-aventis. shell. sports illustrated. symantec. tate & lyle. time-warner. touchstone energy. transitions lenses. travel & leisure. tyco healthcare. united health. u.s. postal service. u.s. trust. vanity fair. verizon. vonage. whole foods. wrangler. xerox. xcel energy.
Stock
Our studio has a very extensive stock library based on 20+ years of commercial, editorial, and personal shooting. Many of the images on the site are available for licensing as well as 1000's of additional images. Please contact us with a creative brief and we'll do our best to fulfill your request.
Testimonials
"It's quite obvious Richard LOVES what he does. We've continuously given him highly challenging projects capturing thematic stories and he nails it every time delivering his beautiful and authentic images. He's relentless in finding the best shots to tell our stories, we really couldn't ask for a better partner and the production teams he puts together are tops."
Teresa Rad Director Art Production TBWA/Chiat/Day NY
"Richard's work is in the exceptional category of advertising photography. His imagery is personal and believable and taps directly into the emotive aspects of our world. I had the great pleasure of working with Richard on a global ad campaign, and as much as I was incredibly delighted with the work we created, I was equally intrigued in how he did it, after nine days of working with him I had the answer, sort of. There isn't a specific process, technique or technology that makes his work unique, but, there is a secret: Richard smiles when he shoots and he smiles when he reviews the work. He loves it. And it shows in the way he treats everyone, in the way he approaches life, and in the way he makes everybody feel like a family, from the actors, to the client and the agency. Richard turns ordinary sets into extraordinary opportunities to capture the magic moments in life that so few can capture. That's what makes his work so unique and beautiful and connective. "
Mike Tittel Executive Creative Director GYRO
"After being a fan of Richard's work for several years, the opportunity to shoot with him presented itself. Despite the fact that the project was a bit of the "perfect storm", he met the challenge head on. Never compromising his eye and what he wanted to bring to the production, he enhanced and elevated the entire process. Richard, a gifted photographer, is a delightful human being and brings his joy of his profession/passion to the shoot every day. His small but devoted crew shared his positive attitude and contributed to the very enthusiastic vibe day after day. My Art Director was thrilled, the client was over the moon and I looked like a star. The entire process from estimating through post-production was handled with the professionalism and respect for our ever changing immediate needs. If you have the opportunity to shoot with Richard, give yourself a gift and do it."
Jamie Appelbaum Sr. Art Producer McGarry Bowen, NYC
I’ve had the privilege of working with the best shooters in the business and Richard tops that list. A visualist, storyteller and perfectionist of the highest order, Richard’s images leap off the page (and screen) enthralling the viewer. He goes beyond his role as a photographer to a full fledged creative partner who is fully immersed in the process. The images he captured exceeded my expectations. Honest portraiture in epic landscapes where neither upstaged each other. I’m already conjuring up another project to shoot specifically with Richard.
Robert Dufour Creative Director DUFOUR ADCRAFTING
"With a tight timeline and a demanding client, Richard was our unanimous first choice and he delivered beyond expectations. In addition to being extremely talented, he was professional, prepared, and a pleasure to be around. I even suspect he has the ability to control the weather. With rain threatening, and only a one day window at a remote location in The Valley of Fire, Nevada, the sky was clear all day and he finished shooting during one of the most spectacular sunsets I've ever seen. Coincidence?"
Brennon Bynum Creative Director McCann Erickson
"What I love that Richard brought to our project was discussion. So many shooters see the boards and then just do what they do. We talked. We then talked again and again. Richard really wanted to understand what I wanted not just what I comped. How this played out was beautiful because when we got to the shoot we both wanted the same thing. This then gave us the opportunity to take it further and make something far better because we started at the same place. This is very rare and I (as well as our client) am eternally grateful."
Steve Whittier VP Creative Director Factory Design Labs
"Richard accepted a big challenge on our shoot last year: a short time frame, a logistical nightmare, a new client, and a photo-savvy talent (Cindy Crawford) that pushed him to show his stuff. The shoot went great because of Richard's talent, style, and endearing charm. He also pulled together an absolutely top-notch production team who were a pleasure to work with. Everyone came out thrilled, he pulled it off seamlessly, and we ended up with incredible creative for the client. It was an experience I would happily go through again with him."
Derk Baartman Production Director Hanon McKendry
"Authentic. Layered. Story-telling. Open. Big. Captured. Inclusive. True. Expressive and Beautiful. Richard is one of those rare photographers who will collaborate easily. While approaching the picture with a very clear view of what the image could be, he is willing to hear other perspectives and views. That is a rare ability and it makes the clients and art directors feel very great with the outcome at the end of a day of shooting with him."
Libby DeLana Partner/Creative Mechanica
"Richard shot our Ford "Bold Moves" national print portrait series. We had to shoot 18 portraits in 2 days, we had a week from his winning the bid to shoot day including casting and wardrobe. It was intense, it was highly scrutinized and Richard and his team were perfectly up to the task. I would do it again in a second with Richard! I feel so fortunate that we got to work together. "
Linda Meek Sr. VP/Creative Director J. Walter Thompson
"Shooting our campaign with Richard and his team was an amazing experience. His unique vision and creativity were essential not only to express what we were looking for, but to push it to a different level. With great talent and personality, it was amazing to see him handle so many shots, at 5 different locations and 15+ talent on a really tight schedule. From start to finish, he made himself part of the process and kept us and the client comfortable while leading the way. He's not only a great professional, but an amazing person."
Rodrigo Romariz Art Director Catch NYC
"Richard is one of those people I have put on my list. That special list of truly talented creative people and exceptional human beings. Richard was put under some pretty intense circumstances to capture a series of beautiful images... in a frantic race to make sure I got as much done as possible without losing my mind. I asked Richard to capture enough moments that could have and should have been shot over multiple days. Richard pulled it off in a day, calmly, beautifully and gracefully. It was amazing. And the results were beautiful. I can't wait to work with Richard again. Hell, the guy can even make a great shot with his eyes closed, really, I saw it happen!"
Mark Rosica Sr VP, Assoc. Creative Director GKV
"Richard brought his souped-up laptops, his insuppressible enthusiasm and masterful eye for composition and nuance to our shoot. The days rocked for everyone from start to finish and the selects are simply gorgeous!"
Florence Buchanan Creative Director BBDO-NY
"I had the good fortune of working with Richard on a series of ads for a new client. We came into the shoot with a host of high pressure variables but Richard and his crew were quick to put everything at ease. From the beginning he added great insight to the concepts and was resourceful with our limited time-frame. However, his true talent was evident on the shoot days when I observed the easy rapport he had with his subjects, both seasoned professionals and novice. He has a confident and natural demeanor that allows everyone to feel comfortable around him-an aspect that is reflected in his work. We walked away with some amazing images that worked beautifully to capture the essence of the concepts and the client's brand. I also walked away with a reminder of what I enjoy most about this business...the ability to witness true talent...and the chance to work with incredible people like Richard."
Susan Johnston-Patrick Creative Director Hanon-McKendry
"It's the eighth and final shot of a six-day shoot and scout, and it's pouring rain. Scratch that, it's actually an alternate to our eighth and final shot (8B, we already had our original shot in the bag). Still pouring rain. Richard and I are scrambling down a slippery, soaked, muddy mountain to a river to see if logistically we can get one more sweet alternate shot. After a couple slips, falls and expletives we decide it's a little too hairy to bring the crew down. That's a wrap, great shoot. We head back up the hill. Still pouring. Wait, what's that? Maybe a little something called shot 8B? We look at each other. He takes a test shot. Nice. Unwrap. Let's do this. That really sums up my experience working with Richard. He's a perfectionist. He never wants to stop looking for a better shot. I found him to be super professional, down-to-earth, agreeable and, of course, talented. Said more concisely, he's the shit to work with."
B.C. Ledoux EVP/Creative Director The Glenn Group
"Discovery Channel hired Richard to shoot the Deadliest Catch campaign (about Alaskan Crab Fishermen). He was extremely good-humored and motivated for shooting at the end of a freezing pier on the coldest, windiest day of the winter. Despite frozen lenses and such frigid temperatures, we got exactly what we needed. We'll see what the next shoot has in store for him!"
Susan Weatherby Lead Art Buyer Discovery Communications, LLC
"Photographing hyper, un-trained dogs (for a pro-bono project for the Animal Humane Society) is a trying assignment. Even while on his stomach in the mud, Richard remained the consummate pro. In the end, he gave us exactly what we asked for plus things we never could have imagined without his lens. His images have a certain soul that words can't describe and that's what sets him apart as a shooter."
Prentice Howe Creative Director Door Number 3
"Richard is instantly accessible and smashingly talented. The seamless ebb and flow of discipline and creativity is amazing. His passion and dedication to his craft is clearly evident in both his process and his product. He takes obvious pleasure in securing a concept and making it his own. And he really knows his sushi!"
Phil Barber VP/CD PRACO
richard schultz bio page. Photo of Richard with baby cheetahs