Richard Franklin (OMP Member #6256) has been a working photographer for over a decade. Yet his approach to the craft is as fresh as anyone just starting out in the business, as is evidenced by his highly imaginative, cutting-edge images.

The artist’s lifestyle is just as extraordinary. He lives in a six-million-dollar mansion high in the Hollywood Hills that is the ultimate photographer’s dream location. The house has five floors devoted to photo shoot stations. Richard created this amazing environment mainly as a matter of convenience.

“I use a lot of strobes in my work and never use assistants. I can’t be bothered to make the effort to lug equipment around to other locations, so I decided to build my own! The house has breathtaking views of Los Angeles at every level. Every room is designed to be lived in and also function as a set.”

One room he is especially proud of is a giant 3000 square-foot studio beneath his pool that transforms into a nightclub at night. Other sets include a steam room, sauna, casino, stripper room, jungle room, Egyptian room, and probably the world’s largest shower, enabling him to create masterpieces with water in a totally controlled environment.

Although Richard keeps the mansion busy with his own shoots, occasionally he will consider renting out the location from time to time, if the right project comes along. The Los Angeles-based artist got his start in photography in an accidental way.

“I was dating an actress and bought a camera when we went on holiday together. I began to get fascinated both by the technology and the fun of experimentation.”

Richard’s favorite styles of images to shoot are often inspired by historical subjects.

“I like to create very colorful images of beautiful women that show their strength and beauty in a timeless setting. I come from England and loved history since childhood. I frequently work with set pieces that have both a historical and cinematic influence. For example the movie ‘300’ influenced me to do my ‘Spartan Warrior’ series that I regard as my best work. I also enjoy sumptuous set pieces like Ancient Egypt or scenes of Roman decadence. I refer to myself often as a ‘Paintographer’ rather than photographer. I try, and sometimes succeed, in creating a photograph that looks very much like a painting.”

Judging from his eye-catching portfolio, the photographer has a great eye for color and composition.

“I clearly love color and I think I am good at color coordination. I regard the model as no more important than her surroundings. Every part of a composition should have equal value. I am very selective and rarely shoot seriously unless I become fixated on a concept that gets me excited. I always strive for excellence and never take the easy way out. I have very limited Photoshop skills. I only know how to use the clone stamp and the basic brightness/contrast curves functions. So the end result is very much directly from the camera and I have never created any element that was not there to begin with. I use a light meter extensively as well as colored gels.”

Richard describes the working dynamic between himself and his models as creative and spontaneous.

“I generally tell models that I haven’t got a clue how our concept is going to turn out but that we are going to have some fun experimenting with a very basic idea. I never see a finished picture in my head. I just come up with a vague concept like Egyptian diva, decadent Greek, Roman beauty, or Ninja Warrior bounty hunter! I think of the background first and how I would like to light my set. I use a lot of strobes. I tell the model when she has done her makeup that I want her to forget about being a model but to think of herself as an actress playing a role. I tell her to ignore me and immerse herself in the character. However if I am shooting sexy glamour photos, I get the model to concentrate fully on me as I like to make eye contact in those types of shoots.”

He has high regard for One Model Place, which he has been a member of since 2002.

“I think OMP was one of the pioneer ‘model meets photographer’-type sites. I don’t remember seeing any serious competitors. Frankly I still think OMP has the best-designed site in the business.”

OMP has also helped Richard promote his career and find models for his shoots.

“One Model Place has been very useful indeed. In the early days when I had limited skills, it gave me the opportunity to contact models to see if they would test with me. Now that I am established, it’s fun to be in-demand and to enjoy a wider selection on a global scale. I love the global reach of OMP and the internet that makes it possible to meet photographers and models in any country I choose to visit by pressing a few keys!”

Richard has a new book in the works that will showcase his Technicolor creations.

“The book will probably be titled ‘Women and Color.’ Other than the title, everything else is ready! The theme is the best of my artistic shoots. There will be no bikini shoots as I am keeping that back for another book. It will have a great emphasis on women draped in colored fabrics, body painting, and the type of classic concept shoots I like to do the most. The book features my favorite model (and ex-girlfriend) Tiera Madry, who is on One Model Place (OMP Model #384644).”

He says that the real purpose behind the book is to be another tool in establishing a high value for his work in art galleries.

“My work has never been ‘commercial’ in the sense that it is not geared towards magazines in the fashion or glamour markets. I think there is far more money (and satisfaction) in shooting what I choose to shoot, treating it as art and selling it for high prices in galleries throughout the world. The book will be an interesting read and will be visually stunning but it is really meant to be a catalogue of my work for galleries. Time will tell if that’s a wise approach!

Richard has some insightful advice for photographers just starting out in the business.

“I would say that your attitude of mind is of equal importance to your eye. A classy mind tends to shoot classy pictures, and an unclassy mind tends to go for the lowest common denominator. I think that quality will always win at the end of the day, and so I think an aspiring photographer should develop a mentality that always seeks to achieve excellence, variety, and originality. There is no compromise with high standards. I also believe in developing a risk-taking approach that frees you from the limitations that ‘how-to’ books frequently create. Luck is really just an equation being the result of when preparation meets opportunity. An aspiring photographer should prepare everything in advance for the unexpected luck that will come his way in most shooting situations.”

He also offers some suggestions for photographers who want to get their work published.

“Constantly strive to create an original body of work that you can proudly send off to any editor and basically say ‘Beat that!’ Humility is a good virtue, but so is confidence and so is pride. Photography is incredibly competitive, but the possibilities for originality are endless and you generally will succeed or fail based upon your own merits.”

Richard reveals that he feels a great sense of humility whenever he holds a camera in his hands.

“I never cease to wonder at this extraordinary invention that has such great power and holds so many possibilities. I never see my work as better or worse than other work. But when I look at it on my computer or on walls around my house I feel that it creates a sense of heightened self-esteem because it exceeded all my expectations. Photography gives you the power to ‘create’ and that fulfills a basic human need. We feel better that we created something that shows our prowess, achieves a goal and preserves a memory. It transcends the mundane world. I never care whether anyone appreciates my work or not, as long as I do!”

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