Meet Rich Epstein | Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rich Epstein and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rich, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I believe any growth comes from taking risks. Both personal and professional. Sometimes the risks are fairly calculated, but other times it’s the “hold your breath” risks that often pay off the most. Whether it’s asking someone for a conversation, or deciding to open a business or start a family, so much has to be done outside of ones’ comfort zone in order to put the thoughts into motion. I think of it as a little blind faith in oneself. I have never been one to sit for long, and I thoroughly enjoy working with people, so my career path has followed suit. My first profession was as a personal trainer. It allowed me to help others reach fitness goals they might not have on their own. When my kids were small I transitioned into real estate. Here I spent the next twenty two years building that business and providing for my family. Now, as my kids are out of college and on their own, I have taken the biggest leap of personal faith in moving to Florida and pursuing photography full time. Having once lived here, it was just a matter of time before I returned to Florida. So, with the blessing from my kids, I packed the dog and came down. This is what I was meant to do and this is the last opportunity to take a chance to fulfill this dream. I have been photographing since I was in grade school and it was always my creative outlet just for myself. But during Covid lockdown, the real estate business took a sizeable break and I began to shoot real estate, headshots, small events, etc. for others in the business. It really took off and I made the decision to take this private part of me public and create a business out of a passion. This is all very recent! March of this year. I’m happy to report things are moving forward!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art is visual – photography. Every picture tells a story. I have always been a storyteller in one shape or form. From class clown to theater major and even stand up comedy, I have been telling stories for as long as I can remember. Photography is my most treasured medium because in one split second a story has to be captured forever in a photograph. It’s my challenge to make sure the viewer knows the story behind the photograph at first glance. My portraiture is based in realism. Even for a business headshot I want the personality of the client to come though the picture. I get so excited when a client finds themselves comfortable enough to let their guard down and show who they really are. One client came in for a business headshot and she told me how much she hated getting her picture taken. She said she always felt fake and uncomfortable during the process. We spent a good amount of time talking before I even took her to the setup. I was able to make her laugh and just be herself which happened to be a happy, bubbly person. She had such a great time during her business headshot session that within the following few months she booked a boudoir session and the next year a maternity session! Personally the biggest challenge was getting over the fact that for the first time in my life, my photographs would be criticized. I’d been shooting for over forty years and now people would have an open opinion on my work. I would want everyone to know that my art is based on realism. True moments. I’m old enough to remember those disposable cameras on tables at weddings and functions. Those were the best photos of the whole event because they were genuine expressions of the people there. Posed photos are unavoidable, but when I shoot an event, or even a portrait, I am looking for authentic reactions and interactions.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My business is centered in Boca Raton, but goes North to the Palm Beaches, so that covers a lot of area! I would start in Mizner Park – probably at Max’s Grille but make our way all over and most likely ending up at Sugar. We would have to spend some significant time in West Palm on Clematis Street and hit Subculture Coffee to start the day. I love the food at Kapow, so we could enjoy that on Clematis or in Mizner Park. Rocco’s Tacos offers a number of delicious locations throughout all of the areas covered. We would need to take the pooch, Chandler, to Juno beach in Jupiter so he could enjoy the huge dog friendly section. Atlantic Avenue in Delray would be a great people watching spot. And I would be remiss if we didn’t go into City Oyster and Sushi for amazing seafood.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
One of my very best friends in the world is also a photographer and without her support I would be light years behind where I am. Also a self taught amateur turned professional, she understood the entrepreneurial yet dreamer mindset and helped me to create my own path. She opened her studio to me to share and we have spent countless hours editing together, sharing ideas and motivating each other in general. Stacy Smith is deserves my biggest shoutout. www.stacysmithstudios.com IG: @stacysmithstudios

Website: www.richepsteinphotography.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/richepsteinphoto

Facebook: www.facebook.com/richepsteinphoto