Photograph by Natasha Partridge
Photographer and Videographer
Hi, I started in photography in 1971 working for a school photography business. From there I branched out as a freelance sports photographer supplying sports photos to the Sports Post in Wellington and other newspapers.
Unfortunately, the school photography business closed down and there were no photography positions available, so I took a job with Camera House in Willis Street, Wellington. Whilst dressing a window display with some of my athletic photos, Mr Ken Niven of K E Niven Ltd., commercial photographers was passing and noticed the photos. Ken Niven had been appoitned to be in charge of the 1974 Christchurh Commonwealth Games Photographic Pool and asked me who had taken the photos. When he heard that they were mine, he offered me a job as an official photographer for which I was the first to be appointed. I was given the job to go to Christchurch early and provide progress photos of the games venues prior to the games starting. Mr Niven also offered me a job as a photographer working at his commercial studio as he was retiring.
After resigning from K E Niven Ltd to move to Auckland which fell through at the last minute. I was offered a job as a press photographer with The Dominion newspaper in 1976. I had previous experience in freelancing and as a relieving photographer in the newspaper field but this was my first full time job. I worked for The Dominion for 5 years covering all aspect of news including Royal Tours.
As an Open 2 View photographer, I covered from West Auckland to Kaukapakapa, which was a large region working for a huge number of agents and offices. I worked for Open 2 View as part of my computer sales and repair business.
I have continued to work as a real estate photographer since giving up the Open 2 View work as an independent photographer and continue to do so.
He also has worked as a real estate photographer for over 47 years and during that time he has worked for Open2View and as an independent real estate photographer.
Richard has won various awards/competitions for his work. He was the first photographer to be appointed to the 1974 Commonwealth Games as an official photographer and was responsible for photographing the progress and completion of the Games venues prior to the start of the games as well as covering the games in all events. Richard was also asked to look after the Royal photographers when they arrived at the games.
For the last seven and half years Richard has run his own IT, printing and signwriting business here in Mangawhai.
He has high morals, standards and is very ethical only wanting to provide the highest standard of service and to help his clients. He also has a strong management background, which includes running large companies with staff exceeding 350 as well as providing receivership management.
Richard is a qualified financial adviser and an investment specialist but no longer practises in this field.