Artist Bio
Few photographers in the world have photographed as many animals in studio as Randal Ford.
Over the last decade, Ford has become an internationally recognized artist. His works have appeared on the cover of Time Magazine, 20 different Texas Monthly covers, and the cover of Communication Arts, the advertising industry’s most prestigious publication.
Among other accolades, in 2017, 2018, 2019 Ford was named one of the top 200 photographers by Lüerzers Archive. In 2017 his photographs were awarded 1st place and best of show in the International Photo Awards Fine Art competition.
In the fall of 2018, his animal photographs were published in a coffee table book by renowned publisher Rizzoli New York. The best selling book has received widespread acclaim from publications such as USA Today, People Magazine, Parade, Wired, and Texas Monthly.
His follow-up book, Good Dog, was published worldwide by Rizzoli New York in the Fall of 2020 with a foreword written by W. Bruce Cameron, author of A Dog’s Purpose.
Randal Ford believes that simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. He is obsessed with details, creative collaboration, and chasing a timeless aesthetic.
Ford’s large format limited edition works have been commissioned and collected across the globe.
Randal Ford is based in Austin, TX.
Process Notes
My process of creating animal portraits in the studio, while incredibly rewarding, is also rigorous, technical and requires extreme patience.
The process begins with my talented team and I crafting key lighting that is simple, precise and executed exceptionally well. The lighting often changes slightly, from animal to animal, in order to accentuate the unique colors and textures of their coat. My technique, though tailored to each animal’s form and fabric, remains rooted in a cohesive, timeless aesthetic.
The backgrounds of my portraits are classic and neutral-- often a pale gray or black-- and compliment the animal’s features, rather than distract from them. Due to the clean nature of these backgrounds, and the animal as the singular focal point, they are unforgiving and require precision when it comes to composition, pose and lighting. The shot must be just right.
In addition to the technical aspects of each portrait session, quick reflexes and intuition are imperative. It is not uncommon that an animal gives you merely a glimpse of their personality. Capturing the split moment where their expression, pose and essence all come together, is the difference between an image seen and an image felt.
To finalize each portrait, I apply a detailed treatment of dodging and burning to the image in post-production. These subtle adjustments to color and contrast allow me to further push the image into a space that is tactile, while at the same time soft and aesthetically pleasing. This treatment is similar to techniques used in the darkroom by master printers from years past.
Despite my extreme efforts to capture the essence of each animal, I do, ultimately, have to relinquish control. These are animals, after all. We love them, we respect them, but we cannot control them. It is up to them to decide the story being told, and it is up to us to let them.
Statement
Over 40,000 years ago, we began to depict animals in cave drawings. Throughout history, mankind’s consistent portrayal of animals in art is a testament to the importance of our connection with the animal kingdom.
As mankind evolved, so did our artwork. We began to not only depict, but personify animals. We began to see our human emotions in animals. This anthropomorphism or personification connected us to animals on a deeper and more emotional level.
This collection is my perspective and portrayal of the animal kingdom. As a portrait photographer, my intention is for these animal portraits to speak to you. What they say depends on the conscious and subconscious feelings you embody.
By photographing each subject in studio on a neutral background, I am creating a portrait that is focused on the animal only. This deconstructive approach to portraiture allows you to experience the creature in a way otherwise not possible. Through this language of simplistic portraiture, these photographs are aimed to elicit an emotion in you.
Whether it’s beauty, power, or humor, I want to give animals the opportunity to tell their story and to connect with you.
Behind the Scenes
Charity
Stewardship, Awareness, & Conservation
Without the amazing work of Divine Mother Nature, we wouldn't have such interesting and beautiful subjects to connect with. Despite having photographed over 100 animals up close and in person, I still marvel at the beauty of God’s animal kingdom. However, I also believe that we as humans are stewards of The Animal Kingdom and it is our duty to continually look out for their well being. The following organizations are just a few that we love.
PROJECT SURVIVAL'S CAT HAVEN
Project Survival’s Cat Haven is an innovative park dedicated to the preservation of wild cats. It specializes in education and is engaged in both captive and range country conservation. It is this link to the conservation of cats in their native habitat which makes the work of the Cat Haven especially meaningful. While some of the cats at Project Survival have been orphaned in the wild or have needed to be re-homed due to varying circumstances, they do not call themselves a sanctuary. Cat Haven provides excellent homes for all of their cats but their focus is to educate people about the plight of endangered cat species, and to raise funds for the conservation projects in the wild. Working to mitigate problems between cats and people in the wild, these projects are vital to protecting and conserving these beautiful animals.
Project Survival's Cat Haven promotes the conservation and preservation of wild cats in their native habitat by educating visitors and publicizing the work done by Project Survival Cat Conservation Group. Project Survival's Cat Haven maintains an educational room at the facility for youth programs and an outreach program. The Cat Haven is designed to act as 'base camp' in the belief that preserving wild cats in their native habitat is the principle justification for maintaining them in captivity. Project Survival is engaged in fundraising, including the creation of endowments, to support wild life specialists and educators working in range countries.
Cat Haven is located in Fresno, CA and is where Randal Ford photographed the Cheetah for his book. You can see more about Project Survival's Cat Haven on their website here.
Proceeds from Ford's book, The Animal Kingdom: A Collection of Portraits will benefit Project Survival's Cat Haven.
Emancipet
Emancipet is on a mission to make veterinary care affordable and accessible for everyone. They manage an expanding national network of high-quality, low-cost clinics; offer customized training and consulting programs to animal welfare organizations nationwide; and advocate for strategies and public policy that improve the lives of pets in underserved communities.
Since 1999, Emancipet has spayed or neutered more than 350,000 dogs and cats and in 2019 we cared for more than 170,000 pets.
Proceeds from Ford’s book, Good Dog: A Collection of Portraits, will benefit Emancipet.
To learn more about Emancipet, visit their website here.
AUSTIN ZOO
Being a native Austinite, Randal Ford and his family have enjoyed and supported the Austin zoo. But the Austin Zoo is not a typical zoo. It's an outdoor habitat built within the beautiful surroundings of the Austin Hill Country. And a few of the domestic animals in Ford's book have been photographed at the Austin Zoo.
The mission of Austin Zoo is to assist animals in need through rescue, rehabilitation and education.
Austin Zoo currently has over 300 animals, representing more than 100 different species. Their animal collection includes animals from other facilities that are being retired due to age, health or other issues; animals that were seized in animal cruelty cases; retired laboratory research animals; and individuals’ exotic pets they needed to rehome due to changes in the owner’s lifestyle or the inability to provide appropriate care for these pets.
Austin Zoo relies on private, corporate, and civic donations, as well as admission fees, gift shop sales, grants, sponsorships and other fund raising events to ensure the health and well being of our animal collection. Support also allows them to take in new animals and participate in conservation efforts to save endangered animals.
Over 237,000 individuals visit Austin Zoo annually, including tens of thousands of students and teachers visiting on field trips. Austin Zoo currently occupies approximately 15 acres of land, and owns another 40 acres which will provide ample room for expansion as the Zoo continues to grow.
Visit Austin Zoo's website here.
