Artist Bio
Few photographers in the world have photographed as many animals in studio as Randal Ford.
With a precise eye for detail and a timeless aesthetic, Ford has become one of the most recognized animal portraitists of his generation. His large-format, limited-edition works, collected by private individuals and interior designers around the world, invite viewers to see beauty, personality, and spirit where they might least expect it.
Ford’s work has been exhibited and collected globally. His photographs have appeared on the cover of Time Magazine, more than 20 Texas Monthly covers, and the cover of Communication Arts, the industry’s most prestigious publication.
His work has been published in three coffee table books by Rizzoli New York: The Animal Kingdom (2018), Good Dog (2020), and Farm Life (2024). Each title has received acclaim from The New York Times, USA Today, People Magazine, Parade, Wired, and Texas Monthly.
Among his accolades, Ford has been named one of the top 200 photographers worldwide by Lürzer’s Archive, and his animal portraits have earned 1st Place and Best of Show in the International Photo Awards. His work has been featured consistently in Communication Arts Photo Annuals throughout the last decade, including the coveted annual cover.
Based in Austin, Texas, Ford continues to approach each subject with reverence and curiosity, blending craftsmanship with collaboration. His art reflects not only the individuality of the animals he photographs but also the universal connection between human and animal—an enduring reminder of our shared world.
Process Notes
My process of creating animal portraits in the studio, while incredibly rewarding, is also rigorous, technical, and demands patience.
It begins with my team and I crafting lighting that is simple, precise, and deliberate. Subtle shifts are made from animal to animal to bring out the textures of a coat or the spark in an eye. Neutral backdrops strip everything else away, leaving the subject fully exposed. With nothing to distract, every detail of pose, composition, and light has to be exact.
Animals rarely give more than a fleeting moment — a look, a tilt, a flicker of personality. Being ready for that instant is what separates an image that’s merely seen from one that’s truly felt.
To finish, I apply a careful treatment of dodging and burning, subtle refinements that echo the craft of darkroom masters. These adjustments bring depth and tactility, while keeping the portrait soft, timeless, and honest.
Yet no matter how controlled the process may be, the final word always belongs to the animal. They decide what they’ll give. My role is to prepare, to wait, and to be ready when they choose to reveal themselves.
Statement
Over 40,000 years ago, humans first depicted animals on cave walls. Since then, the portrayal of animals in art has remained a constant — a testament to the depth of our connection to the natural world. As our art evolved, we began not only to depict animals but also to personify them, seeing our own emotions reflected in their expressions. This instinct toward anthropomorphism is what binds us more deeply to the animal kingdom.
My work continues that tradition through a contemporary lens. As a portrait photographer, I aim to create images that allow animals to be seen as individuals, each with a presence, a story, and an essence that transcends species. Photographed in studio against neutral backdrops, the focus is stripped to its simplest form: the animal alone. This deconstructive approach reveals details and emotions that might otherwise be overlooked.
Ultimately, these portraits are meant to speak to you. What they say depends on what you bring — your conscious and subconscious feelings, your own reflections. Whether they convey beauty, power, vulnerability, or humor, my intention is to give animals the space to reveal themselves and the opportunity to connect with you.
Behind the Scenes
Philanthropy
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.
