Since 2007, Long Island, NY based photographer and director,
Rick Wenner, has translated inspirational messages and intriguing individuals into emotionally powerful portraiture. Excelling in photographic humanization, Rick’s signature style turns subjects into stories; connection telling the tale, the camera an apparatus. From creative beginnings rooted in design, to the early days of shooting friends for fun, and the present norm capturing celebrity personas, the ever-present components of each photoshoot have been Rick’s congeniality, humility and witty disposition that invoke natural comfortability and laughter from his subjects. Along his artistic adventures, Rick has discovered that great portraits are born when casual conversations paint the true colors of momentarily guarded strangers.
In the professional realm, Rick devotes much of his artistic energy towards editorial, corporate and advertising projects, through which he brings transparency and relatability to the brands he represents. His personal work is propelled by people that inspire, from Para-athletes to Patriot Guard Riders, and simply chronicling the characteristics that distinguish a person from average to unique. But the main thing that brings Rick back to the camera time and time again, is its power to foster authentic human connection and change fleeting emotions into enduring recorded moments.
Rick’s photographs have received several esteemed awards from American Photography and Photo District News. Of particular honor is having been granted a PDN Photo Annual accolade for his personal work “The Patriot Guard Riders”. This one’s got all the feels, bringing due recognition to a group of patriots whose mission is to ensure “dignity and respect at memorial services honoring Fallen Military Heroes, First Responders and honorably discharged Veterans.”
When Rick is not behind the camera, nothing evokes more joy than making his baby girl, Norah, laugh uncontrollably. A family man above all else, Rick values quality experiences with his daughter and wife, Michelle. He’s the kind of guy who appreciates life’s awesome little treasures; hazy IPAs or a quality bourbon, the symbolism behind an interesting tattoo, cool hot rods and lowriders and the preserved nostalgia of a classic car, the brilliance of 90’s hip-hop or the raw emotion poured into a good blues song. These are the things that keep Rick happy.