Today we’d like to introduce you to Eric Renard.
Eric, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
For as long as I can remember, I have had a passion for taking photographs. There was the adventure of searching for an image. There was the anticipation of dropping off the film (or mailing it in) and the long wait to find out if the prints matched my vision. When the prints matched expectations, it was a wonderful and fulfilling experience, when they didn’t due to technical mistakes, camera shake or a finger over the lens, it was a learning opportunity. Camera technology may have changed, the 110mm film I remember has been replaced by digital flashcards, but the act of capturing the image in the viewfinder has not.
I studied photography in college and it was one of my favorite classes but it wasn’t my focus. I graduated college and continued to take photos for the next 30 years without anyone but friends and family to view them. After turning 50, my wife (girlfriend at the time) encouraged me to get my photos out there. Since then, I have had two solo gallery shows, been a part of several shared shows and won some photography awards along the way.
A few years ago, I had the great honor of visiting with Sigfreid Halus, my photography professor in college, who was living in Santa Fe and still very active in the art community. It was wonderful to catch up and hear his stories and sage advice again. I was saddened to learn last year that he had passed away.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has been a long and smooth road with a few pit stop and detours along the way. The biggest challenge was getting to the point of my being willing to put my artwork out there for others to see.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into your story. Tell us more about the business.
Well, there are actually two different entities. My company is Renard Advertising & Design, which is a professional graphic design firm and advertising agency, specializing in both print and internet for over 25 years www.renardadv.com.
There is also me as a fine art photographer. I am know mostly for my black & white photos. I have had two solo shows here in Los Angeles and been a part of several shared shows across the country. The most recent show was at House of Lucy in Downtown Los Angeles and was titled Abandoned Spaces/Urban places. In this series of photos, I explore the stories hidden in overlooked and abandoned spaces and contrast them with those we find in the everyday scenes of urban places www.ericrenardphotography.com/abandoned-spaces-urban-places/
I am most proud of the HOL show and some of recent awards that I received.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ericrenardphotography.com
- Phone: 310-889-1180
- Email: eric@ericrenardphotography.com
- Instagram: renard_photo
Image Credit:
Eric Renard Photography
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