Interview with Richard Hall

My name is Richard Hall and I am a retired intensive care physician based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. While I am primarily a lifestyle portrait photographer I take pleasure in capturing anything that comes in front of the lens.

✦ Style & Identity

What’s your signature as a photographer?

I am fascinated by the creative use of light and shadows to express emotion.
Tell us the story behind one image you’ll never forget.
One of the models I photographed was wearing a wedding dress and I asked her why. She stated that she had lost all images from her wedding and wanted to capture some images to reflect on her

wedding experience. We shot several images but the one that resonated most for me and her story was a black and white image of her looking back over her shoulder at her dress which I entitled “Looking back”.

What’s something unique about how you shoot or approach a session?

My practice as an intensive care physicians exposed me to the many highs and lows of the human condition and I would like to think this helps me bring humor and a better understanding of each person’s uniqueness with empathy for where they are in their life’s journey. I do this in a compassionate non-judgemental way so as to make the session a memorable one not just for the images created but the experience as a whole.

✦ Storytelling

What’s a photo you’re most proud of, and why?

I took a spontaneous picture of my mentor in window light as he was staring out the window during a photoshoot which I thought captured his personality and kindness. This image subsequently was recognized in a portrait contest sponsored by our local camera club which I think helped validate and motivate me to continue my work as a portrait photographer early on in my journey.

✦ Process & Perspective

Walk us through your creative process—from concept to final edit.

One of the aspects of being a natural life portrait photographer is it is largely unscripted for me. I work collaboratively with a model and together select a location which will help us develop our idea - e.g., spring flowers. We then explore the venue and capture images which bring out our vision. I take these images into Lightroom Classic for initial processing e.g., exposure, cropping, some color correction and when happy with the initial edit I process the final edit in Photoshop – currently using a variety of AI plugins e.g., Retouch4me with tweaks as necessary and then send the images back to Lightroom for export.

What gear do you swear by—and what’s your approach to editing?

I am heavily invested in Canon gear for photoshoots with Godox lighting as necessary. My approach to editing is largely minimalist – I believe in trying to get it right in camera first. That being said I use AI technology for editing to do the mundane things that help save time – not to change the image but to enhance the natural features captured with in it.

✦ Personal Reflection

What’s one truth about your creative journey that’s stayed with you?

I have learned to accept the differences each individual brings to a photoshoot and to try and recognize the biases (both overt and hidden) I have acquired over time and to try and confront them so as to be productive and as non-judgemental as possible.

Brought to you by Bold & Beyond—where curiosity meets clarity.