Richard Jenkins may have been a photographer in Humboldt for over 30 years, but two recent awards from the Professional Photographers of Canada means he is keeping up in an ever changing industry.
Jenkins submitted four photographs for consideration for the Saskatchewan and Manitoba based competitions with two receiving top of their class.
His photo, “Into the Unknown” which was a graduation photo of the subject walking into a bank of fog received Best Photo in the Portrait class while his photo of the Humboldt Water Tower stairs called “Stairway to Heaven” received Best Photo in the Architecture class during the annual Image Competition in Winnipeg on Oct. 27.
Having his photos recognized in this way means that he is keeping up with the ever developing photography industry, says Jenkins.
“(The awards) endorse the fact that I have a good eye and keep up with trends in photography.”
With the advent of digital, there are some highs and lows in and out of the industry.
A $600 camera does not make someone a professional, says Jenkins but that seems to be the mentality that people have.
“They get a few pictures in focus and think, ‘oh, I’m a photographer now, too.’ That’s not right.”
Thirty years ago, every step of the photography process, from buying the film to film development cost money.
Changes to the industry also means that there is more that he can do as a professional photographer when it comes to editing, says Jenkins but it still takes time and energy to take quality photos.
No matter the changes to technology, Jenkins is still creating lifelong memories for his clients.
Jenkins even had two recent incidents where he took pictures of clients weeks before they passed away. This means that their family has a wonderful memory of them, he says.
“It makes people happy. It makes them say this is my family and I’m proud of them...That’s what I want people enjoying. Seeing their families on the wall.”
Over the years, Jenkins even has pictures of his own family that he took where he can say the same thing.
Jenkins started training as a photographer over 30 years ago before starting his business Reflections by Richard, which has been a Humboldt business staple over the years.
Within an ever changing industry, Jenkins can always count on his monkey, a 30-year-old puppet he was gifted from an employee.
While he is missing an arm, the monkey has made many children smile for their portraits.
