Today we’d like to introduce you to Robert Buchanan.
Hi Robert, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I picked up my first professional camera while living in Tokyo. I was on a performance contract for Disney and was in a place full of opportunities to photograph amazing places and people. I wasn’t any good starting out! My photos were pretty basic and uninteresting because I didn’t really know what I was doing. This was when film cameras were still very much a thing, so it was a little expensive getting all those rolls developed, not to mention missing a lot of shots due to my lack of experience. After coming back to Florida, I knew I wanted to continue taking pictures while at the same time performing, but as time went on I fell more and more in love with photography. I picked up my first dslr, the Canon Digital Rebel, with a whopping 6.3 Megapixels! Since I could shoot more photos without having to worry about using film, I was able to get much more experience and focus on learning about the art of photography. I started out just heading into the theme parks and taking pictures of shows and parades. I’d been a singer and actor for many years, so I had a good feel for what might make a good photograph on stage, especially if I was cast in that show!
From there, I started taking actor headshots for friends needing to update their portfolio, or heading to an upcoming audition. It was when I discovered studio lighting that everything started getting exciting. I could control exactly what was in light and what was in shadow. It opened up a whole new world of photography in genres like Fashion, Lifestyle, and Fine Art Portraiture. One of my friends had opened up her own dance studio and asked if I’d like to take recital photos for her students. At first it was just simple photographs on a clean, white background that was fully lit. But it led me down my current path of Fine Art Dance Portraiture. I absolutely love being able to highlight a dancer’s skill with dramatic lighting to show them effortlessly flying through the air or striking a dynamic pose. It’s an amazing collaboration of two art forms coming together to make something very special. There are so many amazingly talented dancers in Central Florida that I would love to work with! I’m hoping to open my own studio later this year.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I think the hardest struggle was probably the same thing many people feel. I loved what I was currently doing for work, singing for theme parks and theatres, but there was always that pull to do something I felt would be more fulfilling. It’s incredibly difficult and scary to decide to take that plunge and go for it. It took me a while, but I’m finally listening to myself and working to make that dream a reality.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’ve always been interested in the Arts. I started out on stages in elementary school and church, and continued all the way through high school before moving on to college. In 1999, I got my first professional job performing here in Central Florida with Disney and have been doing that ever since. I’ve been in several different shows between the two major theme parks. Right now I’m making a big effort to have my own photography studio and transition to doing this full time. I’ve had so much help from my family and friends and I can’t thank them enough for helping me along the way. If I had to pick something I’m most proud of, I’d have to say it is the look on the face of a dancer seeing themselves after taking a photograph. Its one thing to watch a recording of their work, to see the movement as they perform their routine, but it’s quite another to see something frozen in time. It always makes me smile to see their reactions.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Oh man, I always needed to be the center of attention growing up. I guess that’s what made me gravitate towards the Arts and the stage. I was following in my sister’s footsteps most of the time. She started singing in choirs, so I started singing in choirs. She performed in our high school’s show choir, so I decided to go for it as well. She moved down here to perform for Disney, I was right behind her. It made it really easy for our parents because they only had to visit one spot to vacation and see their kids! I’ve always loved being able to make people laugh and bring joy to an audience.
Pricing:
- Fine Art Dance Portrait Session $195-295
- Headshot Sessions start at $200
Contact Info:
- Email: rlbphotos12@gmail.com
- Website: www.rlbphotos.com
- Instagram: @rlbdancephotos and @rlbphotos
Image Credits
Brie Peralez, Kyndall Dale, Ella Kaneshige, Drew Robinson, Alexa Lucente, Victoria Gorokhova
