Award-winning commercial and documentary photographer, Doug Menuez, was brought to Richmond on April 23rd by the ASMP. He lectured at the Crittenden Gallery to a crowd of about forty people. His funny, witty style was easy to relate to and learn from. He told of his rise to the big time in the commercial world and his feelings of uneasiness because he was not doing the work that he desired to produce. It was in a moment of clarity that he said no to a job because the client wanted him to do it their way and not his own. He said that he felt empowered. Shortly after, the client came back and said that he could do it his own way. This has been the model for the commercial jobs that he has sought after since- jobs that allow him to work and shoot in his own style and way. This has been the key for finding the balance between living as an artist and working as a commercial photographer. Menuez is also well known for his documentary photography, which seems to be his passion. He learned about a dance troupe of orphans from Uganda and was inspired by their story and courage. He traveled to Uganda where he became friends with many of the children, even helping a young boy find his brother in a far away town, and took pictures that are now the book, Transcendent Spirit: The Orphans of Uganda, a beautiful book whose profits go to help the orphans of Uganda. Doug Menuez's passion for people, life and photography is evident in the way he lives and the way he speaks. I left this talk truly inspired and with a renewed drive to use my photography to better the world, not to simply make beautiful images.
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