Richard Jones is a commercial photographer based in Queenstown, New Zealand. He specialises in panoramic images of New Zealand and also enjoys getting out to other countries whenever he can.
Originally trained as a chartered accountant, he realised after 15 years of working in Europe, UK, and Australia that it was no way to spend a life.
Richard began his photographic journey over twenty years ago, but unlike so many other photographers, didn’t use his sister’s box Brownie at the age of eight (he doesn’t have a sister).
Instead, it all began with a Kodak 110 one Christmas. He got serious during his travels when he realised that he couldn’t be bothered keeping a diary.
During his travels, Richard has been held at gunpoint, deported from Tunisia (for a fun filled week during Ramadan in Tripoli, Libya), jumped by Syrian commandos outside the Presidential Palace in Amman, had a sandal chewed off by a cheetah, been chased by a black mamba, fallen over the Italian border on a snow bike, caused a riot in Egypt, and been assaulted by Ugandan mountain gorillas (the silverback thought he was trying to nick his girlfriend).
In 2003 he was camped on the Iraq border the day Saddam Hussein was captured, and was subsequently investigated by US troops, jets, and a helicopter……. though they would deny ever being there, of course.
Through all this he has been lucky to visit beautiful countries, see sights and experience parts of these nations you won’t see on CNN.
In 2004 Richard’s exhibition ‘Undeniable’ showed to critical acclaim in Queenstown. The exhibition featured images from Libya, Middle East, South America, Southern Africa, and Europe. There are still some strictly limited numbers available online.
When he’s not in Queenstown, you can find him running the touchline of Otago Highlanders games, in Africa photographing wildlife, or enjoying the extraordinary highlights of Europe.
In 2006 Richard embarks on the first of a number of publishing ventures in the pipeline, and looks forward to sharing his images with the public in the years ahead.
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