July

Hi friend-

Change of pace this month.

I'm over it. I'm throwing in the towel on compartmentalizing. I want to show you what else I have to offer outside of client work and commercial photography.

We all know I can shoot a brief. We all know I can lead a production and meet your deadline. But guess what, lots of people can. 

What else do you know about me?

What else should you know?

My thoughts on AI and how it's crunching all of us down are too long for this space so let me summarize- a lot that used to work doesnt now. 

That's been making me question how I want to show up for all of you.

So I have been sharing a new project on Instagram and TikTok called “101 Things That Aren't Commercial Photography” in it I aim to explore everything tactile and real in art that I can to recharge and reconnect with my creativity. 

Dare I say, reconnect with my humanity. 

101 mini projects is a marathon but I know it will benefit both of us to share what's happening behind the scenes. 

Maybe it helps us connect on an out of the box project for a client, or it bonds us over our love of stickers and washi tape or maybe it turns you off completely. I don't know but I think more connection and more soft exploration is the way we all keep that spark alive. I'm also  launching a digital storefront (here 💘) for some of these projects and collabs +  a mini mail club early next month as a special birthday present to myself. 

I'm not leaving commercial photography- I'm pushing that we energize ourselves to make it better and more sustainable.

I want us to be more completely ourselves every day beyond the computer.

I hope you join me. 

xoxo

RP

Scenes from my pocket camera this month- my new fave tradition 🖤

Let my cutest light test stand in play us out….

June

Hi friend-

Welcome to an update that will be so quick the ice in your coffee won't even melt!

Minus a gnarly warehouse fire in my neighborhood that has threatened our enviable California blue skies, June has been a great start to summer.

This month saw the opening of the APA Off the Clock Gallery show at the Reef which I have a piece in, shoots both technical and whimsical in my studio, farewell to a favorite prop shop and friend + so many adventures with my little son.

Now that the images are ready, I am please to share my collaboration with Jikoni, a stunning Afri-cali dinner party concept that is equal parts gorgeous and delicious.

This shoot was a great reminder that you don't always need a giant crew or a grip truck of gear to make something beautiful- just great communication, teamwork and planning! 

Check out the BTS below to see how it came together and some of the truly tragic faces I make while concentrating.

xoxo

RP

Scenes from my pocket camera this month- my new fave tradition 🖤

April 2026

Hi friend-

 This month let's talk about human connection! I am over living so online- meet me outside!

 I think one of the best parts of being an artist is sharing space with other creatives and witnessing all of our far fetched photo dreams come true shot after shot in great company!

This month I got to fill my cup by spending time with some truly incredible female creatives! 

At the annual APA Women in Photography event I heard industry insights while sharing stories and support, I reveled in breaking the internet friends only curse and had lunch with other female food photographers, enjoyed the first Adobe Creative Lunch Club crossover, finally worked with long time food crush Jikoni, witnessed Chef Camille Napolitano getting her flowers at a gorgeous luncheon and shot again with new favorites Dear Neighbor food truck! 

Each step gives me energy for the next ahead. 

All of you in this creative game with me remind me why I'm here! 

So hit reply and share a win you had this month or tell me where we are getting lunch together next!

Ok here are some photos go outside and get some sun!

xoxo

RP

Scenes from my pocket camera this month- my new fave tradition 🖤

March 2026

Hi friend-

I had very serious copy written here about how tricky it is to connect with our viewer these these days. There are big global events happening, social media overwhelm, ads everywhere and a responsibility to keep up, stay fresh and keep it creative while the world keeps turning. 

It can be too much, so, more than anything today I just want to share this softness with you. 

A spring breeze, the delicate, barely there fuzz of a peach, the gentle tickle of the makeup brush, soft light, the scent of fresh flowers…

This set is an exploration in my studio with Tsz- (chef, designer, creative mind and fried chicken expert). We set out to show not what these makeup brushes looked like, but how they felt on your skin.

I think we can be more than just people making advertising images, we can make moments of respite for our viewers. 

Let's do it together.

xoxo

RP

My monthly round up of select images from my carry around camera.