In the time I have been doing photography there have been a few names I seem to have always been aware of, and one of those is Ron Clifford. When I receive an email from our mutual friend Rick Sammon introducing us, and suggesting Ron for an episode of Behind the Shot I immediately knew it would be a fit.

Ron Clifford is a skilled, award-winning photographer, but above all else he is someone that inspires others, or what you might call an “Inspirologist”. Ron is well known as a mentor, through his Mentorship PLUS program, and as an educator. This quote from Trey Ratcliff sums Ron up well:

“I don’t even know where to start with Ron! Not only is he an amazing photographer, but he’s also a brilliant communicator. Ron is one of those rare people that can inspire you with both his imagery and his words.”

This quote from Ron might better explain his approach to photography, and life:

“I’m a visual storyteller. I always say, “Do what you can’t help but do“ and for me that is to capture the beauty and character in the people I meet and the places I travel to.”

What a great way to look at life.

As a result of his commitment to building strong communities, he has had his work featured by Google , on National Geographic.com and has appeared in blog posts, podcasts and interviews around the world.

As I mentioned above, Ron has become well known for his involvement in online and in-person mentoring in photography and has been inspiring fellow creatives and entrepreneurs through talks, presentations and workshops. Recently he was able to share his story about overcoming mental illness as a speaker on the TEDx stage. As an educator, Ron is also a Photography Guide on unique photography symposiums, workshops and tours to some of the most remote places on earth including Africa, the Arctic and Antarctica.

Wether he is photographing some remote landscape, wildlife, or an in studio portrait, Ron Clifford is an artist, and it shows in his accomplishments. He was a director of the Google+ mentorship program for photographers, has multiple Bronze and Silver Merit Awards from Portrait Masters International, and has nearly 3 million social media followers.

Join photographer, educator, speaker, and mentor Ron Clifford and me as discuss his beautiful B&W portrait, that he calls “The Baptism”, on this episode of Behind the Shot.

Website: ronclifford.com

Ted Talks: How Traveling to the Ends of the Earth Helps Me Cope With my Diagnosis

John Paul Caponigro: johnpaulcaponigro.com