Creativity is a paradoxical pursuit: The craft of making requires vulnerability and a certain kind of tenderness or openness to the world around us. At the same time, putting our work out in the world today can take a shit ton of courage and tenacity. This is a space to shine a light on the folks who are straddling these tensions and making us all a little better with their art. —Brené

A rare black wolf named Geronimo with piercing yellow eyes stares straight into the camera, a two-toed sloth called Perry hangs upside down, hands clasped, patiently waiting for his portrait, a Bengal tiger, Shika, gracefully walks to her mark and turns towards the lens for her portrait to be taken by photographer Randal Ford. This collection of striking animal portraits became a coffee table book published by Rizzoli, called The Animal Kingdom. Ford’s large scale, limited-edition art pieces of animals also grace many personal homes and public spaces, like the powerful image of Bevo, a longhorn and the mascot of the University of Texas, that hangs proudly over Brené’s fireplace at her lake house. 

Ford, who has been honing his craft over the last 20 years, shooting major advertising campaigns for the likes of AT&T, Huggies, and Yeti, became interested in turning his camera from people to animals after a light bulb moment while capturing a dairy cow that he lit in the same style as his people portraits. He says: “The connection between photographer and subject is something I love. Just as with humans, when working with animals, I meticulously consider pose, lighting, framing, and composition. I try to create an environment of collaboration where everyone can speak up, be heard, and be part of the creation process.” 

Did you find this work or did it find you?

A little bit of both, I guess. In college, after taking a photography class, I began taking pictures for the school and local newspapers. I quickly became obsessed with photography, shooting everything from sports to news, and then fell in love with portraiture. I lucked out in a sense because I was already in the business school, so having a business perspective on an art career was and is still helpful. But the animal portraits really found me. 

Renowned designer DJ Stout of Pentagram commissioned me to photograph a series of dairy cow portraits in front of bright, poppy backgrounds. On a cold, rainy November day, we traveled to a small dairy farm and set up our studio lights and colored backgrounds. That day, we brought to life the personalities of those cows. And I saw the potential of translating my people’s portraiture into animal portraiture.

Randal is pictured holding Kotton the Swiss lamb; photography by Robert Amador.

Randal at work taking a portrait of a Suri alpaca; photography by Robert Amador.

What do you enjoy the most about creating?

I know everyone always talks about enjoying the journey and appreciating the process, which sometimes I do (sorta . . . maybe . . . occasionally). But contrary to that, I really appreciate the end result much more. I love that in art, that you have a tangible end result. Whether it be a book or photographic print, there is something so satisfying about having a result that can be shown, collected, felt, and immortalized. That tangible result fuels my creative soul.

Is there a part of the creative process that’s tougher for you than other parts?

Uncertainty often casts a shadow on my ability to truly appreciate the journey. My process, photographically, is very challenging and unpredictable. It’s that uncertainty that is tough for me. But photographers know that without darkness, we wouldn’t know what light is, and in the same sense, without the struggle and uncertainty, what I do wouldn’t be so fulfilling. It’s the contrast that makes the reward worthwhile. It’s experiencing the emergence from the dark that makes the light so magnificent. So I guess even though the journey is tough for me, it’s what makes it all worthwhile.

What are three words you would use to describe your creative process?

Precise, Intuitive, Uncertain

Whether it be a book or photographic print, there is something so satisfying about having a result that can be shown, collected, felt, and immortalized. That tangible result fuels my creative soul.

Putting your work out in the world can be hard. Do you ever wrestle with perfectionism and/or get sidelined by criticism?

Maybe it’s because I have a business educational background and a natural knack for marketing, but putting my work out there has not been hard for me. I know that without commerce, art does not exist, so shifting the mindset to “done is better than perfect” is an absolute must for artists who want to thrive. Don’t get me wrong, though; I still struggle with perfectionism and criticism, but I know it’s something you have to get over in order to make a career in creativity work.

What’s one thing you’ve learned about leading a creative team? 

I think being enthusiastic about whatever you’re doing can be magnetic and really create a positive working process. If a team leader is positive and enthusiastic, there’s a trickle-down effect that I believe lends itself to a better final result.

Favorite bumper sticker? It can exist or you can make it up!

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.

It’s experiencing the emergence from the dark that makes the light so magnificent.