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When Ronald Parker first picked up a camera in 1984 while stationed in Berlin with the U.S. military, he had no idea he was stepping into a lifelong calling. What began as a curiosity during his overseas service transformed into a dynamic career capturing weddings, corporate events, and live music performances with striking emotional depth and clarity. “I actually got into photography once I started traveling overseas,” Parker recalls. “Berlin, Spain—places like that. I picked up a camera when I got to Berlin and still have pictures of the Berlin Wall before they tore it down.”
That moment marked the beginning of a four-decade journey. Once Parker left the military in 1986, his first major shoot was his aunt’s wedding. That experience transitioned him from architecture and landscapes to people—capturing expressions, emotions, and memories that would last a lifetime. “That pretty much was the beginning of that transition into people,” he says. “And it just evolved into everything else—corporate events, concerts, social gatherings.”
Today, Parker describes his photographic style in three words: moments in capture. It’s more than a catchphrase—it’s a mission. “I love capturing that specific moment—especially during weddings. That authenticity, that emotion, when the bride or the groom sheds a tear, or when the ring is being placed—it’s all about the moment.”
His ability to anticipate and document these fleeting seconds sets him apart. Whether it’s a bride’s quiet laugh, a tearful hug from a parent, or a musician’s signature move on stage, Parker reads the rhythm of his subjects before he even lifts his camera. “For concerts, I study the performers,” he says. “I know when Gerald Albright is going to throw that knee up and twist the horn to the left. I’m already there, waiting.”
That anticipation comes from years of experience, and from a deep appreciation for the craft. Parker draws influence from greats like Gordon Parks, James Van Der Zee, and Don Hogan Charles—photographers who captured defining moments in Black history and culture. “Don Charles shot that iconic Malcolm X photo by the window. That’s one of my favorites,” Parker says. “Those kinds of images drew me in and made me want to do this for life.”
While he admires black and white photography, Parker leans heavily into color. “Colors represent the moment,” he explains. “Black and white is timeless—but for now, I’m saving that for a future gallery project. I want to revisit my archives when the time is right.”
Parker’s work spans different environments, from the intimate and unpredictable nature of weddings to the more structured realm of corporate photography. With weddings, he focuses on emotional storytelling: candid shots, behind-the-scenes preparation, and raw expressions. Corporate events, on the other hand, are about strategy—capturing speakers, branding elements, and sponsor visuals. “It’s still about capturing something meaningful, but it’s a different energy,” he says.
Behind the camera, Parker is a Canon loyalist, typically shooting with an R5 and R3 body, paired with lenses ranging from the versatile 24–70mm to a 100–400mm for concert work. He shoots strictly in manual mode, believing the best images are captured in-camera, not in post-production. “I don’t rely much on software. I use Lightroom, but I like to get everything right on the front end. That’s why my turnaround is fast—I can finish an event at 9 p.m. and have everything processed by 11.”
His philosophy extends to how he prepares for events. He studies lighting patterns at concerts, plans out strategic positions for wedding ceremonies, and consults with clients ahead of time to understand their vision. “We always come in with a battle plan,” he says. “But we also stay flexible. That’s where the magic happens.”
As a native of Hobgood, North Carolina, and a long-time resident of Durham, Parker still travels home frequently to care for his sister and connect with his roots. Despite a busy schedule, family remains a priority. “Durham is home, but Hobgood keeps me grounded,” he says.
Looking ahead, Parker is quietly building toward a new chapter—one focused on revisiting his archive and preparing for gallery exhibitions. He’s stored years of work, waiting for the right moment to share it. “I save all my cards. One day, I’ll go back and relive all those moments.”
His advice to aspiring photographers is simple but powerful: don’t be afraid to make mistakes, shoot in manual, and find your own eye. “The camera doesn’t make the photographer. You have to have the eye. And that only comes from experience. From trying, failing, adjusting—and then finally capturing that one perfect moment.”
For Ronald Parker, photography isn’t just a job. It’s a passion, a discipline, and above all, a way to preserve time before it slips away.
Ronald Parker is available for weddings, events, high school senior portraits, family sessions, corporate photography, and more — capturing life’s moments with style and precision. ~ Doug D. Sims
Ronald Parker & Tamaro Johnson
Owner, Artije Photography
Website: http://www.artijephotography.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArtijePhotography
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artijephotography
Phone# 919-215-0826
919-817-1997
Artije Photography-Quality, Class, and Perfection..the Artije Way.
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