We’re looking forward to introducing you to Rick Stringer. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Rick, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
Editing photos. I know not everyone enjoys that part, but for me it’s almost meditative. When I sit down to work through a set of images, I can look up and realize hours have passed. There’s something calming about moving through them—adjusting light, tone, and mood—finding the best ones and bringing them forward. It’s where I slow down, focus, and let the rest of the world fall away. I probably spend more time on it than I should, but it genuinely centers me.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’ve been in the design world for nearly forty years, working both for design firms and as a freelance illustrator and photographer. Today, my company focuses on photography, illustration, Macintosh and iOS support, and creative coaching.
My path as a photographer really solidified through my friendship with glass artist Craig Mitchell Smith. When Craig saw my photographs of his work, he told me they captured his art better than anyone had before. He commissioned me to be the photographer for his exhibition at The Museum of the Shenandoah Valley, and ultimately for his book, Heart of Glass, which highlights his life and art. The book turned out beautifully. It remains one of my proudest creative achievements.
Photography is now the center of my work, though I still operate my consulting business, Rick Stringer Creative Services, LLC. To reflect that shift, I added Rick Stringer Photography as a distinct part of my brand. It feels good to hand someone a card that clearly says what I do.
I try to get out with my camera every day. I live in Traverse City, Michigan, which offers endless inspiration. Lakes, rivers, forests, barns, and some truly amazing sunrises and sunsets are always close by.
I also do a meaningful amount of photography for local charities. It is not the most profitable part of what I do, but it is deeply rewarding. Being able to support organizations doing good work in the community brings a sense of purpose to my craft.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
Craig Mitchell Smith. Before meeting Craig, I didn’t take my photography seriously. Most of what I did was just casual iPhone photos, the way many of us do. But when I photographed his glass work, he saw something in those images that I hadn’t recognized in myself yet. His belief in what I was creating changed the direction of my life. Because of his encouragement, I now identify as a photographer more than as a graphic artist or technology professional. He helped me see the artist I was becoming.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
The greatest wounds in my life have come from loss. My father, my sister, and my nephew each died in accidents. I have also lost many friends to cancer, including two this year. The pain of losing people you love is real. It softens with time, but it never fully goes away.
I write about these things on my blog, Strings of Bits and Pieces. It gives me a place to sort through thoughts on life, grief, and what it means to keep going. Writing can be a release when the weight of loss feels heavy.
This year, I took part in the Photo a Day Challenge for the American Cancer Society. I’ve done it before, but this time it felt deeply personal. One of my closest friends was in the final stages of his battle with cancer when I began the challenge, and he passed away midway through it. The images from that period hold that grief. The pain is still very raw.
I don’t know that we ever fully heal from losses like these. But we learn to keep moving, to honor the people we loved, and to let the memories of them shape how we show up in the world.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
I believe so. I’m a fairly private person, but what I share publicly is genuine. The people who know me well would recognize the same person. I do sometimes hold back on political views. Our two-party system feels flawed to me, and I see too much of it treated like a sport, with people cheering for a side rather than thinking carefully about consequences and impacts. So I tend to stay thoughtful and measured in what I share.
But in terms of character, values, and how I show up for others, what you see is who I am. I’m loyal to the people I care about, and I will do whatever I can to support friends and family when they need help. That doesn’t change whether it’s public or private.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people remember me as a good person who genuinely loved the people in his life. If that is the story that lives on, that’s enough for me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rickstringer.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rickstringer_tc/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickstringer/
- Twitter: https://x.com/rick_stringer
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RickStringerPhotography
- Other: https://rick-stringer.pixels.com
https://rickstringercreativeservicesllc.pixieset.com
https://rickstringer.substack.com
Image Credits
All photos by Rick Stringer Photography
