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PHOTOGRAPHERS OF DESIGN

>>> Reddie Henderson, Oro Valley and Phoenix, Arizona

No matter what else Reddie Henderson has been involved in, photography has always been central to his life. "I grew up around it," says Henderson, who divides his time between Oro Valley, Arizona, which is just north of Tucson, and Phoenix. "It's always been a passion." He's traveled the globe doing commercial work, but he's best known for his interior and architectural work that emphasizes thoughtful composition and dramatic lighting.

Henderson grew up in Chicago. "My dad did a lot of photography, as a hobby," he recalls. "He was the one who did all the portraits for family and friends. There always was a camera or two around."

Though Henderson had photography firmly planted in his subconscious, he studied design and mechanical engineering at Illinois Central College and worked as a design engineer intern at Caterpillar, Inc. in Peoria, Illinois for two years. "It was during the early 1980s," recalls Henderson, "and the company started laying off people. It was depressing, but it was actually a good thing for me, because I realized I hated it. This was not what I wanted to do for the rest of my life."

The perfect sunset frames an image for homebuilder Richmond American.

He followed other family members who'd moved to Phoenix and, in 1983, formally pursued photography by enrolling in a local photography school, graduating top in his class. The same year, he began working as an assistant to commercial photographer Rick Rusing, who was then based in Tempe, Arizona. "Rick's business was taking off," recalls Henderson. "We literally traveled the world, shooting on location in Tahiti, Germany, Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, Austria and throughout the United States." Rusing, who started out in architectural photography, had branched out, with clients that included advertising agencies for Audi automobiles and a major cruise line. "It was a great education," says Henderson. "You really don't learn photography in school. It's hands-on, self-taught."

Henderson went out on his own in 1988, first with one partner, and later with photographer Rod Key, with whom he made the leap into digital in the early 1990s. "We were the first to have digital cameras in Arizona," he points out. "We even did prepress." Henderson admits that clients were at first hesitant to make use of the fledgling photo technology, "but the cost- and time-saving benefits eventually convinced them." Henderson also got into digital video and design work. Along the way, he worked for clients that included advertising agencies, home builders, resorts, interior designers and architects.

An interior by David Michael Miller, ASID, of Scottsdale, Arizona.

Eventually, though, Henderson took a hiatus from photography, moving down to Tucson after meeting his wife, Renae. Always appreciative of things mechanical and technical, he went to work in sales for a Tucson Mercedes dealer ("I was a top salesman," he says with a smile), but he realized that photography was the real deal for him.

Earlier this year he returned to the profession, working both out of the Tucson area and out of photographer (and friend) David Siegel's downtown Phoenix studio. "I spend about four days a week in Phoenix and the rest in Tucson," he says.

A living room by Wiseman & Gale Interiors, Scottsdale.

Clients, old and new, are happy he's back in the game. "I look for composition in a shot," says Henderson of his technique. "I see how the natural light falls, but I augment it. I like to make the image 'sell' for the client."

Reddie Henderson, Oro Valley and Phoenix, AZ, (520) 304-6703, (602) 257-9513 or www.reddiehenderson.com