Richard’s photographs capture the moment. Without the use of makeup artists, special lighting or trick photography, his work encapsulates a wide variety of people from celebrities such as Elizabeth Taylor and Madonna to political figures such as Fidel Castro and Nelson Mandela.

Richard’s interest in photography began purely by accident in 1974, when he was given a Nikon camera and asked to take a selection of pictures to illustrate a book written by Welsh author John Cowper-Powys. Young discovered he had a genuine interest in taking pictures and began photographing subjects, which interested him…and so began his love for the camera, he took it everywhere with him just shooting whatever caught his eye on the street.

A few months later Richard met Paul Getty Jnr through a friend, Paul had recently been released by Italian kidnappers, minus an ear, and virtually every newspaper in the world was looking for him, Paul invited Richard to take pictures of him and his girlfriend around town. Richard sold the pictures to the Evening Standard and he was immediately offered a job as a social photographer. The rest is history…

Richard went on to photograph Elizabeth Taylor when she threw an exclusive party to celebrate Richard Burton’s birthday party at The Dorchester. From the very early stages of his career Richard made it his business, not just to be polite and get to know the celebrities, but also to ensure he extended the same gratitude and courtesy to the doormen and security guards that he often came into contact with.

Richard began developing strong working relationships with David Bailey and David Litchfield who at the time had Ritz magazine – the first ever ‘gossip’ magazine to be launched in the UK. It was through this association that Richard was guaranteed invites to the hottest parties in London and thus was able to build on his contacts.

By Richard’s own admission he happily admits that he’s remained a ‘fan’ of the celebrity circuit. He thoroughly enjoys his craft and as a consequence is proud of the contacts he has made. In fact he can honestly say: “I can’t think of one person I dislike and I’m extremely grateful to the generosity everyone has shown towards me throughout my career. My aim with every picture is to bring some joy that’s really what it’s about.” He continues: “I enjoy watching people having a good time and I hope my pictures portray this.” Richard continues: “In my mind it is all about respect. Over the years I’ve sacrificed an enormous amount in terms of social life and also and more importantly in terms of family life in order to get where I am today.” He continues: “It is not, for me at least, about just taking pictures. It is about demeanour...if you want to take pictures in a restaurant then at least have the courtesy to dine in there. Dress appropriately, be friendly, make sense of the situation, show respect for what other people are trying to achieve and above all do what you do with a smile on your face.”

Over the course of Richard’s career he has worked on some amazing projects including life on the streets of India and New York, celebrities on Harley Davidson’s, USA troops in Iraq and Fidel Castro in Cuba. There isn’t much that Richard hasn’t been involved in.

It is safe to say that Richard Young is without a doubt at the forefront of celebrity photography, whether this has been achieved by a respectful attitude towards others or whether it is because people simply warm to his kind nature has yet to be decided of which there is no doubt he has an exceptional eye and is a unique photographer.

In the words of Lord Snowdon: “Richard Young is one of the most important photographers of 20th Century” and reading his biography it is easy to see why…

Richard Young’s photographs are sought after in publications throughout the world. His work ranges from the classic ‘party shots’ to specially commissioned pieces.

Richard has published three books of his work, By Invitation Only and Paparazzo featuring a unique collection of some of Richard’s most famous and candid photographs.

Richard was also a guest contributor to A Positive View published as a ‘showcase of international creative photographic works’ and Four Stages Of Innocence an exhibition and book featuring work from ‘the worlds most famous photographers’.

His exhibition, Bad Behaviour, was a retrospective chronicling the heady party days of the 1970’s. Which was followed the next year by Richard Young Two Thousand and was a collection of twelve defining images of late 20th century icons. The images were presented in a limited edition calendar. His latest project is a book Shooting Stars, which is a chronicle and celebration of his thirty years as a photographer. The book was launched in conjunction with a major exhibition at The Hospital, Covent Garden, London.

1981	By invitation	Book & Exhibition	Hamilton's Gallery
1986	All Hours	Exhibition	Olympus
1989	Paparazzo	Book & Exhibition	Hamilton's Gallery
1993	Four Stages of Innocence	Book & Exhibition	Royal College of Art
1993	Positive View	Exhibition	Brasserie du Marche
1995	The Night is Young	Exhibition	Grosvenor House
1998	Bad Behaviour	Exhibition	Well Hung Gallery
1999	Richard Young Two Thousand	Calendar & Exhibition	Blains Fine Art
2004	Shooting Stars	Book	N/A
2004	15 Minutes	Exhibition	The Hospital