Bio

Solid Image Photographic Service opened our doors in 1974 but the dream started when Ron was 14 years old and purchased his first point and shoot film camera in 1963 thanks to his mother giving him 2.5 books of Top Value Trading Stamps. Ron set his sights on creating images at the level of those he admired in Ebony Magazine, LIFE Magazine, Look Magazine, and National Geographic.

Along with hisy twin brother Donald, Ron was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1971. While serving his tour of duty, Ron still found time to enhance his photography skills taking assignments at several duty stations. In 1975, while attending The University Of The District of Columbia (Federal City College at the time), Ron had his first photo published in the Afro American Newspaper. Shortly afterwards, Ron's Professor at UDC, Dr. Tex Gaithings, encouraged him to drop out and pursue a career in photojournalism, telling Ron there was nothing he could teach that could further Ron's natural skills. It was a odd and unique moment but it was perfect timing for Ron.

It was in April 1976 that Ron started to make his mark in the photojournalism business when he received an assignment to cover Grammy Award Winner and DC's own Van McCoy, for the official "Van McCoy Day" celebration. Ron and Van developed a great professional and personal relationship and Van gave Ron many opportunities to excel including hiring him to do his first international music album cover for MCA Records at the end of 1977. Van hooked Ron up with music icon Melba Moore as well as the newly reunited Peaches & Herb in 1976 when he was producing their 1st album.

A week later that year, Ron met fight promoter and legend Don King, who ultimately hired Ron to cover the "Golden Circle Ball" the night before the Ali/Young fight. King ended up hiring Ron and his brother Don to cover him and the Ali/Young fight the next night.

Ron is celebrating his 48th year as a professional photojournalist in 2022. Ron has been fortunate to photograph every U.S. President since President Jimmy Carter, with the exception of Ronald Reagan. He has appeared on the Cathy Hughes Show, The Joe Madison Sirius Show, The Josh Smith Business Show, and several time on WUSA-TV9 Anchor Bruce Johnson news specials. Ronald's work has appeard in magazines & newspapers from the Washington Post to Ebony and Jet Magazines, In Touch Weekly, Washington LIFE Magazine and other media periodicals. Ron & his brother Don received the Congressional Black Caucus "Excellence In Journalism" award in 2010. In addition, Ron and Don were inducted into The HistoryMakers organization in 2004 and received the Neediest Kids Chairman's Award for twenty-plus years of suppoting the organization and it's mission to help children start school with the clothes and materials they need. Ron has authored and published 5 books and co-authored a 6th book. Ron & brother Don adopted an Annapolis, Maryland high school photography class and donated nearly $30,000.00 in professional digital photography equipment for the students to use to enhance their educational experience. They have encouraged young people to do what he and his brother have done for nearly a half-century...document the journey of their generation. Ron has been married to his bride Gene for nearly 49 years, has one daughter who is an attorney and 3 grandsons.