Find out what makes Ron B. Wilson More Than a Photographer
Ron B. Wilson is an NYC-based photographer with more than 20 years of experience in lifestyle, travel and documentary photography. Wilson has been working with PWB as an associate photographer since 2015 and has completed five PWB assignments, including his travels to Guyana in 2019 to document the work of SASOD, an LGBTQ+ rights organization working toward removing legal barriers and social stigma experienced by queer and trans communities.
PWB recently sat down with Wilson to discuss his latest assignment in Guyana and new projects for 2020.
Photo by Ron B. Wilson on assignment for Young 1ove, Botswana
PWB: What makes you more than a photographer?
Ron B. Wilson: Although I am fortunate to celebrate having photography as a career AND a hobby, I am more than a photographer. I am a writer; I am currently writing a book, working on my blog, and producing the 2nd issue of my magazine featuring my work. I am a husband, brother and uncle; I'm blessed with a wonderful family. I am a local community member and world citizen; I love helping out in my local community and think that same way wherever I am in the world. I am a student; I am currently studying for my BA (later in life) and also use every experience I have in life to learn something new.
Photo by Ron B. Wilson on assignment for AZAD, India
PWB: How does photography connect you to your community and the world?
RBW: Photography connects me to my community and the world as a whole by allowing me access to amazing stories. Some people could see a camera as a barrier, something in front of your face. I see it as only an introduction, the most important moments to me are when the camera is down; when I'm not shooting. The first time I ever travelled with my camera, I was hooked; renewed in complete freedom and solitude, snapping away using a camera as my tool to meet people and photograph things that I thought were interesting. Now, through my work with PWB, I am able to use my photography to help people help other people.
Photo by Ron B. Wilson on assignment for Clean Futures Fund, Ukraine
PWB: Can you tell us more about your experience on assignment with SASOD? What was the biggest reward?
RBW: Most of the time, I photograph and write about other people’s lives, but sometimes I tell personal stories; this assignment allowed me to do both. The most rewarding part was making friends with the staff at SASOD and the community they serve. I learned so much about myself and the world by seeing first hand the work SASOD was tirelessly accomplishing. The most challenging part was honestly just realizing the level of discrimination faced by the LGBTQ community in Guyana. Coming from The U.S., I took for granted certain freedoms we celebrate here. Because of this trip, I am a different person. I’ve changed.
Photos by Ron B. Wilson on assignment for SASOD, Guyana
PWB: What does storytelling mean to you?
RBW: With social media and access to the internet, we are all storytellers. But, we complicate our lives with “things”. As we age and acquire more, it’s so easy to lose sight of what matters. I believe life is about feelings, memories, and split-second moments that will never be repeated. Storytelling, through photography, allows me to take those moments and make a small difference. Nothing makes me happier than being in an unfamiliar place with my tools, ready to get down to work, documenting someone else’s story along my way.
Photo by Ron B. Wilson on assignment for Clean Futures Fund, Ukraine
PWB: Do you have any new or upcoming projects you want to share with the PWB community?
RBW: After blogging for nearly 20 years, attending conferences such as TBEX, taking several creative writing courses, and publishing my magazine (the second issue is in the works), I realized I have an exciting story to tell. That’s why I am writing my first book; An Ardent Photographer. The book is a mixture of technical photography basics and personal accounts. Also, I am preparing for another speech in Sharjah in The U.A.E. in September 2020 at The Exposure Photography Festival. The name of my talk is Resilience and is about my images from September 11th, 2001. I lived within walking distance of The World Trade Center. After receiving a call from a fellow photographer who worked for a newspaper saying the news was reporting a small plane crash at the north tower, it was my first instinct to run towards the towers with the first responders as everyone else ran away. For me, the one word that describes the day and the twenty years since, is “Resilience,” in reference to the first responders on 9-11, New York City and it’s residents and my life and career as a photographer.
Photos from Ron B. Wilson’s assignment with SASOD Guyana will be featured in PWB Magazine #14, coming soon. For more of his work, visit Wilson’s website and follow him on Instagram @ronbwilson
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