About
About Reza Ta
I think it all started with art classes in middle school, where I experimented with colour and mixed media. However, my family was directing me towards the sciences for which admittedly I had a knack. So I ended up at Case Western Reserve University (USA) studying biomedical engineering with a specialty in image and data processing. That is where I first used Photoshop. One of my lab projects was to create a photomontage; which, back then was a very novel idea. After graduation I moved back to Iran, where I started a computer company, which did not survive because I had poor business skills, and the little that I had was of no use in Iran.
After surviving a few personal and family tragedies, I started learning painting and later became an apprentice for a master painter, sculptor Mr. Fasounaki. I was working full time and became inclined towards sculpting. I became a sculptor and had several solo and group exhibitions. But fine arts, and especially modern arts did not have that many buyers. So I did technical consulting on and off for a while. In the summer of 2000, I got my first digital camera, a Nikon Coolpix 5000. It was amazing, and I immediately fell in love with digital photography. Nine years later and I am still clicking. I’ve collected several Nikons over the years, a D100, a D200 and when I decided to go pro a D3.
In September of 2000 I applied for immigration to Canada. I was granted papers on August 2007. By this time I was married to my artistic wife Sayeh. We sold our house and moved to Toronto, March 5, 2008. Finding a place for a studio took almost 5 months. We got the keys to the studio on December 2008 and started work in January 2009.
Currently I am specializing in portraiture but I see myself more as a visual artist, with diverse interests in mixed media, and video installations. Before each shoot or project I do extensive research; I do proof of concept shots, sketches, and plan every detail – but I also always leave a lot of room for the serendipity in the creative process. My models/clients become my creative partners and I encourage them to show their feelings and their unique style to shine through. That makes the photo sessions fun and invigorating and helps me to capture that special moment and beauty.
