The photographer, Richard Boutwell, originally from the High Desert of Southern California, now lives and works in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He began his artistic life as a musician, and was invited to move to New Orleans by a jazz musician and educator to begin a career as an acoustic bassist in various small jazz groups. In the year 2000 he was given a camera and took an introductory darkroom course. He began photographing while he studied music, and his attention quickly turned to photography as his preferred form of expression.

Instead of pursuing a more traditional or conventional form of education in photography, Boutwell relocated to Bucks County, Pennsylvania for an intensive apprenticeship with the photographers Michael A. Smith and Paula Chamlee. He has worked closely with Smith and Chamlee as their assistant since the Fall of 2002. Beginning in 2007 he scaled back his time assisting them to focus more intensely on his own photography.

Boutwell's work, originally influenced by early Twentieth-century modernists photographers, is now more inspired by Ninteenth century survey photographers. His major focus, while still on the landscape, involes more of the socioecological issues affecting it. He is currently working on a long-term project in the Owens Valley of Eastern California addressing water supply issues.

The photographs on this website are available for sale or exhibition. He also accepts appropriate commissions and editorial assignments.

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