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Ron and Thao met in Saigon in 2008 and quickly discovered their mutual interest in photography. Since then, they have traveled about the world together, cameras in tow. They are married and live in Joplin, Missouri.
Ronald G. Erwin is a lifelong resident of Joplin, Mo. He majored in English at the University of Missouri-Columbia and later founded and managed 2 legendary stores that dealt in books, music, movies, and all things collectible. The second store included a full-service photo center that kept alive the traditions of film photography into the digital age. He also wrote a series of advertising campaigns for those stores that received regional and state awards.
Thao Le Huong Nguyen is a native of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. She majored in English and business and began pursuing photography immediately after graduation. She also paints and creates hand-formed clay and paper flowers. Her photographs have been chosen for publication in the Gia Dinh international photography contest and she has three times been awarded 2nd place in PhotoSpiva, the longest running national competition of its kind.
Ron and Thao had exhibitions at the Black Moon Gallery in Saigon in 2012 and 2013 and they maintain a gallery in Joplin, Missouri. Their 2020 exhibition, "Flexible Itineraries: Far from the Madding Tourist Bus" was held in the Regional Gallery of the Spiva Center for the arts in Joplin. They're also scheduled for an exhibit at the Maple UnCommon Gallery in Columbus in May-June of 2021.
Ronald G. Erwin is a lifelong resident of Joplin, Mo. He majored in English at the University of Missouri-Columbia and later founded and managed 2 legendary stores that dealt in books, music, movies, and all things collectible. The second store included a full-service photo center that kept alive the traditions of film photography into the digital age. He also wrote a series of advertising campaigns for those stores that received regional and state awards.
Thao Le Huong Nguyen is a native of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. She majored in English and business and began pursuing photography immediately after graduation. She also paints and creates hand-formed clay and paper flowers. Her photographs have been chosen for publication in the Gia Dinh international photography contest and she has three times been awarded 2nd place in PhotoSpiva, the longest running national competition of its kind.
Ron and Thao had exhibitions at the Black Moon Gallery in Saigon in 2012 and 2013 and they maintain a gallery in Joplin, Missouri. Their 2020 exhibition, "Flexible Itineraries: Far from the Madding Tourist Bus" was held in the Regional Gallery of the Spiva Center for the arts in Joplin. They're also scheduled for an exhibit at the Maple UnCommon Gallery in Columbus in May-June of 2021.
From Ron:
I've loved watching people since I was a young boy and I've always been fascinated by photographs that reveal people's strength and beauty. Early on, I discovered the portraiture of the 1930s, from George Hurrell's movie stars to Dorothea Lange's migrant families to Charles Conlon's baseball players (and years later, the rescued photographs of Michael Disfarmer's Arkansas hill people).
In the 12 years I've been traveling internationally, I've photographed more than 15,000 different people, almost always one or two at at time. It's an honor to be invited into their lives, if only for a moment, to allow them to see themselves through my eyes.
And from Thao:
Photography connects people, cultures, and countries. Photography allows me to express my feelings about life, about what I see and what I want to see. Photography is a close friend of mine that encourages me to stop and observe and hold onto the precious moments of life.
You may contact Ron and Thao at ronandthaophotography@yahoo.com .
And watch for daily updates on their facebook page: ronandthaophotography
I've loved watching people since I was a young boy and I've always been fascinated by photographs that reveal people's strength and beauty. Early on, I discovered the portraiture of the 1930s, from George Hurrell's movie stars to Dorothea Lange's migrant families to Charles Conlon's baseball players (and years later, the rescued photographs of Michael Disfarmer's Arkansas hill people).
In the 12 years I've been traveling internationally, I've photographed more than 15,000 different people, almost always one or two at at time. It's an honor to be invited into their lives, if only for a moment, to allow them to see themselves through my eyes.
And from Thao:
Photography connects people, cultures, and countries. Photography allows me to express my feelings about life, about what I see and what I want to see. Photography is a close friend of mine that encourages me to stop and observe and hold onto the precious moments of life.
You may contact Ron and Thao at ronandthaophotography@yahoo.com .
And watch for daily updates on their facebook page: ronandthaophotography