RAYMOND BIAL

Writer & Photographer

BIOGRAPHY I BOOKS I PRESENTATIONS I BOOK ORDERING

Raymond Bial's Author Appearances

A highly-skilled photographer, Raymond Bial works with ease both in color and in black and white. Working primarily with medium-format and 35mm equipment, he is best known for his versatility in portraiture, landscapes, and still lifes, and his sensitivity toward his subjects.

Raymond's books tend to appeal to both children and adults. His books are suitable for parents, grandparents, teachers, and librarians to share with children. As with his other work, the artist's deep feeling for his subjects is evident in these books of photographs.

Over the years, Raymond has shared his experiences and insights as an author and photographer with school groups. His informal slide presentations provide a wealth of helpful information, offered in a warm, pleasant manner.

As he presents slides drawn from his various books, Raymond discusses the special editing and design considerations in creating children's books illustrated with photographs, especially the importance of making photographs which embody lyrical touches while they also communicate valuable information. He also describes the art of blending text with photographs.

Raymond believes that children's books illustrated with photographs should be produced to the same standards as the finest books of photography for adults, and he often explains the key technical and aesthetic elements which distinguish photographs of the highest quality. His slide programs are enjoyed by children, teachers, and librarians.

He can give up to three presentations to a large group per day, plus autograph books, but he can tailor his programs to fit the school's needs, doing more sessions to smaller groups, as needed.

Raymond also leads informal photography workshops. In these programs, he shares practical tips, along with a touch of philosophy, for making better photographs. Presenting groups of slides drawn from several of his beautiful books he discusses the key elements of lighting and composition for portraits, landscapes, still lifes, and other types of photographs.

For his slide presentation, he would need a slide projector and a room that can be darkened.

Generally, his fee is $1,250 a day, plus expenses. His honorarium should be presented to him following the last presentation on the last day of his visit.  This fee may be negotiable depending on what you'd like him to do and your location (he may lower his fee a bit for the New York City/Brooklyn area).

Raymond is especially interested in visting the New York City/Brooklyn area, but is happy to make presentations anywhere in the U.S.

For further information, especially about the expenses (travel, hotel, and meals), click the "Arrange An Appearance" button and see "General Information on the Cost of an Author Appearance" as well as the 'Honorariums' section near the bottom of "How to Plan an Author Appearance."