From Courtroom to Darkroom
I told my wife I’d be back in a month. I had no idea where I was going or what I would do. My fantasy was to get up every morning for the next 30 days with the absolute, unmitigated freedom to do whatever struck my fancy.
It was a magical time. I left my home in Sacramento and drove more than 3,000 miles. I marveled at sweeping plains in southeastern Oregon and wilderness in the middle of Idaho, where I nearly bumped into a bull moose.
I bucked hay on a ranch in Montana and kayaked on alpine lakes in British Columbia.
I took photographs. Most suffered from camera shake. In those days, I didn’t know a tripod from an ipod. Some of my shots were OK though, and a couple were really good.
I was hooked. There was something about recording an instant of natural history that struck me as a vital act.
I returned home safely, kissed my tolerant wife and began a seismic professional shift from the daily conflict of law practice to the meditative process of nature photography.
The lesson I have learned is a simple one: I don’t want to miss the beauty of this planet because I’m too busy. The art and science of photography has invited me to see beyond the obvious, to discover beauty in all forms and colors, and to appreciate the intricate collaboration among earth and its water, its flora and fauna and the life giving light of our sun.
Photographing nature inspired me to write about what I saw and how I felt when I saw it. It was like completing the spiritual circle – one sees, looks deeply and records the impressions by picture and poetry. My writing reflects my soul life and honors my connection with all living species.
I believe Nature is God’s art in action. Recording this tapestry and sharing my reverence for our natural world is a delight beyond description.
I’m busy doing what I love to do.
Richard is available for presentations and book signings. He tells his story through engaging talks, accompanied by his beautiful images, describing his journey from a courtroom lawyer to a poet, author and nature photographer. His experience is that of a spiritual seeker, finding love and tolerance to be the answer to the world’s issues.
Love and Tolerance is Our Code
Professional Biography
Richard Turner is a graduate of Stanford University and the University of California, Boalt Hall School of Law. He practiced law for over 40 years, serving as a Deputy Attorney General in the California Department of Justice, as personal counsel to Ronald Reagan, Governor of California, and in private practice specializing in government and administrative law.
Richard is an accomplished writer and poet, an award winning photographer, and has been selected as the featured artist in galleries and public buildings. He has presented his work in many juried art shows and festivals.
Richard’s work is on exhibit in homes and businesses throughout the country, including permanent commissioned exhibits in the new Mercy San Juan Hospital Tower and in the ICU and surgical center waiting rooms at Methodist Hospital in Sacramento.
His poetry was selected for publication in the 2012 Sacramento poetry anthology. He is the founder and owner of “Gorgeous Greetings™,” having published thousands of fine art greeting cards depicting our natural world.
Richard is the Past President and current member of the Board of Directors for the Sacramento Fine Arts Center, a non-profit, community outreach art organization. He has introduced cross genres of poetry, jazz and art to the Center and has brought them together in concert.
He is a member of the Nature Conservancy, the National Audubon Society, the National Association of Photoshop Professionals, the North American Nature Photographers Association, the Yosemite Association, the Natural Resources Defense Council, and who knows what else!
He lives in the City of Sacramento with lawyer and interior designer Prem Hunji Turner, his wife of 29 years and his spiritual and creative partner. He has three living children, all of whom share his love and appreciation of nature, six grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter, all of whom he is urging become park rangers instead of lawyers!