I remember the first photo that really got me wondering who was shooting all the disposable-camera shots at the VA Beach/Norfolk parties. It was at a Fantastic Planet DJ night at the Jewish Mother: there was this great crotch shot in which you could pretty much see the girl’s vag. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one who noticed this pic, which was so well executed that I kept going back to it. That was the moment when the name of his website, “Who the fuck is Richard Perkins?”, became relevant. It seemed like he was everywhere–at every party, shooting different styles of photos in all sorts of different media. I was psyched to see something fresh, and someone that seemed to have a genuine passion and an eye for what he was doing. There was a grimy feel to the photos–somewhat trashy and perverted–but the execution was the most intriguing part. The precise moments captured in his images gave a realistic feel to his representations of the kind of youth that thrives without supervision.
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Where you at, fool?
South Carolina…
Taking flicks?
Yeah, and bombing maaaad hills.
Word. How was growin up in Portsmouth? Is that where you are originally from?
I grew up in Craddock and Suffolk, pretty much, then started going to private school cuz Craddock public schools were fuckin’ me. Courts Street Academy is a priate school in Portsmouth. Then I started hanging down there.
What was your home life like growing up?
When I was a child I was pretty much alone, playing with action figures and drawing and stuff, but when I hit Portsmouth and my teen years, I started skating. Skating pretty much changed my life for everything.
Who were some of your favorite pro skaters?
Ali Boulala, Dustin Dollin, Heath Kirchart, Mark Gonz [Gonzales]. And a lot of dudes that have mad weird style. I don’t really like a lot of dudes throwing themselves down 20-sets [stairs]. I’d rather see Jason Lee do a 360 flip on flat ground.
Did you ever take skate flicks? Would you say that inspired you to start taking photos, or were you always into photography?
I always fucked with an Acera; had one on me taking shitty photos of me and my friends doin’ kickflips. But other than that, I’ve always had some strange attachment to it.
Do you remember the first photo you took when you were like, “Damn, I like that, I want to do this all the time?”
Nawwwww. I had disposables, and used them like kids would use digitals now, for documentation. I do remember getting a shitty video camera that had the ‘still’ effect, and got into it a little after that.
So what are you using these days? Disposables, point and shoot?
Disposables, digital, random other shit. But I think I mastered disposables, I just use digital a little more now, because it’s getting hard to use [disposables]–develop and scan and all that shit.
Do you develop your own film?
I can’t. I’ve never taken a photography class. My high school didn’t even have one. I guess I just never got the chance.
So do you prefer shooting film as opposed to digital?
Yes. Always. But it’s hard sometimes. The new age of digital is eating our soul.
I’ve noticed a lot of photos you post are pretty sleazy–at least the ones I enjoy the most. Is there any convincing involved, or do the subjects of your photos get down willingly, with no questions?
Sleaziness is easy, but for me it took a little while to actually do what I want. I like to be as raw as possible, and as dirty. I’m highly influenced by 90s snapshot porn photography and 90s fashion. I just recently did the Commodore Brand [Clothing] shoot and got a few sleazy shots in. It was brilliant. Virginia is mad sleazy though. I love it.
When did you see your first porn movie/mag?
Shit, four or five… sneaking into my parents’ drawers on accident. Porn is an art to me, sex is an art. All of it is also hilarious. Porn is funny and sex is funny. And throwing it in [under] the right circumstances makes for a good joke.
You have a good variety of staged shoots, party photos and random shots. What do you prefer to shoot? What do you like shooting the most?
I honestly like them all. Staged is probably the least, though. The random spontaneous disposable shots are always the best. I also love the party photography. Working with WEOK has been an honor.
Going back to school–how was going to private school? Did you like school at all?
Private school was the shit for me. We could do whatever we wanted, wear whatever we wanted. I met my homie Anthony Didio there–we live with each other now. And my friend Mike Davis. I live with him too. My relationships there never got broken, even when we went to different high schools. My private school only went up to 8th grade, so after that I went back to public school in Suffolk.
Seems like you’ve got a solid set of friends. Are they supportive of the work you do? And are they subjects of your work?
My friends are my family. They’re in full support, even though they give me a hard time sometimes. They also love getting their photos taken.
What do they give you shit for?
[Laughs] Having my name on my jacket. Writing my website [address] places. They kinda make fun of the “Who The Fuck Is Richard Perkins” thing.
You’ve had work in a few shows lately. What kind of response has your work gotten outside of the general scene?
Both shows were highly successful actually. [At] the contemporary art museum one, I had my work shown on the theatre screen, and people responded very, very well. The Selden one was even bigger. I sold some big pieces in that one. It also brought a pretty huge crowd.
Is that something you want to pursue more? What other kind of things would you like your work to be a part of?
I love shows. I wanna be in as many as possible. I wanna show some of my actual art one day. I’ve never got the chance to yet.
What kind of art do you do?
Shitty art. Little art. Art that not too many people will understand.
What are some things you would be interested in shooting in the future?
Fashion. A lot of fashion, and bigger parties. Maybe some dirty shit thrown in somewhere.
Word. Is there anything else you’d like to say to let peeps know who the fuck Richard Perkins is?
I just wanna thank everyone who’s helped. C’monwealth, WEOK, Commodore, Noah Larmz, ANYONE who believed in me. I also just hope this stuff never ends, and we all make it to the top.
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