Richard Lecoin is a multi-talented artist often referred to as a “jack of all trades”. He has a passion for life and hunger for success. This talented thirty-five year-old started a career with the federal government over ten years ago. While working there, he managed to go to school to become a licensed massage therapist. Model turned photographer, his vision and craft for photography, fashion, and modeling continued to grow. Born in New York, raised in Haiti, and now based in Miami, he come to be known as quite

the photographer in the magic city. 

​

​

Q: Where are you from?
A: I was born in NY but raised in Haïti. I’m a proud haitian.
 
Q: How long have you been in Miami
A: I’ve been in Miami since November 2010.
 
Q: What made you move to Miami?
A: I went to college in Gainesville, FL and often took the bus or drove down to Miami to meet up with friends and enjoy the magic city. After two years, I moved to New York; a chapter in my life that is absolutely crucial to the man that I am today. Dealing with the hustle and bustle of living the fast life, the mental grind, the no one cares about you attitude, the diversity, and let’s not forget the insanely cold winters and snow storms was trying.
While in NY for 8 years, I started my modeling career, worked various jobs, and dealt with my mother’s battle with cancer all while going to school full time and working full time. During that time, Miami became my therapy. I was here as often as I could for 2 to 3 days, long weekends or holidays. South Beach not only allowed me to get away but also had a way of motivating me and fueling my fire to succeed in life: the “Miami life”, the glam, the luxury cars, the fitness, the lifestyle,the yachts, the fashion, the beach and sun, and the parties. On top of all this, most of my friends lived here including one of my best friends. After my mother passed away, I needed a new beginning, and I was focused on coming back to Miami and starting a new chapter in my life. Here I am.
 
Q: What was your career path?
A: As I’m answering these questions, I’m realizing that no matter the career path that I had at different times in my life, I always had certain responsibilities that restricted me from giving 110% of my time to that particular path: it was my modeling career in NY (dedicated a lot of time to taking care of my mother battling cancer) and my photography career today.( still have a full time job).
 
Q: Who influenced you the most?
A: Without a doubt, my Mother; she was my best friend. When a woman teaches you how to be a man, you become a different type of man. And she influenced me the most because she remains my main source of motivation. I decided after she passed that all her efforts, sacrifices, and hard work would not go in vain. Her passing, which is the most painful thing that I had to endure, is also the same thing that drives and motivates me; “the Irony of life”
 
Q: In your free time, what kind of pictures do you like to shoot and which ones do you avoid?
A: I avoid event photography. I’ve tried it a few times but it’s just not my thing.
So what kind of pictures do I like to shoot ? I’ve come to realize that it’s not so much the kind of picture but more about the creative process while on set. Being in the moment, the here and now, and able to freeze that moment in time. It’s about great vibes, the exchange of energy and ideas that leads us to create not just a photo but an artwork. I aim for my photoshoots to be like a fun therapy session where my clients can leave the set feeling amazing about themselves.
 
Q: What motivates you to continue taking pictures economically, politically, intellectually or emotionally?
A: Well to piggy back on what I said in the previous answer about aiming for my photoshoots to be like a fun therapy session, I shoot because of the positive impact that my images have on my clients.
 
 
Q: Can you describe that "moment" (experience, emotion,) when you knew that photography was something you just had to do?
A: hmmmm. I really can’t recall having an aha moment. I’ve had a professional camera for the past fifteen years; I guess photography was a hobby for me for a long time. My photography back then was more nature, landscapes and travels. A friend of mine (@olébijoux) started a company making costume jewelry and wanted me to be the male brand ambassador for her jewelry. From there I started to help with a few of her product shots and photoshoots. Eventually we planned what we called THE EPIC SHOOT. We rented an AirBnb, booked 6 models, 2 make up artists, a stylist/designer(@adjaniemuller), a videographer (@limedefinition) and a chef (@cheflemaire). After we were able to pull this off, Richard Lecoin Photography was born. Team work makes the dream work.
 
Q: What is something most people wouldn’t know about you?
A: That I’m actually a licensed massage therapist.
 
Q: What’s a quote you live by?
A: Wow that’s not an easy one for me. I have an extensive quote list in my phone. Some that I’ve written myself but if I had to pick one, I’d have to go with Maya Angelou
“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.”