Ron Isarin: A New Way of Living

Lynne Booker

Ron Isarin
Ron Isarin

After a twenty year career in finance Ron Isarin decided it was time for a big change. In common with many northern Europeans he and his partner Sjouke IJsselstein wanted more sun and more space. For them Spain, France or Italy held obvious charm but on holiday in Portugal they fell in love with the people, the country and the sea and so they decided on the Algarve.

Just four years ago they sold their house and business in Holland and drove south to a rented house in the Eastern Algarve. Ron´s hobby of photography soon became a passion and he began a new photographic career. He has always enjoyed looking at things in different ways and wanting to create a frame for that special image. Perhaps photography is in his blood since both his father and grandfather were keen photographers.

He has already exhibited work at Casa 5 and Casa André Pilarte in Tavira and in the Real Marina Hotel and Spa in Olhão. At present he has a small exhibition of Cabo Verde photographs in the restaurant Mesa do Cume, Tavira.

Two of Ron´s Photographs at an Exhibition at Mesa do Cume Restaurant
Two of Ron´s Photographs at an Exhibition at Mesa do Cume Restaurant

The commissions that he has already undertaken include taking the photos of a beach wedding and photographing the Portuguese fadista Viviane (for the publicity on her new CD As pequenas gavetas do amor and for her sponsor FNAC). It is clear that he is gaining the experience necessary to become an excellent artist.

He enthused, `Being in the Algarve is more my way of living. The Algarve is a small world and it is easy to meet artists of different nationalities. There are many networks and people of different genres tend to congregate at art events and your work gets known. People notice you here.´ Ron took part in the first Fancy Frenzy photo shoot at Quinta dos Vales; he has participated in workshop sessions with Portugal´s most famous photographer of pop/music/concert, Rita Carmo; and in other workshops with Mario Cruz and José Sena Goulão who both work for the Portuguese Press Agency, Lusa.

It is evident that Ron is enjoying every day and living life in the present but I can sense that in his eagerness to gain as much experience as possible and his desire to improve, he already has an eye for his new career in the future. To see more of Ron´s work go to www.ronisarin.com