To JR the sky is God’s ever-changing
canvas and every moment he seizes, JR captures God’s artistry. “Once that moment is gone, it’s gone forever;
and no one will ever have that same image”.
As the son of the late Ignacio B. and Rosario Rios Manuel, he is
a progeny of mixed cultures living on a beautiful island that shares a diverse
heritage. In 1984, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a Yeoman and proudly served our Country
until 1997 when he returned home. His first job as a civilian was with Continental Micronesia as the Graphics Specialist. Soon after, JR developed a passion for the Art while working for an ad agency
photographing Guam’s scenic beauty.
“My first professional camera was the Konica-Minolta Maxxum
7D. I swear that camera was built just
for me. It is my nature camera and it
goes with me almost everywhere.” Currently, JR has switched to Canon and now uses the Canon 5D mk2. JR served as Governor Felix P. Camacho’s graphic
artist and official photographer. Taking advantage of Adelup’s locale, JR is
often seen roaming the complex to capture Guam’s breathtaking sunrises,
sunsets, and everything else dealing with nature.
The artistic perspective he freezes in time adorn a number
of publications, news stories, including the recently acclaimed “Portraits of
Guam U.S.A.” book.
“I consider myself
more of an artist with a tool, and not just a photographer with a camera. I guess that makes me an ‘artographer’. God has gifted me with the talent to capture
nature in a special way. So I want to
share it with the world and inspire those that come from humble beginnings like
myself.” |