Ron Conigliaro is an award-winning professional photographer, producer, and world traveler based in Commerce Township, Michigan. He has spent years masterfully capturing extraordinary moments in time and visually striking places, driven by an adventurous spirit and a deep passion for photography. Known for his versatility, Ron studies and photographs across a wide range of genres and dedicates much of his time to teaching photography and post-processing techniques.

Ron’s work has been exhibited internationally and published in numerous print and digital publications, including National Geographic, Africa Geographic, Audubon, Digital Camera World, and the Detroit Institute of Arts / Canvas Pontiac, among others. In addition, Ron has worked on Hollywood productions, earning three trips to Oscar-related events. His imagery has appeared in a feature film, a music video, and has been selected for multiple YouPic cover images. Ron is the 2024 Detroit Professional Photographers Association (DPPA) Photographer of the Year and currently serves as a DPPA board member.

Beyond his creative work, Ron is also a board member of The Breeze of Joy Foundation, whose mission is to champion community prosperity and global betterment through education and empowerment. The foundation sponsors children internationally, providing funding for school tuition and helping young people unlock and advance their talents.

The photographs selected for this exhibit represent a blend of wildlife and street portraiture, drawn primarily from a project Ron has been developing for more than 15 years, titled Shades of Humanity. Shades of Humanity is an ongoing effort to capture the expressive faces and cultural surroundings of everyday people around the world, highlighting our shared humanity, the universal need for goodness, and the quiet power of a simple smile.

In Ron’s own words:

My hope for this event is to share my work in printed form while creating opportunity for more children to attend school. For roughly $400 a year, a child gains access to education, stability, and the chance to discover their potential. The Breeze of Joy Foundation is a small, 100% volunteer-based organization, ensuring every dollar goes directly to the children we serve. We currently support 18 students and, through continued awareness and shared compassion, we aspire to extend that opportunity to many more.