Collin Richie (b. 1982) was set on the path to become a photographer from a young age. A school project using a disposable camera made a lasting impression on the future professional photographer and the passion that was born from that simple inspiration has yet to fade. Richie moved to Baton Rouge in 2001 to attend Louisiana State University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology followed by a Master of Business Administration degree. As a student at LSU he worked under several local studios, becoming adept at modern wedding and commercial photography while teaching himself the processes and techniques of digital technology.

In 2016 when Baton Rouge and southern Louisiana were inundated with over 7.1 trillion gallons of rain, deposited by a slow moving low-pressure system, Collin Richie was assigned by inRegister magazine to document the devastation of the unnamed disaster. The results of his work, along with that of fellow photographers Frank McMains, David Morris, Dan Jones and Kristin Basilica, resulted in a documentary project known as Humans of the Water. The project captured the overwhelming loss that the people of Louisiana faced when their homes and worldly possessions were destroyed in the flood waters. Early recovery efforts were also documented as part of the project, signaling the hope of recovery after total devastation and the perseverance of the Louisiana spirit.

Richie’s Humans of the Water project garnered national attention following the flood. He was interviewed by multiple media outlets, including the BBC and NPR, on his work regarding the flood. He received Baton Rouge Business Report’s Forty Under 40 award in 2016. Richie’s other accolades include winning first place in Baton Rouge’s 2016 Art Melt and being awarded first place in Rangefinder magazine’s national portrait contest in 2018 for his work with hospice patients. Richie owns and operates Collin Richie Photography, which was established in 2010. The company specializes in commercial, food and drink, editorial, portraiture and architectural photography