Where are they now: Richard Ontiveros-Gima

Photo courtesy Richard Ontiveros-Gima

Richard Ontiveros-Gima graduated from Lanai High & Elementary School in 2010. He is currently a professional photographer based in New York working with celebrity and professional athlete clients. He has worked with clients such as Kim and Kourtney Kardashian, Hailey Bieber, Vanessa Hudgens and Rita Ora. He has photographed professional athletes such as NBA stars Ben Simmons, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Kyle Kuzma.

From Lanai to New York

Richard never takes for granted having grown up in a community where everyone knows each other. He still appreciates the deep sense of security he had growing up on Lanai. “Lanai is such a unique place and through all my travels, I’ve never met anyone who had an upbringing like mine. People are always amazed when I tell them that I’m from Hawaii and even more so when I say Lanai,” he notes.

Raised on Lanai for his whole life until college, Richard thinks growing up in a small, tight-knit community allowed him to think outside the box. He says, “I believe it’s made me unique in who I am and has allowed me to appreciate diversity in my everyday life.”

He comes home at least once a year to visit his dad and sister, and enjoys the leisurely pace of the island.

A path to success

He spent his college years abroad, starting at Richmond, the American University in London for 6 months; The American University of Cairo in Egypt for a year; Mahidol University in Bangkok, Thailand; followed by The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management (EAHM) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. He graduated from EAHM in 2014 with a Bachelor of Science in International Hospitality Management.

He then worked for various luxury hotel companies in the Middle East, including Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts in Dubai, Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts in Qatar, and Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts in Dubai.

In 2016, he moved back to the United States, landing in New York with a job at One&Only Resorts. That company had offices in the same building as TMZ, and the rest, as they say, is history. After working for TMZ for a year and a half, he launched his freelance photography career which continues to thrive.