Ryan Farag of Rough Luxe Backdrops has been in the painting and historical restoration business for 15 years. In 2018, he registered to attend an Art Fusion event in Estes Park, Co., where he met Beth Schafer of Novacolor Near Me. In a class, she introduced him to Novacolor Italia products. “Beth is a wonderful teacher and very knowledgeable on all things Novacolor. I remember that each night she would stay after class to help students work on certain techniques and answer any questions we had. In learning about all these fantastic products, I breathed a sigh of relief as they were the answer to one of the pieces of a puzzle I had.”
Ryan explains, “A photographer friend in Chicago, Josh Albanese, asked me if I could paint him a backdrop. Josh – and most photographers – use a backdrop to set a specific tone and atmosphere to a shoot. A backdrop? I asked. I didn’t even know what that was.”
After spending time researching backdrops and their use, Ryan called Beth and had her ship him Animamundi, Metallo Fuso, Dune, Verderame Wall Painting, and R-Stone. “If I had to choose, R-Stone is my favorite product,” Ryan says. “I use it as a starting point or as a textured base layer on which to create upon. What I remember most about the beginning of making backdrops was the surge of creativity and excitement – having the feeling that I couldn’t mess up – and that brought with it the courage to really make something unique.
“I brought Josh 5 backdrops to choose from. He loved them all, and from there, word quickly spread. I never thought that I’d be where I am today, making backdrops for photographers, but it fits with my personality. I like being behind the scenes and being involved with something as random as this.”
Ryan ships his backdrops and also works with local photographers. He says, “I know I’ve hit my mark with the design of a backdrop when they first see it. Those first seconds are going to be the most honest reaction to the backdrop on whether it’s good or not. If I don’t see their pupils’ dilate or a jaw drop, I haven’t done my job.”
Most of Ryan’s backdrops are used in portrait photography, ranging from fashion to editorial. There are certain parameters Ryan works within, like sheen. If the drop is too shiny, it will create hot spots in the photo, which is not optimal. Ryan shares, “Another reason I love using R-Stone is that it’s flexible, and it doesn’t crack or peel when I roll it up. These backdrops get abused quite a bit, and so far, I haven’t had any problems with R-Stone or any Novacolor Italia product.”
“What I really like about Novacolor products is not just the product itself but the ethos,” Ryan shares. “They are very environmentally conscious and thorough with their descriptions and video tutorials. Call me crazy, but I even love the smell of the products – or lack thereof! As long as I’ve been in the painting business, I’ve been around a number of products that were very smelly and noxious. Novacolor Italia products are very friendly to the senses.”
We invite you to visit his website, Rough Luxe Backdrops, to read more about his artistry, view the backdrops gallery, and shop the backdrops he currently has available. His company securely ships the backdrops to the continental US, as well as Hawaii. He also offers interior and exterior residential repaints, kitchen cabinet refinishing, and decorative finishes as additional services. Thank you, Ryan, for sharing your beautiful backdrops with us!
FEATURED APPLICATOR
Ryan Farag
Email: ryanfarag@gmail.com
Rough Luxe Backdrops Website
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