Strange Paradise

BJ Formento was born in Hawaii and grew up in the Philippines. After attending Academy of Arts University San Francisco, BJ moved to New York training his eye with esteemed photographers such as Richard Avedon, Duane Michals, MaryEllen Mark and Annie Leibovitz. London born Richeille Formento graduated with honours from Central St. Martins College of Art before working in the fashion industry as an art director and designer. In 2005, BJ and Richeille met while working together on a job in South Beach, Miami. They admit to love at first sight, and were married in New York City three months later. They continue to blend a fervent passion for photography with a lasting love for one another. Their work has been exhibited worldwide and is in permanent collections of International Center of Photography, Moscow Museum of Arts, Currier Museum, Boca Raton Museum, Bruce Museum, Lewben Museum and Musee Des Art Decoratif Paris, Monnaie de Paris and Citroën Museum. They have published coffee table book Circumstance: America Down on Bruised Knees by YK Books (2012) 36, Hysteria and a collection of nudes in Starkers by Tableaux Gallery (2019) , as well a short film The Voyage accepted and featured at Cannes Film Festival 2016.