Photography is a profession of skill and creativity for Ron Jaffe. He is a notable, international, professional lensman. For the last 41 years his clients and subjects include immortalizing six U.S. presidents, glamour and action events and covering television series including “Mad Men,” “Dr. Phil,” “CSI: VEGAS,” “SEAL TEAM” and “NCIS:LA.” Dipping into the occult he  shot stills for “Marvel Cinematic Universe”.  These tidbits are but an appetizer to draw the reader into the exotic world of “Ron And The Shadow World.”

RON JAFFE, was born and raised in Montgomery, Alabama, where he attended Sidney Lanier rep.He fled Alabama to Southern California at age 18 to pursue a fleeting ambition to become a teacher of the arts at Pasadena City College. He originally studied there and then pursued an educational profession becoming an instructor at the college. Another door of opportunity in the arts opened for him, as it sometimes does in the rarified world of nearbyHollywood. He became inspired by the magic of photography while assisting a fellow student on a filming project. This was a peek of a lifetime. It encouraged him to pursue his newfound vocation and turn it into his life’s work, the skill of capturing shadow and light. He completed his degree, opted out of an educational path and pursued photography as a pleasure and occupation. And then he turned it into a vehicle that gained him fame in his field.

Jaffe’s Illustrious Career (The condensed version):

Ron began his career as a full-time freelance photographer in the 1970s, shooting fashion images for his producers’ commercials. Clientele included well-known designers such as Barco of California, Jag Swimwear, and DeWeiss. His success and store of knowledge prompted him to teach photography at Chapman College – 

“World Campus Afloat” 1974. The ship, an ocean bound college, endowed students and faculty with a curriculum of adventures on the sea and electives in art, life and education. The vessel of learning called on ports in South America, Africa, and Europe. 

His seagoing career helped him establish a recognizable name. He was subsequently pursued, and accepted a contract to work with Elson Alexandre, an international contractor of museum quality photographic art. Over the next two decades, Ron gained friends and important contacts immortalizing images of physicians, attorneys, business leaders, judges, company clients, while endearing him with the rich, famous and movers with “extras” like personal family portraits. 

His most historic photos were of cowboy icons ranging from Dale Robertson and Gene Autry to Chuck Connors, Indian Iron Eyes Cody, and Roy Rogers. 
His position as the staff photographer at the Richard Nixon Library and Birthplace rewarded him with the  opportunity to chronicle Nixon’s visits to Yorba Linda  as well as the arrivals of five other US Presidents. His historical portraits hang in halls of power the world over. Two oil paintings from his photo portraits, Donald Rumsfeld and Frank Carlucci, hang in THE PRINCETON CLUB, New York City. He was hired at the Orange County library by Sandy Quinn in 1989 and worked there for 13 years, while making other ground breaking photographs all over the globe.

 When asked about some of his fondest memories in Nixon’s house, Ron said, “ I was a staff photographer, so I was allowed throughout the grounds for the library opening, where I photographed 6 US Presidents in attendance, Nixon, Ford, Bush, Reagan,Carter and Clinton.” The last five latter, attended Nixon’s funeral in 1994.”Says Ron, “I took pictures through the shuttered windows of history.”

Other stories too. “When VP of China , Wang Qishan visited for a trade conference,  he walked past me entering the meeting room, I gave him a “thumbs up” gesture, he responded and it was a ‘money shot’ of the day. Chinese photographers noticed he was responding to my request for pics. I simply told them, He likes me…” Everyone liked Ron, which was one of the secrets to getting shots denied to other photographers.

Ron also spoke about an incident where President Nixon talked highly of him with other dignitaries. 
“When Lod Cook, CEO Atlantic Richfield, came to the Library in early 90’s, he was chatting with Nixon and motioned me over to snap a shot of him and the President. Mr. Cook told President Nixon that I had done a formal portrait of him in his office. Lod Cook’s mother loved it. Pres. Nixon responded by saying, 

…”Ron does a lot of good work for us here at the Library….” . Well, I was stoked that President Nixon remembered my name and spoke highly of me….so I told some of the staff, bragging a bit, as sometimes I am prone to do and the staff so poignantly noted, my name was prominent on my Name Badge….. I smiled, they laughed.” 

Quote..Sandy Quinn 2022 

“Ron Jaffe has covered many of the most historic moments at the Richard Nixon Presidential  Library, including the grand opening with four Presidents and First Ladies, the Memorial Service for First Lady Pat Nixon, and the State Funeral of President Nixon, attended by all living Presidents and First Ladies. 

He covered countless events featuring high-profile figures from government, academics, business, entertainment, 

   sports and journalism.   He worked very well and creatively  with 
our staff, management and the celebrity figures he covered.”

Sandy Quinn
Former President,
The Richard Nixon Foundation 
Taking entertainment photos is not a simple chore.  Some photographs necessitate a succession of shots that are then blended into one to create a beautiful image. A collage is 

frequently used when a large number of props are involved and catching them all at once is impossible. 

 Jaffe has has honed his craft to a sharp point, which is why he is regularly hired by productions for CSI:VEGAS, NCIS:LA and GROWNISH. His secret sauce is his skill with film and electronics appearing so natural that no one can determine if it is a single image or a series of shots. 

When he began shooting forensic photographs for dramas such as CSI, he was given the job of photographing actual crime scenes and autopsies as evidence. Jaffe took over as photographer for the series, assisting with forensic photography. He utilized photographs to represent the crime scene as it had occurred. Art meets with reality.

Ron Jaffe has established himself as a prominent name in the world of photography. His images are in demand bybusinesses and individual personalities who want the finest, and most skillful. He volunteers for charities such as the California Paralyzed Veterans trap shooting events. 

As an adjunct to his motion picture and television work Ron Jaffe is the director of still photography and public relations of his own photography business where he contracts for world-wide events.  His headquarters are in Southern California, the meeting point for air travel everywhere an airplane can fly.