For the past 30 years, William (Bill) Hendricks has been a Professor of Photography at Ventura College in Ventura, California. Driven by an unsettled curiosity, Hendricks views photography as a way of reducing daily chaos into a few organized and meaningful moments.
As both a photographer and an educator, his work has taken him around the world with an array of clients and personalities. In the past 25 years Mr. Hendricks has been able to work in Central & South America, Europe, Africa the Middle and Far-East. His work has been published in the pages of Cosmopolitan, Harper's Bazaar, Los Angeles Magazine, People Magazine, Architectural Digest, TV Guide and more. He has also worked with, and photographed celebrities; Jaclyn Smith, Tina Turner, Kenny Loggins, Valerie Harper, Dennis Weaver, Priscilla Presley and Jacque Cousteau.
His work has been exhibited throughout the United States with solo exhibitions in Havana, Cuba and Seoul, Korea.
In 2006, Mr. Hendricks was invited by his Holiness, The Dalai Lama, to Northern India to document and participate in the teachings of the Buddhist Religion.
In 2007, Mr. Hendricks was invited by the Nigerian Government along with the Ogbechie family to document the funeral ceremonies of Chief and patriarch Francis Osenweniwe Ogbechie.
In 2009-2010, Mr. Hendricks was in Havana, Cuba to photograph the little-known religion of Palo Monte. The secret and sacred religion of Santeria.
In 2011-2012, Mr. Hendricks made his film debut as a producer and director of the documentary, “The Cuba Dance Project”. This is a film that follows three American ballet dancers as they travel to Cuba to pursue their love of dance. It's a cross-cultural journey that finds its roots in the fabric and fundamentals of art and community.
December 2013, Hendricks was honored by the mayor of Ventura with the Mayor's Arts Educator of the Year award.
December 2016, Hendricks received the National Arts Recognition Award, from the Ventura County Arts Council.
2020, Mr. Hendricks completed PROOF. A fifteen year collaboration with Cuban writer Orlando Hernandez. This project is expected to be released to the public in 2021.