The son of a US Diplomat, Rico was born in Peru and grew up in seven Latin American countries before moving to the U.S. to study Broadcasting and Film at Boston University.  After college he moved to LA and immediately started working as a production assistant at a small production company.  

Photography was a hobby that Rico picked up at age 14, experimenting with his father's camera gear.  In his early 20's he began shooting his actor and model friends, building a portfolio, while working on movie sets as a production assistant.  At 26 he found himself in between jobs, and a producer friend was starting a movie and needed a photographer.  Rico, with no experience shooting stills on set, and lacking technical skills, convinced his friend to hire him as a photographer, on a trial basis.  After the first week of work, Rico had discovered his passion for still photography.  

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Rico is now one of the top still photographers in Hollywood.  Usual collaborator of Robert Rodriguez, he has photographed some of the most iconic movie posters, such as Desperado, Sin City: A Dame to Kill For, Machete Kills and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny.  His shot of Bruce Willis for Sin City was one of the most sought after posters among collectors.  

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He has captured iconic images of Antonio Banderas, Bruce Willis, James Coburn, Jessica Alba, Danny Trejo, Lady Gaga and many more.  He has worked in over 60 Hollywood movies and mentored with the likes of Ridley Scott, Martin Campbell, Tony Scott, Wes Craven, Robert Rodriguez, Quentin Tarantino, Bruce Beresford, Pierre Morel and many more.  

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His distinctive point of view, his compositional choices and keen ability for capturing dramatic moments, demonstrates his extraordinary talent which makes him stand out in the competitive Hollywood industry.