A year later, Muna opened his studio to service the burgeoning high-tech industry in what became Silicon Valley. He also shortened his name from “Raja John” to R.J. The nickname stuck.

During the 1980s, Muna’s commercial work exploded, and he moved up to San Francisco and a 12,000-foot studio. A turning point came in 1992 when a Los Angeles art director sought him to develop a new image for Lexus. He brought the cars into the studio and shot them using innovative lighting. More automotive clients flocked to him. A second turning point arrived when Muna went digital in the mid-1990s, and he turned to the computer for high-resolution retouching. Technology allowed him to be more adventurous and creative with his images.

His client base expanded to national and international firms such as Sony, Intel, Panasonic, and Levi Strauss. He also found inspiration in the world of dance, and he published a book of fine art photos called “The Apparitions” and mounted an exhibition of these pictures. Muna often donates his skill to worthy causes, which affords him the independence to experiment with new ideas.

Today, Muna can reflect on nearly two decades as a professional photographer. During this time, he established an enviably well-equipped studio in San Francisco and a name for himself as one of the top photographers servicing big-time clients such as Nike, Lexus, and Blue Cross/Blue Shield.