Photography has filled me with purpose and joy, and taken me places I never thought I'd go. I have covered three U.S. presidents, been blessed by the Pope, and been stared down by Muhammad Ali. I've shared a laugh with Smokey Robinson, and had a picture I took of him used when he received a lifetime achievement award. I've photographed a 110-year-old woman as she told me what it was like to climb onto the torch of the Statue of Liberty. I was chosen as the only independent photographer allowed near Obama and McCain in their last meeting before the 2008 election. I'm the only photographer in the world to have been officially represented by the three largest photographic retailers in the Western hemipshere. Heck, I've even had a photographic technique named after me (which is crazy).
But I have never felt so blessed by photography as when I am photographing a wedding. At weddings, we are most visibly ourselves -- the walls we walk around with come tumbling down under the forces of joy, anxiety (and sometimes a bit of alcohol). To document that experience, the relationship of friends, families, and a couple launching a new stage in their life, is an incredible feeling. When a client says "This is the first picture I've seen of my parents that actually looks like them!" I feel like I've done something with lasting value. After years of shooting and more than 225 weddings under my belt, I still find each one to be more exciting than the last, and try to make each one the best one that I've ever photographed.
In addition to a staff of photo assistants, I am so happy to have my partner Wendy as a full-time studio manager to make sure that our clients' needs are met at every stage from the first inquiry until years after the wedding. Wendy is the hardest worker I have ever known, and she makes my clients' experience as stress-free as possible.
nadine - What an attractive couple, I love their individual headshots, and the subway shot!
Michael J Metts - I always love how well you rock the color wheel. The first two after their clothing change really show your strength in that area. Awesome post.
E Schumann Foto - Way to work the Yorkville area! I love the “It’s Time We MET” shot, very clever and the silhouettes are gorgeous.
Daniel stark - Awesome! Beautiful images! Did you use a t/s lens for some of those shots?
Ryan Brenizer - Yup, my first shoot with a T/s. Thanks all!
Sam Hurd - niiice. it’s great to see your subtle use of the dof control. i mean, it’s there, but these aren’t images i’d see 20 years from now and say “look at that cheesy tilt shift effect”
Terra Dawn Photography - BEAUTIFUL, Ryan!! I love the DOF, of course….and the door shot with the bright blues showing through! Lovely, lovely couple!!
Kristi Wright - These are gorgeous!!
Dustin - Is that you in the cab reflection? You have some serious ninja skills.
Chris Fam - amazing photographs with your unique styles and congrats to Chika and Andrew!
Jenny Meng - Very nice. I’m always a fan of your use of light and shadows. Love the last shot.
Ryan Brenizer - Haha no, that’s my assistant.
Amber Hughes - Beautiful shots as always Ryan – I love that they went out in kimonos!!
Bobby Ketchum - Great use of the lens on shoe shot. I like it.
Jakob - The cab shot is great, as is the last one!
Eliza Claire - Wow! Ryan, I think this *might* be my favourite ever of your engagement shoots! LOVE the silhouette shot, just the right amount of detail left in the shadows. And love the use of the t/s on the steps, so different and v v sexy shoes!
The subway shot makes me want to go back to NY.
Lynn - This set is the bomb Ryan.
Maria Landaverde - Beautiful as always you are my inspiration!!!
seth - These are so awesome! I love photos of them kissing on the subway platform and them being tender next to the handrail.
Daniel Dunlap - You sir are an inspiration! This looks amazing!
brie - As always, so inspiring! I love the shot in front of the subway.
Eric Yerke - Ryan, you are seriously unreal.
Sabrina Manglaviti - I actually started to cry because of how absolutely amazing these pictures are.. Not only because they are beautiful but because they do such a great job of capturing the love and happiness that’s between you two which is evident by your body language and the way you look at each other. Love them! and love you both so very much!
Thao - Absolutely phenomenal – love the reflection in the cab shot
Natalie Gibbs - I was suprised to see t/s shots on your site – these are great! I looooove the last silhouette and especially the one with the Met poster. What a fun shoot this must have been.
Laurie Peacock - That last shot is all kinds of awesome. Bravo.
Cait - Wow!! every single one is unique, I need to go back and look at them again because they were that great! :)
Michelle - These are wonderful. You did a beautiful job! I mean, you always are inspiring, but wow…you’ve outdone yourself. :)
Paulo Nunes - Astonishing set… Full of love, not only beautifully captured or technically perfect, but yet full of feeling. Congratulations.
Carol Petrus - I love all your pics!!! and these pics are specially magical! Congrats!
Steve Elmer - #8 and #11… they have just made my day :)
matt shumate - Thou art the king of creativity. I love how you find unique & creative compositions EVERY time. It inspires me. The blue/orange shot through the door, the T/S with the shoes, the silhouette—all tremendous.
Paul Von Rieter - You rocked that T/S like a master. Awesome set Ryan. Beautiful couple.
masayo suginomori - I am your mother’s friend. You are beautiful couple.I hope yopu’ll be very happy.
Dennis Pike - Did you shoot one of those in the entrance way to your building? Bravo, sir
Arthur Christensen - You are a handsome couple. I am a very old friend of Kenny. Good Luck
Ryan Brenizer - @Dennis: You bet I did.
Nick Giron - Very cool set. I am close to San Francisco and Sacramento and Yosemite. No shortage of locations here. But the feel of New York is it’s own beast. One day I’ll find my way back over to the east coast.
Heather Kanillopoolos - Gorgeous as usual, Ryan! The last shot is stunning. Well done!
Ty Johnson - Great shots, Ryan. You always amaze! :)
John Scheie - Nice work Ryan, I love the subway shot. Slow shutter and steady tripod always makes for great work. I can’t believe how much he looks like his father!
JANICE RUSSEL - Andrew’s mom is my cousin Eileen. I think you make a wonderful couple! May you be as happy with your lives as Aunt Joyce and Uncle George were with their 60 years together. Wonderful photography.
Bryant Park Grill wedding: Chika and Andrew » Ryan Brenizer — NYC Wedding Photographer. Problem solver, storyteller. - [...] feels like a long time coming. When I first photographed Chika and Andrew, they knew they were getting married … someday. In some hemisphere. But that was about it. You [...]