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.
Max - That is insane!!
Stop making us look bad!!
Kim - Dude, SERIOUSLY? I wish we had storms like this in Portland.
Bryce Wade - Amazing photo, Ryan. Looking to capture a few bolts of my own since ‘Monsoon Season’ is starting up here in AZ.
Lisa - Very cool!
Brian - Had you Brenizered the photograph, I’d still would’ve believed you. Flash-composited the shot? Yeah, that too. Beautiful shot Ryan!
Maria Leinen - That is absolutely stunning, especially the lit up cloud!
rich - holy cow – seriously? this photo and the fact that you captured it so perfectly is blowing my mind. amazing shot!
Neil Redfern - Wow, that is stunning!! The fact it was handheld is even more incredible! Steady as a rock :-)
Dylan - Amazing, the detail in the clouds and the top lightning bolt are so beautiful.. Skillz
brett maxwell - back to the 85G, huh?
sandra - stunning!
Jack Chauvel - Epic!
Harold Tolmie - I believe God’s light show far exceeds man-made light shows by a trillion miles! :-D