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.
Monica Justesen Photography - Stunning photos, as always!
David Stubbs - This is so inspiring Ryan, I was looking forward to a weekend off from weddings but now I just want to shoot tomorrow! Fantastic work – David Stubbs
nick hardy - as a relative newcomer to weddings (i have around 40-50 over 3 years) it’s a great rush to see photos similar ( http://www.nickhardyphotography.co.uk/uploads/3/5/7/6/3576889/1570738_orig.png?0 ) to mine taken by a photographer whose level i aspire to reach. If i could get to NY i’d gladly pay to assist a shoot if only to learn a fraction of the knowledge Ryan has.
I’m looking forward to the next post as each has been better than the last.
thank you
Elissa - Ugh, stop it! I just want to marry all of your photos!! (Love that upside-down glass one!)
Nash Ruiz - Beautiful photos as always.
V Tran - Great photos! Also loving the wine glass shot.. photo must be inverted as there’s an iPhone defying gravity too (is there an app for that?).
Bastian - I love the picture with the glass. For the rest it is another example of your great work!
Tricia - Gorgeous as usual!!!
Martin Hambleton - For me it’s the shot of the bouquet toss and the guests’ expressions. Just a great capture of a moment. But that’s just one standout in yet another strong set of wedding images.
Amir | Ottawa Wedding Photographer - great coverage as usual. really like the ceremony shots.
ingo - Amazing shots, but even my photographer boyfriend wonders how you manged to get that perfect shot in the wine glass?!