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.
Grant Corban - Lovely photo and yummy light. What really caught my attention is shot with the D600! Looking forward to your review when you get time to write it. Let us know about the alleged dust issue and general handling for weddings from a D3/D3s users point of view please.
Roman - Hello, Ryan. A wonderful image – you pulled it off nicely. I am a big fan of your panorama method and am glad to say I’ve found plenty of people who liked it, too. Here’s an article I’ve written on it a while ago, in fact.
http://photographylife.com/advanced-photography-techniques-brenizer-method-panorama
I’m hoping to see more of this. Best of luck!
Roman
Serena Severtson - I just love that you were able to capture the motion of her dress for this panorama. Mad skills, Ryan. :)
Monica Justesen Photography - Can’t wait for all of the details. In the meantime, this shot is phenomenal!
Craig Cacchioli - Love the image Ryan.
Chris Toon - You seem to have done the impossible! How did you manage to apply your Brenizer technique to an action shot! It would seem impossible to me.
Roland Hale - Awesome image! Can’t wait to see your full take on the D600.
Jan Frieden - Ryan, did you shoot the part of the frame with the couple in one shot and afterwards the others around or did you even need several for the couple?
Rochelle S - Looking forward to the How-to’s release! Getting my husband started on cleaning the couch cushions at this very moment…