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.
Michael Z Rork - Wow! Thank you, that video was very informative. :-)
Two things happened when I watched that:
1. I became very jealous of your gear.
2. I realized that in order to do weddings well I’m going to need a lot more stuff than my 50mm f/1.4, my 24mm f/1.8 and my Speedlite 430 EX II.
Martins Kikulis - Your site is a real find for me! Fantastic reviews! Cheers for that!
You should check Nikon’s 14-24mm f/2.8 – it’s not a typical wedding lens for sure, but it’s really great. So great in fact that it’s my favourite lens of all times. Even for wedding photography!
shawn - can u guide witch one better camera canon 7d or nikon d7000
thank u
shawn
Paul Heller - Ryan,
I noticed you use a 35mm F/1.8G, although you shoot FF.
Any advice on DX shooters who want/need this lens today, but may eventually move to FF?
Ryan Brenizer - I’ve moved to the 35mm f/1.4 :)
Frank - Really nice reviews on what’s in your bag, give me a lots of idea.
currently I have 2 SB900, do you think I should get more of these?
for now I have one D700 with MB-D10 on it, I have 6 lens now, which is 14-24,24-70,70-200,35 1.4G, 50 1.4D and 200-400, do you think these equipment is enough for a wedding? I never shot a wedding before…
Thanks
Frank
Grant - Frank: I have shot hundreds of weddings with much less gear than that. Apprentice with someone before you dive in and get yourself sued when you cannot deliver due to lack of experience. Get the experience and you will then know what equipment you need to shoot how you want to shoot.
sult batis - hey ryan
how are you ?
can you plz give us a tutrial for 135mm ( defucos thing ) i had many problems with it .. :(
Abhishek Adhikari - Hey Ryan,
I wanted to buy a 24-70 f2.8. However, Nikon is way above my budget. Could you help me decide between the Sigma 24-70HSM and the Tamron 28-75 Di?
Thanks in advance,
Abhishek
Jefferson - Thanks for sharing your review site with us. Your video of what’s in my bag is very informative and nice. Thanks again and keep sharing.
Diana Mathura - I’m super excited to be taking your class tomorrow at Adorama.
Your work is beautiful.
I hope to soak in everything tomorrow.
Diana
DJH - Brilliant. That;s what’s needed. A unbiased review from someone who puts this stuff to the test…
Lee Allen - Love your reviews – however I was wondering why you didnt want to put your laptop inside your Airport international? I recently went to Sierra Leone and took my macbook inside using the lower dividers and the laptop bag Thinktank do. it works really well.
Any chance of a UK workshop?
Lee
fiona kelly - Hi Ryan, would love your opinion…I am wanting to buy an 85mm lens and was thinking of the nikon 85mm 1.8 AF-D as its got great reviews and is a really good price. The other option is waiting a bit to save for the 1.4 but would love to know if that extra bit makes a real difference for the price?
thanks fiona
Andrea Nesti - Hi, Ryan!
When a D800 or D4 review?
Todd - Ryan –
I’m more interested in what gear you use to carry everything – a cart? 3 assistants ? Also light stands and brackets? The gear is great but I’d like some ideas of things that make your life easier…
Thanks-
- todd
Peter Shpak - Hello Ryan, I am a huge fan of your work. I have a hypothetical question. Lets say you have a D3s and a D800 as your two bodies which body would you use for portraits vs group shots and which would be your main lens on each camera?
Thanks
-Peter
Ricardo Massillon - Ryan,
I notice you’re not shooting with the Sigma 85mm 1.4 anymore. Instead we’re seeing the Nikon 85mm from what I can tell. Any reason for the switch?
Thanks for your time…You’re a good story teller.
Carlos N. DeHerrera - Thanks for the reviews of the TG-1. I purchased one last week and have been looking for a good review from someone like yourself who has actually “used” it.
Review: Olympus OM-D E-M5 » Ryan Brenizer — NYC Wedding Photographer. Problem solver, storyteller. - [...] year, with the help of some sponsorships — B&H Photo in particular — I’ve had the opportunity to test pretty much every hot camera that’s come down the pike. I’ve been amazed by all the new technology this year coming out to serve professional and [...]
Haryadi be - Wow, killer gears! !
Stefy Hilmer - Hi Ryan.
I Love your work. Just heard about your workshops.
Anything planned for 2013? Would love to attend.
Are you going to be at the WPPI in the city in October? Speaking at some point?
Hope to hear back from you.
Best regard,
Stefy
Žele - Hi Ryan! Is there any chance that we will see 85 F1.8 G review from you?
Ryan Brenizer - Haven’t tried it yet, Zele!
Dohn - Just wondering, do you ever use 70-200mm 2.8? you don’t have it on your list of lens review and if you do, do you use it a lot?
Ryan Brenizer - Dohn, I’ve used it since before I did very many lens reviews. It’s a workhorse.
The Wedding Theater - Hey Ryan,
I’m Jonathan, nice to meet you. I was wondering, have you ever considered branching into reviewing Canon products? I’m not sure if you shoot on them or not, but I find your reviews very informative. Thanks! -Jonathan
Roland Hale - Thanks for the reviews! It’s great to see this stuff put to the test in the ways that I use it.
Geoff Flowers - Ryan. thank you for inspiring a lot shooters and even sharing your passion and knowledge. I think Nikon and Sigma should support you and your site. You deserve it just like the other ambassadors. Sigma lens ambassador would be a great title XD. God bless you and your team.
Crystal Madsen - Hey Ryan any chance o seeing a review on a canon tilt shift lens? Im really tempted to buy one to add to my wedding shots I am able to do.
Heilpraktikerin - Hey Ryan,
I love your work! I just began to take better pictures. But yours are amazing! Thanks for sharing!
Greetz
Ute
Matt - Hi Ryan, Have you thought about reviewing the new Sigma 35 1.4 yet? I’m debating on trading my 24-70 2.8 in for one of these. Thoughts?
andrew - I’ve a question. Given how surprised you say you were with the Sigma 85mm 1.4, have you had a chance to review either sigma or tamron’s 24-70 2.8 equivalent of the reviewed Nikon?
Any thoughts?
Pictures are amazing
Rgds
Andrew
John Barwood - Ryan, have you got your hands on a x100s yet? I think the combo of my D4 with a small mirror less camera would be perfect for reportage wedding coverage but im stuck between the e-m5 and the x100s I would want it as small as possible so the fuji is pulling me (I could shoot 35 all day) but the focus seems to be better on the e-m5 and id love to know if the S made it at least a draw :) real world experience is all that matter and you are my go to guy for this!
jenny campbell - extremely helpful in my new equipment purchases. Thanks!