Ryan W.

More about Ryan W....

What do you love about your job?

To me, photography is all about connecting with people. In a day when cell phone cameras are incredible and selfies are a daily ritual it's only highlighted that quality of the camera is not the key aspect that separates a good photo from a great photo. Portraiture is about highlighting our subject, capturing their natural beauty in a way that says something about who they are. I loving finding the photos that my clients can show to their friends and family and have them say, "Oh! That is so you!"

What types of shoots have you done and how did you make them special?

I always strive to go the extra mile to bring my client's vision to life the day of their shoot. That often includes pre-planning, picking out props, consulting on outfit choices, or scouting the perfect locations. On one occasion, I even went with my client, who was worried about her sense of style, on a shopping trip. On another, I filled an entire room full of balloons for a birthday shoot. Bottom line, no fancy camera or perfect lighting can substitute for the person in front of the camera feeling relaxed and confident. When they're excited about what we're doing the pictures are always better for it!

Awards, honors, and recognitions received

My work has been showcased at local events as well as published in magazines, most notably the cover of Zymurgy earlier this year.

A fun fact about this photographer

Despite working in "creative" fields for over a decade, I've never actually considered myself creative. Even with my photography, I take a technical approach and like to have a plan - even if we're likely to abandon it 5 minutes into the shoot when whimsy strikes!