2016 / Year in Review

Thank you to everyone who helped make 2016 such an inspiring and rewarding year for me and my family. You have been my biggest fans and strongest support. You've left amazing reviews for me and I didn't even have to ask. You have gushed over your photos and brought tears to my eyes. Your transparency in front of a camera is an honor to witness and I'm left searching for words to describe my thankfulness. 

My clients have been amazing and I consider most good friends. Not just amazing, but a breath of fresh air and fuel for my bones. Looking through the tens of thousands of photos from the past year gave me such tremendous satisfaction and happiness. I love how photographing people is such a joint effort. Its humbling and exciting and I felt inspired in 2016. Couples invited me along to some great destinations and mixing in a little travel was extremely rewarding. I shot more film, in various formats, this year than any previous year and was left wanting to use it more. I had an amazing assistant (Josiah) all year, and what a blessing he was during such a busy season. 2016 was full. Maybe too full. But, its exactly what it needed to be and I'm so grateful. 

2016 was also a year of firsts for me, in a way. After 6 years of pursuing this, it was my first complete year being a full time photographer. I must say, it was eye opening how much time I spent not doing photography, even though it was my busiest year to date. It seemed for every hour I was actually behind a camera, I spent 5 behind a computer. I'm still wrestling with how to handle this moving forward, because I was burnt out by the Fall. I'm realizing, in order to continue this as a sole job, I need to change some things and learn how to say no.. This will be really hard for me. Especially when its saying no to some really amazing jobs and people. I don't desire a crazy, rockstar, photography life. I really just want to faithfully document the people who come my way. I want to be around my family more. I want to have time with them and with friends and enjoying other pursuits in my life. To be honest, I haven't fully processed what 2016 meant to me and how to move forward into 2017. We sold a home, moved, and are currently completely remodeling a new one and my attention has been pulled in so many directions already, I'm still feeling a little burnt out from it all. 

To my 2017 clients and future clients who have yet to reach out...Its gonna be an amazing year. I'm beyond excited for you and that you've chosen to invite me into your life. Looking back has helped motivate me for 2017 and beyond and it'll be an absolute honor to document part of your life this year. One frame at a time. 

-Ryan    

Jen & Brent. A couple's session and Minnesota Twins loss.

I met Jen and Brent in the Fulton taproom in NE Minneapolis and enjoyed some beer and great conversation before heading out to explore the neighborhood and eventually making our way to a Twins game. We had the quintessential midwest Summer evening and although the Twins lost, I came away with some great images of an even greater couple. Be on the lookout for this couples intimate, Saint Dinette restaurant wedding, too. It was a good one. Thanks for the support everyone.    

The Patenaude Family / proof spur of the moment family sessions totally rock.

Most love the first snowfall of the season. All that is brown and grey and dirty turns a crisp, bright white. Suddenly, everything is transformed into a snow globe sort of world. Well, I often sit inside on these days feeling like a lame photographer who never gets to shoot in such unique conditions. This year, the first snowfall was forecasted and I instantly put a call out on FB for anyone who might want to book a spur of the moment session with me and I'm so grateful Eric and Becca responded with such excitement. I was blown away and reminded of how amazing this job is. This session is a perfect example of why I love photographing families. I love the individual personalities and family dynamics that come out while spending an hour or two with everyone. Often, I leave family sessions desiring even more time with everyone because I want that perfect portrait that represents who each person truly is, but I also love the challenge of creating in a small window of time. So much of our life is made up of smaller events or situations and when combined as a whole, shape who we are and how we live out our lives. We are all changing and heading in some direction. I really like the direction this family is headed and I'm blown away they had me out to document this single hour of their lives. Thanks for the support everyone. I'd love to book more family or portrait sessions this Winter. Don't be afraid of the snow and cold. We can stay inside if you want and it'll be great as you'll soon find out...more posts coming soon.