Daily Inspiration: Meet Ryan Watkins

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Watkins.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I grew up in Clare, Michigan where my love of photography began. I started taking wildlife and nature photographs in late middle school. My photographs were published in several magazines including Audubon, Shutterbug, Digital Photo, Outdoor Photographer, and Photographer’s Forum before I graduated high school.

In August 2012 I moved to Greenfield, Massachusetts and started my studies at the Hallmark Institute of Photography. I studied under celebrity portrait photographer Gregory Heisler, fashion photographer David Turner, and several other distinguished professors. I graduated with the highest overall grades in my class and received the Highest Academic Honor.

After graduating from the Hallmark Institute of Photography I moved back to Clare, Michigan. I ran my photography business full time until late 2019. In 2020 and 2021 I worked as a direct care worker. I now work part-time as a janitor in addition to running my photography business.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
2020 was definitely the biggest challenge to my business so far. Most weddings got canceled or postponed. The few weddings I did photograph were significantly more difficult. Most were cut back to only the bride, groom, officiant, immediate family, and a few close friends. Usually the ceremony was streamed on facebook. Many times those closest to the bride and groom were unable to attend weddings last minute due the pandemic. With this loss of income I had to find work elsewhere. I ended up working as a direct care worker during 2020 and much of 2021. It wasn’t till 2022 that wedding bookings were back to pre-pandemic numbers. Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?

When I first got interested in photography I photographed mostly nature. I saved up money from mowing laws to buy my first DSLR and some used lenses. After taking a photo of a baby racoon at the Fred Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids in 2009 I decided I wanted to become a professional photographer. During my studies at the Hallmark Institute of Photography my work shifted from mostly nature to primarily portraiture. My understanding of lighting was heavily inspired by my professors Gregory Heisler and David Tuner. After a few years my main emphasis shifted from portraits to weddings. Weddings remain the main focus of my business today. My work is clean, simple, and elegant regardless of subject matter. I also strive to capture gesture whether that be the expression on someone’s face, the way a couple interacts with each other, or the blowing of the trees in a landscape. I use full frame Nikon DSLRs and a variety of lenses. The 85mm and 80-200mm lenses getting the most use. I use Westcott flashes with a variety of modifiers for lighting. Last I use Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Photoshop for retouching.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Weddings have became my main area of emphasis over the past few years. My proudest achievement was receiving the Highest Academic Honor from the Hallmark Institute of Photography in 2013. My formal photography education and calm personality set me apart of others.

Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
Over the past few years I’ve started to primarily photograph weddings. I still shoot a variety of other subject matter as well. I offer a variety of portrait sessions including family, senior, couples, engagement, modeling, branding sessions, and headshots. I also sell fine art prints of my work spanning back to 2009. I’m currently working on a series of fine art photographs of Mid-Michigan. These prints can be purchased on my website ryanwatkinsphotography.net . I’ll occasionally photograph events and commercial work. I’ll also occasionally do retouching for other photographers as well.

Contact Info:

• Website: ryanwatkinsphotography.net
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanwatkinsphotography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RyanWatkinsPhotography/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/rywatkinsphotos

Image Credits
All photos by Ryan Watkins Photography