Hello! I’m Ryan
I’m a Boston-born photographer based in Washington DC, and I document the human experience on film. I draw inspiration from many things; fine art, indie films, a campy thrift store, a local drag show. My style ranges from beautifully saturated color film to the intense contrast and emotion of black and white film. I’ll take photos of just about anything; protests, events, pets, buildings, nature. But I always find myself returning to portrait photography. To me, people are the most interesting subjects.
Photography has the power to show people how beautiful they are. As a queer and trans person who has personally struggled with self-image, I know how meaningful it is to see a photo of yourself that actually represents you. For this reason, most of my personal work focuses on the LGBTQ+ community. Queer people often carry the weight of not feeling seen. Which is why my photography focuses on authenticity. I capture real people and real moments.
I use film as my medium because it involves a slow, deliberate process that results in organic timeless photographs. It’s a worthwhile investment to document important moments in your life. Whether it’s your engagement, your family, or an inflection point in your gender journey — I’m here to help.
I can’t wait to work with you!
Film adds texture and soul to a photo that no amount of editing or instagram filters can replicate. Film is its own kind of magic.
So, why film?
A few years ago I took some photos at my cousin’s wedding on a disposable film camera. These photos weren’t meant to look polished or professional. I just wanted to capture some candid moments with my family that I don’t get to see very often. My aunt saw the camera and I’ll never forget what she said next, “Why are you taking photos with that when you could just take them on your phone?”
Ouch. I mean, my aunt had a point. Almost everyone has a camera in their pocket these days. The process of capturing memories on film is more involved. And unless you’re using instant film, it’s going to take some time before you see your photos. But that’s exactly why I love film photography. I love that there’s a slow deliberate process that can’t be rushed or skipped.
I feel strongly that the process of creating images using film makes the final result feel much more gratifying. In today’s world, almost everything is instantaneous. I fell in love with analog photography because it forced me to slow down, to take my time to set up the shot, and to appreciate the moment.
While an iPhone or SD card in a digital camera can hold thousands of images, there’s a limited number of exposures on a roll of film. But this limitation taught me to be a better photographer. I have to make every single frame count. As a result, I can remember almost every photo I took on film. I can’t remember a single photo that I took with my phone.
Also – it’s fun! Nothing makes me happier than taking my camera out and shooting a roll of film. I love the excitement I get from receiving my scans from the lab and finally seeing the photos. Sure, I could just take a photo on my phone. But capturing those moments on film is irreplaceable. Film adds texture and soul to a photo that no amount of editing or instagram filters can replicate. Film is its own kind of magic.
