Meet Brendan Ryan

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

Hi Brendan, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
It started with taking a photography class senior year of high school. I didn’t expect much from this class. I just wanted to take an easy class for senior year. But what I didn’t realize is that it would become something much more than an easy credit. A year later I got my own camera after a friend got one of his own and it inspired me to get one too, I just took it as a hobby while I went through college, I struggled with college a lot, Not saying college is a waste, but I believe it’s not for everyone. I’ve gone to 3 colleges hoping to find something I would like to do for my life. One day I realized the thing I loved doing the most was shooting with my camera. That’s when I dropped out college to approach my career in photography. I’m nowhere near close to what I want to be as a photographer. But every time I go out with my camera, I always get one step closer. This path isn’t easy, it comes with a lot of failure and trial. I’ve done photoshoots for people and enjoyed it, but I could never really enjoy it how I wanted to. My love of photography is to go out and capture raw emotions in street photography. I usually walk in the city to find something that catches my eye. As of right now, I’m working on a portfolio to show the abandonment of buildings in our city and show the impact it has on us. As of this year, my goal is to finally work up a website and sell prints. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I love the saying “If it was easy, then anyone would do it.” With that saying this journey has had its up and downs. There have been nights where I thought this wasn’t for me. But I would go back and think why I love doing this and what am I doing it for. I think of how everything around me goes quite once I put that camera up to my eye. I also struggle with always judging myself from others. As an ‘artist’ you’ll judge yourself constantly on your work. As I sit in front of my computer, and I work on my photo edits some things never seem right for me the first time. It takes me to go take a break and come back to re-look at my photos to finally see the work I’ve done and feel good about it. 

Another part is having people that will love the work you do and the images you capture. Like I said before that takes trial and error to fix and finally grab an audience that will appreciate your work. 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As of right now, my photography is spread out towards different types of photography. I do enjoy a couple and that’s nature and street photography. With Nature, I love capturing the beauty of it. I’ve gone to Colorado once a year for the past 3 years. That’s where I found my love for nature photography. To capture the ongoing mountain tops and the wildlife it brings. Being from and living in St. Louis you don’t get those mountains, but Missouri does have beautiful parks that I love going to. The second one I brought up was street photography is what I’m really pulling towards. I love my city and I enjoy finding it’s hidden gems and sharing it with the people. Even deeper in street photography, I love capturing the architecture it has. Not just the lovely Arch but all the buildings. I’m proud to just be from a city that people always want to leave. This city may have its problems but, in those problems, there is still beauty. 

Risk-taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Trying to make Photography my main focus is a big risk. I do have a job right now, but I want to eventually make photography my full-on career. But the risk is that I may not bring in the money to provide for myself. As of right now, I’m comfortable with that because I’m still learning every day for what it takes to be a photographer. 

I do love the risk I take in my photography by capturing images people can’t see. I love going through my city that most aren’t allowed. Getting to that location for a breath-taking photo is what crave for. Especially working on my portfolio of abandoned buildings it takes risk to get into these places you aren’t allowed in. But this is my city and I want to capture it for the people who can’t see these hidden gems. 

Contact Info:

• Email: brollphotography@icloud.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/b.roll.photos/