So who am I? 

My name is Ryan, I was born in Auckland and now live in Kerikeri with my wife, Julia, and our 3 awesome children, Kaio (10 years), Luca (4 years) and Nina (2 years). 

Julia and I have now been married for 13 years and travelled the world together, we have lived in Auckland, Darfield, Melbourne, Brisbane/Gold Coast and 2 cities in Brazil before returning to New Zealand. 

The "me" in "media"

I have always been drawn to the media industry, both behind the camera as well as in front of the camera but it wasn't until we lived in Brazil that I took the plunge into doing it for a living. 

At first, it was intimidating and everyday I had to overcome my own confidence issues until other professional photographers who had been in the industry much longer than I started asking me for advice! From that point on things became different and I have never looked back - well except to tell my story! 

I also provide workshops for other professional photographers that include things like using flash and alternative lighting, post-processing and marketing. 

Where do I provide services?

Even though I'm based in beautiful Northland, I provide services all over New Zealand, Australia and Brazil. 

I can work in New Zealand under the special visa class for Kiwis in the reciprocal agreement and as my wife is from Brazil I already have my residence visa there meaning I can travel and work in Brazil as much as I like - by the way, I also speak "Portuguese do Brasil" so I don't need babysitting while there! 

A funny thing, how I got started in weddings... 

It was about 7 years ago now when I decided to move from architectural and corporate work and took my first private "engagement party", I had an idea of what to expect as I had already been shooting events (like corporate launches and company Christmas parties) for some time but this was different, it was personal and special in that sense. 

I spent longer than normal preparing for the night, it was a special event, but when I arrived it was clearly not what I had expected, there was an alter... and a wedding cake! I spoke to the guy who hired me, who magically transformed from being a "fiancee" to the "groom"!? He said they decided to cancel the engagement party and to get married instead. I had never shot a wedding before, I felt well out of my depth, I told the guy I had never shot a wedding before and I wasn't prepared to shoot a wedding, he apologised and asked me to stay so I did. 

After that first wedding, I was recommended and guests of the wedding hired me, from that point I have grown and produce beautiful wedding photographs that couples cherish.