How many years have you been in business?

I started my photography business a little over 10 years ago.I still can’t believe it has been that long! I guess time really does fly when your passionate about what you do for a living.

Was there life before photography or has this been a lifelong passion for you?

I did not discover photography until I was in college. I had taken a few film courses that were part of my major, but it never really stuck with me. Maybe because I could never get that film roll around the reel in a room with zero light haha. It was only, while attending college, that I ended up working for a local music store as their on-site web designer. I was forced to buy my first digital camera in order to take photographs of the instruments we had for sale in the showroom. That is when my journey started into photography.

How did you become a professional photographer?

I started up my own business right out of college and as time went by, more often then not, my clients had needs for digital photography. So more and more of my money went to investing in new lenses, cameras and lighting equipment in order to meet the needs of my growing client base. Pretty soon I found myself deeply entrenched in photography. Then I finally discovered wedding photography and I knew this was what I was destined to do. I love it more and more each day.

What’s been your biggest business challenge? How have you faced that challenge?

My biggest challenge has been balancing my time between my work and my family. Once the wedding is over it is easy to get wrapped up in the excitement of retouching photographs, putting galleries together and getting all of my client’s images ready for consumption. Knowing when to step away from the computer to spend time with my wife Melanie is very important to me. Family should always come before work.

What’s the most effective way you’ve found to market your studio?

I know this is going to sound corny, but the most effective way to market my services has just been to be myself.

I’m a bit of a goofball and overall a nice guy who really does enjoy working with people. In this business, like any other, there is no better marketing then word of mouth. People trust the judgement of their friends and family. Nothing in the world makes me happier then to receive a glowing review from a bride and groom.

If we needed a photographer today why would we book you? What makes you unique?

One of the comments I hear often about working with me is how laid back and genuine I am. I’m a very relaxed kind of guy and I think my brides and grooms appreciate how easy it is to work with me. I often get along so well with my clients that I have become great friends with several of them. Planning a wedding is hard enough and the last thing the bride and groom need on their special day is more stress. I think another thing that makes me unique is my age. Being only 29 years old makes me very relatable. Couple that with also being a newlywed myself and my clients become very relaxed with me.

What is the one item used in your shooting or editing workflow you can’t live without? What makes it indispensable?

Ok I didn’t even have to think for this question. It is by far my Canon 70-200 f2.8 L series lens. That thing is just magical. I’m a big fan of shooting with a long telephoto lens. It lets me capture moments without letting people know I’m capturing their moments. It also does a great job of flattening out facial features. Plus when shooting at f2.8 provides a gorgeous amount of background blur. This lens stays on my camera 80% of the time. I often find myself making up excuses about why I should be using it haha.

What advice would you give to an aspiring photographer?

Shoot what you love. Do not compromise. If you love photographing something strange like frogs then go ahead and shoot frogs! haha

If you love working with architecture, then save up your money, travel the world and photograph beautiful architecture. You will always do your best work when you shoot something you love. I love people and that is why I love shooting weddings.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?

Again didn’t have to think too much for this one. Wolverine Claws! Do I even need to explain? Ummm…they are unbreakable adamantium claws. What else needs to be said?! haha

Location – Three Bridges, New Jersey (central jersey)

Business Name – Ryan Sands Photography

Websites - www.ryansandsphotography.com

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