Artist of the Month - Ryan Learoyd

ARTIST OF THE MONTH - RYAN LEAROYD

February has nearly come to an end as you know it is time to reveal our Artist of the Month. Those of you, who are regularly following our feed in the LLF group or on our Instagram channels have definitely seen his incredible work before. Today we want to take a closer look at Ryan Learoyd beautiful images and get to know him a little better!

If you want to meet Ryan in person and to learn more about his way of photographing, join the LOOKSLIKEFILM UK MEETUP in Leeds on March 15th! There are only a few spots left!
 

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How old are you and where are you from?

I'm 3 & a fifth decades young & from Leeds, Yorkshire, England. Home of the Hobbits, land of the free.

Tell us a little bit about your life in the moment?

I live a rock star lifestyle of drugs, sexiness, crispy creme doughnuts & shooting unicorns just for fun. I'm pretty sure when most people go on Instagram & look at all the uber rockstar photographers curated feeds thats what they think. In reality I'm sat at my desk doing what I adore. When I'm not here I'm outside been given the insane opportunity to tell incredible humans stories the way I want. 

Outside of wedding photography I get to spend all my time with my incredible wife Hannah & my little black cat called Gatsby. I'd make up a load of stuff about all my friends & wild nights out but in reality I'm binge watching every season of friends while eating too many crisps in my pants. I can’t emphasise enough that how much I don't take it for granted to be living the life I live & to have found a job & lifestyle that is pefectly in tune with every fibre of my being. Make no mistake it has taken a huge amount of work to get here. But every second has been worth it.

How did you end up being a photographer?

Shutter Go Click was created probably in a similar way to how a ton of you guys got started. I got out of Uni bleary eyed with a heart full of dreams ready to take on the world. & so I did what all ambitious post grads do. I found a dead end job in a call centre as a ‘temporary’ thing & got stuck there for 7 frickin years. 

In a gadget lust haze of semi adulthood I was perving on a Canon 450D for an age. My wife Hannah convinced me to buy it (She's good like that) 2 years of monthly payments for that bad boy. & a bit later I got the urge to upgrade. I craved more resolution in which to capture that illusive rare Sparrow in my garden. I switched to Nikon & my friend asked me to shoot their wedding. She used the words “If you can make baboons look that good then I can’t even imagine our wedding pics” & I thought you know what Love my baboons are fucking epic.

I shot the Wedding & charged £250. I felt like Kanye West making it rain. I shot that Wedding & realised holy shit that was awesome. People are what I want to photograph & nothing else. No matter how fine the sparrow. Of course looking back now they look like they were taken by a fingerless blind tosser. No I’m not showing you any. 

I followed photographers that inspired me & made me realise that Wedding Photography in its traditional form which truly wasn’t for me was not the only way to do it. With a couple of Love struck strangers you could make art, you could be the story teller in any way you wanted. 

So I was working full time in a call centre alongside shooting 20+ Weddings a year for 4 years. I kept that up until May 2015 when I got in one day and finally broke. I told my boss to fuck himself put on my sunglasses, lit up a cigarette and strolled out like a badass into the sunset... Ok ok I was on my lunch break & called Hannah and told her I was broken, I couldn’t be there any more & she said. “ So quit” & I did...

I needed the fear. & here I am 3 years later shooting 40 Weddings a year & loving every frickin moment. 

Where do you see yourself in 20 years?

Probably in a hole in the ground the way I smoke & eat. haha. Seriously though I don't know or want to know. If we all knew what was at the end of the road then we wouldn't enjoy the journey. I don't want my rotations on this blue marble through space to feel like a commute to the inevitable. I want to feel the wind in my hair, the wheels turning & turn that metaphorical sat nav off. All I hope is that in 20 years I can still feed the cat, the wife & have a quality of life that not many are fortunate enough to have. Above all else I want to still think I'm a good man.

What gear are you currently using?

I use two Nikon D750'S & unusually for a lot of pro photographers only Tamron lenses. The 35mm F1.8 VC & the 85 F1.8 VC. I'm not a massive gear nerd to be honest. I used to be way more tech orientated & always want to have the latest & greatest but now it's the opposite. They're just tools that are there to materialise a vision. I think after a while of doing this they become a bizzare extension of sense & sight. Especially when using just two focal lengths. You begin to see a scene before even lifting a camera. 

The Tamron lenses also get a bit of a bad rep with a lot of peeps who haven't even used them. I'm not a pixel peeper by any stretch. But they have taken a beating, reliably focus, have Vibration compensation for those darker bits of the day & are fuly weather sealed. I've said it before & I'll say it again. The only bad thing about Tamron lenses is they're one letter away from Tampon. 

What advice could you give out to a new starting photographer?

Don't get bogged down with finding your own style early on & worrying that you aren't good enough. Emulate & create & you will find your own voice naturally. There is no point in doing something you love for a living if you are not happy shooting what you shoot. I would also tell them never ever underestimate the amount of work that you have to do to achieve what you want. 

There's a mentality within the industry at the moment where I think people just starting out are looking for fast ways to success. But from the beginning to now 6 years later, have always wanted to be known for working hard, for putting my all into every element of my business, brand & client experience. 

You can be the best photographer in the world but if you don't learn the other strings of the bow you will never succeed. I know photographers who will openly admit they are the worst photographers in the world & don't even care about the creative side. But because they know how to run a business they are successful. There are no short cuts. Yes you can learn from others, get advice & emulate to create. But it's your individual journey, learning, passion & hard work that will build you all that you desire. 

Did the LLF community changed the way you see or shoot weddings, couples etc.?

I have absolutely found inspiration that has transcended into my own work. Sometimes even without knowing. There are some incredible artists within this community & in my opinion it has probably been one of the most fulfilling & motivating groups/online experiences I’ve been a part of. It has given me confidence, faith in my own vision & the drive to not only keep learning but strive to push the boundaries of storytelling.

What plans do you have for 2018?

I plan on building death star 3, hunting the sasquatch & proving without a shadow of a doubt that the Earth is actually a triangle in shape. Other than that it's all weddings, hard work & continuing to learn & grow as a camera toteing finger wizard. I've also been given the awesome chance to speak at the LOOKSLIKEFILM UK Meet Up in my home town of Leeds in March. I can't believe someone has actually let me out of my cave to speak to real life human beings. Oh they are in for a treat haha

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SEE MORE OF RYAN'S WORK

Artist of the Month - Meg Loeks

ARTIST OF THE MONTH - MEG LOEKS

Here we go. It's a new year, our 2017 Artists of the Year have been honored, so it is time now to focus back on our Artists of the Month-features. We are so excited to start this year with the amazing Megan Loeks from Michigan. Are you looking for inspiration in family photography?  Then you should definitely have a look at Meg's beautiful and unique work, which is full of stories and emotions...

How old are you and where are you from?

I’m 33 years old and from a small farming community in West Michigan.

Tell us a little bit about your life in the moment?

I live with my husband and three little boys, ages 2-6, in a remote area of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. I’m a photography instructor through Click Photo School. I recently stopped doing client work to allow for more family time. I spend a good portion of my time outside with my family. That is where I feel most comfortable and grounded. We enjoy hiking and make a point to explore a new area once a week.

How did you end up being a photographer?

I started out shooting film in high school. My favorite part of film was always the developing stage. I loved spending time in the dark room. I switched to digital while in high school after I joined the yearbook staff. It wasn’t until I started having children that I found my voice and developed my style. My children and nature became my greatest inspirations. I’m drawn to lifestyle, environmental portraits and fine art and love to merge the different genres together.

Where do you see yourself in 20 years?

Twenty years from now my children will be grown and forging their own way. I know that there will come a day when they are not my main subjects. I’ve always been drawn to nature and see myself eventually transitioning to more of a landscape photographer. I also hope that in 20 years I’m still actively teaching photography.

What gear are you currently using?

I shoot with a Canon Mark IV. My favorite lenses are the Sigma Art 85mm, Sigma Art 135mm, Canon 35mm 1.4L version ii and Sigma Art 24mm. I also love to occasionally shoot with my Lensbaby Velvet 56mm.

What advice could you give out to a new starting photographer?

I think one thing most photographer’s struggle with at some point in their career is finding their voice. I think it’s important to know that it takes time and that you’re not alone. For some it could take years. Not only that but it’s ever evolving. My advice is to let go and embrace change. Study those who inspire you. Figure out what it is that you love about their work. Incorporate that into your style and make it your own.

We know the photography field is heavily saturated. I guarantee you will only find passion by shooting and producing what you are drawn to, regardless if that is what everyone around you is doing or not.

Did the LLF community changed the way you see or shoot kids, lifestyle etc.?

I have found a lot of incredible artists through the LLF community. That alone has been a huge inspiration. I’ve learned new creative techniques both in how I shoot and in post processing because of the community. Many of the artists I’ve been inspired by don’t even shoot the same genres as I do. I think the diversity is one of the things that makes this community so wonderful.

What plans do you have for 2018?

Some of my personal goals for 2018 are to create a monthly video, take a couple of workshops (one on video) and dabble more in artificial light. Every year I try to take several photography workshops. I always learn something new and I value the CC.

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SEE MORE OF MEG'S WORK

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Artist of the Month - Maryline Rivard

ARTIST OF THE MONTH - MARYLINE RIVARD

This November we would love to present you the amazing artist Maryline Rivard from Canada. Her creative and unique style makes her probably the queen of self-portraits in our LOOKSLIKEFILM community. Beside her inspiring 52-weeks self portrait challenge she shoots couples, kids and weddings as well. It's time for us to get to know her story a little better. 

How old are you and where are you from?

I am 32 years old and come from a small town located in the province of Quebec in Canada. I started my career as a teacher in visual arts and drama but in the course of my studies, I learned film photography. I have been a full time professional photographer for about 1 year and a half now.

Tell us a little bit about your life in the moment?

I live in the countryside in a house surrounded by forest. I don’t like cities, I prefer nature or abandoned places. I devote myself entirely to photography. In my work, I mainly photograph families, weddings, maternities and portraits.

In my personal practice, I am currently doing the 52 week self-portrait challenge for 36 weeks. I create conceptual and surrealistic images in a timeless atmosphere based on fairy tales. I am the heroine in my story so every self-portrait represents a part of my life such as the emotions that I feel, the people I meet, the songs I listen to, etc.

How did you end up being a photographer?

I started photography as a model in 2010 which explains my tendency towards self-portraits. Being very passionate, I became an amateur photographer.  Later, thanks to Facebook, I turned professional which allowed me to make myself known in my area. It takes a lot of discipline, perseverance and hard work but I am an ambitious person. 

Where do you see yourself in 20 years?

I believe that one of the most important things in life is to realize one's dreams and always aiming high, so in 20 years I would like to travel around the world and have an international career.

What gear are you currently using?

I am currently using a Nikon D750 camera and I have three lenses: 35mm F1.8 G ED, 50mm F1.4D and 85mm F1.8 G. I have a soft spot for the vintage rendering of the D range lenses which is why I recently bought a 24 mm F2.8 D. I only work in natural light and therefore do not use any flash.

What advice could you give out to a new starting photographer?

The greatest advice I could give to a new photographer is that you should never compare your work to that of others. Each person’s journey is unique and we all have to start somewhere. Photography is a complex field and there are many things to learn; I am still learning every day! You have to be patient and persevere in your practice and especially not be afraid to take risks!

Did the LLF community changed the way you see or shoot portraits, lifestyle etc.?

When I discovered the LLF community, it changed my way of looking at photography. All these talented photographers have the same taste as me and the same way of looking at photography. I started using VSCO presets and finally got the result I wanted in my editing. For the first time in 5 years, I was satisfied with the final rendering of my photos.

When I had my first “Choo Choo”, I was filled with pride. I felt recognized by my peers and it gave me a lot of confidence and motivation! I love the LLF community; it has given me a lot assurances in my practice with all the likes and comments on my photos as with the beautiful images that I see every day that inspire me!

What plans do you have for this year/next year?

In the next year, I will exhibit a selection of my self-portraits at the end of my 52 week self-portrait challenge in April 2018. I am also working on a project to publish a book with the 52 photos. I feel sad that this project is coming to an end but am planning for a possibility of maybe doing a 365-day self-portrait challenge which remains to be seen!

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SEE MORE OF HER WORK

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