Meet Michael Ryan Clark | Filmmaker & Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Michael Ryan Clark and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michael Ryan, how do you think about risk?
Risk taking has always been a fundamental aspect of my life and career. The words of George Addair really resonated with me when he said that “”Everything you’ve ever wanted is on the other side of fear.” When I was younger, the idea of creating the exact life I imagined seemed too scary. Sure I could imagine myself traveling, taking photographs, creating films, and storytelling, but it almost seemed too far fetched to believe that it was even possible. After I finished my first semester of student teaching however, I realized that I couldn’t live a life of quiet desperation. I took a leap of faith, built out a van, and lived a nomadic lifestyle for years, all grounded in the faith that I could create the life I wanted. That risk has defined my life, and given me the exact life I wanted.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The proudest moments of my career are those that result in impacting communities, telling stories for things that matter, and making connections with people from totally different places than those I came from. I am extremely lucky for the trust that has been placed in me by the Haida and Tlingit community of Prince of Wales, Alaska. Their acceptance of me into their lives, and their inclusion of me in their strategies to fight for their ancestral homelands, rights, and way of life is the greatest honor of my life.

I don’t think being a filmmaker and photographer is easy for anyone who chooses this path, and there simply is no blueprint. My path is defined by trying new things, not succeeding, and trying again. I devoted my life to this career, and I was willing to take on any challenge to carve out the exact life I wanted. People know it is a difficult path because it takes a lot of hard work, but the truly difficult part is when your financial situation for years is one where you cannot give your partner the financial security they may be looking for, when you can’t be there for important dates because you’re in the jungle for months, taking loans from friends and family, and letting go of relationships because you understand that the life you’re creating for yourself is not the one that fits in with the people you love. I don’t think this is talked about enough, or how beautiful it is when you come to someone asking for help, and you can see the love in their eyes and countenance, because they see how much it means to you. Being able to succeed for myself, but also for them, it’s not something that’s talked about much, but it’s an important part of the journey. What are you willing to give up to re-create yourself and achieve the life you want? I owe a lot to the people that surround me, and I suppose the greatest lesson there is that even though I “achieved my dreams” that the patient and beautiful people in my life are why I am here.

I suppose the greatest thing I could impart about my story is that if your intentions are true, you regularly take a step back to observe these intentions, and you surround yourself with people that love you, then the world is yours.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Denver, in my opinion, is the best city for urban wildlife in the country. As someone who’s passion is filming wildlife, I would naturally show them why this city is so great for it! Spending a couple days in Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge affords you the ability to hang out with bison, prairie dogs, coyotes, eagles and more only twenty minutes from downtown Denver. Next, I would take them to Waterton Canyon, where I have personally filmed massive bighorn sheep battling, and where it is easy to see beautiful trout feeding in the shallows. No trip to Denver would be complete for me without hitting a hike or two in the front range. I am partial to the trails near Golden, and more specifically near Buffalo Bill’s gravesite where massive elk can sometimes be seen battling near bison lounging on the mountain side. I don’t eat out much, but if I had one sandwich to pack for all these adventures it would definitely be from Snarf’s in downtown Denver.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
In chasing this career, It is nearly impossible to do it on one’s own. I would like to thank my family for their support and acceptance, as well as the Chris Burkard Studio for their guidance in my internship. I would also like to thank everyone that lended me an umbrella in the rain, pointed me in the direction of the nearest hostel, or met me with kindness in my travels. All of those little gestures of kindness allowed me to achieve my goals, and it wouldn’t be the same without them.

Website: michaelryanclark.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelryanclark/

Linkedin:     https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-clark-a1ba04186/