Meet Brandt Ryder | Landscape Photographer & Conservationist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Brandt Ryder and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brandt, what is the most important factor behind your success?
Perspective. I think so much of my success in photography is because of perspective. Photography is about showing the world through your own personal lens. Seeking unique perspectives that others haven’t seen helps draw them in and create a personal connection with your work. Im always looking for something new and fresh when Im out shooting and to show people common things in new ways. I often do this by marrying natural elements of the landscape (like flowers) with the night sky. Many of us feel connected to the natural world and by bridging these elements together I have generated lots of interest in my brand and praise for my work.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
While Im not a full time artist it is what fill my cup and gives me great satisfaction. I have devoted immense amounts of time to my craft and it is one of the few things that truly makes me proud. I have always been a dreamer. Someone who believed that anything was possible with imagination, determination, and planning. Picking up a Sony camera in 2017 was a transformative experience. I had been in slump professionally, unhappy with my career trajectory as a PhD scientist. Photography provided the perfect outlet for the analytical left side of my brain- it was a repeatable process with which I could experiment and continually learn through trial and error. Yet as my skill evolved, I began to see this unique dimensionality, this possibility that photography could fill a void in the right side of my brain. I had always had a desire to create but I had never truly created. Photography opened a whole new part of myself. It allowed me to transcend the lateralization of my brain and create balance. As I learn and grow I am always seeking new challenges, always aiming to take my photography to the next level. I have always done this with a singular goal- to produce images that tell compelling stories, inspire people, and create a lasting emotional impact.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Colorado has so much to offer and how I might plan an itinerary would largely depend on the time of year. I think there are so many must see things in the state. I’d probably start with some national park highlights including Rocky Mountain National Park and Great Sand Dunes. From there I’d likely head further west into the mountains and the West slope visiting the iconic Crested Butte and the San Juan Mountains. I would of course focus on outdoor experiences and want them to soak in the beauty of our mountains and if it was summer showing off the wildflowers.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
When I think about support it always starts with family. My wife, daughter and parents have always been incredibly supportive of my passion, commitment and drive in all elements of my professional life. They show so much unconditional love and encouragement that have driven my success in so many ways. I also think community is really really important. In all professional fields it’s easy to have ups and downs. In these tough times it tend to be the people around you who carry you through. That can be co-workers and friends but having this strong community makes a world of difference. There’s a really strong photography community here in Colorado that has been hugely supportive of me and my work in good times and bad. Those little words of encouragement and gratitude are often enough to keep you going through tough times.

Website: https://www.elementalearthimages.com

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

Image Credits
copyright Brandt Ryder Photography