Meet Larry Renner | Photographer

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

Hi Larry, why did you pursue a creative career?
Throughout my life I always loved to experience photographs and never missed the chance to pick-up coffee table photography books wherever possible. My professional life was in corporate America in varied leadership roles in the financial service industry which is what enabled me to visit the Denver area often. Whilst there were so many intellectual and business problem solving opportunities there was a larger part of me living an unsatisfied existence. My move to photography was in part due to this lack creativity in the corporate world but by far the biggest push to photography came from the sudden, unexpected loss of my first wife.  Her passing left me as a father with a four year old boy, five year old girl and eight year old boy and an infinite amount of grief to try to come to terms with. All of these life changes along with other loss catapulted me to look inward to seek some kind of solace and ways to manage my feelings. Photography became an outlet for me to express myself in ways I was unable to with my words.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My photography story began at a place of profound grief with the passing of my first wife with photography being an important part a healing journey for me. My first focus in photography was landscapes and then I added the pursuit of abandoned places to my interest. I stayed in these spaces for a few years and then pursued what I had always wanted to photograph which was people. I’m now primarily portrait photographer which can include agency models, maternity, weddings and fitness professionals. As any photographer will agree, the challenges of learning how a camera operates in light and shadow is one thing but the greatest challenge is to capture the moment that will reflect a story of possibilities to whomever sees the photograph. The greatest joy and pride comes when you and the person you are photographing connect in that moment you press the shutter button. It’s really one the best feelings possible.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
The first place that jumps to mind to visit is the Denver Union Station as it’s just such a fascination place of the old intersecting with the new. I just love everything about Union Station and it’s photographers paradise!! Outside of the city two of my most favorite places are Estes Park and Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Both are two of my favorite places I’ve ever visited throughout all of my travels.

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?
After the unexpected passing of my first wife JoAnn I eventually met Melissa and we married. I always say that without JoAnn making me the man I was at that time that Melissa would never have even been interested in me. Without Melissa nothing, not one thing I’ve done in my photography would have ever been possible. She’s given me the freedom and incomparable encouragement to wander through my photography journey so without her there just could not have been this passion for photography.

Website: larryrennerphotography.com

Instagram: @larryrenner

Image Credits
Model: Bethany Berry Stylist: Chelsea Arhavens Studio: Mill Street Studios