Ryan Brenizer Photography

It’s utterly confusing to me why Ryan has so few reviews, when he arguably shoots more weddings per year than almost any other photographer. Apparently he recently had a stretch where he shot weddings 5 days in a row! Perhaps his portfolio speaks for itself, but regardless his amazing work at our wedding deserves a review.
We had originally considered going with a more budget-​friendly photographer, but then quickly realized from talking to others that things happen super fast on your wedding day, and things never go exactly as planned. Ryan bills himself as a problem-​solver, and hiring someone as experienced as him made us breathe easy that all the important stuff would be documented, in focus, and that we would have great photos no matter what weather or fortune would bring. Ryan and his team were absolutely worth it!
Not only did he manage to capture all our requested moments and images, there were so many creative and imaginative shots that really took advantage of a somewhat difficult location. Our ceremony was in a dark theater with tricky lighting and our first look and couple photos were taken in NYC –teeming with people, city life, and yes, graffiti and garbage. Regardless, Ryan was able to take many awesome photos that captured the intimate feelings of the day, and there were several very original, editorial shots that didn’t look like everyone else’s wedding photos. I’m so glad he didn’t ask me to take one of those «bride parting the hotel window curtain» photos.
Best of all, he was able to do most of it pretty unobtrusively. We had great fun looking through the photos and remarking «wow, it’s great he captured that. We had no idea he was there.» Of course, he does make you pose from time to time, but when he does, he usually has an specific idea in mind, and it often results in one of those fabulous editorial shots worthy of a magazine spread!
I had no idea initially who Ryan Brenizer was in the photography world, how he has a specific technique named after him, that he was a presidential photographer, that he was so in demand. I am certainly a fan now. We marvel that he was actually available for our wedding date — better book now before it’s too late!

After hours of searching through photography and wedding blogs, we came across a few we really liked. We were living in SF, but getting married in Philly, so we wanted someone somewhat local. We compared prices and then set up video conferences with several photographers. Ryan stood out during the interview. He was really genuine and he really does make your day special by not charging for all the little things like only having 8 hours then charging you extra if it goes over during the day. He was unlimited which was GREAT for us since we were starting early in the day with the tea ceremony then reception ending at midnight. They do have the break in the middle of the day, but some photographers may count that period.
We flew into NYC and did an engagement shoot throughout NYC. We started at Chelsea Market and he used the space and lighting to his advantage. He would bring us to an area and let us do whatever we wanted. But he would also give us some suggestions and instead of telling us what to do, he would come up with a little anecdote of how would you feel (ex. show me how wine makes you feel). Although the day was super humid, he had no complaints. Then we sat down after the shoot and talked about what we liked and what was important to us for the wedding day.
He and his assistant arrived early to our tea ceremony and immediately got down to business. They were on top, on the bottom, far and near for every shot. They really captured the emotions everyone had that day. He and assistant did GREAT work and I am so lucky to have them shoot my wedding day.
They put on a short slideshow that evening and the guests were crowding around the laptop mesmerized. My bridesmaids would squeal at their favorites. I barely saw them sit down for some food actually.

I don’t understand why I’m the first person reviewing Ryan Brenizer. What, he’s so good that he doesn’t even need reviews? These are big shoes to fill, but I’m going to try.
Here is my Ryan Brenizer Top 10 List:
1. I was planning a wedding in NYC while I was living in LA. This meant a lot of phone and Skype interviews. Ryan was the only person I gelled with. He was sort of shy and awkward and funny and real. He wasn’t schmoozy. He wasn’t telling me what I wanted to hear. This is everyone’s fear when planning a wedding – getting scammed somehow. With Ryan, you have the sense that what you see is what you get.
2. And he can show you mountains of evidence that prove this. Just check out his Facebook page, his Twitter, his Instagram, or his website. I regularly STILL stalk him on all of these forms of social media because his pictures are THAT compelling. He shoots presidents. Um, he *photographs* presidents. And models. And landscapes. And you, he can photograph your wedding, which is pretty rad once you realize he’s trusted to take Obama pics.
3. We contacted Ryan on the recommendation from another photographer who was booked for our date. She said he was one of only TWO photographers in the country she would let photograph her own wedding. Because the budget we had to work with was a little lower than Ryan’s normal fee and we contacted him through the other photographer, he honored the budget we had quoted to her. So upstanding.
4. He quoted an absurdly low price for the photobooth set up that others had quoted us up to 3x more for. When I told him that he could charge a bunch more, his reply was, «I know. But I want to price it low because I want people to have it. I think it’s a good idea.»
5. He has a photojournalistic style, which means he will craft the story of your wedding through pictures, without posing you or being obtrusive. I didn’t even notice he was there at the reception. All of the moments that stood out to me as truly significant, he captured. He’s also your third, fourth, and fifth set of eyes, capturing the things you didn’t know were happening – those funny, unscripted, natural moments that you’ll be glad you have on film.
6. He really gets to know his couples. If you take a look at his blog, you can see that he writes up a paragraph about each couple he features. You get a sense that he’s emotionally engaged and present at your wedding; he’s not just there plodding through his job in an obligatory way. His energy is excited and connected.
7. He doesn’t place time constraints on you the way other photographers do. He’s not walking out at 11, just because your contracted hours are up. He’s there to finish the job. You also get Ryan + an assistant, so they cover a lot of ground.
8. You won’t have to wait eons to see your photos. He edits some that very night and tosses up a slideshow of 20 – 50 photos within a day of your wedding. You get a link to all of your photobooth pics basically immediately. You get a link to Ryan’s picks within a week of the wedding (I think this was the timeframe). Then you get the whole shabang, carefully edited and touched up. Ryan provides all of the files on a jump drive, easily sorted into folders, in both black and white and color.
9. Ryan is a true artist. The photos he takes are spectacular and awe-​inspiring.
10. When scheduling, handling logistics, or selecting photos for your album, you work with Wendy, Ryan’s assistant. This means you never wait long for an e-​mail reply or an answer to a query. Ryan’s whole operation is professional and well run.
I know it’s tempting to skimp on the pictures, but don’t skimp on the pictures. The flowers? The place cards? The wedding favors? These are the things that go largely unnoticed and unappreciated. But your pictures are forever. They are what will help you re-​craft the day and re-​imagine it in your mind. They are what you will show your grandkids. Treat yourself well, and do yourself the favor of splurging a little on one of the best wedding photographers in the world. Are you better than Obama? Don’t answer that.