Ryan Watkins Photography specializes in portrait and wedding photography catering to Clare, Midland, and Mt Pleasant, Michigan. Ready to travel!
I grew up in Clare, Michigan where my love of photography began. I started taking wildlife and nature photographs in late middle school. My photographs were published in several magazines including Audubon, Shutterbug, Digital Photo, Outdoor Photographer, and Photographer’s Forum before I graduated high school.
In August 2012 I moved to Greenfield, Massachusetts and started my studies at the Hallmark Institute of Photography. I studied under celebrity portrait photographer Gregory Heisler, fashion photographer David Turner, and several other distinguished professors. I graduated with the highest overall grades in my class and received the Highest Academic Honor.
After graduating from the Hallmark Institute of Photography I moved back to Clare, Michigan. I ran my photography business full time until late 2019. In 2020 and 2021 I worked as a direct care worker. Post-pandemic I now work part-time as a janitor in addition to running my photography business.
I was voted “most chill” by my peers at the Hallmark Institute of Photography. I’m a deacon in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, President of the Clare Jaycees, and volunteer as a photographer with Royal Family KIDS camp. My main hobbies are reading and working out. Lastly I was creator and admin of the Michigan Photography Network Facebook group from 2017-early 2024.
Publications
10s
World of Photography Volume 1 2011
Audubon January/February 2011
Shutterbug February 2011
Digital Photo April 2011
Nature’s Best Photography Summer 2011
Outdoor Photographer March 2012
PDNedu Spring 2012
Photographer’s Forum 2012
World of Photography Volume 2 2012
Mid Michigan Business and Visitors Guide 2014
Hallmark Institute of Photography Catalog 2014/2015
Jewish Museum Berlin Obedience Opening Guide 2015
Capu the Capuchin Goes to the Monkey College Book 2016
Isabella and Gratiot County Phone Guide 2017-2018
Dreamy Magazine Issue #57 2019
Chase Engel and the Night Shift Self Titled Album Back Cover 2019
Review Magazine, 100 Percent Rock Magazine, and Skope Magazine - Chase Engel and the Night Shift Interviews 2019
20s
VoyageMichgian - Chelsea Olsen Interview April 2022
Bold and Beautiful Magazine Issue 321 May 2022
Envyd Magazine Issue 3 June 2022
Legendary Model Magazine Issue #73 Models in Blue June 2022
Stellar Exposure No. 71 Models June 2022
Envyd Magazine Issue 4 June 2022
Voyage Michigan Magazine Daily Inspiration: Meet Ryan Watkins September 2022
Chase Engel and The Night Shift Hyde Album Cover October 2022
Dreamy Magazine Issue #511 November 2022
Gallery Openings
515 Gallery, Clare, Michigan - Multiple Shows 2011-2019
Mid Michigan Healing Arts Gallery, Midland Michigan - 2015
Art Reach of Mid Michigan, Mt Pleasant, Michigan - 2017
University Art Gallery, Mt Pleasant, Michigan - 2022