Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Mathis.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Ryan. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Before anything, I always wanted to play basketball, but after middle school my knees were starting to wear out and I lost the love for it. Fast forward to eleventh grade, I stopped playing basketball and I didn’t know what to do. My mom told me there was an old camera in her room that needed to be fixed (it wasn’t charged) next thing you know I fell in love with it. I started watching YouTube videos and I got help from a bigger photographer, Drayton, he taught me everything I know. Not even a year in, I’m making $400 a month off videos alone for two clients I couldn’t be in a better place.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Most definitely hasn’t been smooth. The cost of camera equipment was a little discouraging, but since my mom saw that I loved it so much and that I was getting better, she got me a new camera. Another obstacle that was in my way was not having transportation. I would either ask my clients for a ride, ask my parents, or I’ll have to decline them which hurt, not because of the money but because I would have a lot of creative ideas. The last major obstacle is corona. I know it’s a major obstacle for everyone, and the way corona impacted me was that I had to deny more people due to the fact that my studio is closed.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Ryan Productions story. Tell us more about the business.
Ryan Productions is a photography/videography company that does studio shoots, weddings, big events, proms, birthdays, maternity, etc. I’m most proud of learning and growing quickly, I’m not even a year in but because of the people I surrounded myself with they helped and supported me which made me want to push even harder to grow. What sets me apart from others is that I’m so young. Most of the time when I go with Drayton to large events, I’m always the youngest, it catches people off guard because they’re all five plus years older than me.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I’m most definitely lucky that my sister knew my photography teacher in high school. Without him I wouldn’t even know how to touch up skin or get the lighting right, he also has been generous enough to give me some of him older equipment and helped me set up my studio. So I’m extremely lucky to have him in my corner. Also, I’m lucky to have supportive family and friends because without them, this would’ve been a business today.
Pricing:
- On-location photo shoots: $75
- Birthday photoshoot: $50
- Event: $70
- Headshots: $25
- Video shoots: $50
Contact Info:
- Website: https://fryanmathis.wixsite.com/ryan-productions
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yeah._ryan/?utm_source=ig_embed
Image Credit:
Ryan Mathis
Suggest a story: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
