Daily Inspiration: Meet Ruzin Cunningham

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ruzin Cunningham.

Hi Ruzin, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My path into photography wasn’t linear. It was shaped by curiosity, culture, and a deep pull toward storytelling.

I grew up surrounded by big celebrations, layered traditions, and people who weren’t afraid of emotion. Weddings, family gatherings, rituals, they were never just events in my family, they were living archives of connection. That perspective stayed with me long before I ever picked up a camera. I grew up in a conservative Indian household where you either become a doctor or an engineer and never pursued arts as a career. So I never thought it would photography would become my job.

Photography kind of fell into my lap when my daughter was born. I was gifted a camera by a friend to take photos of my then newborn child and it grew into something way more than that. I started photographing families for very little money. My first year I held Christmas mini sessions for the cheapest price and was booked 4 days solid which is when I thought I could actually make it into a career.

What began as photographing friends and small moments slowly turned into documenting weddings, and eventually became a business I poured myself fully into. Over time, I realized that what set my work apart wasn’t just aesthetics, but the way I move through a wedding day, observant, intentional, and deeply respectful of the people and cultures I’m photographing.

As my career grew, so did my desire to push beyond the traditional. I began traveling, photographing destination weddings, collaborating with planners and creatives, and eventually hosting styled shoots and creative retreats for other photographers. Teaching and creating space for others to grow became a natural extension of my work, a way to give back to an industry that shaped me.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not at all. Like most creative paths, it’s been layered with uncertainty, self-doubt, and a lot of learning in real time.

One of the biggest challenges was learning how to treat something deeply personal as a business. Photography started as an instinctive, emotional practice for me, so navigating pricing, boundaries, and sustainability didn’t come naturally at first. I had to learn how to value my work without disconnecting from the heart of why I do it.

There were also periods of comparison and imposter syndrome, especially in an industry that can feel very loud and trend-driven. It took time to stop chasing what was popular and instead trust my own perspective and background as a strength rather than something that made me different. Photography industry can also be very isolating & competitive and it can be hard to connect with others and have a community.

Looking back, the lack of a smooth road is what gave me clarity. Every challenge pushed me to align more deeply with my values, my boundaries, and the kind of work and community I want to be part of.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
At its core, my work is about documenting weddings in a way that feels honest, layered, and deeply personal. I specialize in wedding photography and films, with a focus on destination and multicultural celebrations, where tradition, emotion, and design all intersect.

I’m known for blending a documentary approach with a refined visual sensibility, capturing things as they unfold while being highly intentional about composition, light, and detail. My goal is always for the images to feel lived-in rather than overly produced, while still feeling timeless.

What I’m most proud of is the trust my clients place in me. Many of them tell me they felt truly seen, not just photographed, and that means more to me than any specific aesthetic or trend. I’m also proud of the creative spaces I’ve built beyond client work, including styled shoots and retreats that bring photographers together to learn, experiment, and grow in a way that feels supportive rather than competitive.

What sets me apart is the way my background and lived experience inform how I work. Growing up immersed in rich cultural traditions has given me a deep sensitivity to nuance, family dynamics, and ceremony. I approach each wedding with curiosity and respect, understanding that these moments carry meaning far beyond the surface. I don’t try to fit stories into a formula, I let them unfold as they are.

Ultimately, my work is about legacy. I’m creating images and films that hold emotional weight, that age well, and that families return to years from now. Not just for how they look, but for how they feel.

Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
If there’s one thing I’d share, it’s that creative paths don’t need to be linear to be meaningful. Trusting your instincts, allowing yourself to evolve, and building community along the way has shaped everything I do. The work that lasts, in art and in life, is always rooted in honesty.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ruzincunningham.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ruzincweddings

Image Credits
All the photos were taken by me!