Ryan is trusted by clients, couples, and industry professionals alike, with a reputation for professionalism, attention to detail, and technical mastery of their craft. They have a wealth of knowledge and experience to draw from in any situation or scenario they find themself photographing. Ryan’s exceptional eye and unique ability to fade into the background at events allows them to document every moment, every detail, every interaction; imbuing imagery with feeling and authenticity. 

Drawing influence from classical and abstract expressionist painting, as well as analogue fine art photography, Ryan blends candid, moment-driven documentary storytelling with a sophisticated, fine art approach to editorial portraiture. Creating exquisitely curated artful imagery with elegance and panache, and an emotional resonance that stands the test of time. A visual celebration of the unscripted, joyful moments, of love and laughter, and the memories you’ll cherish for a lifetime.

Ryan’s personal work has taken them throughout the diverse neighborhoods of Chicago, around the Midwest, as well as to Ireland, Guatemala, the Pacific Northwest, and the gulf coast of Mississippi in the weeks following Hurricane Katrina. Their fine-art work is in the permanent collection at the C-Spaces Gallery at Columbia College Chicago and in the Columbia College Photography Department.   

Ryan Clarke, (they/them), Fine Art Image-Maker and Event photographer, studied photography at Columbia College Chicago, with a focus on both analogue and digital image-making, graduating with a Bachelors of Fine Arts degree in Photography.

Upon finishing their formal education, Ryan trained under the tutelage of one of Chicago’s best wedding photojournalists, working their way up to a senior associate photographer position while photographing high-end weddings and events around Chicagoland.