Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryleigh Falls.
Ryleigh, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Ever since I was a little girl, I always had a creative outlook on life. Whether it was through arts and crafts, school projects, or digital design, I was consistently eager to express my creativity in every way I got the chance to. My friends and I used to have our own photoshoots with our iPhones – in parking garages, open fields, cities, you name it! Then one random day in college, I decided to borrow my mom’s old DSLR camera. From that point forward, I fell in love with being behind the lens. Having the ability to freeze precious moments in time amazed me, and I wanted everyone to experience the joy of a beautiful photograph. I began doing free photoshoots for family and friends to build my portfolio – the next thing I knew, I had people messaging me to book. Two years later, I have gratefully retired the original DSLR and am spending every weekend directing couples, seniors, and families in front of my lens. It is such a joyful experience every time I get to capture another milestone or story!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I have definitely faced some challenges through my journey, however I choose to view challenges as opportunities for growth. One of my greatest struggles was finding my own photography style rather than comparing my work to others. I would often find myself thinking I wasn’t good enough, or didn’t have enough clients – when in reality, I was exactly where I needed to be. Creativity cannot be rushed nor compared, as each piece is uniquely its own. One of my favorite quotes says “May the flowers remind us why the rain was necessary,” which is a great reminder of how the challenges I faced in the past made me who I am now!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a photographer in the Upstate specializing in lifestyle, seniors, and families. I love to capture stillness in movement, consistently incorporating laughs and action through each pose. During a shoot, you will rarely find me standing still! I am constantly fixing hair, smoothing out wrinkles, and making sure you’re feeling the most confident. Outside of posed photoshoots, you can find me at my family’s rodeo arena, Buck’s Barn, snapping photos of the contestants. Something I am most proud of is the amount of time and effort I put into each session. I manually cull each album (no AI around here!), touch each individual photo, and deliver each gallery with a specialized message. I take pride in the connections I build with my clients. Whether it’s a newly engaged couple, a senior graduating, or a mother-to-be, I find comfort in learning their story and building a lifetime rapport.
How do you think about luck?
Luck has always been my best friend with my photoshoots. Whether it be a last-minute weather forecast change or a quickly-cleared traffic jam on I-85, I have always seemed to luck out. Fun fact, I once drove 45 minutes to a shoot and it down-poured the entire way. When I pulled into the parking lot and started to get my rain gear together, the rain stopped and the sun peaked out. Throughout the entire one-hour session, we didn’t have a drop. It was a miracle!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ryleighaphoto.mypixieset.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryleighaphoto/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ryleighaphoto/
