About Me

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I’m Ryan Oelkers, a Communications and Media Studies major with a minor in Photography at Plymouth State University, graduating in 2027. I grew up around cameras, thanks to my dad, who never missed an excuse to document life, and that early exposure stuck with me. What started as curiosity turned into a genuine interest in visual storytelling, especially photography that captures real moments, energy, and atmosphere. My academic work focuses on media, culture, and storytelling, while my hands-on experience, from shooting events to working long days as a lift operator at Loon Mountain, has shaped how I see movement, environment, and people in action. 

I love photography that feels lived-in and honest. Candid moments, strong lighting, texture, and motion matter more to me than anything overly staged. I’m drawn to fashion, editorial visuals, music, and youth culture, outdoor environments, and anything that tells a story without needing words. I’m inspired by magazines, street photography, old-school editorial layouts, and the kind of visuals that feel effortless but intentional. Outside of shooting, I’m usually listening to music, thinking about design and media trends, or chasing creative ideas that push me to see things a little differently.