Perception Magazine

Several months ago, I was approached by the folks behind PERCEPTION Magazine to provide some photography for the inaugural issue of the magazine. So over the past few months, I've had the pleasure of working with a top-secret group (ok I made that last part up) of amazingly creative individuals (that part I did not make up) as a brand new magazine that celebrates creativity was...well...created.


The wait is nearly over, and it will be well worth it. The first issue is at press right now and will hit the stands shortly, but in the meantime head on over to the PERCEPTION facebook page to get more information on the magazine and the latest updates.
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Goodbye 2010 (Hello 2011) - Rockford Wedding Portrait Event Photographer

2010 has been a whirlwind year for me - both professionally and personally. When the year started my son Felix was not yet even a month old, and I had just embarked on my latest adventure as work-from-home dad. It's been a busy year juggling everything, but honestly for the most part it's been a blast. Sure it may get waaaaaaaay too busy at times, but the perks are great. I mean, I get to play with cameras and my kid all day long. And what other job would let me conduct morning meetings with my "intern" in our pajamas as we watch cartoons? On another note, I managed to make it through all of 2010 without getting peed on once (although sadly, I cannot say the same for being puked on). That may not seem like much, but to me it was no small accomplishment since I had never changed a diaper in my life before Dec 4, 2009.

2011 is already shaping up to be an even brighter and busier year, especially now that Felix is mobile! Here's hoping you didn't get peed on in 2010 - figuratively or literally -buy hey, if you did...here's to putting 2010 the rearview mirror and never looking back.

What a difference a day makes. On New Year's Day 2011, it was a full 50 degrees colder than the previous day (w/ wind chill). Nevertheless, I ventured out into the cold to catch a quick glimpse of the sunrise over downtown Rockford on New Year's Day 2011, and I'm glad I did. Took some very brief time-lapse photographs of the sunrise before it disappeared behind the clouds, and the wind drove me back indoors. Click on the photo below to view the time-lapse video.

Music track is from "Beautiful World" by Colin Hay

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Happy Holidays from Ryan Davis Photography - Rockford Portrait Wedding Photographer

Last year around this time a new member - our son Felix - joined our family. And since I am a photographer who primarily works from home, that means Felix also joined the Ryan Davis Photography team as an unpaid intern! It has been an amazing year watching and participating as he grows, learns new things, and explores the ever-expanding world around him each day. Sure, I've spent a lot of time over the past year dodging various bodily fluids and playing "What's That Smell", but hey, after a while you get numb to all that. Plus, he's given both Jen and I the excuse to act more like kids (although she will be the first to tell you that I was doing just fine in that department all on my own, so in my case act like more of an adult...love ya Jen), and the opportunity to act more like "gown ups" at the same time. And when I'm out in public I can sing at the top of my lungs or talk to myself without anyone batting an eye. Not to mention, he's very accommodating when I need someone to photograph, ha.

Anyway, Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, and all that good stuff to all of you from Felix, Jen, Tucker, and me! I hope your year has been as good as ours.

Also...when your son is named Felix, it's pretty easy to have a running Christmas photo theme. Here's last year's photo as well in case you missed it.

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Laura & Josh's Engagement Photos In Belvidere, IL - Rockford Wedding Photographer

I'm way behind on blogging, but that's mainly because I've been so busy shooting, so in that respect it's kind of great to be a bit behind! The winters here in the Rockford area may be excruciatingly long, but man oh man out oh-so-short autumn season makes it all worth while.

A few weeks back, I had a chance to take Laura and Josh's engagement photos. It was an extremely fun shoot that started with the gorgeous fall colors of Belvidere Park and ended at a top secret abandoned barn. Ok...I might reveal the location if you ask nicely.

Anyway, here's a quick peek at our shoot.

Laura and Josh are a blast, and I can't wait to see the party that breaks out at their wedding next fall!

More photos at www.ryandavisphotography.com

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Fall Photo sessions | Rockford IL Photographer

It may have still felt like summer for the past week, but fall has indeed arrived here in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. In fact the air this morning is starting to turn crisp, and that means the fantastic fall colors won't be far behind.

It's a perfect time of the year for some outdoor portraits, whether it's photos of the kids, the whole family, the pets, or just beautiful ol' you. Those gorgeous autumn colors provide the perfect scene for some spectacular photos. So why have your family portraits taken in some studio with a pumpkin and a hay bale when we have such an amazing backdrop outdoors during this all-to-brief season? Besides...you know you wanna play in the leaves.

My available shooting times are filling up fast, but book your session before the end of September and receive 50% your sitting fee by mentioning this blog post. Contact me at ryandavisphotography@gmail.com or call 815.988.1593 to check availability. Act quickly though...in two short months we'll all be begging for summer.

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Weathered & Worn - Two days left to bid! | Rockford IL Photographer

There's just two short days left to see the Weathered & Worn photography exhibit at Rockford's own Burpee Museum , showcasing photographs by me, Jason Ommodt, and John Parli.

The exhibit features a variety of time ravaged places and things, from broken down buildings to old rusty cars, and every photo in the exhibit is for sale via a silent auction, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Burpee's children's educational programs.

You can even place a bid online, or to check to see if you're the current high bidder, by visiting our online bid sheet.

Thanks to all of you who have bid so far!
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Dora & Henry | Rockford IL Wedding Photography

From the moment we heard that Dora and Henry would be married in Rockford's crown jewel, The Coronado Theater, I think we were nearly as excited for their wedding as Dora and Henry were! As it turns out, the Coronado was the perfect location to match the elegance of Dora in her wedding gown (and her evening gown as well).



Great location aside, it was the fantastic people that truly made the wedding a night to remember for all involved. Time flies when you're having fun, in fact it was one of the shortest 14 hour days we have ever worked.:) Here's a very quick peek at their wedding day.








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