Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ryan Plummer. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Ryan, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Before we talk about all of your success, let’s start with a story of failure. Can you open up about a time when you’ve failed?

I wanted to be a sports photographer and decided to live and work in Australia. I had a very clear vision. I had saved and saved to buy the right gear. I was in the right place. Now it was a matter of making the contacts. I was bold and determined, so much so that I snuck into a professional rugby game. Not long into the game I was singled out and asked for my accreditation, which I did not have. Since I was already there, I was simply asked to spend the rest of the game on the opposite sideline. While photographing there, I struck up a conversation with another shooter eventually asking “If I were looking for work, who should I talk to?” He pointed to a photographer across the field. After the game I introduced myself and presented a business card. A week later I met with him and was shooting a trial game at one of the biggest sporting venues in the country. Based on that performance, I was hired on full-time. I was over the moon. Had I really accomplished exactly what I had set out to do? This was the perfect job at the time with great pay and an experienced boss and mentor.

Sadly, within a few weeks of this accomplishment, it all came crashing down. While shooting a game I had a piece of vital equipment break down. Rather than passing that information on or finding a replacement, I thought I could complete the job without it. I was wrong and was unable to capture some very specific shots that had been requested by the client. I was summarily fired. I was gutted. I went from the highest high to the lowest low in a very short period of time. I recall being told that “if the gate is locked a good photographer will always find a way in” meaning: you always need to get the shots no matter what.

This is the only job I have ever been fired from. It is the most important photo job that I have ever had. It taught me so much in terms of knowledge, preparedness, not being afraid to ask for help or say you don’t know something. The truth is, I had bitten off more than I could chew and the learning curve was a little too steep as I was transitioning from analog to a newly emerging digital world.

Recollecting all of this now and writing about it still stings to this day but it has been worth noting as I made sure to learn as much as I could from that experience. I think about it everyday and every time I step on set to shoot….get the shots.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

A graduate from the Emily Carr University of Art and Design I have been working professionally as a Photographer for more than twenty years. I currently specialize in Unit, Gallery and Environmental Portrait photography for the film and television industry.

Early on in my career I was focussed on sports photography and news/wire work. I was always interested in and studied Photojournalism. I have been heavily influenced by the photography that emerged from the Vietnam War paying particular attention to the work of Don McCullin.

Over my career I’ve accumulated numerous skills and versatility as a result of embracing many photographic disciplines. This range of work assisted greatly in making me the well rounded, versatile and skilled photographer that I am today.

My passion for photography took me overseas where I had lived and worked as a photographer in both Australia and Southeast Asia. It was in Cambodia that I had a major breakthrough with work shooting editorial, portraiture, sports and lifestyle working for a magazine. It was here that I first set foot onto a film set. I had photographed the German film director Detlev Buck for a magazine article who was location scouting for an upcoming film. When he returned months later to shoot the film, I was subsequently hired as the Unit Photographer. This experience opened my eyes to the dynamic and energetic atmosphere that surrounds filmmaking and from that moment on, I was hooked!

I continue to grow, develop and make my mark through my personal documentary projects. These passion projects allow me to explore my creativity and showcase my unique perspectives. I delve into topics close to my heart telling compelling stories that resonate with a range of audiences.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

With an education in Fine Art I have always thought of myself as an artist first. Working with or combining multiple disciplines and not just limiting myself to a two dimensional image has always appealed to me.

The goal in my career has always been to publish my work with subsequent exhibitions.
Seeing your work in print or enlarged or as projections or in any number of different formats can mean so much today when we spend so much of our time working from and on screens.

I am currently working towards the publication of my first photographic book. Over six years, I have photographed and documented the lives of my modern ranching families across the vast and rugged Cariboo and Chilcotin regions of British Columbia, Canada.

Have you ever had to pivot?

2022 was a challenging year in the film industry. To stay financially stable, I took on a nine-to-five job to supplement my income.

Despite the shift, I made a commitment to myself to keep pursuing my passion for photography. Every day, I dedicated time to photo-related activities—whether it was posting on Instagram, working on my archive, editing past work, learning new Photoshop techniques, or planning creative shoots. I focused on maintaining forward momentum and keeping my creative energy flowing. This period allowed me to invest time and energy into my book project and my business, helping me grow both personally and professionally.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ryanplummer.com
• Instagram: ryanplummerphotography
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-plummer-98709833/

Image Credits

© Ryan Plummer Photography 2025 – ALL RIGHTS RESERVED