Josh Senior Portrait
I had a great time getting to photograph Josh’s senior portraits last Saturday! We started with some portraits around his family’s house in Clare then headed to the soccer field for more portraits and actions shots!
Derrick and Melissa Wedding
Derrick and Melissa had a laid back fun wedding I enjoyed photographing! I pulled into the wedding with 1 PSI left in my tire and had to call a wrecker to have them finish changing my tire while I photographed the wedding. It was also nice running into Ryan and Jessica who I had photographed their wedding a year ago at the same venue.
2024 Mt Pleasant Craft Beer Festival
The Mt Pleasant Craft Beer Festival is one of my favorite events I get to photograph each year! Getting to get caught up with tons of people I know both locally and fellow Jaycees always makes this event amazing!
Allegan Craft Beer Festival
I had a great time getting to photograph the 2024 Allegan Craft Beer Festival, put on my the Allegan Jaycees! It was great getting to spent time with fellow Jaycees members from across the state and listen to some great local bands including Redbelly and Asamu Johnson and The Associates of Blues. After I got to swing by Grand Rapids and spend some time with some friends before heading back to Clare.
Devin and Allison Engagement Session
It was great getting to talk with Devin and Allison during their engagement session at Chippewa Nature Center earlier this week. Looking forward to photographing their wedding later in the year!
Jason and Katie Engagement Session at Dow Gardens
I had a great time getting to photograph Jason and Katie’s engagement session at Dow Gardens last Saturday! I’ve been close friends with Katie’s sister for years and both Jason and Katie were fun to talk with. Looking forward to the wedding next year!
2024 Live United Awards and Campaign Celebration
Big thanks to the United Way for having me photograph their 2024 Live United Awards and Campaign Celebration!
Andrew and Lillian Engagement Session
I had a great time getting to photograph Andrew and Lillian’s engagement session at Nelson, Island, and Mill Pond Parks in Mt Pleasant, Michigan. We had a great conversations about mutuals interests like dnd. Can’t wait to photograph there wedding later in the year!
Tiffany from Moon Child Modeling
I’ve been working with Tiffany from Moon Child Modeling since 2019. We got to do a fun spring shoot in Nelson, Island, and Mill Pond Parks in Mt Pleasant. Big thanks to her son Jake for helping assist with the shoot!
Price Changes Starting June 1st 2024
Starting on June 1st 2024 I’ll be increasing my prices at Ryan Watkins Photography. Clients with existing contracts will be unaffected by this price change. To book weddings, portrait sessions, or events with my current prices book before June 1st 2024.
Pre June 1st 2024 Pricing
Weddings $1000
Second Shooter $250
Family Session $200
Engagement Session $150
Senior Session $150
Modeling Session $150 or Trade for Digital
Headshots $100 per person
Event prices varies. Contact for details.
Post June 1st 2024 Pricing
Weddings $1500
Second Shooter $400
Family Session $400
Engagement Session $300
Senior Session $300
Modeling Session $300 or Trade for Digital
Headshots $200 per person (discounts for groups)
Event prices varies. Contact for details.
7th Annual Murder Mystery Dinner
I had a great time getting to photograph the Livonia Jaycees 7th Annual Murder Mystery Dinner. The Murder Mystery Co put on a great performance and was recently featured on Shark Tank!
Chelsea Olsen
For this fun shoot with Chelsea Olsen we used blue and purple gels at Kentwood Park in Cadillac. Big thanks to Chelsea and Dylan for tolerating the high winds to make this shoot happen!
Four Leaf Brewery
I’ve gotten to work with the Four Leaf Brewery in downtown Clare, and it’s owner Amy, several times over the years. I was recently hired to photograph their back room which is rented out for events. They’re always great to work with and have amazing food and beer.
McDonald’s Headshots
I recently got to photograph some headshots for employees of the local McDonald’s. These were shot inside the restaurant right next to PlayPlace.
Hayley Fashion and Easter
I’ve been working with Hayley from Hayley’s Wild for Modeling since 2019. For this shoot we did a handful of fashion outfits on a grey background under a pavilion at Island Park in Mt Pleasant. Then we did some promotional shots for the Clare Jaycees in an Easter bunny outfit!
Mike and Amy Wedding
I always like getting to photograph the weddings of people I’m close too. I’ve been a member of Christ Covenant Church OPC since 2016 and have been a deacon since 2021. I’ve know Mike for years and Amy recently joined our church. It was great getting to photograph their wedding in late March and getting to spend time with church friends.
JCI Michigan 100 Year Celebration and Conference
I had a great time getting to photograph JCI Michigan’s 100 Year Celebration and Conference at Webers in Ann Arbor! I’ve been a member of the Jaycees since 2018 and am now serving as President of the Clare chapter. It was great to spent time with and strengthen the relationships I’ve made with fellow Jaycees. I’m looking forward to continued JCing with Clare and other chapters around the state this year!
Falconry with Lisa Clements
I had a great time getting to go on a falconry hunt with Lisa Clements and her Red Tail Hawk Flare last Saturday!
Departure from the Michigan Photography Network
I recently stepped down as admin of the Michigan Photography Network Facebook group.
Back in 2017 I was trying to find ways to network with other Michigan photographers. I tried joining several groups, like the Rising Tide Society, but most wouldn’t let me join due to my rural location. I decided to create my own group for networking with local photographers called the Michigan Photography Network. During the first two years I coordinated a few in person meetups. The group continued to grow to over 9000 members by the beginning of 2024. From 2017 till early 2024 I was the sole admin. I approved new members, removed spam, and dealt with people’s complaints and conflicts. These are things I dealt with on a daily basis from 2017 early 2024. I’d also had a few photographers from the group who wanted to meet in person whom I met with. These meetings were always pleasant. In the beginning of 2024 I realized this group was taking up way too much of my time. I asked for assistance with the admin duties and several individuals came forward, which I was thankful for. Last week posts in the group got increasingly contentious to the point that threats of lawsuits were being made and admins were banning each other from the group. I shared with several admins that I wanted to delete the group at this point. After sleeping on it, I decided to step down as an admin and leave the group in other people’s hands. I’d like to thank those who privately messaged me and thanked me for the work I did in the group.