The PHYS Podcast

Episode 122 - RYAN J LEONE

On this episode of The PHYS Podcast, I sit down with Ryan J Leone, a New York City photographer and filmmaker working across film and digital photography, commercial projects, editorial assignments, events, and behind-the-scenes content.

Photography in New York is a different animal. There's inspiration on every corner, but there's also no shortage of people with cameras trying to make their mark. Finding your own style, building relationships, getting paid for your work, and keeping that excitement you had when you first picked up a camera isn't always easy.

Ryan works across different sides of the industry, from the slower, more deliberate process of shooting film to the demands of digital photography and commercial production. It's a world where you need to be creative, adaptable, and ready to figure things out when the plan goes sideways.

One thing I appreciate about Ryan's approach is that he shares more than just the finished product. Through his behind-the-scenes content and photography tips, he gives people a look at the work that goes into making photographs. The decisions, the techniques, the equipment, and the stuff that doesn't always make it onto Instagram.

We get into photography, filmmaking, the differences between film and digital, working with clients, and what it takes to build a creative career in a city that never really slows down.

But what interests me most is the person behind the camera.

What keeps someone creating? How do you find your own voice when you're surrounded by so much incredible work? And how do you make a living doing something you love without losing the part that made you fall in love with it in the first place?

In This Episode:

• Life as a photographer and filmmaker in New York City

• Shooting film versus digital and why both still matter

• Commercial, editorial, and event photography

• Finding inspiration in everyday moments

• The work that happens behind the scenes

• Building your own style instead of following trends

• Working with clients while protecting your creativity

• The business realities of being a working photographer

• Sharing knowledge and helping other photographers improve

• Finding opportunities and building relationships

• Staying motivated when creativity becomes your job

• Why the best camera is the one that makes you want to go shoot

There's a lot of noise in photography these days. New cameras, new technology, social media algorithms, and endless opinions about what you should be shooting and how you should be doing it.

It's easy to forget why you started.

Sometimes you just need to grab a camera, get outside, meet some interesting people, and make photographs.

Because at the end of the day, nobody else sees the world quite the way you do.

Visit Ryan J Leone:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Threads⁠⁠
Web⁠⁠

Orchid House Studios:

⁠Instagram⁠
⁠Threads⁠
Web⁠