Ryan Portnoy is a great photographer. He also happens to be my brother. When he’s not having his work in Architectural Digest or GQ, he’s 50% of the Kellan Studios team with his wife Kelly (that’s my sister-in-law). They’ve been featured on more wedding websites than I can name. Needless to say, he’s fierce with a camera and as part of the on going series “5 Questions with…” Ryan gives insight on how he approaches story and photography.

What’s your favorite part of photography?

If you had asked me this even just a few years ago, I would have said it was playing with all the gear. Now that I’m older (and I think having kids has added to this), I love being able to give people something beautiful that will last them for a long time to come.

How do you use photos to tell a story?

Well, in order to tell a story, you need to know the story. Kelly and I try to learn as much about the client/product as we can in order for that story to resonate in the images we create.

What campaign have you seen recently that you loved? (include any links)

Apparently I love insurance commercials. The latest from Nationwide (The World’s Greatest Spokesman in the World kills me), The Allstate “mayhem” commercials get better with each new one. Those are better as a grouping. To see only one, you don’t get the whole picture. Perhaps the greatest thing I’ve seen all year is Google’s commercial that aired during the Super Bowl. Advertising perfection in my opinion.

In really thinking about this, you need to make me laugh or make me cry to get me to genuinely connect to or enjoy your advertising.

What advice would you give to a non profit on photography?

I think this question speaks to the second question as well. If you are a non-profit looking to have photography done, you need to find someone who loves what it is that you are trying to accomplish. In order for your story to be told and told well, you should be working with someone who has an intimate knowledge of the issue you are trying to solve. With this knowledge, the photographer is in a much better place to reate images that are powerful and matter in the long run.

What’s your favorite non profit?

This is really tough since there are so many great causes out there. But I’d have to sayI really love what the people at The Aquamanzi Water Project are doing. They are the makers of the Q-Drum. Just ingenious stuff, and coming from a design background, it’s just fantastic.

You can check out more of Ryan’s work at Moore & Giles and at Kellan Studios

• Take away: So much of involving donors and engaging site visitors happens through quality photography – spend the money, you and your donors will be glad you did!
• Make ‘em laugh or make ‘em cry – emotional response is a huge plus but don’t make them feel bad through guilt.

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