Ryan Pannell

About Me
I am a professional filmmaker, cinematographer, and glamour/fashion photographer with over 12 years of experience. I have worked everything from multi-million dollar feature films and television series, to music videos, to fashion and glamour shoots for top magazines.
My Gear
I shoot on a variety of DSLR and straight-film cameras, and use advanced Post technologies.
My Shop
I am the Creative Director of a film and television development and production company which also houses a post production/compositing/effects facility. Your images are finished using the same techniques and technologies that are used by the top film studios and ad agencies worldwide. Basically, we could make Lord of the Rings here if we wanted to...
Where I Work
I'm based out of Toronto and New York, but shoot Florida, L.A., and the Caribbean as well.
Before The Shoot
I meet all models, assistants, MUAs, and personal assistants before the shoot - no exceptions (unless a client forces me or there really is no other way). I strongly believe that regardless of how talented the photographer is or how striking the model, rarely will anything magical be captured if the two do not collaborate well artistically. If we don't get along over a short chat in my office, at my club, or even over a coffee at Starbucks, there's no chance we're going to work well together on set.
How I Work
I shoot on location, period. Nothing against shooters who are studio-based, but I just don't care for the 'contrived' look that comes from the same/similar backgrounds and lighting used over and over again. I enjoy the creative stimulus that on-location shooting provides, and collaborating with models to create unique images in a variety of environments is what I love best about the work. I'm a storyteller by nature, and any of the models I've worked with can tell you that it's fundamental to my shoots to have a 'story' - which is usually matched to the personality of the model.
I shoot fashion, glamour, lingerie, swimsuit, and implied nude ("Maxim-style"). I don't shoot nudes.
I prefer not to have male escorts at photo shoots. You are welcome to bring a female escort with you if you wish, so long as they stay out of our way. I almost always have another female on the premises during a shoot (my local assistant is female, most of the MUAs I use are female, and the personal assistant is female) and you are welcome to contact any of the models that I have worked with for references. I don't shoot one-on-one with a model unless the model requests it, I am comfortable with it, and I have worked with the model before and have a good working relationship with the model.
I always work with a photographer's assistant, a MUA, and a most of the time a personal assistant. The personal assistant will look after all of your on-set needs, provide travel information and assistance, and is available to answer any questions you might have about your shoot.
If we work through lunch, lunch is catered.
After The Shoot
Proof images will be posted online within 48 - 72 hours after the session, and retouched images will be completed within 2 weeks of receiving your selections. Retouched images will be sized for both print (8x12) and web, and are available for viewing and download from a secure website which you receive access to once you've shot with me.
Watermarked retouched images on CD are available by special request only, and for an additional charge.
Please note that I do not give out a disc of all the images from a shoot and I do not allow others to edit my images (but I will work with you to pick the images you think will work best for your needs).
Release will be provided allowing you reproduction rights for non-commercial, self-promotional use only.
TFP/CD
I don't usually do TFP/CD, but may agree if I see something special in your portfolio and (having met you before hand) think we can work well together to create something unique that will be beneficial to both of us. All my TFP/CD shoots are collaborative; your input on what you'd like to achieve is as important to me as what style of shoot I think will work for you. This is expensive for me, as I still use my whole crew (who DO NOT work for free), and that is why it is a rarity…
Group TFP/CD
A couple of times a year I do a group TFP/CD where I book a fantastic location, bring my whole crew, and shoot four or five models over the course of the day/days. Travel expenses are covered and we have the shoot catered. Shooting a group of models individually over the course of a day allows me to defray the expenses of a 'free' shoot. If you are interested, please contact me to get on a call list for the next Group TFP/CD shoot (the same requirements apply as do for regular TFP/CD; I have to 'see' something in your port that interests me, or we have to 'click' during our pre-shoot meeting).
Thanks for reading.
For additional information please visit my website at www.ryanpannellphotography.com