Hello! My name is Ryan O'Connor

I've been a full-time, self-employed photographer & videographer since 2006 after graduating from Columbia College Chicago with a Bachelor of Arts in Cinematography. Since then, I've had the pleasure of working with individuals and companies all over the world from Germany to Australia. I began shooting wedding videography in 2009. The similarities & consistancies between each wedding allow me to improve my process with each one, while the variety keeps things from ever becoming stale or formulaic. I really feel like it's my calling. Since then, I've shot well over 300 weddings for happy couples of every faith, denomination, race, ethnicity, and orientation all over the midwest. I am based in west Chicago.

When I shoot and edit wedding videos, I try to keep something in mind: Your video isn't just for you to remember what happened on your wedding day. It's for you to remember how you felt on your wedding day. It's for your friends and family to get a closer look at the love and connection you have. And it's for your niblings, children and grandchildren to see you in a different light and identitfy with you in a completely unique way.

Okay maybe that's overdramatic, but it's true! And one of my favorite things about doing wedding videography is capturing the small and intimate moments in the middle of an otherwise very busy day. I love catching quick glances or kisses between the couple, or hugs of congratulation from friends and family. Since I'm going through these moments so many times, sometimes frame by frame, I feel lucky that I get to know my couples and their relationships so much more closely than other vendors, and I love to highlight that closeness and intimacy in my videos.

As far as my interaction and direction, I try to be as discreet as possible especially during the ceremony, toasts, and special dances. One of my favorite things to hear from couples after they show people their video is they "didn't even know we had a videographer." The rest of the day, I try to interject myself only when necessary while trying to create a relaxed and positive atmosphere for the day.

As a one-man company, I shoot and edit my own footage, and I take your requests directly which makes the workflow smooth & easy for both of us. The most valuable things that I can offer you are reliability, respect, and professionalism. I do everything possible to make sure my clients are happy with my work and my work ethic.

For more examples of my work, please visit my website. At the top of the page, you'll find a Youtube playlist with a few dozen examples