Ryan Kost: Award-Winning Travel and Portrait Photographer on Life, Art and Authenticity
Through this interview series, I’m shining a spotlight on some of my talented photographer clients. The purpose is to give them a platform to share their stories, experiences, and creative insights in their own words.
In this edition, I interviewed Ryan Kost, an award-winning travel and family portrait, wedding and events photographer based in Denver, Colorado, USA.
Ryan generously shares insights into his photography journey and his creative process. His answers offer a glimpse into his passion, purpose, and personality – it’s a great read, and I hope you enjoy it! If you do, please share.
Thank you for reading!
© Ryan Kost Photography
Interview with award-winning travel and portrait photographer, Ryan Kost
Ryan, can you tell us about your first paid photography shoot/commission?
“I can’t recall my first paid photoshoot, but I do remember when I first decided to give selling my art a go. I invested quite a bit into getting my work professionally framed and printed and displayed some of my Colorado and travel photography at a local coffee shop.
It was lovely observing people enter to buy a coffee, and then while waiting, they’d glance at the wall and slowly meander over to dive a bit deeper into the details of each photo. Merely watching people take a few minutes to appreciate my art inspired me. Numerous great conversations about travel, perspective and life came about, and I was also able to sell a few pieces which gave me some confidence.
Following, I decided to take a leap and try to do some summer art festivals in Colorado mountain towns. We bought a tent, built out the portable walls, spent countless hours learning how to create an aesthetically pleasing gallery within a portable tent space and keep it from blowing away or getting damaged by rain.
We packed it all in my truck and set out for several shows in mountain towns around Colorado. It was enjoyable, and I learned there’s a whole art within the touring festival community. I ended up selling several pieces but ended the summer at a deficit by the end of the summer not only in dollars but sweat, energy and blood equity as well. I have deep respect for those who make their living through their art touring throughout the U.S to community festivals.
I quickly learned pursuing a creative career and selling art is tough. Real tough.”
And your most recent shoot/commission?
“I had an outdoor relaxed family session here in Colorado this past weekend. Right now, it’s peak fall color in Colorado with that beautiful crisp autumn light. It’s the perfect season for getting outside and capturing special natural moments with local families.”
What was your first camera?
“A Nikon CoolPix.”
What camera or gear can you not live without now?
“I’m not a gear nerd by any means. I’m blown away by the technology we have at our disposal and am grateful for the engineers who design cameras and lenses.
I’m a minimalist at heart. I aim to be able to pack my gear in a small shoulder bag and be off. My go-to setup is my Nikon Z8 with a Nikkor Z 24-70 2.8 along with a curious mind and my two legs and feet. Technology changes so quickly these days, you could spend a lifetime trying to keep up.
One of my favorite items is my shoulder camera bag. I bought it at a thrift store. It’s a baby diaper changing bag (perfect for when our little boy comes), but it works perfectly and allows me to access my camera quickly and put it away when I’m not using it. $5 well spent. It’s been with me for 4 years and is fraying a bit here and there…but it is battle tested and the scars are nothing a little super glue and needle and thread can’t fix.”
Can you share the story behind securing your first paying client/project?
“I honestly don’t remember.“
And your most recent client project/commission?
“I’ve expanded my photography in recent years to local photoshoots focusing on families, elopements and events here in Colorado. I’m still trying to build the business, but I’ve been gaining a bit of traction and have photographed a number of families, one wedding and a surprise engagement proposal in the past month.”
If your work has been exhibited or published, can you tell us about when and how this first happened?
“My work has been published in a fair number of places such as National Geographic, The Corriere Della Sera, The States of Colorado and Utah Tourism Boards, The Smithsonian, Peru’s Tourism Agency, The Denver Post, 5280 Magazine, etc.…
My work has been exhibited in The Royal Photographic Society, The Museum of the Home in London, Fortnum’s in London, at the World Food Photography Tenderstem® Bimi® Broccolini Madrid Exhibition, along with a couple local galleries here in Colorado.
My first image to gain recognition was a finalist for the National Geographic Travel Photo of the year in 2019. It’s called “Market Day” shot in a local market in Urubamba, Peru. Peru is where I have guided trips now for 15 year and is where much of my photography focuses.
The image was published in an array of digital publications and used to support a Gordon Ramsey traveling cooking show on the network. You can view the image here.”
What is your most recent publication/exhibition or feature?
“I was honored to take home first place at the World Food Photography Awards this year in the Bimi category for my photo “Buddhist Offerings” from Cambodia.”
Can you share details of your first big challenge in your photography business?
“Everything! Seriously…I have almost zero business acumen and don’t love promoting myself. I’m happiest behind the camera, interacting with the world and being a fly on the wall. There’s a quote from one of my favorite books, “Blue Highways” by William Least Heat Moon, that will indelibly relate with me:
“Instead of insight, maybe all a man gets is strength to wander for a while. Maybe the only gift is a chance to inquire, to know nothing for certain. An inheritance of wonder and nothing more.”
I’m good at taking photos, but the learning curve on the business development and marketing side is steep. It was my first big challenge and will most likely continue to be. Hopefully, one day, I will be successful enough where I can bring on skilful and talented marketing and business-savvy professionals in a more permanent role to help me. That’s the dream! Oh, and someone who does Instagram reels and is an algorithm wizard.“
What was the most recent challenge you overcame?
“Photoshoot cancellations and big gaps in between bookings! One thing about running your own creative endeavor that’s challenging and at times frustrating is the instability of it all. You always feel as if you’re hustling. There’s not a lot of ‘job security.’
I’ve had a few recent cancellations back-to-back…and it’s tough. Financially and energetically. I always try and remind myself to be patient, to not let resentment or frustrations fester too long and to just keep at it. It’s cliché…but running your own show and business is tough. There are many days where I say to myself, I should just go get a “normal” job. But then that stubborn and pesky passion of mine gets in the way, and I continue to try and see it through.”
Please tell us about a photo you’re most proud of (and why):
“I really can’t pick one, but I’ll say it was an honor to be awarded first place at the World Food Photography Awards this year for my “Buddhist Offerings” photo from Cambodia. You can view the image above and here.
It’s an image I feel morally great with. Many of the cultural photographs you see winning a lot of international competitions these days are too often highly curated and staged. While beautiful, they aren’t true to life. For my winning photo, I set out early at 4 am from our hotel to go take in the famed sunrise at Angkor Wat. It’s the ‘thing’ to do. When I arrived, there were hundreds of people gathered and photographers jostling for the best position, even yelling at each other. Hundreds of tripods lined the small reflection pond in anticipation of the sunrise. Some shouting matches and fits being thrown about “I was here first.” Everyone trying to get that Instagram moment.
I couldn’t run away any faster. My photography ethos and in life in general is…when the crowd is heading one direction, I go the other. I’m often a lone wolf. I prefer to photograph and experience places on my own accord and often in areas where people skip, bash or overlook. What a rebel!
I wandered to a nearby temple where the novice monks were meticulously preparing freshly cut flowers and fruits into a beautiful offering. The morning sun angled perfectly into this beautiful scene of impermanence. I curiously walked in and connected with a few of the monks who graciously allowed me to share this sacred space with them.
I sat for an hour just watching, trying to communicate with many non-verbal gesticulations and taking it all in. Then, the aha moment. A quiet, beautiful scene frozen forever with the click of a shutter. An authentic cultural scene, with zero curation and no other photographers or visitors around. It felt intimate and special, and I am delighted that this photo was chosen as a winner because it’s one I felt honest with, and I am always grateful to those who allow this outsider in with his big black box to enter their space and share and borrow beautiful moments in time.
That’s why photography will always be my greatest passion. It opens up the world and truly allows me to listen. It pushes my comfort zones and challenges me to slow our busy world down a bit and dive into the incredible details of daily life and our natural world.“
Who/What is your favourite subject to photograph or type of shoot?
“People who are inextricably connected to their environment and the natural world. Those who wear the callouses, wrinkles and beauty of a life working the land.
There’s so often a special dignity about them. You know it when you’re in their aura. They often tend to be the most generous, kind and humble yet strong people I encounter. Truly salt of the earth. I try to spend as much time with them as possible and also try my hand at whatever work they’re doing if they allow it. Often, they laugh as I fumble through it which forges a fun and beautiful connection. Yea…those are my people who I look up to and am forever grateful to cross paths with.”
What is a lesson you’ve learned in your photography business that has changed how you work?
“To meet people where they are, to have fun and remain insatiably curious. Empathy, patience and a sense of wonder go a long way…along with levity and corny jokes mixed in. I’ve learned if you gain people’s trust and come true as you are, then the experiences and images almost always turn out more beautiful, cherished and timeless.
It’s always been my way of walking this dusty path of life, but I think sometimes when we get too focused on business, we lose sight of what connects us all. Before every photo portrait session or each time I enter someone’s house in a remote pocket around the world, I remind myself that we are all curious and all seek connection.“
What advice would you give to your younger self when you first started photography?
“Be patient, don’t force things, stay grounded and remember why you do this. If I don’t get paid a penny, I’ll still be out there daily taking photos. It’s my passion. It gives me meaning. I’m deeply curious about the world, telling stories, finding moments of beauty, hardship and everything in between. The camera is a beautiful tool for me to experience the world with.
I would also say to be bold and be brave. To get special photos and deeper experiences, you must poke your head indoors, wander through that mysterious mountain path or alley, go up to people, trust your instinct and interact with the world and get right in the mix. My photography and overall life experiences took giant leaps once I decided I wouldn’t be timid and didn’t take myself too seriously.”
© Ryan Kost Photography
Quickfire Questions:
Studio or outdoors?
Outdoors
Digital or film?
Digital
Morning shoots or evening shoots?
Morning
Editing yourself or delegating?
Myself
What’s next for you, Ryan?
“Fatherhood. We are expecting a baby boy in just under two months! The ultimate project.
Professionally, I am still trying to build my photoshoots business to a long-term financially viable and sustainable career along with continuing to guide trips in Peru and beyond and tell stories of people and places that grow up vastly different than I did.
My goals remain similar. To be a loving father and husband and dog dad. To remain active, get outside, curious and as balanced as I can be. Understanding that life will have its highs and lows and to flow with all of it. Some days, I’ll be a better version of myself than others. Somedays, I’ll be grouchy, sad or a stick in the mud. I’m always working on being present and not trying to ruminate in crippling nostalgia or getting too far ahead of myself mapping future out.
Health is wealth, community is key, time alone is paramount, family is wonderful, travel and exploration near and far lights me up, trying new things, finding a beautiful piece of land in the mountains where we can wake up with solitude, groundedness and raise a “wild child” who can experience nature out his front door.
View Ryan Kost’s Photography Websites
Family, elopement, wedding and event portrait photography
Travel/cultural and nature photography
Note from Zoe: Thank you, Ryan, for this fantastic interview and for sharing so generously! Wishing you all the very best in your exciting next chapter as a father, and with your photography, of course!
Ryan’s 5-Star Google Review
“Zoe cares deeply about helping you succeed.”
“I reached out to Zoe, looking to help me with my new portrait photoshoot business. As is the case with many photographers, I know how to take beautiful pictures…but I am terrible at marketing. That’s where Zoe comes in. She’s a true professional. Not only at marketing, but understanding the photographer’s plight and mindset.
I hired her for 2 months to help me improve my SEO, my website development and with marketing tools and campaigns. Working with her was wonderful. We saw my SEO rankings double in % from the 40% range to 80% ranking in just two short months.
What I truly appreciated about Zoe was how genuine she is. She’s a really good human and cares deeply about helping you succeed. It’s rare when someone truly cares about you in a ‘human’ way when you hire them for professional help. She taught me so much…and months later I am still implementing changes and tools she helped me with.
Also, I want to note how important it is to hire someone like Zoe because while she’s here to help you succeed and encourage you, she’s also honest and provides great critical feedback. I don’t love a ‘fluffy’ voice who is only going to tell me what I want to hear. I want to grow and get better and Zoe is perfect for that. She provides amazing critical thoughts and suggestions in a tactful way to take your photography business to the next level.
I could say much more, and wish I could hire Zoe full time to help me as I continue to build and grow.
Thank you Zoe for your true professionalism and authenticity. It feels as if we are old friends now, and I love how she will drop me a line every once in awhile to check in. If you’re a photographer who needs marketing and SEO help-don’t hesitate to set up a free consultation call with Zoe. Trust me!”
– Ryan Kost (September 2025)
