Photographed in a contained studio environment, the resulting work is a collection of images juxtaposing the wild against the controlled. The purity of the backdrop magnifies the raw beauty of ‘The Natives’, with a hyper-realness that amplifies every minute detail.
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Originally inspired by a desire to photograph Australia’s unique wildlife for his newborn son’s nursery, the portrait series has come to symbolise a poignant moment in time. Bushfires have devastated Australia and destroyed the very habitats these animals once called home, giving new meaning to the studio setting as a representation of the void that has been left in the wake of the destruction.
However, the contrast between studio and nature does not only symbolise the void, it is also a celebration of the diverse range of captivating and wondrous creatures that roam this great southern land - and the importance of their protection for generations to come.
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THE NATIVES
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The Natives has been Ryan’s most internationally recognised personal project, picking up two Honorable Mentions at the International Photography Awards, a Bronze at Prix de la Photographie Paris in the Nature/Wildlife category, and multiple top rankings from One Eyeland for wildlife photography out of Australia. Ryan also auctioned off a one-off print and donated 100% of the proceeds to Wildlife Victoria to assist in the rescue and ongoing care of animals affected by the 2019/20 bushfires.