Hi, I'm Ryan Southwell and I film for a living. I live in southern California but find myself traveling all over the place. I'm married to a beautiful little lady with one sweet daughter and four strapping boys. I think it's good for you to take a peek into my life to see who exactly I am. It's awesome to finally meet up with clients and not feel like total strangers on the first visit.
A little more about me... I love to ride waves, backpack through nature, float on deep powder, dance, film, edit, and make people happy. I think it's all about tasting life and finding ways to share it. What I love to do is find the beauty and art in each person and event and present it in a way never seen before.
Pretty much all my films or teasers will be posted here so please comment if you see anything you like.
Here's a few things people have said...
“That is the coolest video I have ever seen. I have already watched it like 23 times. I can't explain how excited I feel for a hip video like that” -m&r
"We LOVE it!!!! What a great chance for Billy and I to have such a memorable video! Thanks for thinking of us! It's incredible!" -j&b
“I watched it twice and I just want you to know that it's amazing and I love it, love it, love it.... you are video genius! thanks again for doing such a great job and making me look so good.” - a&d
"I absolutely LOVE the video and am going to post the link on my wedding website if it's okay with you! I am obsessed with your work! I am so, so, so, so, so happy you are a part of this!!! Thanks again for everything! It is so beautiful and exactly what I hoped it would be!" -m&a
Statistics support the belief that brides who treat videography as a commodity often regret that view later. Ryan concurs with this statement.
Filming a wedding on a bluff in Santa Barbara does not stink. Samantha and Shane were two people ready to par-ty. The wind decided to blast away during the ceremony and took her veil off to Neverland but they kept going with two-time NFL Hall of Famer Raymond Berry as their officiant. The party as huge and we all had a great time. Check it out. Song by Donavon Frankenreiter/Jack Johnson, “Free”
February 4, 2010 - 6:26 pm - Any time I need inspiration, I go straight over to your site, and I don't even shoot video! Your work never seizes to amaze me. It was a pleasure working with you on a wedding last year, hope it happens again soon! Keep up the amazing work...
Melissa is from CA, her now husband is from TX. Both have always had pride in their own states and now they have come together despite any national enmity. Below we got a double header. One is the Wedding Highlights where it’s a mixture of the engagement shoot, wedding day and post wedding. The other is what you would call a “trash the dress” shoot where she basically took her dress for a swim in the ocean. No joke. We certainly drew a few lookie-loos for probably one of three reasons. 1) They wish they could be that care-free girl, or 2) They wish they could be me 
or 3) they were wondering why would anyone do that to her dress? Well, before they headed back to the great state of Texas (by car) we had some fun in the sun. Props to Melissa for having a ball with it.
You may have noticed that some shots in this reel are from a “Trash the Dress” shoot we did a little over a day after the wedding. You can see more of that shoot here.
December 29, 2009 - 1:28 pm - Gotta tell you these two videos are truly something special. The wedding was beautiful enough to bring tears and the California Girl so true to the nature of "Miss Melissa". Great job done for a wonderful couple.
December 29, 2009 - 8:12 pm - Ryan! That was simply beautiful! Having the opportunity to follow you around and shoot photos that day was AMAZING and this video is nothing short of AMAZING!!! It was a blast and beautiful to see how you put it all together. BTW, congrats on your new baby, I loved that video too!
Napa. Wine Country. Cool people. Beautiful wedding. Sara and Josh were so fun to shoot and the location, weather, and food was amazing. Held at the Culinary Institute of America, we shot this with 5D Mark IIs, and a slew of others. I could shoot this location year round and be happy. A big shout to Judd Rackham for being my backup shooter. Check it out.
Here’s what happened with the Thanksgiving Special. I went to Sacrtamento for Thanksgiving break and wanted to have some fun and do a quick shoot. Dan and Amy were awesomely fun and stylicious.
November 28, 2009 - 9:24 pm - Absolutely incredible bro! Keep up the amazing work...
December 9, 2009 - 8:39 am - Your work is just so inspiring!! I could watch your films all day!! Amazing.... :)
February 1, 2010 - 3:40 pm - Dude you nailed that. I am blown away.
February 1, 2010 - 8:38 pm - Something happened with my last post. My cousin sent me this link. This was amazing.
Thanks to all for checking this out. It is currently filled, but stay tuned or subscribe above to check out new films or future specials.
Note: there are a few rules. You have to be willing to have some fun and show it. I can’t already have you on the books. If referred, it can’t be by your fiance or spouse. Couples of any age are welcome. Payment due on day of filming. Film will be ready within a couple of days. Photography available upon request. A lot of people get engaged around this time of year so this could be an excellent wedding gift or Christmas gift. This is crazy cool so contact me now. -Love, Me
November 15, 2009 - 9:45 pm - Ryan, I've got a couple in Sacramento who is ready to book this with you right now. Please check your email. Thanks!
November 15, 2009 - 11:34 pm - Done deal! For the rest of you, subscribe to my blog feeds and keep up with the latest films and specials in the future. Also, come back in a little over a week to see the lucky couple in action. I can't wait!
This one takes me back to some of the old school ways, slow. The whole party was incredibly kind and you can tell by looking at her she’s completely in love, not to mention gorgeous! Everyone loves a fun party, but ahhh.. to romance!
October 22, 2009 - 7:46 am - Could you possibly be anymore beautiful? Breathtaking!!!!
November 3, 2009 - 8:13 pm - I was lucky enough to be a friend of the Preddy's who forwarded this beautiful short film to me. This is probably the nicest short wedding video I have ever seen! Of course it doesn't hurt that the happy couple appear to be a perfect match - and lucky in love.
November 4, 2009 - 12:32 am - Thank you Laurie. I actually wish I had a little more time with them cause they are such and easy and friendly couple to shoot. But I slipped in what I could while the photographer was away and Chris and Crista were awesome troopers despite how hungry they probably were. (Note to future brides: the more time you give the videographer the better the video. wink wink)
November 10, 2009 - 10:49 am - You are so insanely talented!!! I saw what you did for Tamara Schellenberg on facebook and I just had to check out your work. Fantastic stuff!
November 11, 2009 - 12:28 pm - LOVE your work ryan!! Your color effects & use of b&w are so beautiful!
November 23, 2009 - 5:32 pm - Ryan - You are amazing!! I can't wait!!!
Please feel free to leave a comment.
October 20, 2009 - 12:31 pm - Awesome, Ryan. Better than a movie teaser trailer. Let me know when you post the full one.
November 2, 2009 - 5:41 pm - Ryan - You are a piece of work! We cant wait to see the final outcome. You are a masterpiece. Thank you so much for everything on our big day. You and Nate were a dream come true for us.
November 17, 2009 - 4:30 pm - Amazing work Ryan! Marina and Aaron are the most gorgeous couple and the way you captured their love on film is truly stunning. I can't wait to see the film in all it's wedded bliss.
I just got back from a very short trip to the High Sierras, CA. I have always wanted to capture the beauty of it and share it with those who may have never been there, or those looking to remember the feelings of it all. Why did I choose this song? Well, I don’t think you can go to a place like this and not have a spiritual experience, a place to search your soul and get away from the world. It’s my place for spiritual renewing. I hope you enjoy. I have a feeling this will be the first of many, if only I can get my pack lighter next time… (and yes, those lakes really are turquoise)
October 19, 2009 - 10:41 pm - Love it.
This was vintage awesomeness from the very beginning. We went out the afternoon before to grab a few shots for fun and it played well for the film. It was to be expected that Fresno would be hot. I think 108 degrees is up there. But these guys stuck it out and had a blast. It always helps when the bride and groom WANT the film and photos to be good. Filmed this with Iris and Light. Check it out.
by Ryan
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