Ryan Waneka

Oh you wanna talk about 2016??
Take me back to the Pokémon Go of it all.
It was one of those best/worst years of my life.

- photographed my first music festival, featuring Andy Grammar, Pentatonix, Ben Rector, Lukas Graham, and others.

- visited the PNW for the first time, with team PHOCO. And camped in Yellowstone, The Grand Tetons, RMNP, Lake Powell, and Buena Vista with my best friends.

- did my first work for big brands, such as New Belgium Brewing and Lululemon. I won a Chaco photo contest and received a pair of Chacos. And was sent my first free product from a brand to take photos of as their brand ambassador. It was a hammock.

- my first time photographing an “IG model” wow. And went to two “Instameets”

- started growing my hair out. I wish someone would’ve stopped me…

- my most played song was Kids by OneRepublic. Please appreciate with me how divinely convenient that is for this trend.

- lastly, I was scared of who I truly was and fully hated myself for it. I’m lucky I’m on the other side of that now. Check in on your always-smiling friends.