Gold Sponsor | Ryan & Rach Photography

This photography-duo team knows a thing or two about weddings! Well, marriage in general since they have been partnering up as a husband and wife storytelling team for the past 11 years.

Ryan and Rachel Moser are the eyes behind the lens of Ryan & Rach Photography. Their work embraces a more modern-look, with clean lines and an editorial edge. Since moving to the Outer Banks and settling down in KDH, they have been busy establishing their business amongst the others in the area, traveling the globe, working on their fitness goals, and cuddling up with their precious English bulldogs, Tex and Mochi!

Ryan and Rach Photography is a Gold Sponsor for this year’s OBXWA Wedding Weekend + Expo! Get your tickets online and you can visit them yourself to learn more. The Wedding Weekend is coming up on March 5th and 6th, with an early check-in at Sanctuary Vineyards on Friday, March 4th from 5p.m.-9p.m.

Read more about Ryan & Rach Photography in our Q&A below. 

When did you begin photographing weddings? 

Ryan actually started photographing in high school and I (Rach) would always help him as a second shooter. It wasn’t until 11 years ago that we started photographing as a team and fell in love with working together and capturing those special memories for other couples.

What inspired you both collectively to take a hobby and make it your full-time job (if it wasn’t already)? 

We both collectively came to terms with the fact that we wanted to be entrepreneurs and do what we love as a team. We didn’t want to just work a 9 to 5 corporate job for the rest of our lives. We packed up and moved to Kill Devil Hills as a newly married couple with little to our names and made this our life. It has its challenges for sure, but we really wouldn’t have it any other way. 

A lot of people cannot work with their significant others, but we just mesh well and honestly make as much fun out of the “job” as we possibly can. We think that shows throughout our work.

What would you say is the most difficult part of your job? 

Working with your spouse? Nope! Honestly it’s more or less trying to take time for our personal lives. Since the pandemic, we have realized that working around the clock isn’t healthy and we have made a strict plan to limit ourselves to only a certain number of weddings per year. This allows us to focus on balance and being able to deliver only the highest in quality to our amazing clients.

How does a photographer stand out amongst dozens of other local photographers, and the many more that people may want to hire from out-of-town? 

We don’t generically just call ourselves photographers. We try to use the term craftsman as we continue to perfect our craft or art, year after year. Using technology as a tool, and not as a crutch, is kind of our goal. We don’t over edit our photos and we try to tell ourselves that, “If we were getting married, is this something we would be proud to display in our home 20 years from now?” 

Are we overly critical of our work? At times, yes. But, we think that just makes us better and helps us to stand out from the sea of photographers that are all wonderful. 

The Outer Banks are beautiful, we all know that. Name the top three hidden gem locations that you love to shoot at (or top 4 and do 2 each). 

We really love downtown Manteo. It has a great little New England feel to it and a whole lot of versatility for photos. 

Ocracoke is just lovely. It is a trek, but every time we are there, it just has a special feel to it that you cannot get anywhere else in the Outer Banks. 

With a lot of photographers down here, we try to keep our secret spots a secret. So with that being said, we will leave number three a surprise for any couple that wants to find out. Wink wink!

Off of that question, what are your favorite places to travel to for photos? 

We actually travel quite often for other weddings, as that is what we love to do. We have loved photographing weddings in St. Thomas, Utah, Colorado, New York City, and the beautiful mountains in Virginia. We are super excited to go to New Orleans for an upcoming wedding and also Michigan this year, to name a few. 

We are lucky that we are based in such a great area that is the Outer Banks, but being able to travel for weddings definitely keeps us creative 

Where have you traveled to for destination weddings? 

As said above, St. Thomas, Colorado, Virginia, New York, Louisiana, Michigan, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and we are hoping to add some European destinations to the list soon 🙂

For a couple looking for a photographer for the full day-of, from getting ready in the bridal suite, to that grand exit, how much are we talking? 

This is really based on the logistics of the day. For example, are the ceremony and reception in the same location? 

We have 7-hour and  9-hour packages that typically will both work within the perimeter of a full-day of coverage, but honestly, it is all in how the day is scheduled. Our pricing for those packages typically begins at $3,500.

Describe your dream couple. 

Honestly, any couple who loves to have fun and allows us to have a little creative freedom! We talk about this a lot and we really love any couple who appreciates our work and who is super excited about their wedding photos.

Are there any trends in wedding photography that you are tired of seeing? 

Seriously, all of the first look photos. The first look with dad, first look with brother, with mom, with bridesmaids, fake first look with a groomsman dressed as the bride. The list goes on and on and on.. Honestly, this all takes up so much time and our advice would be to just keep it simple. 

Are there any trends on the rise in wedding photography that you are excited about? 

We have noticed a trend lately with our couples wanting to do their engagement session in their own hometown, which we absolutely love (because you know that we love to travel). This is great for a variety of photos that will differ from the wedding day and it really lets us get to know the couple a little bit better and see their personality in a place where they are comfortable. 

Favorite things to do when you aren’t behind the lens.  

Loving on our English Bulldog babies, traveling to new locations, working on our fitness goals, whipping up some new (and sometimes complex) recipes in the kitchen.