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The silhouette of a city skyline stands against a dark, hazy sky. Sunlight glints off the surface of the water in the foreground, creating a shimmering path of light.
The silhouette of a city skyline stands against a dark, hazy sky. Sunlight glints off the surface of the water in the foreground, creating a shimmering path of light.

Six months in the (enviable) life of photographer Ryan Lowry

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Date
9 August 2017

Ryan Lowry is rarely not on our radar. The photographer may have found fame documenting Chicago’s punk shows and the city’s skate scene, but these days, he’s known for knocking out a steady stream of Vitamin D-soaked editorials for Apartamento, Playboy, The Fadar, Rolling Stone, The Chicago Reader, Dazed & Confused, Icon, GQ, Complex and Riposte depicting places we’d rather be and people we wished we looked like.

There’s no denying the hard work behind Ryan’s filled-to-bursting portfolio of sun-drenched images. Ryan’s work has won him an armful of achievements and awards, not least the Albert P. Weisman Award. In 2016 he was named one of 30 “New and Emerging Photographers to Watch” by PDN and his self-published photo book Two Years earned him a place in the Top Ten Photo Books of 2014 in the British Journal of Photography by Bruno Ceschel.

Now seemed as good a time as any to get hold of the photographer and find out how he has been whiling away the hours. After a few emails back and forth, Ryan agreed to show — but not tell — us what he’s been up to.

“The images come from all over the place,” Ryan tells It’s Nice That of the images below. “California, Chicago, New York, Europe – kind of a glimpse of what my life has been for the past six to eight months. My work has always been autobiographical in one way or another, so the way they are weaved is kind of about the rhythm – how they talk to one another, and how the viewer’s own personal narrative gets weaved in. I believe telling the viewer what to take away from my images ruins what photography is for me.”

A worn orange traffic cone stands beside a large plastic bag filled with dark, organic debris. In the background, another traffic cone is wrapped in yellow “caution” tape.
Above

Ryan Lowry

A person with a tall, spiked brown mohawk stands in a crowded room. They wear a leather jacket adorned with metal studs and patches.
Above

Ryan Lowry

A white metal mailbox stands behind a weathered white picket fence. A red flag is raised on the side of the box, set against a backdrop of green shrubs and a large tree trunk.
Above

Ryan Lowry

Green leaves and thin brown branches fill the foreground, reaching upwards. A bright blue sky with soft white clouds is visible behind the foliage.
Above

Ryan Lowry

A variety of red, pink, yellow and purple tulips grow in a garden. The flowers are seen through the vertical bars of a black metal fence.
Above

Ryan Lowry

A close-up of a wrinkled blue plastic tarpaulin. Three jagged holes are torn into the material, revealing a dark space behind.
Above

Ryan Lowry

A close-up from behind shows a person with a bald head in a crowded space. They wear a dark brown leather jacket and are surrounded by other people.
Above

Ryan Lowry

A close-up of pink and white lilies with deep red speckles. Several open blooms surround two closed, pale green buds against a dark background.
Above

Ryan Lowry

Draped layers of red and pink fabric create a textured, cavernous space. A bright orange plastic bag is tucked into a fold of the cloth.
Above

Ryan Lowry

A person with short grey hair lies face down on a white towel spread across a green lawn. They are shirtless and wearing orange swim shorts.
Above

Ryan Lowry

A person’s open palm rests on a striped orange, blue and white blanket. A dollop of white cream sits in the centre of their hand.
Above

Ryan Lowry

A brown and white spaniel with wet, matted fur looks towards the camera with its tongue poking out. The dog wears a dark leather collar and sits against a dark, textured background.
Above

Ryan Lowry

A low-angle shot of towering city buildings at night. A few windows glow with warm yellow light against the dark, monolithic facades.
Above

Ryan Lowry

Two grey velvet jewellery busts stand against a dark, textured wall. The busts are empty and lit from the side, casting soft shadows.
Above

Ryan Lowry

A person with blonde hair tilts their head back and laughs with their mouth wide open. Their eyes are closed and their hair fans out around their face.
Above

Ryan Lowry

A black, oversized faux-fur coat hangs from a balcony railing on a pale building. The garment is draped to resemble a human figure, suspended against a backdrop of a striped awning.
Above

Ryan Lowry

A heart-leaf philodendron plant grows in a terracotta pot, its vines trailing downwards. The heart-shaped leaves are mostly green, with a few turning a pale yellow.
Above

Ryan Lowry

A white metal stool leans against a pile of blue plastic sheeting and a cardboard box. The box is printed with “The Flavor Tree” and “California Fine Fruit”.
Above

Ryan Lowry

Two vibrant orange roses bloom against a backdrop of dark green leaves. The lower flower is fully open and dusted with tiny water droplets.
Above

Ryan Lowry

A piece of frayed blue fabric hangs over a chain-link fence. Behind the wire, a bright, sunlit outdoor area is visible.
Above

Ryan Lowry

A brown and white spaniel stands in a grassy garden, looking directly at the camera with its tongue slightly out. A wooden fence and green foliage form the background.
Above

Ryan Lowry

A weeping birch tree with long, drooping branches and green leaves. The tree is brightly lit against a solid black night sky.
Above

Ryan Lowry

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About the Author

Bryony Stone

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Bryony joined It's Nice That as Deputy Editor in August 2016, following roles at Mother, Secret Cinema, LAW, Rollacoaster and Wonderland. She later became Acting Editor at It's Nice That, before leaving in late 2018.

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