In the Michiana area, Gary Riggs has become a name that is synonymous with quality photography. With a camera in hand and a keen eye for detail, Gary has been capturing the essence of moments, big and small, for over a decade. At Gary Riggs Photography, the focus is on connecting with people and telling their stories through vivid, heartfelt images.
A Lifelong Passion Turned Professional
Gary’s love for photography started in high school, a constant companion alongside textbooks and teen life. “I always had a camera with me,” he recalls. “I would have loved to have a professional camera at that age, but that didn’t happen until after I graduated from college because photography is an expensive hobby.” Even without professional equipment, Gary found himself taking pictures wherever he went. After college, he bought his first digital camera and eventually saved up to purchase a DSLR camera. This is when his hobby became a passion. “I wanted to know how everything worked and spent time learning about aperture, shutter speed, lens lengths, and anything else I could,” Gary exclaims. He immersed himself in learning everything about photography—from aperture settings to the effects of different lenses.
It was around this time that Gary’s first son was born. As any smitten parent would, he took countless photos of his new baby. “I’ve got thousands of pictures of my son’s first year,” Gary laughs. “I wanted to test out different lighting around the house and out in the yard, and I took photos of him with our dog as well.” He started following professional photographers online and picked up tips and tricks from them as well. Even though photography wasn’t his job at the time, he would post a picture every day on social media. All the testing and shared pictures paid off because people started asking him to take pictures for them as well. “I was reluctant at first because I was just figuring things out,” Gary says. “Thankfully people encouraged me, and my confidence grew enough for me to pursue photography part-time.” Capturing his growing family and the light and shadows of everyday life around him helped launch what would eventually become Gary Riggs Photography.
From Hobby to Career: A Natural Transition
In 2011, Gary made the significant decision to pursue his passion intentionally instead of waiting for people to request his services. He officially launched Gary Riggs Photography and joined a local business network, BNI, which broadened his exposure and introduced him to photographic opportunities beyond family portraits and weddings. “I met a realtor named Diane who needed photos taken of one of her houses,” recalls Gary. “I didn’t realize there was a need for that, but I began photographing houses for her and the two realtors she had working with her.” Working with realtors opened him up to countless word of mouth referrals that grew his business and gave him a solid reputation in the community.
Up until this point, Gary had kept his photography as a side gig, but the possibility of making it his full-time career became very real. Shifting from his job as an IT sales professional to pursue photography full-time required a leap of faith. He had a family to support, and he needed to ensure that he could do that on his own. “I had to pursue it in ways that I hadn’t done before,” Gary explains. “I put myself out there by dropping off business cards, putting up flyers, and meeting with people about photography.” All his hard work and preparation made the transition from side gig to full-time photographer much easier.
Diverse Projects and Expanding Horizons
While many photographers choose a niche and stick to that, Gary finds that offering a wide variety of photography services keeps things interesting and fun. His versatility is what makes him stand out in a market that’s saturated with photographers. From capturing the intimate moments of engagement sessions to the grandeur of weddings, and even the precise requirements of real estate photography, Gary finds joy in every assignment. “I’m just a nerd when it comes to photography,” he admits with a smile.
Building Connections Through Photography
Gary’s approach is simple: be patient and genuine. This approach has allowed him to capture beautiful moments and build lasting relationships with his clients. Many who start with engagement photos return for wedding photos, family portraits, and more. His schedule is filled with families who come to him year after year to capture their most precious memories. “It’s wonderful to have those relationships,” says Gary, reflecting on the trust and connections he’s built over the years. “Being my own worst critic, it means so much to me that people keep coming back.”
Challenges Along the Way
Like any entrepreneur, Gary faces challenges, particularly balancing work and family life. “I have a hard time saying no,” Gary admits. “It leads to me being very busy at certain times.” With four young sons and a full schedule, managing time effectively is crucial. He’s learned to navigate these challenges by integrating work with family time, often editing photos after the kids have gone to bed. “Thankfully I truly enjoy editing photos,” Gary says. “I get to hang out and put on a movie or listen to music after the boys go to sleep, and I edit away.”
Looking to the Future
As for the future, Gary hopes to continue doing what he loves. He’s cautious yet optimistic, driven by a blend of passion for photography and the practical need to support his family. “I’m always worried that I’ll have a really bad year or something will happen that will affect my ability to do this,” he admits. “That fear is what motivates me to continue marketing and to do my best with every single client.” Thankfully, a steady stream of clients and community support continues to fuel his confidence.
Advice from a Professional
Gary finds inspiration in Malcolm Gladwell’s book Outliers which discusses the “10,000-Hour Rule” to mastering a skill. It mentions that people like Bill Gates and Wayne Gretzky achieved their success by putting in hours upon hours of work. He attributes this kind of work ethic to what led to his success in photography. Gary’s advice to would-be entrepreneurs is to “get out there and do it. If you love something and want to pursue it, then take the steps to make it happen.” Most success doesn’t happen overnight. It takes hard work and sometimes years to get where you want to be. “It took me 10 years to get to where I am now, and I’m grateful that I was able to make it happen,” Gary exclaims. “Maybe I could have done it sooner if I was more confident, but I did it when it was right for me.”
See Through Gary’s Lens
If you’re looking for a photographer who can truly capture the essence of your important moments with care and expertise, consider Gary Riggs Photography. You can see his work and get in touch via his website www.garyriggsphotography.com or follow him on Facebook at /GaryRiggsPhotography and Instagram at @GaryRiggsPhotography. You can also find his work throughout the articles in this very magazine.
Gary’s work speaks for itself. His photographs capture moments and tell the stories of the people and places that make Michiana special. He’s a storyteller whose medium happens to be the camera. Whether through the quiet details or the grand emotions, Gary Riggs adds a touch of artistry to every frame, leaving a lasting impression that extends far beyond the lens.
Written by Eleni Owens | Photos by Gary Riggs Photography