Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Davis.
Ryan, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Just before graduating college, I began my career at the local CBS TV affiliate in Beaumont, Texas. It was the late 80’s, and we were still shooting on 3/4 inch tape. The camera/recorder and other equipment I carried weighed almost as much as I did. It was there where I learned my tradecraft and was quickly awarded special assignments due to my creative photography and photojournalism skill set. I covered everything from Desert Shield deployment, Dallas Cowboys training camp, and traveling overseas to report on a secret relief effort during the war in Bosnia. And shot and produced the local police Crime Stoppers, Crime of the week program.
After many years in Beaumont, I was offered a position in Oklahoma City. I arrived at KFOR TV, the local NBC affiliate about six weeks before the bombing of the Murrah Federal Building. I was one of the first journalists to arrive at the scene and was the only news photojournalist given permission to fly over the scene to record aerial pictures and reconnaissance for the OKC fire department. While transmitting the scene to the FD, our television station transmitted that video all over the world, live.
In 1994, I was awarded “Best Television Photography” from the SETX Press Club.
My interest in aerial photography grew while chasing tornadoes and covering breaking news in Oklahoma.
In 1996, exactly one year after moving to OKC, I was hired as the Chief Aerial Photographer for the Dallas FOX affiliate and their new helicopter program, SKY-4. We dominated the market in aerial coverage and my footage appeared on numerous TV shows. About 2000, after some “things” that occurred in the television station, I left to work in the Oil and Gas Industry. Yes, big scary leap. I became Director of Communications/business development of a new E&P start-up and after six months, earned an equity position in the company. I helped grow the company to a 50MM reserve evaluation and served on the board as a director. After the oil crash in 2014, things changed. in 2017, the company was involved in a merger and things started going downhill. In 2018, I left the company and started my own company, Davis Oil and Minerals. I drilled three wells that year, two very successful. I then poured my energy into my old passion, photography. I started Ryan Davis Media with hopes of getting a gig here and there. To my surprise, Southlake did not have any production companies that had my experience. Today, I am glad to have had the courage to start again and build a business fueled by my passion.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I have learned all roads have a few potholes. If your careful, and dodge them, you will not damage your alignment.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I am a media content creator, photographer, video maker. I have an eye for composition and storytelling. My experience sets me apart from others.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
There is no such thing as luck. You decide your own destiny based on free will, determination, and hard work.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 214-707-7926
- Email: RyanDavisMedia@yahoo.com
- Instagram: @ryandavismedia
- Facebook: Ryan Davis Media
Image Credit:
Ryan Davis Media
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