Conversations with Rylee Speese

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rylee Speese.

Rylee, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My connection to photography is deeply personal. I spent the first four years of my life in an orphanage in China, and because of that, I have very few photographs from those early years. Growing up without those pieces of my own story gave me an appreciation for photographs that goes far beyond simply creating something beautiful — they’re a way of holding onto people, seasons, and moments we can’t get back.

I started Rylee Makenna Photography with that at the heart of what I do. Over time, my work naturally found its way into weddings, where I fell in love with documenting all of the layers of a day – the people, emotion, movement, beauty, and the little moments happening in between everything planned.

As my business has grown, so has my perspective as an artist. I’ve become increasingly drawn to the balance between documentary storytelling and an editorial eye: allowing a wedding day to unfold honestly while creating imagery that still feels intentional and artful.

Today, I photograph weddings throughout the Midwest, Cincinnati, and Kentucky, and I’m continuing to build a brand rooted in faith, human connection, and the belief that photographs become more valuable with time. Ultimately, I want my couples to walk away with more than beautiful images. I want them to have a tangible record of what their life and the people they love felt like in that season.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t always been a smooth road. One of the biggest challenges has been learning to trust my own voice, both as an artist and as a business owner. The photography industry makes it incredibly easy to compare yourself to others and feel like there’s a certain way you’re supposed to create, market yourself, or measure success.

Over time, I’ve learned to become more confident in what feels true to me and the kind of work I want to create. My style has evolved alongside me, and I’ve become much more intentional about the stories I want to tell and the experience I want my couples to have.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My approach is very people centered. I pay close attention to what’s happening beyond the obvious moments: a parent watching from across the room, hands reaching for one another, the energy of a crowded dance floor, or the quiet few seconds between everything planned. I want my couples to be able to look back and remember not only what their wedding looked like, but what it felt like to be surrounded by the people they love.

At the same time, I love fashion, thoughtful details, beautiful environments, and creating imagery with a stronger editorial perspective. I don’t believe those two approaches have to compete with each other. Some moments deserve to be completely observed, while others benefit from direction and intention. Knowing when to do each is a huge part of my work.

What I’m most proud of is the trust my couples give me. Being invited into such an intimate day and being responsible for preserving pieces of their love story is something I don’t take lightly. Because of my own story and growing up without photographs from the first years of my life, I understand how much more valuable an image can become with time.

I think what sets my work apart is that I’m not chasing perfection for the sake of a beautiful photograph. I’m interested in creating something beautiful because it was real. Photographs that feel lived in, artful, and deeply human.

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I think one of the biggest risks I’ve taken was choosing to go all in on photography. When I was in college, I was on a completely different path and considering a career in social work. Photography wasn’t originally part of the plan.

I remember taking a chance on buying my first camera without really knowing where it would lead. What started as something I felt drawn to slowly became something I couldn’t ignore. The more I photographed people and their stories, the more I felt called toward it, and eventually I had to make the decision to trust that feeling and pursue wedding photography fully.

Walking away from the path I thought I was supposed to take and choosing a creative career with far fewer guarantees was scary. There wasn’t a clear roadmap or any certainty that I could turn photography into a sustainable business. I just knew I felt deeply connected to the work and believed there was a reason I kept being pulled toward it.

Looking back, that decision has shaped the way I think about risk. I don’t necessarily believe taking a risk means making a reckless leap. For me, it’s being willing to trust where I feel called, do the work, and move forward even when I can’t see the entire path yet. My faith has played a huge role in that.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ryleemakennaphotography.com
• Instagram: @ryleemakennaphotography