Black and white photo of a mountain with steep, rugged slopes next to a calm lake.

BIO / BRYAN BIRKS

I grew up in Festus, Missouri, and I’m currently based in St. Louis (soon to be Tacoma), where I serve commercial, editorial, and wedding clients.

I hold a B.A. in Mass Communications from Southeast Missouri State University (didn’t really do me any good but I digress!), and my work has been recognized by both editorial and fine art establishments. My long-running series Articles of Virtu explores the intimate relationship between people and the cars they own, weaving together portraits, environmental details, and the places they call home.

Alongside my personal and editorial projects, I photograph weddings, focusing on authentic moments and the way light interacts with place. My documentary background shapes the way I approach each wedding — with a thoughtful, human-centered perspective. I’ve been filming or photographing weddings full time since 2015.

Over the years, I’ve expanded my work beyond Missouri into the Pacific Northwest, where the varied landscapes and dramatic light have given me a fresh visual voice for weddings and portraiture.

My professional commissions include contributions to The New York Times, NBC, ProPublica, and WildSam. You can view my personal work here.

The next phase of my creative life will look at trying to combine my love for documenting weddings with the twists and turns of assignment/fine art work. I hope that if you’re reading this, you’ll choose to join in on the fun!

A black-and-white portrait of a young man with short dark hair, sitting outdoors on a bench with trees and grass in the background.

Editorial Work

  • A man leaning on a high table in an elegant, vintage-style room with tall windows and drapes, black-and-white photograph.

    Derek Hough for The New York Times

  • Black and white photo of a building with classical columns, a brick staircase with a metal railing, and a modern glass building reflecting a dome in the background.

    Old St. Louis Courthouse for The New York Times

  • An elderly African American male doctor wearing glasses and a white lab coat standing in front of a brick wall.

    Dr. Tom McKinney for NBC News