“You Never Know The Value Of a Moment Until It Becomes a Memory”
Who is Ryan Hender as a Person?
Shortly after marrying my best friend in 2007, we found out we couldn’t have children of our own. After spending some time in Foster Care myself as a child, I knew there were many kids out there that could use a good loving home. Rather than going the traditional adoption route, we wanted to decided to foster children so we could change more than just one life. Jackson came to live with us when he was 7 months old, and just months later we were asked to adopt him, along with his twin brothers that had yet to be born. We went from a family of 2 to a family of 5 in just 4 short months. It changed everything.
I quit my job to stay home with our boys, and that allowed me to finally chase my dream of being an artist. I had always wanted to make a difference telling stories, but I never thought I would be doing what I do today. I first fell in love with fine art photography when I was just 15. I spent most of my life making videos purely as a hobby, with just over 2Million views on my YouTube channel. As of 2009 I have been a full-time freelance filmmaker and have enjoyed every second of it.
Claudia L
Just watched my whole wedding video!! It was amazing to see the stuff I missed that day! I love you all and the ones who were on camera giving us advice, y’all da real MVPs I had no idea!!
I will snap parts of it tomorrow so u all can see the amazingness that was, that day!! 
❤️❤️
Ps. Anyone need an amazing videographer in Utah, hit up Ryan Hender!
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Beautiful Red Rock Destination Wedding | Lindsey + Jason
If someone told me Lindsey and Jason weren’t destined to be together, I’d laugh. Their journey started about 10 years ago, and through a series of seemingly insignificant coincidences, they met by accident. Since that day long ago, they’ve traveled the world together, in search of the meaning of life. They’ve moved 16 times in all different time zones, across many states across the U.S. They may not always agree on everything, but the one thing they both couldn’t refuse was their wedding would be held in red rock country of Southern Utah.
Entrada at Snow Canyon Country Club is a stunning golf course positioned neatly in the St. George foothills just below the Snow Canyon State Park. Situated just below the surrounding mountains, the beautiful venue offers vastly colorful sunsets as far as the eye can see. Just hours before the Ceremony, Lindsey had a close family member sent back home due to a flare up of A.L.S. symptoms.
While the ladies got dressed at a private home nearby, the men gathered just outside the Snow Canyon State Park for a spectacular photo shoot.
Jason and his new wife Linsey were surrounded by some pretty amazing family and friends who came from all over the country to witness the once in a lifetime event. Being a wedding photographer is such an honor. Jason came up and gave me a hug, though he probably would deny it now that he is sober. “You know why I love you guys?” he asked. “Because when I watch this video in 50 years, and look at these pictures, I will get to remember this very moment”. He continued “You know, my memory isn’t that great, so I won’t be able to remember this, but what you guys are doing will make it possible for me to see it again”. I really do love so much what I do. Sometimes I am the wedding videographer, other times I am just shooting as a photographer, either way, I get to preserve the special day between two people and their families.
After the officiant finished his well polished remarks, the couple continued with their own hand written vows that took each others’ breath away.
Their wedding is one I will never forget. The wedding venue, the spectacular sunset in Southern Utah’s redrock country, the beautiful words spoken about two amazing people, and of course the people. Family and friends danced for hours, never letting up. The photos and video below are just a teaser of what is to come.
Logan City Newborn + Family Photo Shoot
It’s been a busy year for more than just me, Elizabeth and Josh just welcomed a new bundle of joy into their family. She is so sweet! It was a little chilly during the shoot, they had to keep her warm in between the shooting by swaddling her.
Utah State Capitol Bridal + First Look Video with Shaylyn + Bodie
Shaylyn and Bodie’s wedding is coming up so fast! With less than 2 weeks to go, the waiting is finally over. Bodie stood in agony while he waited for his stunning bride in her beautiful wedding gown to reveal herself to him for the very first time. What a spectacular sight it was! Just take a look.
Should You Take First Look Wedding Photos? | Big Day Q&A
The ‘first look’ has become a popular trend. This new, intimate photo-op conflicts with one of the most notable superstitions: The groom must not see the bride before the wedding. It’s no wonder this topic was pitched for our Big Day Q&A series! Before you pick a tradition to take on, it may help to know the pros and cons of first look wedding photos—it’s not as simple as breaking with tradition or not. There’s lighting, location, and time to consider, not to mention the different ways you can reveal your beauty to your beau. By the end of this blog, you should have a better idea if this photo-op is right for you.
The Pros & Cons
Before I jump into the pros and cons, let’s discuss why superstition surrounds the first look in the first place. When arranged marriages were commonplace, the ceremony was basically a business deal—one that could fall through if the groom-to-be opted out. In other words, if he decided his fiancé wasn’t pretty enough, he could bail. To prevent this from happening, it was decided that a groom couldn’t see the bride before the ceremony. This is also why veils exist! They were originally designed to cover a woman’s face until both parties said, “I do.” How nice. So seeing the bride before the nuptials doesn’t exactly lead to bad luck—but it could lead to a runaway groom. Now that we’ve taken the superstition card off the table, here are the real pros and cons of having a pre-wedding reveal:
Pros:
-You have more time to take pictures. Waiting until after the ceremony for photography means your guests have to wait too. It also means you miss more of the reception. -You may lose the light. Depending on the time of year and the start of your ceremony, if you wait to take pictures until after the nuptials, you may lose ideal lighting. Make sure your photographer has your wedding day timeline on-hand to prevent this from happening. -You can calm each other down. I expect you’ll be a bit nervous as you get ready for the big day. Who better to calm you down than the one going through it with you? Take a moment to breathe, reflect, and prepare for that walk down the aisle. -The photos are unmatched. If you stage it right, the pictures you’ll get from a first look are unbeatable. Your fresh bridal style, his nerves, your smile, his tears…
Cons:
-More sleep! If you cut a pre-ceremony photo-session, you have more time for beauty rest. -More time to get ready. We all know that hair never cooperates when you need it to, makeup can smudge, and last-minute slip-ups happen. If you forgo the photos, you have more time to perfect your look. -Sunset, anyone? If you time it right, you could be taking your newlywed shots at sunset instead of in the morning. Both are beautiful, but there’s nothing like a setting sun to enhance a bridal glow. -Your guests will be a part of the big moment. Sharing the first sighting one-on-one is intimate, but sharing it with your friends and family is quite special. -You’ll be married! How much fun will it be to pose as man and wife? That just-married feeling will make the images even more magical.
Tips for this pre-wedding photoshoot.
If you’ve decided to go for it, there are a few things to keep in mind before the big day.
What do you want to do during this special moment? Many couples simply take it all in! It’s an opportunity to fully embrace the day ahead and the promise you’re making. It’s also a good opportunity to calm each other down—you’re going through the same thing after all. If you’re religious, take a moment to say a prayer. You can say one as a couple and gather your bridal party for another.
Where will this moment take place? Since time is a factor, I recommend choosing a special spot near where you’re taking the rest of your pics. Things to keep in mind are weather (have a back-up option) and lighting. Choose this spot prior to the big day and let your photographer know the details!
When will this moment take place? Give yourselves enough time! I recommend 30 minutes to an hour.
Who should walk? Another common question is whether the bride should walk to her fiancé or the other way around. It really depends on the location and your attire. If you’re outside, nervous to dirty your dress before it floats down the aisle, the groom should come to you. If you get to float down a staircase and see his eyes light up, you should go to him. It’s all a matter of personal preference. Who wants to tap whose shoulder? You could also do a reveal with dad and have him walk you to your fiancé!
Millcreek Inn Wedding with Jordyn + Sheldon Teaser Video
Sheldon and Jordyn met by accident. Sheldon was in college, hanging out with his best friend A.J. On a random night, bored as any college student can be, they wandered over to the quad to see what trouble they could get into. There she was, hanging out with another guy. Sheldon didn’t know if she was single, but with some help from his best friend, they were able to scare off the other guy so Sheldon could make his move. Fast forward a few years later, they are both successful in their own respective careers, and adventurous in their travels.
It was a warm fall day a few short miles up Millcreek Canyon in Salt Lake City. Family gathered from around the country, and from around the globe to witness the moment where the couple would say their I dos.
About the venue:
Wedding Ceremonies and Receptions
Your wedding day is likely the most important and memorable day of your life. We recognize the importance of sharing this day exclusively with family and friends, not with people you don’t know. Therefore, when you book our facility, it’s yours and yours alone. Whether your guest total is dozens or hundreds, our wedding grounds are reserved exclusively for your event with family and friends. Exclusivity is the quintessential element for this most important and memorable occasion. Your satisfaction is our ultimate goal. Your privacy is our first priority. Can you envision your perfect wedding? Take a look at our wedding photos to see what we can offer you on your special day.
Private Parties and Events
Businesses, organizations, families, and friends have been sharing their most intimate memories with us since 1999. Our facility can serve as a private party venue for a wide range of events. We can accommodate all types of business functions, including holiday parties, sales training, educational seminars, trade show dinners, convention events and non-profit fundraisers.
Our food, service, and atmosphere will delight you and your guests. It is our sincere hope that you will share all of your family events and business functions with Millcreek Inn. To get a better idea of what your private party could look like, take a look at our private party photos.
Dining Service
Delight your family and friends with exquisite food and beverage service. Our talented Chef delivers his culinary flare, while our service staff pampers your guests. Our dining service is known for its fresh ingredients, unique combinations, lavish presentations and service with sophistication. Not only will you get to choose what type of food you’d like, you’ll get to choose the style of service you’d like for your guests. Just a few of the choices we offer are banquet dinners, wedding reception appetizers, themed menus for weddings, slider buffet menus and wedding dessert bars. Take a look at our wedding food photos. Our Chef and his staff ensure exquisite cuisine in all areas: Preparation, Service, Artistry, Taste.
Moody Sunset Bridal Photo Shoot up Big Cottonwood Canyon Utah
After knowing each other for about 10 years, Chelsea and Jordan finally tied the knot in a beautiful backyard wedding just two short weeks ago. During the wedding Ceremony, Jordan’s father reminded Jordan that just a couple years back, he had told his dad that marriage was just an old fashioned tradition. He then reminded Jordan that it was only because he hadn’t found the right woman, and he was definitely right! She didn’t dare do her Bridals before the wedding out of fear that he’d see her in her wedding dress before they said their I dos. So we went up to Big Cottonwood Canyon just before sunset on a beautiful fall day.
Big Cottonwood Canyon is a canyon in the Wasatch Range 12 miles (19 km) southeast of Salt Lake City in the U.S. state of Utah. The 15-mile (24 km)-long canyon provides hiking, biking, picnicking, rock-climbing, camping and fishing in the summer. Its two ski resorts, Brighton and Solitude, are popular among skiers and snowboarders. The canyon is accessed by The Big Cottonwood Canyon Scenic Byway (SR-190), which runs its length to Guardsman Pass at the top of the canyon, allowing travel to Park City in the summer months.
Guardsman Pass is closed during the winter months and is a popular snowshoe hiking destination for many Utahns.
Hiking to the canyon’s mountain lakes is popular, with many trails leading to lakes such as Mary, Martha and Katherine. The canyon’s most popular hiking trail leads to Lakes Blanche, Florence and Lillian. The trail is 3.1 miles (5.0 km) long and a strenuous hike. Since the canyon was formed by Big Cottonwood Creek, the V-shaped canyon has many impressive rock forms.
The canyon is also a frequent destination for Utah Native Plant Society wildflower walks and for University of Utah botanical field trips. The canyon and the adjoining Little Cottonwood Canyon contain significant biodiversity and are home to a number of rare and endemic plant species. One example is the Wasatch shooting-star, Dodecatheon dentatum var. utahense which is only known from Big Cottonwood Canyon.
Big Cottonwood Canyon is a watershed canyon that supplies drinking water to the Wasatch Front, therefore pets and other domesticated animals are not allowed. In November 2011, a proposal to construct a gondola linking Solitude Ski Resort through Big Cottonwood Canyon to the Canyons Resort in Summit County drew criticism over concerns about its potential effect on sensitive terrain and watershed impacts.
Stunning Rustic Backyard Wedding in South Jordan Utah | Chelsea + Jordan
After knowing each other for about 10 years, Chelsea and Jordan finally tied the knot in a beautiful backyard wedding. During the wedding Ceremony, Jordan’s father reminded Jordan that just a couple years back, he had told his dad that marriage was just an old fashioned tradition. He then reminded Jordan that it was only because he hadn’t found the right woman, and he was definitely right!
Just beneath the Wasatch mountains, nestled neatly above the Jordan river where Jordan had spent some of his childhood, the couple said their I Dos. Just hours before the wedding Ceremony, I had taken the Bride’s dress and hung it from the tree, not knowing that shortly afterward, the couple would be joining their lives together right where her dress hung. The couple danced their first dances just as the sun set for the evening which made for some spectacular colors in the sky around them.
When it came time for dancing, nobody held back. It was a fun filled beginning to a lifelong adventure. I am so glad I got to be a part of their special day. We were hired to shoot both photography and video for the lovely couple, I couldn’t wait to edit a few images and put together a quick teaser video.
Contact
FAQ
Pricing
Planning your wedding budget is hard enough without having to hunt down pricing and endless emails to find out how much your favorite videographer/photographer is. We have listed all our pricing to make planning your day as easy as possible.
There will be additional charges for destination, or Out of State weddings. Travel pricing varies on a case by case basis.
For example Flight, Hotel & other travel expenses.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us for any travel quotes.
DO YOU DO BOTH PHOTO AND VIDEO?
Absolutely! We’ve developed some pretty awesome packages that give you the best of both worlds.
Our clients LOVE the fact that they have two professionals working every angle of the wedding day.
Having two professionals is an incredible asset to wedding day coverage, we are able to cover the Bride and Groom getting ready, multiple angles of the ceremony and reception!
One of the many highlights to hiring Ryan Hender Films is you get two full time professionals on your wedding day!
WHERE ARE YOU LOCATED & DO YOU TRAVEL?
We are based in Salt Lake City, Utah.
All our pricing includes free travel up to 25 miles outside of Salt Lake City.
Travel is billed very simply. If Airfare, Hotel & Rental Car are needed all you are responsible for is a direct reimbursement for the charges.
DO WE NEED TO PROVIDE A SHOT LIST?
Other than family groupings, we would prefer you didn’t. Let us explain why.
It is very helpful to know who your important family and friends are on the wedding day.
Working from a checklist is counter productive from the work you see on our website, shot lists are a great idea in theory, but we generally capture those images without prompting.
Providing us with a long list of shots will reduce the amount of wedding day documentation we are able to achieve. Therefor making your gallery much different than what you have seen.
LOCATIONS AND PERMITS
There are many places that require you to get a permit or pay a fee for photography.
If you have any questions about locations or photography fees let us know and we can help you find the answers.
WHAT TYPE OF EQUIPMENT DO YOU USE?
We use multiple professional Canon & Nikon full frame cameras and lenses.
Make sure your photographer has multiple professional camera bodies during your big day. This is an oversight often missed by most brides but could spell disaster for them. Cameras do and will fail at some point no matter how new or expensive they are. Professional lenses are equally important, they help render the highest quality imagery under any conditions.
Rain, Snow or Shine our equipment is weather sealed and ready for anything.
The last thing you want is a photographer who is afraid of the elements.
DO YOU HAVE INSURANCE?
Yes! Absolutely Yes!
Professional wedding photographers should have the proper insurance for their business. Insurance protects the photographer against equipment theft, but more importantly it provides liability protection in case Great Uncle Phil trips over the photographer’s bag and breaks his leg. When wedding photographers do not have insurance, chances are they are new to the industry or are not taking their business seriously.
DO YOU EDIT MY PHOTOGRAPHS?
Yes we do!
All your images are culled and those that make the final cut all receive our special touch.
We often select a few favorites for special attention above and beyond the individual image editing.
DO YOU PHOTOGRAPH THE REHEARSAL?
You may add rehearsal coverage to your package at an additional cost if you wish. The Rehearsal Dinner is most often suggested to be covered by the Videographer, and adds an incredible amount of sentimental value in the finished product. Many of our wedding videos include footage from a rehearsal dinner.
WHAT IS AN ONLINE GALLERY?
The online gallery is a section on our website where all of your wedding photographs will be placed online for you and your family and friends to view at any time.
It is also a secure shopping cart for you and family to order prints, cards or albums from and have them delivered right to your door.
HOW LONG UNTIL I RECEIVE MY PHOTOGRAPHS?
HOW LONG UNTIL I RECEIVE MY PHOTOGRAPHS?
HOW MANY PHOTOGRAPHS WILL I RECEIVE?
The number of photographs taken depends on many things.
Types of events, hours of coverage, number of guests, locations… The average is 500 images for an eight hour day. Those numbers may vary depending on the day itself.
DO WE RECEIVE RAW FILES OR UNEDITED IMAGES?
The Raw, unedited images are not available for purchase or viewing.
The images selected for final delivery reflect our very high standards and cut images are not archived.
CAN YOU HOLD A DATE FOR ME?
To be fair to everyone we do not hold dates until a deposit is made and a contract is signed.
All bookings are on a first come first serve basis.
WHAT IS YOUR PAYMENT SCHEDULE?
A non-refundable deposit of 50% of your total balance is due to reserve your day.
The remaining balance is due one week before the wedding day. The retainer fee and all money collected is non-refunable. The retainer guarantees the reservation of your date and after the contract is signed we turn down all other commissions for that day.
WHEN SHOULD WE BOOK YOU?
As soon as possible! We don’t hold dates unless we have a signed contract and deposit is paid.
We often book weddings as far as two years in advance. If you want US, the sooner the better!