Sailer’s Adventurer: Ryan Carter — Courage, Freedom & The Call of the Wild
By Erika Fernandes-Rusan
✨ Meet Ryan Carter
Docked in: Los Angeles, California
Vibe In Three Words: Focused • Fearless • Intentional
Adventure Means: “Freedom, to me, is being able to roam with purpose and feel fully present in wild places.”
Photographed by Ryan Carter Media TV
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“Every photo, every project, every mile hiked is part of the bigger story I’m still writing.”
Some adventurers chase landscapes. Others chase meaning. Ryan Carter does both.
We first met years ago through a photography course at Southern New Hampshire University, studying studio lighting under the brilliant guidance of photographer Colleen Vandenberg. Even back then, Ryan approached photography with a different intensity. Where many experimented with technique, Ryan searched for something deeper. Since then, he’s taken that passion far beyond the classroom.
Ryan is now a wildlife photographer, storyteller, and the creative force behind Birds Prey Too and Unbecoming, projects that capture the poetry, power, and presence of the natural world.
“I’m a wildlife photographer, storyteller, and creative force behind Birds Prey Too and Unbecoming. I use my lens to capture more than just images — I capture purpose, presence, and the poetry of the wild. I’m from Watts, California — a place that shaped my vision and my resilience… What makes me me is my obsession with detail, my respect for nature, and my need to turn adversity into art.”
Through his lens, Ryan has walked into landscapes where few photographers go, standing eye-to-eye with raptors and documenting wildlife with both reverence and courage.
“I’ve walked off the grid, stood eye-to-eye with raptors, and built a name in spaces where people like me are rarely seen — and I did it without losing my voice.”
For him, the wild is more than scenery. It’s sanctuary.
“I’ve had countless experiences in the wild, but no matter where I go, one feeling always returns: peace and freedom. Being in nature strips everything else away — the noise, the pressure, the distractions — and replaces it with presence.”
One moment stands out clearly:
“One of the most unforgettable moments for me was being out on the Canadian Pacific, watching whales breach the surface in the heart of summer. The ocean was deep, the air was cold, and yet everything felt incredibly alive. Whales, seals, and seabirds moved through their world with a grace that left me humbled.”
Photography changed that connection forever.
“Before photography, I loved being outside. But the depth of connection, the sense of purpose — that came after I picked up the camera…Now every experience in nature carries weight. Every shot is a responsibility.”
For Ryan, wildlife photography isn’t just patience and long lenses. Sometimes it’s daring to take risks.
“I think the most daring thing I’ve ever done isn’t a single event — it’s what I do almost every time I head out…As a wildlife photographer, I knowingly put myself in harm’s way. I’m stepping into the natural habitat of apex predators, invading their space, their silence, their world.”
Red-footed booby captured in flight by Ryan Carter Media TV
When hiking into the wilderness before sunrise, he knows exactly what he’s stepping into.
“Most of them have the speed, strength, and instinct to end a life in seconds. That’s the reality.”
And still, he goes.
“That’s the life I signed up for. And I’d sign up for it again. Every single time.”
Ryan sees freedom differently than most people. For him, the truest example lives in the wild.
“Freedom, to me, means being able to roam and express yourself without boundaries. I’ve always admired the freedom of animals — the way they move, live, and survive without permission, without expectation. Out in the wild, there are no laws. No church. Just the raw, unfiltered cycle of life, repeating itself over and over.”
Ryan’s adventures are far from finished. One destination already sits firmly on his horizon. Within the next year, he hopes to photograph wildlife deep in one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth.
“One adventure on my bucket list that I will definitely do is exploring the Amazon in South America…The Amazon is raw, alive, unpredictable — and that’s exactly why I’m going … It’s not a dream — it’s a plan.”
Red-footed booby close-up captured by Ryan Carter Media TV
Still testing the edges of his courage.
“I’ve faced many fears in my life, but I wouldn’t say I’ve fully discovered that there are no limits to my strength — at least not yet. I’m still pushing, still testing myself.”
One moment reminded him what pushing forward really means.
“One of the scariest moments I’ve experienced was traveling up steep mountain roads in narrow vehicles — the kind where one wrong turn could change everything. It wasn’t just the height or the edge — it was the unknown, the feeling of not being in control.”
But he kept going:
“Fear doesn’t always disappear. Sometimes you just keep going anyway… And maybe that’s what strength really is — not the absence of fear, but the decision to keep moving despite it.”
This Fearless Sailer says, if he could wake up anywhere in the world tomorrow:
“I’d choose a place I’ve never been — somewhere full of mystery, culture, and natural wonder. I’d say India. And I’d want to wake up there with my daughter Lauren and my wife by my side. That’s the kind of experience you carry for life.”
⚡️Lighting Round with Ryan:
Ocean waves or mountain peaks?
🏜️ Bald Eagles soaring high
Sunrise adventure or moonlit escape?
🏞️ Early mornings deep in the woods
Skydiving or deep-sea diving?
🤿 I have been entertaining the thought of Deep-sea diving for underwater wildlife photos
Dream travel partner?
🏹 Wifey is that dream partner come true and then some.
Indoor adventures or outdoor thrills?
🌄 Outdoors, always
Spirit animal?
🦅 American Bald Eagle
✨ Sailer’s Vision
"There’s something about the idea of exploring without limits, of choosing to step beyond comfort, that reflects how I live — especially as a wildlife photographer."
Ryan connected deeply with the spirit behind the brand. Pushing through with No Limits.
“What speaks to me most about Sailer’s vision of freedom and risk-taking is the way it symbolizes peace and a free-spirited nature. That resonates deeply with who I am and how I move through the world.… That’s why Sailer’s vision hits home — it mirrors the spirit I carry with me into every forest, mountain, and ocean edge I explore.”
And when it comes to adventure gear? He chooses with intention:
“When I’m out in the wild, gear isn’t just about style — it’s survival… Army-grade cargo pants, a Timberland shirt, and Timberland coat — always.”
Some people photograph wildlife. Ryan Carter witnesses it.
Somewhere between choosing the silence of forests, noticing wings lurking overhead, and the patience of waiting for the right moment, he continues chasing something bigger than a photograph.
A reminder that freedom rarely comes easy.
That courage often means walking forward when the path is uncertain. And that the boldest adventures belong to those who keep going, even when the odds say turn back.
Because sometimes the wildest dream is simply refusing to stop.
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🌊 Continue The Adventure
Meet More Adventurers Living Wild & Free:
💫 Join the Journey
Do you have an adventure story to share? Fill out the Sailer’s Adventurer Mini-Interview or capture it through a Cherry Trails Session, and become part of the crew.
We celebrate those who dare, dream, and live wide awake.
⛵ Wear the Adventure
The spirit behind Sailer’s Co. lives in stories like Ryan’s.
Explore the Collections inspired by those who live boldly.
📸 Become the Story
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