Ryan A Carpenter
Bringing Food and Community Together
Published April 1, 2025
Photographer Ryan A Carpenter brings a deeply personal and imaginative lens to “Colors of Atlanta,” capturing the city’s spirit through food, culture and community. Carpenter’s creative journey is fueled by his love for the region and his desire to share its diverse stories.
A Celebration of Everyday Moments
Born in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., Carpenter’s path to photography was anything but traditional. After working in sales and spending time in Boston, he felt disconnected from his roots. A visit to Atlanta changed everything.
“This is not the Atlanta I remember,” he says, reflecting on the city’s evolution into a creative and cultural hub.
Atlanta’s dynamic energy and welcoming spirit reignited his passion, leading him to pick up a camera in search of creative fulfillment.
Carpenter’s photography celebrates everyday moments and the hidden beauty of familiar places.
“Atlanta has so many creatives,” he explains. “I’ll see photos from areas I know, like a restaurant or a spot on the Beltline, and think, ‘Oh my God, I didn’t even think about that shot.’”
A Food Story
For “Colors of Atlanta,” Carpenter’s creative process was fueled by bold, imaginative ideas.
“I was told to dream up a masterpiece,” he recalls.
The challenge inspired a whirlwind of concepts from shooting a meal in the middle of I-85 to showcasing Atlanta’s culinary identity with a family-style gathering at a historic restaurant.
His final piece featured a dining setting at The Garden Room in Buckhead. Atlanta icons sitting at the table included Ryan Gravel, visionary for the Atlanta Beltline; Hala Moddelmog, the first female president and CEO of the Metro Atlanta Chamber; Freddy Money, chef at one-star MICHELIN restaurant Atlas; Shirley Franklin, mayor of Atlanta from 2002 to 2010; Pat Mitchell, first female president and CEO of PBS; and Fahamu Pecou, founder and executive director of the African Diaspora Art Museum of Atlanta.
“It’s almost like a family gathering in this circle, having this meal together,” he says. It illustrates his vision of Atlanta as a place where food brings people of all backgrounds together.
Ryan also captured images of the staff at Atlas.
It’s in the Details
His meticulous attention to detail shows Carpenter’s dedication to his craft. During the “Colors of Atlanta” shoot, he experimented with lights to achieve the perfect look, bouncing creative ideas off the team.
Carpenter captures Atlanta as a place where cultures converge, stories unfold and food becomes a unifying force. His contributions to “Colors of Atlanta” offer a powerful visual narrative, highlighting the city’s diversity, creativity and enduring sense of community.
Learn more about other talented photographers featured on “Colors of Atlanta” and watch the TV series.
Daniela is the content manager and bilingual editor for Discover Atlanta. As an award-winning bilingual journalist, she is passionate about shinning light on untold stories about culture, food and Atlanta.
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