Ripping the City with @palebluewave, Portland’s Viral Portrait Photographer

While recovering from hip surgery, Ryan Daniel began taking long strolls around the city. His walks gave him a new perspective on his home and its people. After working corporate marketing jobs for 15 years, he was ready to ditch the office and tap into his creative side. He bought a camera and began taking impromptu shots of the people he encountered downtown. Just over a year (and one corporate layoff) later, the 40-year-old known on Instagram as @palebluewave has turned his hobby into a career, with a growing photography business and nearly a quarter million followers. 

Daniel started by posting solely his still portraits for what was then 50 or so followers, but he soon began adding video—clips of him approaching passersby and asking to take their picture. He sees his casual, behind-the-scenes reels as key to his virality. “Each interaction I have had was really interesting, because there’d be a whole story arc,” the photographer says. While his breezy persona chatting with strangers may seem smooth, he admits he still has nerves
approaching his subjects. “Instead of fearing it, I use it to jump in,” he says. 

Best Portland backdrop? Cathedral Park. I just think it’s majestic.

Favorite  photographer? Jeremy Paige (a.k.a. @eatenbyflowers) or Trevor Wisecup. 

Favorite place in the city to clear your mind? I love walking around St. Johns.

Favorite part about winter? Snow.

Go-to Portland restaurant to take out-of-towners? Casa Zoraya. It’s a Peruvian restaurant and a hidden gem. 

Food you hate that everyone seems to love? Sandwiches. I just don’t get sandwiches.

A retail store that’s Portland’s best-kept secret? Bingo Used Books.

Favorite book? 11/22/63 by Stephen King.

Favorite TV show? The Sopranos.

Eternal playlist song? “Find Me” by Porches.

Favorite Oregon road trip? Lincoln City. It’s my favorite beach town.

Local winter/cold weather dish you love? Chili and a stout.

Who’s your hero? Hans Niemann, the American chess player. For the past five years I’ve been obsessed with chess.

What’s your mantra? Keep going. 

Best advice you’ve received? You can be whoever you want to be.

Worst advice you’ve received? Social media haters telling me to quit photography.

The best gift you’ve received? Being able to wake up and feel good is a gift. 

What excites you the most about the future of Portland? The community. 

Three words that describe Portland? Vibrant. Tenacious. Authentic.

Three words that describe you? Independent. Sincere. Courageous.