Meet Ryan Marlowe | Photographer, Writer, and Student of Life

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ryan Marlowe and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ryan, let’s talk legacy – what do you want yours to be?
You know, I was thinking about this the other day. I was listening to this high-vibing rapper named Able Heart. He was rapping about how he overcame himself and was met with success. It was this really triumphant vibe, pretty inspirational.

I was reflecting on the process that he went through (one that we all go through to some extent) and I realized that any/all challenges overcome afford a person two distinct opportunities:

a) Share your wins with the world
b) Use your wins as clever informants as to how you can help others

The two aren’t mutually exclusive, oftentimes they mix. What I realized, though, is you get to decide how much of either you’d prefer.

I think I’d want it 70/30; 30% saying, “Hey, look at world, this guy overcame his BS and rose to fulfillment. And 70% that’s more focused on saying, “And you can do it too.”

What should our readers know about your business?
I’m the proud owner of Lighthouse Media Co., San Diego County’s newest real estate media company.

Lighthouse offers everything from classic listing photos to virtual 3D Matterport tours.

The story behind the biz is really a testament to the blessing of having incredible friends & family in your corner, and having the courage to listen to them when they encourage you to follow your dreams.

See, when I was a kid, I had fine-motor-skills problems. My handwriting sucked and to be quite honest I don’t think I ever learned how to hold a pencil right. My grip is still “unique”.

Suffice to say, I never thought that I would be good at any kind of visual art, or instrument for that matter.

Fast-forward to shortly after I graduated high school; I was on a camping trip out in Joshua Tree with three of my best friends. I decided to bring this camera that my parents gave me which had just been sitting idle.

One of those friends (Patrick) happened to be a very talented photographer.

We were sitting on this massive rock pile and I’d just snapped some photos. Pat was sitting next to me and we were looking at them on the back of my camera, and then Pat said the sentence that (I realize now) changed the trajectory of my life. He said, “You know man, these are good.”

That hit me deep. Because not only was it coming from somebody who I knew wouldn’t lie to me, but it was also coming from someone whose work I really respected.

The next thing I knew I was a photography major at Palomar College. The next thing I knew after that, I got scared that it wasn’t a feasible career. Then, the next thing I knew after that, I’d graduated with my associate’s in journalism.

It didn’t take long for me to realize, though, that journalism wasn’t what made my heart sing.

It was by grace, in the form of another conversation with a friend (who I consider as kind of a mentor as well) that the spark was re-lit. My pal, Harrison told me,“ Yes, it’s true that the market is over-saturated, in the sense that everyone has a camera, but it’s under-saturated in the sense that not everyone knows how to use that camera or create a compelling composition.”

Right then and there, I decided that I would become a freelance photographer.

The only thing was, I didn’t have a niche. It didn’t take me very long to realize that I needed to narrow my focus.

I chose real estate because it involves everything that I love:
Networking (I love talking to people), it’s low-stress (I find taking pictures of houses is normally a pretty tranquil process), it’s sustainable, and it pays well.

And so, Lighthouse Media Co. was born.

Right now I’m a one-man band, but as my business grows, I’d be open to hiring a few other photographers.

What makes me different from other real estate photographers/larger media companies?

The invincible combo: Ethics and Quality.

I treat all of my clients with the same respect, timeliness, and kindness that I would show to a dear friend, and with years of experience under my belt (and a portfolio to show for it), I provide them with immense value.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Places: Skydiving at GoJump Oceanside

Taking in the beauty of nature at Bataquitos Lagoon, Torrey Pines, Palomar Mountain, Rancho Peñasquitos Falls

More serenity at the Self-Realization Fellowship Gardens in Encinitas and the Questhaven Nature Preserve in San Marcos.

Food:
– Haggo’s Tacos (Thursday nights to catch Austin Burns rocking the house with his velvety grooves and melodies)

– Tasty treats that you can only find at the Local Scoop: Plastic Free Grocery Store and Refill Shop in Encinitas

– The world’s greatest smoothie bowls at Choice Juicery (specifically their Carlsbad Village location)

– Bagels at Inglorious Bagels. These cats are so serious about bagel-making that they mimic the mineral profile of NY water (that the bagels are boiled in) to ensure the most authentic taste/texture.

– Ice Cream at Jojo’s Creamer where every scoop is made with love 🤙

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My Mom & Dad
Samantha Gail Marlowe & Barry Theodore Marlowe

My Grandma & Grandpa:

Barbara Natalie Berman & Mike Berman (Rest in Peace)

My Aunt Lynn & Uncle Roger

My Aunt Diane & Cousin Dylan Martin

Jared Campbell, the man who taught me how to tap into and communicate with my feelings; an alchemical process the likes of which is largely understated in our culture and can utterly change your life, when given the proper guidance.

Jo-el Heathecoate

Gabe Gasanov

Geovani Gonzalez

Patrick Priest

Kenan Sterna

Chris Petty

Sheraya Camenson

Abigail Butler

Natalie Cornacchione

Shana Lipner Grover

Savana Rubin

Patrick Keatley

Harrison Hodson

Damon Wilshire

Rev. Blake Isaac

Anyone and everyone who has ever shown (and will ever show) me Love and support.

Website: https://www.lighthousemediaco.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lighthouse_mediaco

Image Credits
Rev. Blake Isaac (my headshot)

All other photos attributed to Lighthouse Media Co.