At first, Ryan Bowden aspired to rule the world of photography.
Mr. Bowden, Ojai Valley School’s photography, digital design, and yearbook teacher, started taking photos at twelve years old when his grandfather enrolled him in a photography camp. And he never stopped. He went on to open a commercial film photography studio in Seattle, Washington, shooting anything from clothing lines to furniture to album covers.
This was before the age of digital photography, so he had a full working color and black-and-white darkroom to develop and print photographs.
However, it took some time to get the business off the ground.
“First year in any business, you’re eating Top Ramen, right? Second year in business… little fancier, like McDonald’s,” said Mr. Bowden. “By our third year, I was like, making a profit and I can go out to fancy restaurants.”
His album cover for Candlebox earned his studio renown in the photography industry, which propelled his studio to other jobs.
Blind Melon, a 90s band best known for their hit “No Rain,” scheduled Mr. Bowden for a photo shoot. Unfortunately, the lead singer died of a cocaine overdose before the shoot could happen.
Then one day, Mr. Bowden’s partner decided to leave the business and go into banking.
“I kind of had one of those moments,” said Mr. Bowden, “where it’s like, I gotta make a decision. Do I want to keep it going on my own?”
Mr. Bowden pivoted there. He moved back to California for the third time, where he continued his education by pursuing a graduate degree in photography at the Brooks Institute of Photography.
While in school, Mr. Bowden discovered his love of teaching when he coached track for San Marcos High School.
“I was like, ‘How can I do photography and work with students?’ And the light bulb went off,” he said. He could become a photography teacher.
“That was that kind of turning point in my life,” said Mr. Bowden.
Last year, Mr. Bowden moved back to California for the fourth time, from Florida. When Mr. Boyd retired, Mr. Bowden was up for the job.
Towako Hiramatsu is a student new to Mr. Bowden’s photography class, and she is really enjoying it. She says that some teachers just get through the content, but Mr. Bowden takes the time and care to make sure each student understands.
“I’m super enjoying the class,” she said. “I can use it in the future like for business… I can promote myself.”
Additionally, Mr. Bowden is bringing a whole new approach to the Yearbook. Tallulah Bell, a junior at OVS, has been in the Yearbook H Block all three years of high school and is now the Editor-in-Chief of the yearbook.
“Mr. Bowden’s teaching us new skills or using new programs,” she said, “I’ve been in yearbook for three years and also I’m learning new things.”
Mr. Bowden’s passion is helping students learn new things.
“I had this aspiration to be a big time commercial photographer and rule the world of photography and make lots of money. But then when I discovered teaching, I realized I had more of a passion for that than just making big money,” said Mr. Bowden. “I discovered I wanted to show, share my talent and my knowledge with others because I loved it so much.”