Meet Chris Rusanowsky

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

Hi Chris, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
When I first picked up a camera, my goal was simple, to create photographs that made a difference in people’s lives. For years, I chased that dream as a photojournalist would covering real stories and documenting the world as it unfolded. But as time passed, the freelance journalism industry began to decline. Budgets shrank, and opportunities became fewer.

Eventually, I made the decision to return to the world of weddings—but with a different approach. I started to immerse myself in my clients’ lives, much like I would with a story subject. Their wedding day wasn’t just another event to photograph—it became a deeply personal narrative with emotional depth and connection.

By blending my background in photojournalism with wedding storytelling, I’ve been able to offer something truly unique: a service that doesn’t just document the day, but captures the genuine heartbeat behind it.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Wedding photography is often one of the most underrated and stress-filled career paths out there. Imagine working 8 to 14-hour days with no breaks, in uncomfortable weather, under fast-paced and unpredictable conditions, with only one chance to capture a moment that can’t be recreated. That’s the reality of wedding photography. But within that chaos lies something beautiful: the chance to witness and document one of the happiest days in a couple’s and their family’s lives. You become a silent observer of love, joy, and human connection.

With my photography, I don’t just document the day, I dive deep into my clients’ stories. I use a blend of still photography and multimedia tools to tell those stories in an authentic, visually compelling way. Cameras and settings are second nature to me. What I truly seek are moments, moments that are captured in perfect light and thoughtful composition that reflect the real heartbeat of the day.

My brand, Bear Run Media, is a small startup with big dreams. We’re not just here to provide photography services, we aim to become family archivists and personal storytellers. We want to document more than just the best moments—we want to capture the quiet, the mundane, and even the sorrowful parts of life. Because that’s what real storytelling is: honest, human, and whole.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I am really into hiking so taking them to some great hiking spots around Fort Worth and Parker County. Next we would visit Down Town Dallas and see the city on foot. Next would be getting some good bbq and some good food down in Denton Square.

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?
I wouldn’t be able to pursue this life without the support of my family. My mother and grandmother have always been my biggest cheerleaders. When life feels hard or uncertain, I lean on my wife, she grounds me and reminds me that everything will be okay. And finally, my friends and colleagues at ARGO Collective—a group of freelance photojournalists who came together to build an encouraging, creative community that have been an essential part of this journey.

Website: https://www.chrisrusanowsky.com

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