The People Behind the Posts
Our techs, editors, and field contributors — the photographers and videographers who inspect the gear and write what they learn.
I'm Roger and I am the founder of Lensrentals.com. Hailed as one of the optic nerds here, I enjoy shooting collimated light through 30X microscope objectives in my spare time. When I do take real pictures I like using something different: a Medium format, or Pentax K1, or a Sony RX1R.
Articles written by the entire editorial and technical staff at LensRentals.com. These articles are for when there is more than one author for the entire post, and are written as a community effort.
I'm Zach and I'm the editor and a frequent writer here at Lensrentals.com. I'm also a commercial beauty photographer in Los Angeles, CA, and offer educational workshops on photography and lighting all over North America.
My name is Ryan and I am a video tech here at Lensrentals.com. In my free time, I mostly shoot documentary stuff, about food a lot of the time, as an excuse to go eat free food. If you need my qualifications, I have a B.A. in Cinema and Photography from Southern Illinois University in beautiful downtown Carbondale, Illinois.
I’ve been a photographer since high school, and an electrical engineer all of my professional life. The two things came together for a while. From 1989 until the middle of 1995, I worked as an IBM Fellow at the Almaden Research laboratory south of San Jose, CA. For those six years, my principal area of research was color management, color processing for digital photography, and color transformations such as gamut mapping. At other times in my career, I researched speech recognition and speech bandwidth compression and developed data acquisition and process control computer systems, telephone switching systems, and data communication systems. I retired in 2000, and for the last 22 years when I’m not serving on NFP boards unrelated to photography, I’ve been spending most of my free time making photographs.
I'm Sarah. I have a BFA in Photography from the University of Memphis. I've been shooting professionally for over 6 years. When I'm not working here or freelancing, I enjoy yoga and traveling.
I’m Joey. I love cameras, especially old film cameras, and I can’t remember the last day I didn’t take a photo. Digital cameras are great, and they keep me employed, but I also still like processing my own film. I’m stuck somewhere in the middle. I shoot every single day, no matter what.
I'm Joshua and a video technician at Lensrentals.com. Before Lensrentals, I was a weekend portrait photographer and owned an audio recording studio just outside of Memphis, TN. Now, I have the pleasure of inspecting a small selection of the video gear you rent, and after hours produce content for YouTube and the wider internet.
My name is Ally and I am a Senior Video Technician at Lens Rentals. I'm a freelance veteran in almost every production department and a total gear nerd. When I'm not producing or directing commercials and music videos, I like to take advantage of my free time by oversharing pictures of my dog on Instagram.
I'm Brennan and I'm a photo expert in the Nashville office for Lensrentals.com. I have a background in street and documentary photography and also work as a wedding photographer part-time throughout the Southeast.
I'm a photo technician and video enthusiast. By day, I inspect lenses and cameras as well as assist with gear questions and recommendations and by night, I practice photography and videography for fun and professionally. I'm a tech guy by nature so I enjoy testing all the new gear and giving my impressions.
Articles that are written by the editorial staff at Backblaze.com. Articles part of a three-part series focused on data management and protection.
I enjoy shooting vignettes featuring my daughter and her progress through life, as well as elaborate photoshop projects featuring my dog Penny Lane. Apart from that, the normal "I went to film school" aspirational short films and music videos. I do not shoot weddings
I'm an astro-photographer and timelapse filmmaker based in Los Angeles. Using specialized cameras and equipment, I capture what our eyes can't see revealing the wonders of the universe.
Keenan Hursh is a Photographer, writer, and creative story teller based out of Bozeman, Montana. He draws inspiration from his frequent excursions into the natural world and always brings his camera along to capture whatever adventures he finds himself in. He is passionate about documenting and sharing fleeting moments from the natural world and focuses primarily on wildlife, landscape, and adventure photography. Keenan is both a Photography Trip Leader and the Website, Copy, and Content Specialist for Backcountry Journeys, the #1 trusted leader in small-group photography workshops, trips, and safaris with well over 100 trips across the globe. You can view Keenan’s portfolio on his website at keenanhurshphoto.com.
I'm Lynn. Prior to becoming a Photo Technician at Lensrentals.com, I owned a wedding photography business and newborn studio. I've also worked as a professional studio portrait photographer and lifestyle photographer. I currently enjoy freelancing and taking photos of wildlife, landscapes, and street scenes for my personal enjoyment. I feel very fortunate to get to experiment with various lighting techniques and an assortment of camera systems and accessories to make my visions come to life.
My name is Matthew Saville and I am an astro-landscape and timelapse photographer based in Southern California. I have been exploring the American West with family and friends my whole life, and have been serious about wilderness adventures and astro-landscape photography since 2005.
When I first picked up a camera 7 years ago, photography itself morphed into a ticket for exploring my various passions in life. Additionally, and more importantly, it serves as an avenue for sharing them with the hope of capturing the imaginations and curiosity of the world. My journey with this art has been quite the adventure thus far. From cutting my teeth in the automotive sector with some insane four-wheeled machinery, the speed and power of aviation, the tranquility of a dark night sky, and eventually making the space coast of Florida home in pursuit of capturing the intensity, passion, and engineering marvel that is spaceflight. With that, I believe that one day my photography will serve as my ticket to fly in space. An ordinary life will only leave you with ordinary stories.
Ryan Longnecker is an outdoor travel and landscape photographer based in Long Beach, California. Over the last 16 years, Ryan has pursued creative careers from music to creative direction and has landed in photography, design, and social media strategy. His passion is to work alongside anyone who is bringing beauty and hope into the world, making it a little less cynical and more beautiful all the time.
I’m a hobbyist photographer living in the Southwestern United States. I’m not a professional photographer but I do enjoy traveling and capturing all the beauty that is people, landscape, animals and anything that is visually stimulating. Occasionally, I'm happy to provide my insight and experience for the Lensrentals.com blog.
I'm Jason and I'm a Video Inspection Lead here at Lensrentals.com. In my ever-decreasing spare time, I make short films, wax poetically about cinema, and weep for the future of mankind. I'm a graduate from the University of Memphis Film and Video program.
I am Jon, a photographer living on California's Monterey Bay who loves photographing wildlife, above and below the water! Also a mechanical engineer, I love testing the latest gear while making images, sometimes even building my own gadgets in pursuit of a unique perspective.
I'm Nathan and I'm a video tech here at Lensrentals.com as well as an independent filmmaker. If not busy with a project, I’m likely outdoors with my two Aussiedoodles, Albus and Link.
Sam Bendall has been a professional and passionate enthusiast photographer for the majority of his life along with being an unofficial Fujifilm X-Photographer for the last 12 years. For the past decade he has primarily worked in the motorcycle and automotive industries in marketing and content production. He lives with his wife and cadre of cats in Austin, TX.
After a few trips with his wife, Will Chaney realized he was just being a tourist taking photos of everything he could. In 2018, he started studying more about image composition and different photography techniques to get him to where he is today. Will is still learning and does not see that portion of photography ever ending for him.
I am Blake Steed, and a tech responsible for the quality control and cleaning of camera gear here at LensRentals.com. I have been for just over 4 years, and have seen almost everything that might be on a camera sensor. We have almost every modern type of DSLR available and I have cleaned the sensor on every one of them. I also instruct all of our new employees as to the process we incorporate to ensure quality rentals every time.
I'm Brandon, a co-founder of Olaf Optical Testing, and the brains behind a bunch of the MTF and other tests you see on this blog. I got into the whole optics thing because I wanted to make my own camera lenses someday.
My name is Bray Falls, and I'm an astrophotographer from Phoenix, Arizona. I focus mainly on deep sky astrophotography. I am currently studying aerospace engineering at Arizona State University. You can find all of my work at @astrofalls.
David Alexander Willis has held editorial positions at American Cinematographer, PDN, Outdoor Photographer, PCPhoto, Digital Photo Pro, and several other magazines. David is also a writer at Lensrentals, covering the myriad needs, technologies, and techniques of cinematography and video.
Full-time photographer, videographer and video editor based in NYC. I love fashion, portraiture and street/documentary photography, and often work share my knowledge and experiences on photography and videography in my spare time as a guest contributor. Born and raised in London, England, now living in NYC.
Douglas is the co-founder and CMO of eXpanded eXistence, a medical tech company that utilizes artificial intelligence, machine learning, and mixed reality to improve efficiency and safety in operating rooms around the world. He also co-founded the award-winning production company 8112 Studios, which has produced hundreds of print, web, immersive, and broadcast ad campaigns for over 2 decades.
Dylan is a headshot and portrait photographer based in Los Angeles. He began his photography career in 2010 in NYC, and rose to be one of the top headshot photographers in New York City. Along with headshots, Dylan is also an accomplished hotel and architectural photographer.
Emma Huckstadt started as a Production Assistant at Zero Point Zero in 2014 and quickly got promoted to Manager of Production Equipment, responsible for trouble-shooting questions and inspecting their gear before it goes into the field. Zero Point Zero produces shows such as Parts Unknown, Mind of a Chef, and Elvis Goes There and has won 15 Primetime Emmy’s, 5 James Beard Awards and a Peabody Award.
I have been working at Lensrentals.com as an Audio Technician for about a year now and have spent the majority of my life working with audio or music-related products. I am a multi-instrumentalist, but I prefer playing bass guitar and I hold a bachelor's in Music/Entertainment Industry from the University of Memphis.
Jaron Schneider is an award-winning commercial filmmaker as well as critically acclaimed and internationally published journalist from San Francisco, California. His clients include Verizon, Instagram, The United States Air Force Thunderbirds, and Grammy-award winning band Train among others. Since 2011 he has written over 2000 articles covering the photo, video and consumer technology space for The Imaging Resource, Resource Magazine and Fstoppers.com including hundreds of exclusive interviews, exposés and reviews. Today as the Features Editor for The Imaging Resource, Schneider specializes in evaluating video equipment, computers, storage devices and optics for the modern professional photographer and videographer.
Jenna Clare (she/her) is a photographer, writer, and content creator who currently manages the Nashville branch of LensRentals. Her photos have been featured in Billboard and The New York Times, and her poetry was published by Andrews McMeel Publishing in Amanda Lovelace’s collection, the mermaid’s voice returns in this one. She currently writes too much on Substack and makes videos about books on YouTube.
I am a lifestyle, commercial, editorial and advertising photographer currently based in Los Angeles, California. A New York transplant, I started my photography career after nearly fifteen years of teaching special education at both the middle and high school level. I pride myself on being able to relate to my subjects; facilitating a level of comfort and understanding which enables natural emotion to shine through.
My name is Josh Wool and I'm a commercial photographer based in Northern California. I built my career in New York City and my work spans the advertising, music, editorial, and entertainment industries. I'm best known for my portrait work and my ethos is portraying beauty in simplicity.
I'm Josie Sweeney and a Video Tech at LensRentals. On the side I'm a novelist and screenwriter. On the other side, I host a podcast. If there's free time, I nerd out over Doctor Who and/or Dungeons & Dragons.
I’m Nathan and I am the photo and video lighting technician for Lensrentals.com. In my free time, I can usually be found trail running in the backcountry with my dog Roux, taking photos, and hosting the Adventure Dog Podcast.
I’m Ryan and I spend most of my days either exploring the expansive beer scene of Colorado, or enjoying the outdoor activities she has to offer near my home in Denver. My roots as a photojournalist helped shape my wedding photography at the beginning of my career and continues with my work now as a portrait and lifestyle photographer.
Sam Leathers is a Cinematographer and Photographer located here in Memphis, TN and also works as a Video Dept Supervisor here at Lensrentals.com.
Sofía Jaramillo is a Colombian-American filmmaker and National Geographic photographer based in Jackson, Wyoming. Jaramillo’s work focuses on uplifting and telling the stories of BIPOC in outdoor spaces. Her mission is to tell the stories she wished she'd seen as a kid. Jaramillo got her start in photography working for media outlets like The New York Times, The Guardian and the Associated Press. She strongly believes in the power of storytelling and now works as a Director and Executive Producer in filmmaking. She helped shoot the first adventure ski film to feature women of color and adaptive athletes called The Approach, was a Story Producer and Cinematographer on OutWest film, an Executive Producer for the Soñadora film and a Director on Wading for Change.
Hello, my name is Terrence Blanton. I am a contributor here at Lensrentals.com and a music photographer and creative based out of Spokane, WA. I have been traveling and photographing musicians and live music for just over a decade and I don’t see the finish line yet.
Tony Kim is a multi-hyphenate creative based in Los Angeles. With experience spanning photography, cinematography, editing, and livestreaming, he brings a versatile, hands-on approach to every project. His work often blends culture, music, and identity, highlighting authentic voices and moments. Passionate about creative direction, Tony focuses on crafting compelling narratives that resonate both visually and emotionally.