Ricky Lanier
Ricky is a photographer based in east Austin, TX, specializing in real estate and new construction photography with occasional live events and restaurant photography to spice things up. He attended the Art Institute of Houston for Graphic Design and began his photography journey shooting for various newsrooms around Texas and also working as photo editor/paginator. For the last seven years his focus has been real estate, as the greater Austin area is experiencing exponential growth and he absolutely loves it!
When he’s not writing about himself in third person, he enjoys hiking with his family and dogs on their property in far west Texas, eating (and cooking) delicious foods, telling phenomenal dad jokes, and meticulously documenting life with his wife and daughter. No one will forget any notable moment, ever, thanks to him (camera always in hand).
How long have you been in the Austin area?
⤜ Ten years
Who inspires you (in general / as an artist / your interpretation)?
⤜ Anyone that can make pasta by hand and musicians.
Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner?
⤜ My wife is Italian so dinner at our house can turn into a sporting event at a moments notice. Bread, cheese, pasta, boiling water, flour here and flour there!
What was the best concert you’ve ever been to?
⤜ Ramones & Pearl Jam at Southpark Meadows! And all Tool shows.
When you were a kiddo, what did you really want to be when you grew up?
⤜ A veterinarian until I realized how expensive vet school at A&M is!
Your favorite Austin Eatery // Coffee House // Brewery?
⤜ Our daughter was raised on Home Slice, also Uchi.
Do you have a favorite charity you wish more people knew about?
⤜ I go out of my way to support small businesses. I’ve also donated to Amnesty International and local animal shelters.
What’s your hidden talent?
⤜ I can flare my nostrils to music!
What’s your favorite thing about being a photographer?
⤜ The freedom to shoot something new every day and meet all types of personalities.
Have you ever met anybody famous? Share a pic!
⤜ Yes! Martin Short nearly kicked me in the head at an event while on stage. I loved it!
What is your go-to Potluck dish?
⤜ BBQ— often smoked chicken. Ohh and pinto beans.
How many states // countries have you visited (or lived in!)?
⤜ Visited eleven states and counting. Lived in 15+ Texas towns and I’ve been to the Bahamas.
What’s something that has surprised you about being a real estate photographer?
⤜ You wear a lot of hats and sometimes wrangle owners pets or even help to move a couch.
What is one of the top items on your Bucket List?
⤜ I want to retire in New Mexico and have a pet burro.
What’s something—big or small—that you’re really bad at?
⤜ Puzzling— I can’t sit and focus that long.
What’s one hobby you’d love to get into?
⤜ I’d really like to spend more time in record shops, rock climbing or making pottery.
What’s your most used emoji?
⤜ 😂
