Tim and Jake Ryan talk to The Sunday Series about their model relationship in life, work and play
“I didn’t even know modeling was a profession,” says Tim Ryan, a full-time actor and model with twenty years in the business. “I wanted to go to law school after college.”
Ryan’s resume reads like an ad for the world’s most iconic fashion brands
He’s shot with leading photographers from Bruce Weber to Michel Compte, but as a student at U of Delaware, his focus was on going to law school. Selected to intern at The White House his senior year, Ryan was on his way to a career in law and politics – or so he thought.
What started out as a favor led to a career
A friend asked to take some pictures of Ryan for a school project, which eventually led to a meeting with a leading New York agency. Soon thereafter, he shot with famed photographer Bruce Weber for Abercrombie and Fitch and was on all the shopping bags and a billboard in Times Square.
Campaigns with Ralph Lauren followed, and the rest is modeling history
Tommy Hilfiger…Hugo Boss…Dooney & Burke…Vineyard Vines…Tim Ryan has worked with the biggest brands in the world. His career has enabled him to travel to Cape Town, Dubai, London, Japan, Hawaii, Colombia, Milan and the list goes on and on…
“I always keep a bag packed and ready to go.”
Tim Ryan models for Polo Ralph Lauren shot by photographer Arnaldo Anaya-Lucca
Fast forward a couple of decades. Ryan now lives in Northwest New Jersey, away from the frenetic pace of his career, and is happily married to his college sweetheart, Heather, a second grade school teacher, and their two teenage kids, Jake (16) and Ella (13), and two golden retrievers.
The family is actively involved with the Michael J. Fox Foundation on behalf of Tim’s older brother John who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. Tim runs marathons to raise money and awareness for the Fox Foundation. He is looking forward to running the 2020 New York City Marathon in November to support the cause.
The Ryan Family photographed by Joe Hope
If intentionality and a jawline is inherited, Jake Ryan won the lottery
A sophomore in high school, Jake Ryan is a second degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and tested into the STEM program in ninth grade. Super focused like dad, Jake is interested in pursuing bio-medicine and neuroscience in college, but he’s also been exposed to the creative world through his father’s career.
The father-son duo was featured on the cover of Baby Magazine when Jake was just three weeks old. Jake has done family shoots in exotic locales such as the San Blas Islands off the coast of Panama and Playa Del Carmen, Mexico. He also models on his own and enjoys shooting photography, flying drones and editing, which allows him to collaborate with his dad.
Ella, Tim and Jake Ryan – with puppy – on a shoot for GQ Germany
Agencies and brands are being creative during this time of Social Distancing
With the world turned upside down by COVID-19, clients are reaching out to see if Tim can produce photoshoots from home.
“The industry is always evolving,” says Tim. “Thinking outside of the box, especially now.”
They send Tim the clothes, and Jake takes the pics and shoots videos.
Father-son duo Tim and Jake Ryan on a shoot for Sea Ray in Islamorada, Florida
Jake stays focused during this time of remote learning. He is sticking to the schedule of classes on google hangout while prepping for the AP Biology exam and playing lacrosse with sister Ella. And the family is doing puzzles…lots and lots of puzzles.
But dad might rely on son for one more job requiring his Gen Alpha expertise. (Yes, that is the real name for kids born in the millennium.)
Tim jokes, “I’m hoping I don’t have to do Tik Tok videos next.”
Click image below to watch Tim, Jake and Ella Ryan on a shoot off the coast of Panama
Images below: Tim and Jake Ryan on set with 5th Street East Productions
Jake Ryan (center) on set with 5th Street East. Photography by Conor Doherty. Project Inspir Carnegie Hill. Agency Comm Creative.
Tim Ryan on a lifestyle shoot produced by 5th Street East. Photography Conor Doherty. Project Annapolis Waterfront Hotel. Agency Gensler.
Tim and Jake Ryan on the Appalachian Trail March 2020 shooting a video collaboration for Huckberry
“Distance” a Video for Huckberry with Tim Ryan shot and edited by Jake Ryan on the Appalachian Trail, March 2020
The Sunday Series is published weekly by 5th Street East
