Local StoriesMay 4, 2026

Meet Gerald Royster of Baltimore

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gerald Royster.

Hi Gerald, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I began photography in 2020 early during the pandemic as a means of escape. My wife got me my first Canon T7 for my birthday that June. I started binging YouTube tutorials, a lot of trial and error and insisting on being a multi niche photographer. I didn’t want to limit myself so I experimented with nature, city scapes, Astrophotography, film photography and portraits. I don’t believe in limiting yourself to one genre or niche, but I would never judge another artist for going their own route

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s had its ups and downs. I have Adult ADHD, and staying focus has been something I’ve had to overcome. Photography takes a lot of patience, and focus. I’ve worked out my own system and it works fine. Wanting to be at a certain stage before I was ready early on was frustrating, but eventually maturity takes over and you realize your path is unique to you alone.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I consider myself firmly planted in both the artistic and business worlds of photography. My wife and I run Royster Photography. We do weddings, family shoots, and special events.

When it comes to the artistic side, I early on focused a lot on nature as I’m an avid hiker and outdoorsman. Over the years more of my focus has shifted to street photography, travel and current events like protests and things that move societal change.

Through it all a few things have remained constant, Stay Authentic, show the Beauty of the world most folks miss and give a true honest display of the experience of being human… photography whether it be business or artistic allows me to freeze frame and capture singular moments. That’s special to me

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Out the gates my wonderful wife Colleen! She has been my biggest supporter and my
Most trusted muse and partner in all this. When we work weddings or events we have this cerebral connection that allows us to communicate in split seconds to adjust or compliment one another to get the job done and provide that authentic and accurate representation of the day..

Gordon Parks is one of my biggest inspirations. He was self taught like me, authentic and captured the human experience of the mid 1900s.. I take inspiration from him because he made photos you felt. He pushed his own boundaries and blazed his own trail of success. I found it incredible the boundaries he pushed being a black man in America as the world was changing. I resonate with that as in this day and age our society is going through man changes. I see it as my responsibility to preserve an accurate depiction of this day and age.

Contact Info:

Website: https://roysterphotography.mypixieset.com/weddings-with-gerald-and-colleen/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/geraldmaxphotography
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLEN2VLUZAhCq0z5t8CbjLg

Silhouette of a boat with a person on water during sunset with colorful sky and distant horizon.

Four football players stand on a field at night, facing away, wearing gray uniforms with red and blue helmets.

Female guitarist performing on stage with blue and white lighting, microphone stand, and band members in background.

Woman in wedding dress holding bouquet, standing on dock near boats at sunset, back view.

Urban scene with people, bicycles, graffiti, and buildings, including a tree and a colorful wall, during sunset.

Person sitting on a ledge near a window with pink flowering tree branches overhead.

View of a long, curved conveyor belt with transparent containers and a person standing nearby.

Person walking with drum in a protest march at night, holding a sign that says 'Justice'.

Silhouettes of people in front of a brightly lit carousel at night, with light trails creating a circular pattern.

Musician on stage holding a yellow electric guitar over shoulder, with a drum set and another musician in background.

Person singing passionately on stage with microphone, stage lights overhead, black and white image.

Bride in wedding dress under a pink floral arch on a patio with a pergola and sky background.

Six women, including a bride in a wedding dress, gather around in a hallway with wooden floors and white walls.

Young woman with dark hair smiling, surrounded by colorful flowers in an outdoor setting.

Couple in wedding attire by water, holding a pink parasol, sunset background, boats on water, grassy area.

Four people sitting on the ground in front of a large protest banner, with a crowd holding signs behind them.

Sailboat on water with mountains and cloudy sky in background.

Young woman with a large hairstyle singing into a microphone, with a man holding a phone in the background.

Crowd of people protesting on city street, holding signs, with tall buildings on both sides.

Crowd walking on a city street with tall buildings, some snow on the ground, and a clear sky.

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