Curriculum Vitae
HEIKO WOLFGANG RYLL
(b.1972, Canada) | heiko@heikoryll.com | 780.686.3044
Heiko Wolfgang Ryll is a multidisciplinary artist and educator based in Summerland, British Columbia, with a practice spanning photography, design, and visual storytelling. With over twenty years of experience in graphic design, web design, and photography, his work has earned acclaim from top brands in the beauty industry, including Revlon Professional, Wella International, Sebastian International, and American Crew. His photography has been featured in finalist collections at the Contessa Awards, Canada's most prestigious professional beauty competition, for multiple years.
Heiko's youth was spent dreaming of being a performer, someone who loses themselves in their craft every night. However, aging has altered his intention behind his artistry; perhaps it isn't performance or praise he needs, but rather a sense of transformation. Photography gave Heiko the opportunity to combine performance and purpose, blending his passion for capturing moments with a dedication to imparting knowledge in both artistic and educational circles.
Heiko's study of Caravaggio, the Italian Baroque painter, has shaped his artistic process. Caravaggio's techniques of Tenebrism and Chiaroscuro (extreme contrasts of light and dark to heighten dramatic effect) form the foundation of Heiko's distinct style, where originality and homage intersect. When photographing live performances in music, dance, and theatre, he seeks the microcosms within each show, illuminating different aspects, angles, or stories behind the obvious. His keen eye for detail and understanding of light and composition create experiences for viewers that differ from the expected.
As an instructor and course developer, Heiko has designed and taught comprehensive photography programs covering equipment fundamentals, advanced lighting techniques, photographic intention, and creative business development. Beyond his commercial work, he serves as a certified animal tracker and hiking guide, exploring nature's beauty and sharing it through his photography and educational workshops.
Whether working in fashion, hair photography, or other mediums, Heiko challenges his own creativity by letting life and spontaneity inspire the visual nature of his work. As society grows and technology evolves, mastering the art of tradition becomes essential to integration and expansion for a contemporary audience. Heiko knows that art is about understanding our past and creating in the present to shape our future.
EDUCATION
2024, CyberTracker International, Level 2 Track and Sign Certification
2010, Canada Snowboard, Competition Certified Coach
2000, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), Multimedia Developer
TEACHING
2020-Current, Online Course Creator, Curriculum Development, Instructor, MacEwan University
2020-2022, Online Course Creator, Curriculum Development, Instructor, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
2008-2019 , Faculty Lead, Edmonton Digital Arts College
2014-2017, Photography Instructor, Metro College
2014-2017, Lecturer, Workshop Facilitator, MC College
2013-2015 , Workshop Facilitator/Mentor, Calgary Public School Board
2013-2015, Workshop Facilitator/Mentor, Calgary Catholic School Board
2013-2015 , Workshop Facilitator/Mentor, Edmonton Catholic School Board
2013-2015, Workshop Facilitator/Mentor, Edmonton Public School Board
2007-12, Session Instructor, UofA Technology Training Centre
2000-12, Session Instructor/Course Developer, NAIT
2000-2, Core Instructor/Curriculum Development/Course Developer, DevStudios
CLIENTS
Wella Professional, Sebastian Professional, COTY Inc., Revlon Professional, American Crew, The Men's Room, Vandala Magazine, West Edmonton Mall, Remax Elite (Damon Bunting), PlanIt Sound, Estelle Academy of Hair, Eveline Charles Academy, MC College, Events Edmonton, International Hearing Society, Western Canadian Symposium, Flare Mortgage Group, Eden Textiles Inc., Sklark and Owl Linen Co,. Painters Enterprise, Irwin Fitness, Alberta Treasury Branch, Computerized Auto, DisBrand, Bestow Upon, Western Canadian Law Enforcement, Alt-Tech,
BIBLIOGRAPHY
2018, 2019, 2020 Hearing Life Magazine
2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 Vandala Magazine, Monthly Music Features
2017, Salon Magazine, Stacey Abdela Hair Collection
2017, Neighbours Magazine, Monthly Features
2016, Metro, Burlesque Feature,
2015, Edmonton Journal, Sister Gray Feature, April
2015, Vue Magazine, Sister Gray Feature, April
2015, Avenue Magazine Website, Todoruk Designs, January
2014, Vue Magazine, Bermuda Fest Feature, August
2014 Edmonton Examiner, Bermuda Fest Feature, July
EXHIBITIONS
2017, 2018, 2019, Vitality, Dance
2016, Vistek, Music
2015, Visual Arts Alberta, Open Image (Edmonton & Calgary Exhibitions)
2015, Vistek, Transform
COLLECTIONS
The Curse - Edmonton, AB
The Fallen - Edmonton, AB
Vice - Edmonton, AB
Devil at Your Door - Edmonton, AB
Faith - Edmonton, AB
Transform - Edmonton, AB
Enlightenment - Edmonton, AB
Private Collection - Edmonton, AB
MC College - Edmonton, AB
BRANDS
Wella Professional
Sebastian Professional
Revlon Professional
American Crew
Illuminate Makeup
Mister Cosmetics
Events Edmonton
Canadian Food Championships
Painters Enterprise
Parkstone Dental
Verico iMortgage Solutions
Advico
Tanya Chernova
Fiorio Salon
The Men's Room
Sister Gray
JFR
Computerized Auto
Edmonton Digital Arts College
NDP Caucus
Synthaesis Dance Company
MC College
Estelle Academy of Hair Design
Rock, Paper, Hair
COLLABORATIONS
2015-Current Taste of Edmonton Festival, Photography
2017-2022 Wella International, Trendvision Collection (Edmonton & Calgary)
2016-2020 IHS, Official Photographer for IHS National Conference (Chicago, USA)
2016-2020 Vandala Magazine, Music Photography
2013-2018, BioVision Seed Labs, Marketing Collateral
2016, 2018, Western Canadian Symposium, Event Photographer
2017, Darling Bridal (Revlon Professional), Branding
2017, Sebastian Professional, What's Next Awards
2016, Edmonton Digital Arts College, Marketing Collateral
2016, Revlon Professional Brands, Style Masters
2016,2017, The Men's Room, All-Stars Challenge, Marketing Collateral
2015-2019 Northwest Fest, Photography
2015-2017 Canadian Food Championships, Photography
2015-2016 Alberta Gallery of Art, Photography
2015, IMH Make-up, Photography
2015, Dedfest, Event Photography
2014, Revlon Professional Brands, Contessa Awards 2014Photography
2014, Adelai Romphf, American Crew Style Masters
2014, Marlo Steenman, NAHA Winning Hair Collection
2014, MC College, Photography & Video Production, Western Canadian Fashion Week Spring 2014
2014, Todoruk Designs, Photography, Spring Collection
2014, Dean Somerset, Marketing Collateral
2013, Guru Digital Arts College, Photography, Marketing Collateral
2013, Wei Yew, Web Development, 30th Anniversary Client Appreciation
2009, Guru Digital Arts College, Photography, Marketing Material
2007, Saville Sports Centre, Web Design
2006, Alberta Baseball Association, Web Design
2005, Alberta Hockey Association, Web Design
2004, Newport Sports Management, Web Design
2001, Studio 3 Graphics, Presentation Design, IOC Presentation
2000, Studio 3 Graphics, Web Design, The Works Art and Design Festival
FESTIVAL/MUSIC PHOTOGRAPHY
2015-2020 IHS National Convention
2013-Current Taste of Edmonton
2016-2020 Vandala Magazine
2012-2020 TushFest
2015-2019 Northwest Fest
2015-2017 Canadian Food Championships
2015-2017 Western Canadian Symposium
2013-2015 CREAM Railjam
2014, 2015, 2016, Up+Dtn Music Festival
2013, 2014, 2015, Citie Ballet
2014, 2015, 2016, Western Canadian Fashion Week
2012, 2013, 2014, ROGUE Endurance Race
2013, 2014, High Level Downhill Race
2013, 2014, 2015, Bermuda Fest
2013, 2014, 2015, Culture Collective
2013, 2014, Digital Alberta Awards
2013, Hip Hop in the Park
2013, The Works Art & Design Festival
2013, FEATS Festival of Dance
2013, CJSR FunDrive
2013, Sonic 102.9 Band of the Month
2013, Jubilee Auditorium Storybook Corner
2013, Events Edmonton New Years Eve Celebration
2014, Toduruk/Wala Spring Fashion Show
2012, TedX Edmonton
2012, LitFest
FASHION PHOTOGRAPHY
2017,2018,2019, Eveline Charles Academy
2016,2017,2018,2019, Estelle Academy of Hair
2014, 2015, 2016, MC College Spring Fashion Collection
2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, Western Canadian Fashion Week Collection
2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, MC College Fall Fashion Collection
2014, 2015, 2016, Revlon Professional Brands
2013, 2014, 2015, MC College Fashion Collection
2014, Todoruk Designs
2014, Todoruk/Wala Spring Collection
2015, IMH Makeup
2015, Lipstick Language
2015, Mister Cosmetics
HAIR PHOTOGRAPHY
2017, 2018, 2019, Eveline Charles Academy
2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, Estelle Academy of Hair
2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, MC College Cycle 4 Hair Collections
2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, Contessa Master Colourist (Assistant)
2014, 2015, 2016, Contessa Men’s Category
2014, Contessa Student Category
2014, 2015, 2016, Revlon Professional Brands
2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 Style Masters Men's Collection
2014, 2015, 2016, Mirror Awards Colourist Collection
2015, 2016, 2017, Revlon Style Masters Collections
2015, 2016, 2017, All-Stars Challenge Collections
2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, - Rock, Paper, Hair Collections
2017, 2018, 2019, Wella International, Trendvision Collections
2017, 2018, Sebastian Professional, What's Next Awards
GRAPHIC DESIGN
2010 -,Creative Direction/Production, BioVision Seed Labs (Design Yearly Brochure & Advertisements)
2010, Design, Rohl Geomatics (Web Design)
2004-2009, Creative Director/Process Development/Project Management, RAMP Interactive (Branding, Web Design, Project Management, Creative Direction)
2002-2004, Branding/Process Development/Web Design and Development, RAMP Management (Branding, Creative Direction, Web Design)
2000-2002, Web Design, DevStudios Inc. 2000, Web Design/Production, Lightgeist Visual Workshop
GEAR LIST
Cameras: Nikon, Leica, Fuji, Mamiya, Yashica, Pinhole
Lens: 105mm 2.8, 35mm 1.4, 24-70mm f2.8, 70-200mm f2.8, 50mm f1.4, 16mm f2.8, 14-24mm f4
Lighting: Profoto