Rory was born in 1984 to Tom & Susan Kramer in Tell City, Indiana. His mom inspired his entire career, consistently documenting their family life through photos and videos, a habit that sparked his earliest interest in storytelling.

chapter one

At 13, Rory discovered blink-182 when their “Dammit” music video played on the TVs at Target. They quickly became his heroes and inspired him to pick up his mom’s video camera after watching The Urethra Chronicles.

Pictured is the photo he took of the band next to a childhood image he later found, surprisingly similar with him wearing a blink-182 shirt.

chapter TWO

Rory had no interest in college, but his dad encouraged him to get a degree first, calling it his “backup plan.” Rory went, even letting his dad choose all his freshman classes.

Looking back, Rory appreciated his experience at Indiana University, which taught him life skills, adult responsibilities, and introduced him to the friends who later supported him and became his roommates when he moved to LA.

At 25, Rory finally left Indiana for LA on a one-way road trip, with his dad driving every mile. His dad wanted nothing more than to see him chase the life he always dreamed of.

chapter Three

chapter Four

While living in LA, Rory was approached by Nick Furlong, after discovering his YouTube work, to create a video for Avicii. Terrified he wouldn't be able to deliver, Rory pushed past his internal fears and battled doubt until inspiration clicked.

He blended old footage, with new scenes, and an intro referenced by his father. It earned praise from Avicii’s team and became a pivotal turning point in his career. To this day, being known as “the guy from the Avicii video” remains one of Rory’s proudest accomplishments.

chapter Five

Rory’s career continued to accelerate as he began working with some of the biggest names in music, including Justin Bieber, The Chainsmokers, Martin Garrix, blink-182 and many more.

His visual storytelling shaped iconic moments like The Chainsmokers’ “Closer” lyric video with the momentum ultimately leading to his own MTV series, Dare to Live.

chapter Six

In the middle of one of the darkest stretches of his life, Rory found unexpected clarity at the lake he’d loved since childhood. There, on the 4th of July, he reconnected with Amy, someone he’d known years prior. She made him feel like himself again. Their bond grew into something deeper, and by 2020, they were married, a full-circle moment rooted in the place where everything began.

chapter Seven

In 2021, Justin Bieber invited Rory to shoot the album artwork for Justice, a moment that felt like a dream realized. In a 2013 journal entry, Rory had written that he hoped to photograph an album cover one day. Nearly a decade later, seeing Justice come to life made that manifestation real.

chapter EIGHT

The losses of his father and his son Daniel Thomas marked an incredibly difficult period for Rory. Seeking peace, he turned to the outdoors and found healing in wildlife photography near his home in Denver, Colorado. The quiet moments in nature became a space for reflection, grounding, and rebuilding.

Current chapter

Now settled in Denver with his wife Amy and their dog Feara, Rory has found a new sense of peace and purpose. As he approaches three years sober, his days are spent photographing wildlife in Denver, developing new creative projects, and continuing his work as a Canon Ambassador while still spending time each summer at the lake in Indiana visiting his mom.

Rory’s Story