A longtime News 12 photographer got a surprise ahead of his retirement on Thursday.

"Photog Ryan" is set to retire on Friday, and his partner, reporter Jim Murdoch, helped set up the surprise at the State House, where he was honored with a resolution by Assemblyman Paul Kanitra.

Ryan thought he was covering a story on the boardwalks but instead, Kanitra presented him with a resolution honoring his storied career at News 12.

“This isn’t your run-of-the-mill cameraman here. Ryan’s been at News 12 since 2000. He was on the ground in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks in New York. He’s won three Emmy Awards and the Edward R. Murrow Award,” said Kanitra said, before presenting him with the official resolution.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you," said a humbled and surprised Photog Ryan.

Jim and Ryan have been paired up for nearly eight years at the Shore office in Wall Township.

Jim called the State House tribute a fitting goodbye for a friend, colleague and all-around good guy, who is never afraid to speak his mind.