Hey, hey, I’m Ray!
I’m so stoked to meet you and document your day.
A few of my favorite things…
Mountains, running, big sweaters, exploring new places, mornings, my fluffy kittens Cleo and Izzy, wind and messy hair, authentic ramen, existing in community, being absolutely ridiculously goofy, craft beer (Hazy IPAs are my love language), Wes Anderson movies, Schitt’s Creek, laughing till my belly hurts, contra dancing, campfires, Lord of the Rings & Harry Potter, harmonizing and seeing live music.
It all began when…
I studied film + digital photography at Brevard College, a tiny liberal arts college just south of Asheville, NC. My friends asked me to photograph their wedding in the mountains, and I knew it would be rad - humans in love + glorious Blue Ridge magic? And I was right!! From that first wedding 11 years ago, I was hooked. From that point on, I knew that my heart would only keep beating if this is where I poured my whole soul!
And THAT led to…
Meeting the love of my life, Ryan!! He was the photography darkroom assistant, and we spent all our time together jamming to music, exploring, and developing film. Little did we know when we met in 2011, that we’d be married in 2017, find our forever home in Charlottesville, and adopt the cutest kittens ever!!
My
photography philosophy:
Okay, so! You’ve met the love of your life, you’re pumped to begin this next chapter together, and now — it’s time to document that! You probably have a zillion questions - “What do I wear?!” “What do I do with my hands?” “Where should we go?” And guess what, I GOT YOU. And YOU got you because:
love looks good on you.
From the early planning stages, to any questions in your heart, to all the details, vendor recommendations, timeline advice, location scouting, outfit inspo, and anything else under the sun - I’m your girl.
I’m not just another vendor or a box to check off on your list - I am your champion, advocate, confidante, mediator, hype girl, and friend.
You are safe here, you are loved, and this will all be better than you could ever know!
What that means, is: there is no right or wrong way to be in love and make all of this happen. How you are is already perfect - and I’m here to give you direction, and constant affirmations, so you feel absolutely supported every moment of this process.
There will never be a dull moment; I am constantly cracking jokes with you, we’re sharing stories, taking it all in, and having a blast. I am a total goofball in person, but way serious about making sure you feel totally comfortable, free to be yourselves, and stoked out of your mind on the images you receive. It’s literally what gets me up in the morning - loving you sweet souls!