About

Hey, I’m Ray!
I’m so stoked to know you
and document your day.

I'm Ray, the freckle-faced photographer behind the lens of Ray Photography Co.

↟ I love people, and I love making people happy, especially by giving them beautiful
and meaningful photographs from the most precious moments of their lives.

↟ I am happiest with my hiking boots on, autumn in the air, and my camera in my hand.

↟ I married my best friend in October of 2017 in the middle of the mountains on a wild autumnal afternoon. Best. Day. Ever.

↟ My philosophy involves capturing real + genuine moments and establishing a friendship with my couples so that they feel free to be themselves.

Currently, I am based in Charlottesville, Virginia but I love traveling for love!

A few of my favorite things...

Mountains, craft beer, big sweaters, cycling, exploring new places, mornings, my fluffy cat Cleo, wind and messy hair, opera, tacos, community, being absolutely ridiculously goofy, Wes Anderson movies, laughing till my belly hurts, contra dancing, campfires, Grey's Anatomy, harmonizing and seeing live music.

Learn more

Couples love us! See our reviews on The Knot.

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Recent Love Stories

Click each picture to view the story

Fort Lewis Mountain Lodge Virginia Wedding

Charlottesville Virginia + Appalachian Trail Engagement

Asheville North Carolina Wedding

Anza-Borrego Desert California Elopement

Pretty Place Chapel South Carolina Wedding

Northern California Elopement

LOVE NOTES

Libby + Matt

RAY IS INCREDIBLE! We had a larger wedding with a tight timeline and Ray and Ryan made everything effortless, easy, and wonderful! They made everyone feel amazing and the pictures made our jaw DROP. They were professional and SO organized! I could go on for hours about how amazing Ray Photography Co. was!! Thank you both for making our wedding and our weekend absolutely perfect!!!!!!

Korey + Rob

The best thing about working with Ray is her genuinely sweet and upbeat demeanor that makes you feel completely at ease and comfortable. Your photos turn out so relaxed and natural, especially the candid shots, dancing, etc… Ray was so easy to work with … She really captured the "mood" and tone of our wedding in the pictures and made us feel so special. Couldn't recommend her more!

Kristen + Jason

Her work is absolutely fabulous, she was both super present and helpful, and also non-intrusive. We marveled at how she got some shots when we didn’t even know she was there. She captured everything perfectly, with particular thought to our style and vision. She is also just the kindest spirit and was such a ray of sunshine. Everyone was been complimenting her professionalism, sweetness, and skill. Could not recommend anyone more.

Emily + Caleb

Ray is by far the best in the business! Not only is she incredibly talented and professional behind the lens, but she does everything in her power to make sure you get the outcome you want in your photos. Her positive, bubbly personality is just icing on the cake and I can't imagine a better photographer than her. You will not be disappointed. She is timely, professional, personable, and incredibly talented. My husband and I had our engagement and our wedding photos done by Ray Photography Co. and still look at them almost every day. Any event, any time, she will produce what you want and will exceed all expectations! THANK YOU RAY!!

instagram land

Oh, sweet summertime✨ Sticky, sweaty, and full of so many giggles 🖤

Alina + Jake eloped on the west coast after a scuba diving adventure, and they came back to the east coast to celebrate with their families. Stay tuned for more dreaminess from their secret garden soirée ✨🍃

The sweetest lil shoreline snuggles with these precious summer babes ✨ 🌊

When Lissie + Seyi walked down the aisle as a married couple, the entire church roared with applause and heartfelt cheers, sending waves of chills through everyone in attendance. When they ran out to the dance floor, wearing their gorgeous Nigerian traditional attire, the shouts of joy from their friends and family were so big and so loud that I swear it could be heard and felt across all of Virginia. •
Y’all, I feel like the luckiest gal in the world to know and document such beautiful, light-filled people like Seyi + Lissie. Heart is so darn full 💛

A few years ago, a friend and I had a conversation that changed my life. He asked, “So Ray - what do you think about before you go to sleep?” I answered instantly, without thinking, “Wedding Photography.” He replied, “And what’s the first thing you think about when you wake up?” I replied, “Photography, for sure.” He continued, “Okay, now what do you like to do in your spare time?” Again, I responded without thinking, “I research everything I can on wedding photography.” He smiles huge and says, “Well girl, it’s time you get on it!” And that’s exactly what I did. Going full-time as a wedding photographer, pursuing my couples with my entire heart, and doing all that I can to serve them to the best of my abilities has been the best decision I ever made. Surround yourself with those who love you with total honesty and know where your soul will shine ✨💛

On a misty and magical Monday morning, two of the sweetest souls I’ve ever known eloped and pledged their lives to each other in a hot air balloon. Jack + Liv couldn’t wait to be married; they didn’t want to wait a moment longer, and their precious and adventure-loving souls decided a colorful ride in the sky was the perfect way to do just that. I adore you both so much, and I will never forget this freakin awesome day that you so sweetly invited me to document.

When you marry your favorite person and life is so freakin good 🖤🤘🏼

Gorgeous garden ceremony sweetness with these precious babes 🖤

Happy Father’s Day to all the rad dads out there, like Mr. Crowley who hiked his baby girl up a mountain to marry the love of her life 🖤

Sending you off to dream world with this literal dream of a couple and their perfect sparkler sweetness (and check that sign in the background! @havana59rva makes you feel like royalty ✨)

The good stuff. The real stuff. Dancing in the rain on your wedding day. Kissing under the arbor the groom’s dad made. Laughing so big all the mountains around you rejoice in celebration. This is the stuff of dreams. Tara + Alex’s wedding day is one I’ll never forget, and one I’ll be eternally grateful for. So stoked on these two ✨🙌

Contact

Write Ray! Let's go on an adventure.

I've loved photographing love for over 7 years now. I met my husband studying art in college. We got married in the mountains on a wild autumnal afternoon in October of 2017. I know what it's like to be in your shoes: super excited, a little nervous, and totally in love. Your pictures aren't just pictures; they're sacred moments frozen in time. They're a way for you to re-live these precious moments the way you love watching your favorite movies over and over...because you love the way they make you feel.

Let's go somewhere beautiful. Let's have an awesome time together. Let's celebrate YOU!

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You're on a road trip, what are your go-to albums or artists to listen to? *

Tell me more, tell me more! *

I wanna hear about it all! Getting to know my couples and establishing a friendship is the most important thing to me. It's how I serve people best! How'd you two meet? What is your favorite memory together? (The weirder, the better!) What would your dream wedding day look like? What would you like me to capture?

What draws you to my work? *

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Let's connect on the 'gram! What's your Instagram handle?