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

Asheville Hot Air Balloon Elopement

Anza-Borrego Desert California Elopement

Pretty Place Chapel South Carolina Wedding

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

To all my precious couples on your wedding day: don’t forget to stop and take it all in 🖤

Still not entirely sure how it’s possible to look this stunning at sunrise ☀️ Probably because Audrey and Mike are absolutely radiant, inside and out ✨

During the last light of their wedding day, we ran around the mountaintops, traversed to the top of the vineyard, and soaked up the total magic before us ✨ So stoked to have kicked off fall wedding season with these blissful mountain babes 🖤🙌

Yo fam - holy shiz. I turn 27 today!! And in this last beautifully imperfect year around the sun, I’ve learned a few rad and important things:
+ Say HELL YES to the things that make you feel whole and good, and HELL NO to things that don’t.
+ Make time to run and hike because you deserve investing that time for yourself!!!
+ Speaking of investing, my freaking angel husband deserves so much more of my time, and I thank God every day for Ryan and his patience and grace as I navigate this life as a business owner and photographer.
+ It’s okay if you don’t accomplish every single thing on your list in one day - you are only a hooman, and you can’t do it all, all the time.
+ Remember why you get up in the morning. There’s a whole world full of people and experiences full of joy and light - get out there and surround yourself with them ✨

When you’re wrapped in the arms of the one you love and time just stands still 🖤✨

Wishing you all smiles and snuggles on this Labor Day ✨

May your weekend welcome wandering, waterfalls, + adventure ✨

Just some spicy snuggles for your Wednesday 🔥🙌

Recently, I've been reminded how important it is to take a moment to listen to our inner child, let go of the pressures of adulthood and just -- play. Whether it's a simple game of cards with friends, or tag on the beach, or singing silly songs at the top of our lungs -- we can only carry our burdens and the weight of the world for so long before our shoulders start to give. We have to give ourselves moments of levity that bring nothing but innate happiness in a world that so often tries to pull our hearts and minds into dark and heavy places. We have to make time for a cleansing moment amid it all to let our hair down and rock on. Love on. Play on.

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!

Your Name *

Your Name

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Your Love's Name: *

What are you interested in?

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Wedding or Session Date *

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How did you hear about Ray Photography Co.? *

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? *

How do you connect with me?

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