Author archives: Nancy Ray

Preparing for Baby Ray #2

by Nancy Ray in The Rays
Preparing for Baby Ray #2
I don’t know what it is about me and babies, but for whatever reason, I am not the kinda of mama who has the nursery planned out and done months before the baby’s arrival. I’m the kind of mama who is scrambling with two weeks left, because I always think I have more time than I do! With that said, even though the new “kids room” isn’t quite done, even though I stil[...]

How The Best Film Photographers Meter Their Film

by Nancy Ray in Shooting in Film
How The Best Film Photographers Meter Their Film
One principle I live by? Never stop learning. That was the reason I wanted to create this PDF - I wanted to not only learn from other amazing film photographers - their approach to metering and light while shooting in film - but I wanted to make it available for other film photographers as well. When I read every photographer's response, I was amazed! Some of us do[...]

Caitlyn and John Raleigh, NC Film Engagement Session

by Nancy Ray in Engagements
Caitlyn and John Raleigh, NC Film Engagement Session
I met Caitlyn and John and their sweet puppy Beasley at the lovely Meredith College, and it looked like it would storm any minute. After running into a field for some photos, we took cover when it began to sprinkle underneath the chapel. But thankfully, after a few minutes, everything cleared right up! It ended up being such a fun, lovely engagement session! Beasle[...]

Planning for Extended Time OffMaternity Leave 2.0!

by Nancy Ray in For Photographers
Planning for Extended Time Off
“I could never take a sabbatical.” “No one could do my job for me.” “What if they mess up?” “What if I miss an opportunity?” I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again - delegating is one of the hardest, most rewarding aspects of being a business owner. Taking extended time off is one of the most challenging and best things a Type A person like me can do. And the[...]

How to Roll Film

by Nancy Ray in Shooting in Film
How to Roll Film
For the longest time when I was trying to figure out how to shoot in film, I couldn’t find simple answers to some simple questions! Like, “How do you roll film in a Contax?” Well, I created this short video to answer that question! Hopefully it will help new film photographers out there trying to learn. Interested in learning more about our Studio’s approach[...]

Davis Family Film Session

by Nancy Ray in Families
Davis Family Film Session
I'll never forget the day that Callie stepped out of the studio to take a phone call, to come back inside crying with some heart wrenching news. "I just found out that Jamie's Dad has been diagnosed with ALS." We stopped what we were doing, hugged her, and cried with her. We asked what we could do, but we all felt helpless, because as of right now there is no cu[...]

Lea and Kevin Fearrington Film Wedding

by Nancy Ray in Weddings
Lea and Kevin Fearrington Film Wedding
When I pulled up to Fearrington, there was a blue sky to my left and dark clouds to my right. It felt absolutely lovely - a warm breeze wrapping around you, not too hot, but lush and green - just like you would imagine an April wedding on a farm. I knew I had to do as many pictures outside as I could, just in case it started to rain, so I got to work. In the middl[...]

Strawberry Picking

by Nancy Ray in The Rays
Strawberry Picking
Every year for mother's day, I have two requests: Go strawberry picking with my family. Get a massage! I'd say that's a pretty awesome line up for every mother's day for the rest of my life, because I LOVE my family, I LOVE traditions, I LOVE freshly picked strawberries, and goodness knows I LOVE a massage. This tradition began on the very last mother's day [...]

2 More Days & Fun Feedback!

by Nancy Ray in For Photographers
2 More Days & Fun Feedback!
Last week I launched my brand new online course: Foundations in Film: Learn to Shoot Hybrid in 4 Weeks Seats are limited and enrollment is CLOSING THIS FRIDAY at midnight, no exceptions! Click here to learn all about it to see if it's a good fit for you. At the last minute yesterday, I decided to add on ONE more encore FREE Training: 3 Keys to Learning Film an[...]