Today we’d like to introduce you to Mandy Ray.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started my journey with a comment to my husband how I would love to get into photography. The next week, he took me to get my very first camera. I started shooting everything and everyone I could get behind my lens. As time went on, I noticed that my work was actually starting to look halfway decent. My first paid gig was for $50.00, and I was so excited. I worked a full-time job and would shoot families and weddings when I had free time. I still wasn’t great, but decent.
In 2019, I booked my own family photos with a local photographer who ended up being my mentor and dearest friend. She changed the entire game for me. She introduced me to other photographers, took me to styled shoots, critiqued my work, hired me as a second shooter, and helped me grow into my own style. She really believed in me.
At the end of last year, in what could only be an act of God, I left my full-time job and jumped in head first to pursue my business full-time. It has been the biggest blessing to our family and the best decision I could make for my family.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road has always been bumpy. Partly because I am extremely hard on myself. I want perfection and to be the best. I also like the easy way out. Being a small business owner with no previous knowledge of taxes, COGS, website maintenance, invoices, client management systems, marketing, marketing, and more marketing, it’s been a struggle to say the least. I think the hardest part is juggling my time. With being a wife, mom, business owner and still having time for Bible study and laundry, I have to wear all the hats every day, at one time sometimes.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a photographer that loves emotion, color, and light. If I can catch the moments before a kiss, a backwards glance, a poetic moment between lovers, and catch a sun flare or gorgeous sunset in the background, I geek out. I specialize in families for that very reason. I don’t typically like the cheesy poses; I love movement and emotive storytelling in my photographs. I feel like your story is not properly told if you look into the lens and say cheese. It’s told in brief moments of play and walking together holding hands; it’s smelling your child’s hair and kisses, so many kisses. I am proud that I can capture my clients in their element and not mine. I suppose that sets me apart from other family photographers.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Comparison kills creativity. Van Gogh didn’t compare himself to Picasso, yet they both created art specific to them. Both beautiful, both widely loved, but so incredibly different.
Pricing:
- Family packages start at $350.00
Contact Info:
- Website: mandyrayphotography.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/mandyrayphotography?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mandyrayphotography?mibextid=LQQJ4d
