Crystal Dawn Family Session!

I have shot Crystal and her adorable family almost exactly one year ago in Wendell, NC.  I got shots from that session that I will forever be in love with.  She is one of the sweetest women I have ever met, and the same goes for her kids.  We go way back as I have known her since high school!  Little did I know, almost ten years later, I would be capturing these sweet moments of raising a family for her and her children to cherish for generations to come.  This time, I even got a little emotional seeing just how much these children have grown in one year!  

After looking at some of my recent work, Crystal decided that she wanted to shoot in Downtown Raleigh.  I was so excited to change up our normal scenario.  The buildings in the warehouse district are colorful and full of character.  I knew we would get great shots of her family in that setting.  Plus, she always does the best job of getting everyone dressed to the nines and looking picture perfect!  I love her little notes to me through Facebook asking me what sort of things would look cute!  

Crystal was worried that this year would be hard to get good shots of her youngest.  "He is two years old and all over the place!", she said.  But I reassured her that everything would be just fine!  I have a two year old as well and totally understand feeling like you cannot get them to sit still for photos.  Luckily for me and my experience with my own daughter, I had a few tricks up my sleeve for this session.

The session went wonderfully!  I am always left with a huge smile on my face and a strong urge to rush home and edit after shooting this family!  Major props go to Crystal for being able to get so much air in those pumps!!  

Guin Maternity Session

Krista and her lovely husband contacted me about shooting their maternity portraits for them a few weeks before our session.  At the time, I hadn't shot any maternity photos under my own name.  Luckily, around the time Krista contacted me, I had the maternity session with Brittany scheduled to happen in a few days!  She saw the photos from that session and loved them!  We met up at the Raleigh Rose Garden right before sunset.  She brought some great props to use including her ultrasound photos!  She also brought a pair of the baby's shoes as well!  I went out and bought two really cool pieces of wood to paint with chalkboard paint and use for the shoot to display her baby's name (can't tell yet until he is born) and the number of weeks pregnant she was!  It really added a nice personal touch to the photos and was something I had never incorporated into a session before.  I have already and plan to continue using these props for clients in the future!  After shooting at the Raleigh Rose Garden so many times (years ago I focused mainly on the beautiful flowers and landscape to practice exposure on film), I figured it was time to explore other part of this awesome location .  I found a bunch of spots that I hadn't used before.  

I also drank way too much iced coffee beforehand and have done that a few times in the past as well.  Lesson learned, especially with no public bathrooms around.  ;)  We got some great shots which I have shared with you below!  Thank you guys for a great session!   I am thinking of you as you get closer to meeting your sweet baby!

Newborn Session with the Modlin Family

I have shot newborns while working at a portrait studio in the area but never under my own name.  The Modlin Family contacted me before their baby was born to do a newborn photo shoot with them a few weeks ago.  I was so excited and went out to find cute props to make their session special right away!  I found the cutest little hats, fabrics, and baskets!  I didn't think the fabric store would be so fun!  JoAnn's, you will be seeing me again soon!  :)

Baby Jackson came earlier than his due date and I needed to make sure that we took his photograph before he turned 10 days old. We were looking to get super sleepy and cute but natural shots of him.  A lot of babies start moving and stretching about after the 10 day mark.  

I visited their lovely home on a Saturday before the rest of their family came in for the first visit!  Baby Jackson was super adorable.  His Momma and Daddy were also a very sweet couple!  When we went out back to take their first family portrait, you could see the spark they had when looking at one another.  It literally warmed my heart.  

Here are some photos from our session!  A huge thanks to you all!  You guys are awesome!!  :)

Raleigh Rose Garden Maternity Shoot with Brittany DeBerry!

Brittany is one of my favorite people!  She is beautiful, sweet, funny, talented, and an awesome friend.  I have taken her photograph a few times in the past and I also shoot for her hair salon, Brittany DeBerry Hair Styling.  She does amazing work and just a joy to be around!  Her and her husband, Joel are expecting a baby and I am so excited for them!  

I wanted to make sure the location we used really brought out all of the wonderful things about Brittany.  I needed the perfect to spot to put such a glowing mother-to-be.  I ran over to the Raleigh Rose Garden and Little Theatre a few hours before our shoot to make sure the roses weren't wilted.  Everything looked great!  

Brittany met us there with the most dainty and romantic dress on.. Perfect!  We had a lovely time prancing around the roses and shooting pretty pictures!  I dashed home and got to editing right away.  

We plan to shoot again before she has the baby and also get Joel in the shoot too!  I am very much looking forward to it! 

Check out some of the shots from our session below..

Thanks so much for such a fun session, Brittany!!  xoxo  :)

Exploring the Warehouse District in Raleigh

My fellow photographer friend and I decided to take advantage of a perfectly overcast day and shoot some photos while exploring the warehouse district of downtown Raleigh.  I had driven through this area many times but never walked around and shot photos.  Oliver is pretty keen on spots around Raleigh for good shots.  We picked out two good shirts and a pair of shoes (that I am completely jealous of) and off we went!

I even used a new flash that I hadn't tried before.  It was off camera, so I was holding a camera and a flash.  No tripod and no stabilizing extra hand.  It was quite different from either having your flash on your camera or on a light stand off to the side.  I like being put in a shooting situation that I am not used to.  I learn something new every time.

The warehouse district won me over.  Less people, less cars, and a lot of character.  It's a great spot for a unique portrait session.  I can't wait to shoot out there again!

Here are some photos of our little photo walk about!

What was once a dream…

Is now a reality!  I am incredibly excited to announce the beginning of my official photography business, Ashley McCray Photography!!!!  Eeeeek!  For all of you that know me, you know that this is something I have been talking about for years and years.  After a lot of planning and hard work, we are finally here!  

I have been shooting children, portraits, fashion, fine art, and commercial photography for 9 years now!  I am incredibly elated to be making this announcement and start this blog!  I have learned so much in these nine years and am more than ready and anxious to get this thing going!  

Until the end of the year, I will have grand opening specials which you can see in the pricing section of my website:  www.ashleymccrayphotography.com .  Please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions!  

Keep checking back for more updates and photos!  Thank you!!!!  :)

Gwynnie at the beach.