want to remember every touch
for those who
Thoughtful Photography
You just need to be yourselves.
I'm Vanessa, a Raleigh-based wedding photographer who gives you enough direction to feel comfortable, then lets you breathe.
My style blends documentary photography with an editorial eye. The result is beautiful, natural, and still feels like you.
Because your wedding should feel like your wedding. Not just a full-day photo shoot.
You don't have to know how to pose.
I cannot say enough incredible things about Vanessa and Vanessa Ray Photography. Not only was she so personally amazing, her talent blew us away. When she shot our engagement photos, she was so personable, fun, flexible, and extremely talented. She has an artistic eye and even went the day before to scout great places in the locations we decided to shoot at. At our wedding she captured our day exactly how we wanted her to. She is so phenomenal at candids and we got to go back and relive the enjoyment of all of our friends and family on our beautiful day. She completely captured the essence of our day and we're so grateful.
My husband and I are pretty camera shy and find being in pictures (especially of the romantic variety) to be awkward and uncomfortable. With Vanessa, we felt more than comfortable as she was able to give us little anecdotes to keep our focus on each other and away from the fact that someone was taking pictures of us! She also knew exactly the way to tell us to interact so that it all looked completely natural and not forced or fake! It was hard for us to believe, but in the end we got so many amazing photos that I know we will cherish forever. Leading up to the wedding, Vanessa was incredibly easy-going to work with and coordinate with.
