Watermarks on My Soul: Day 2 – Rae Images | Virginia Wedding Photographer

Personal, Watermarks on My Soul

Apr 2, 2014

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April 1st began a series that will allow me to be transparent about the people that have influenced my personal and professional growth.  When I look at where I have achieved success, I can honestly say that I never did it alone.  There was always someone there that believed in me, motivated me, encouraged me, or pushed me to continue.  This series is dedicated to those people!

“If you admire somebody, you should go ahead and tell them. People never get the flowers while they can still smell them.” ― Kanye West

 

Day 2: RAE IMAGES (http://raeimages.com/)

Photo Credit : Rae Images (Ebony S.)

When I decided to do this series, I didn’t have a special order for how I would blog each person that I admired.  I went into this knowing that my parents would be first and everyone else has equal influence regardless of which day I wrote their blog post dedication.  Thankfully, I doubt that any of the people that I blog about will think twice about where they appear and that’s the beauty of this series for me!  I have been blessed to meet some truly awesome people.

Day 2 belongs to the uber talented and oh so beautiful lady behind Rae Images- Ebony S.  She is so fly that she doesn’t need a last name for people to know who I am talking about!  Ebony and I grew up in the same hometown, went to the same college and pledged the same sorority (Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.).  While we knew each other we never really hung out in the same circles.  Ebony owns a boutique photography studio in Charlotte, NC and she truly amazes me with her sweet personality and humble spirit.

This industry can be tough and competitive and clients have a plethora of talented photographers to choose from, but Ebony has taught me that there is enough work to go around!  I can’t remember how we first connected with photography but I do remember her offering me pointers, sending me websites to review and sharing recipes for lighting.  When I post photos of my work that she likes, it’s nothing for her to send me a positive text message pumping me up on this journey!  From Ebony, I’ve learned to spend less time comparing myself to others and spend more time creating my own path.

Ebony has demonstrated ways of creating her path with unique photo events such as “Divas and Daughters” and “Dads and Daughters” and she has become the go-to photographer in Charlotte for business headshots, lifestyle portraits, and event photography! The photos in this post are from my mom and I during her ‘Divas and Daughters’ sessions. I’m suddenly awkward in front of the camera but Ebony has such a fun spirit that my mom and I laughed during most of the session. If you read yesterday’s post then you know that after our session my mom and I went to breakfast at the Waffle House. After breakfast, she was on such a confidence high that I ended up taking more photos of her when we got home and I remember her saying “talk to me and tell me what to do like Ebony did”! From Ebony, I’ve learned that it’s perfectly fine to be myself and interact with my clients because if I am myself I am more relatable and those clients eventually turn into friends.

Ebony, thank you for all that you do and all that you are!  Each message that I’ve received from you encourages me to forge ahead! Thank you for your wisdom, thank you for allowing me to avoid some mistakes by sharing what may or may not work and thank you for encouraging me to continue when I felt burnt out!  I pray that God elevates you and your business to heights beyond your wildest dreams!  Love you!

Photo Credit : Rae Images

Watermarks on my Soul Series:

  1. Ebony S says:

    I am crying – Fo.Real. You are so SPECTACULAR!! It’s been absolutely amazing watching you and your work evolve and growing with you on this journey. Thank you my friend. For more than you know!

  2. Not even lying – these shots of you and momma are BANGING! Great job, Rae Images – you captured the Terri I know and love and the her true beauty – both inside and out. 🙂 <3

  3. Dwan Barnes-Gaines says:

    Love this, Terri! So nice to have people in your life who genuinely love and support you and your work! The pics of you two are FAB too!

  4. Tim Hines says:

    That is awesome. Congratulations Ebony!! It’s been so great to see you evolve

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