Tim Ray Photography - Blog West Virginia Wedding Photographers

We Were Selected For WeddingWire's Bride's Choice Awards!

2012-01-26T05:53:00.000-05:00

Fairmont, WV – January 26, 2012 – WeddingWire, the nation's leading wedding Marketplace, is excited to announce Tim Ray Photography has been selected to receive the prestigious WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2012 for Wedding Photography!

The esteemed annual awards program recognizes the top local wedding vendors from the WeddingWire Network who demonstrate excellence in quality, service, responsiveness and professionalism within the wedding industry. While many industry awards are selected by the organization, Tim Ray Photography was selected based on its stellar reviews from past newlywed clients.

Tim Ray Photography is recognized as part of the top five percent of wedding professionals in the WeddingWire local vendor community, comprised of over 200,000 wedding professionals throughout the United States and Canada. The Bride’s Choice Award recognizes the best local wedding vendors across 20 service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers, based on their overall professional achievements throughout the past year.

“WeddingWire is thrilled to honor the success of the top-rated wedding professionals within the WeddingWire Community,” said Timothy Chi, CEO, WeddingWire. “Since the launch of the Bride’s Choice Awards™ program four years ago, thousands of outstanding wedding professionals have been recognized by the bridal community for their supreme service and dedication to the wedding industry. It is with great pleasure that we congratulate Tim Ray Photography for their continued professionalism and commitment to enriching the wedding planning experience for engaged couples.”

We are happy to announce that Tim Ray Photography is one of the very best Wedding Photographers within the WeddingWire Network, which includes leading wedding planning sites WeddingWire, Project Wedding, Brides.com, Martha Stewart Weddings, and Weddingbee. We would like to thank our past clients for taking the time to review our business on WeddingWire. Thanks to their positive feedback we were able to receive the WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ for 2012.

For more information, please visit our WeddingWire Storefront today at www.timrayphoto.com.

To learn more about the Bride's Choice Awards™, please visit www.WeddingWire.com.

About WeddingWire, Inc.
WeddingWire™, the nation's leading marketplace serving the $70 billion wedding industry, is the only online wedding planning resource designed to empower both engaged couples and wedding professionals. For engaged couples, WeddingWire offers the ability to search, compare and book over 200,000 reviewed wedding vendors, from wedding venues to wedding photographers. WeddingWire also offers a comprehensive suite of online planning tools for weddings, including wedding websites and wedding checklists, all at no charge. For wedding professionals, WeddingWire is the only all-in-one marketing platform for businesses online and on-the-go. WeddingWire offers one simple solution to build a professional network, improve search visibility, manage social media and reach mobile consumers. Businesses that advertise with WeddingWire appear on WeddingWire.com, ProjectWedding.com and other leading sites, including MarthaStewartWeddings.com (NYSE: MSO), Brides.com and Weddingbee.com.
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How Important Are Your Wedding Photographs?

2012-01-22T15:20:00.001-05:00

Currently we are living in an unprecedented time in wedding photography, and there are some really great things about this new era of wedding photography, but there are also some really big concerns to consider when hiring a wedding photographer.

Wedding photography prices are all over the place now more than ever, some photographers charge a few hundred dollars to photograph a wedding, then there are some who charge several thousand and include a beautiful album, and then there are those who charge a small fortune just to show up and photograph the wedding. So, how is one to choose a photographer to photograph your wedding day? How much should you really invest in your photography?

Some couples may say hey with the camera technology that is available today, anyone can take great photographs right? Absolutely False! Photography is an art form, so most couples would would end up with poorly lit, poorly composed snapshots.

How important are your wedding photographs to you? Wedding photography is an art form, and purchasing a digital camera doesn’t make one a photographer, any more than purchasing paint and a paint brush makes one a great painter like a Rembrandt or a Picasso. Even the greatest camera is only as good at creating great images as skill of the photographer. Understanding composition, proper lighting, color harmony, the best angles, posing if needed, etc... are all skills that are important to creating beautiful images.

My advice for hiring a wedding photographer would be to hire someone who is able to capture images in the artistic style you like best, and not because of what they charge or even how famous they are. Many couples make the mistake of hiring based solely on what they perceive is a better value, and really regret not hiring the photographer who would have provided them with the artistic style that they really wanted. Then there are those who hire a photographer, because they believe that photographer is better solely due to how many times they have been published in magazines, again this is a mistake because just because someone has been published more, doesn't make them the best photographer for you. It really comes down to hiring based on the artistic style that you love.

So, what should you pay for your wedding photographs? This would depend upon how important your wedding photographs are to you. I can't tell you how much to pay for your wedding photographs, but I can say to be very careful about hiring a photographer who doesn't charge enough, because there probably is a reason for not charging a fair price for wedding photography. We invest nearly 40 hours of work just on post production of our weddings, so that the images are spectacular. Good photography and good enhancement is not GOOD ENOUGH for us, we want to go beyond the expectations of our clients, we want to provide spectacular quality images. Another factor that is often not considered is ability of the photographer to tell the story of the wedding day through beautiful images, do the images capture the emotions, the relationships, the love, the excitement, but most importantly are they captured in a way that as a whole they tell the story of the wedding. This is a biggy in my opinion, and is often not even considered when hiring a photographer. I am totally hands off when it comes to the real moments during the wedding day, I want my couples to remember those moments, and not me interfering with those moments to quote "capture the perfect photograph", truth is there is no such thing as a perfect photograph, but there are perfect moments, and those are what I strive to capture.

Just my two cents!

Dani Came For Senior Portraits

2012-01-07T15:35:00.001-05:00

Chelsea - Senior Portraits

2011-12-23T11:09:00.002-05:00

Recently Chelsea from Lincoln High School came in for senior portraits, what a wonderful person. I am blessed and so thankful to have such wonderful clients.

Olivia

2011-12-23T10:58:00.000-05:00

Olivia came in for portraits recently, I photographed her parents wedding and have been capturing portraits for their beautiful family over the years.

10 FREE Memberships In VIP PORTRAIT CLUB!

2011-12-07T10:35:00.001-05:00

Our VIP Portrait Club members will get special treatment. Here are some of the great benefits of joining:

2 FREE Deluxe Sessions every year!

(A Savings of $300 per year)

15% Discount on all orders!

FREE for the Next 10 new members! ($195 value)

*must use at least one free session per year to remain active in the club.

EMAIL US TO JOIN!

Amerey & Seth - Wedding at Trinity Assembly Of God Church, Fairmont, WV

2011-12-06T18:20:00.001-05:00

Here are a few images from the wedding of Amerey & Seth at Trinity Assembly Of God Church.

Jenny & Seann - Wedding at Fairmont State University

2011-12-06T18:02:00.001-05:00

Here are a few of the images from the wedding of Jenny and Seann at Fairmont State University.

Ashley & Adam - Engagement Portraits at Valley Falls State Park

2011-11-18T10:49:00.001-05:00

Here are some of the images from the engagement session of Ashley and Adam.

Erika & Michael - Engagement Portraits at Dorsey's Knob and the Wharf

2011-11-14T21:53:00.001-05:00

Here are a few of the incredible engagement portraits or Erika and Michael. I look forward to photographing their wedding next year.'

Ashleigh & Adam - Engagement Session in Accident, MD

2011-10-31T09:39:00.000-05:00

Ashleigh and Adam wanted their engagement portraits taken at Ashleigh's parents home in Accident, MD. I have never photographed in a soybean field, and am thankful that Ashleigh and Adam had me photograph their engagement portraits there.

Ashley & James - Wedding at Gateway Methodist and Waterfront Place Hotel

2011-10-31T08:59:00.000-05:00

Ashley and James were such a joy to photograph.

Aaron & Maureen - Wedding at The Confluence Resort

2011-10-30T19:47:00.000-05:00

What a beautiful location for a wedding The Confluence Resort is located near the New River Gorge, and has specular views. Maureen and Aaron a fun couple to photograph, and you could see the love that they have for each other.

Jessica & Mike - Wedding At Valley Falls State Park

2011-10-30T19:05:00.000-05:00

Jessica and Mike were a fun couple to photograph, it was disappointing when it rained and the wedding had to be moved inside instead of at the scenic beauty of Valley Falls State Park. We were able to go to Valley Falls after their honey for some portraits.

Haley & Robert - Engagement Portraits at Valley Falls State Park

2011-09-29T22:27:00.002-05:00

Stephanie & Jeffrey - Wedding At Family Vineyard, Buckhannon, WV

2011-09-26T13:11:00.000-05:00

Here are a selection of images from the wedding of Stephanie and Jeffrey at the family vineyard in Buckhannon, WV. What can I say the bride and groom look absolutely spectacular and the location is more beautiful than I could possibly imagine. The weather didn't look very promising as I was driving to Buckhannon as it starting raining, which isn't the best for an outdoor wedding. Thankfully it stopped before I arrive, and the weather turned out absolutely incredible for the rest of the day.

You can't have a wedding at a vineyard without an image of a glass of wine.

Kelley & Brett - Wedding In Bridgeport, Reception at Via Venetos

2011-09-22T20:03:00.000-05:00

Here are some images from the wedding of Kelley and Brett at Simpson Creek Baptist Church with the reception and Via Venetos. Kelley and Brett were awesome, couldn't have asked for a couple that look perfect together.

Jennifer & Justin - Wedding At Sandcrest, Wheeling WV

2011-09-22T18:28:00.000-05:00

Here are a few images from the wedding of Jennifer and Justin at that incredible and distinctive Sandcrest in Wheeling, WV. Jennifer and Justin were a wonderful couple to photograph, and Justin is quite the musician.

Melissa & Zach - Wedding at Lakeview Resort, Morgantown, WV

2011-08-04T21:28:00.000-05:00

What a wonderful a couple who have a zest for life. This was a very fun wedding photograph and the weather was perfect.

Cake - Myers
Flowers - Morgantown Florist
Gown - David's Bridal

We Are Working To Get Caught Up.

2011-08-04T09:38:00.000-05:00

I want to assure all of our wedding couples and other clients that we are working diligently to get caught up. The flood caused disruption in our business, we lost my main computer, and my wife's iMac had to be moved to one of our daughter's bedroom. We now have the last of the weddings uploaded to the client ordering site yeah, and all Digital Negatives Discs have been burned and are being shipped out today, and the blogposts of the last two weddings should be on the blog tonight.

I want to thank everyone for their understanding, and truly appreciate all of the phone calls, emails, and Facebook messages from friends, clients, and fellow photographers expressing their concerns, and prayers for us. It really does help knowing that people are concerned and praying for us. This is a trying time for us, but I know that God will bring us through this, and that we will be much stronger because of it.

Jessica & Brandon - Wedding At First Baptist and Reception at Lakeview Resort

2011-07-27T21:44:00.000-05:00

Here are a few images from the wedding of Jessica & Brandon. The wedding was at First Baptist Church in Fairmont, WV and the reception was at the fabulous Lakeview Resort. Jessica & Brandon were a joy to photograph.

Cake - Almost Heaven Deserts

Flowers - Main Street Perennial

Gown - Classic Bridal

Kim & John - Wedding at The Gatherings, Reception at The Fairmont Field club

2011-07-14T12:20:00.000-05:00

Kim and John were a pleasure to work with, you can see the love that they have for each other. The wedding ceremony was at the fabulous Gatherings Wedding Chapel, and the reception was a the newly rebuilt Fairmont Field. Here are just a few of the images from their incredible wedding.

Alicia & J.R. - Wedding at Lakeview Resort, Morgantown, WV

2011-07-14T11:50:00.000-05:00

Mary Beth & Josh - Wedding at Saint Francis, Morgantown, WV

2011-07-14T09:52:00.000-05:00

Katie and Austin - Wedding at Clarksburg Methodist

2011-07-13T09:07:00.001-05:00

Maggie & Brett - Wedding at Dream Mountain Game Ranch, Albright, WV

2011-06-28T11:39:00.000-05:00

This was the first wedding I have ever photographed at Dream Mountain Game, it really is an incredibly beautiful location. Maggie and Brett were wonderful to photograph, and the camera loves them. You can see the love they have for each other in these photographs.

Brittany & Johnny - Wedding at Wisp Resort, McHenry, MD

2011-06-28T10:45:00.000-05:00

Jessica & Grant - Wedding at Heston Farm, Pleasant Valley, WV

2011-06-27T12:50:00.001-05:00

Jessica and Grant's wedding was the first wedding I have photographed at Heston Farm, and it is a fun venue for a wedding. The weather was perfect and Jessica and Grant were a joy to photograph.

Great New Weddings Will Be Posted On Monday!!!

2011-06-25T10:26:00.000-05:00

Our blog has been feeling a little neglected lately. My computer that has the special software that we use for our blogposts crashed during our busiest time of the year, isn't that the way it always happens:( Anyway I now have it working again, so we will be posting the last three weddings that haven't been posted yet on Monday. I'm am excited to post these, because they are fabulous and the venues are incredible and extremely diverse.

Seniors Schedule Now And SAVE $$$!!!

2011-06-11T08:41:00.000-05:00

Now is the time to have your senior portraits taken. We are limiting the amount of senior portraits, so that we can better serve our clients. Don't wait to schedule as we may be booked up. I highly recommend scheduling a no-obligation senior portrait consultation, there is absolutely no cost and no-obligation to have us do your senior portraits, but we can make suggestions about clothing, locations, makeup, props, etc... and help you with the very best possible senior portraits available.

Do you want your senior portraits to look like everyone else's, or do you want your portraits to be as unique as you are?

We want your senior portraits to be as unique as you are, to capture your individual personality, and to reflect your interests, so that you will be able to remember and relive your senior year for the rest of your life.

Do you want your senior portraits to look like snapshots, or do you want them to look like fabulous works of art?

Today more than ever many seniors are settling for sub par senior portraits, saving money now may seem the way to go, but years from now you will regret it. Senior portraits are an investment, and just as any great investment, great senior portraits will be enjoyed the rest of your life. But, poor senior portraits will not be enjoyed, they will lead to frustration for the rest of your life, as you will always be regretting not having great senior portraits to enjoy, and proudly display on your wall.

CONTACT US TO SCHEDULE A FREE CONSULTATION

Gretchen & Patrick - Wedding at Lambert's Vintage Wines in Weston, WV

2011-05-26T09:33:00.000-05:00

Flowers - Blooms

Cake - Almost Heaven Deserts

Gown - Demetrio's Bride

This was the first wedding that I have photographed at Lambert's Vintage Wines, and I must say it is a hidden gem. Beautiful grounds and an old world charm add to the elegance of any wedding. Gretchen & Patrick were a wonderful couple to photograph, and this was definitely a fun wedding to photography. Check out the slideshow at the bottom of this post, and don't forget to like this post, so that all of your Facebook friends can enjoy

Ashley & Nathan - Wedding at H&H Chapel and Reception at Ramada Inn

2011-05-25T15:18:00.000-05:00

Ashley & Ricky - Wedding at Lakeview Resort

2011-05-25T15:03:00.000-05:00

Seniors Contact Us Today About Our Great Special!!!

2011-05-24T12:18:00.002-05:00

Melissa & Zachary Wedding As Historic Jackson's Mill

2011-04-23T09:21:00.000-05:00

Audria & James Wedding in West Milford, WV

2011-04-23T09:17:00.000-05:00

Amerey & Seth - Engagement Portraits in Morgantown

2011-03-29T08:25:00.000-05:00

Valerie & Jeremy - Wedding In Clarksburg, WV

2011-03-16T07:37:00.001-05:00

Senior Models Needed For The Class Of 2012

2011-02-25T13:24:00.000-05:00

We use senior spokes models to represent us in the local schools, what better way for other students to see our senior portraits. We need both boys and girls. If interested contact us ASAP!

Rachel & Justin - Wedding at Phipps Conservatory, Pittsburgh, PA

2011-02-17T18:49:00.001-05:00

Incredible New Backdrops Coming Soon!

2011-02-09T21:57:00.000-05:00

We are currently upgrading our studio with brand new backdrops and equipment. Our goal is the provide a portrait experience second to none.

Emily & Kyle - Wedding at Snowshoe, WV

2011-01-27T22:21:00.001-05:00

Here is the slideshow of the amazing wedding of Emily and Kyle at Snowshoe, WV. I will post more photos here on the blog in the next few days. But Stefanie really out did herself with this slideshow.

Anthea & Jason January 7th Wedding in Bridgeport, WV

2011-01-15T11:58:00.000-05:00

Danica & Britten Wedding at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort

2011-01-12T16:15:00.002-05:00

Introducing Our New VIP Portrait Club

2011-01-11T19:59:00.000-05:00

To all of our past clients, current and future clients we are proud to introduce our new VIP Portrait Club!

Our VIP Portrait Club members will get special treatment. Here are some of the great benefits of joining:

2 FREE Deluxe Sessions every year!

(A Savings of $300 per year)

15% Discount on all orders!

$195 one time membership fee to join.

For a LIMITED TIME ONLY $95

*must use at least one free session per year to remain active in the club.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN NOW!

Book Next Years Wedding At This Years Prices!

2010-12-26T17:22:00.003-05:00

It's that time of the year when many couples get engaged. So, why not book your photographer, now and save on your wedding photography. Don't hesitate to contact us about your wedding, I would love to help in any way to make your wedding day a tremendous success. Contact us today about our great holiday wedding specials.

CLICK HERE TO REQUEST PRICING INFORMATION

Phone - 304-363-8395

tim@timrayphoto.com

Amy & Son

2010-12-13T11:38:00.000-05:00

Our Client Ordering Site Is Currently Down!

2010-12-09T17:27:00.000-05:00

Our client ordering site is currently down, but Pickpic is working to restore their service. Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.

Maria

2010-11-30T20:18:00.000-05:00

Black Friday Sale!

2010-11-25T18:49:00.002-05:00

Call us today to place your Black Friday order at 304-363-8395

Colin - Senior Portraits

2010-11-24T19:01:00.000-05:00

Due To Popular Demand Our 2 for 1 Special Has Been Extended!

2010-11-19T07:44:00.001-05:00

Packages don't qualify for 2 for 1 special. Offer is good toward any size individual print purchases. Even wall portraits qualify!

Melissa & Zach - Engagement Portraits at Mylan Puskar Stadium, Erickson Alumni Center, and Dorsey's Knob

2010-11-12T18:02:00.000-05:00

Sarah & Matt - Wedding at Historic Jackson's Mill

2010-11-07T19:08:00.003-05:00

2 for 1 Print Special!!!

2010-11-06T15:13:00.000-05:00

This offer is only good for individual print orders, packages don't qualify. Even Wall Portraits Qualify for this special.

Jessica & Brandon - Engagement Portraits at Milan Puskar Stadium, Lakeview, Woodburn Circle

2010-11-04T09:26:00.000-05:00

Ashly & Ricky - Engagement Portraits At Cooper's Rock

2010-11-03T17:45:00.001-05:00

Sarah & Matt - Wedding Sneak Peek!

2010-11-03T12:45:00.000-05:00

Frank and Jane Gabor WV Folklife Center

2010-11-03T09:46:00.001-05:00

It was a pleasure being commissioned to create the portrait of Frank and Jane Gabor by Fairmont State University for the Frank and Jane Gabor WV Folklife Center. They are among the nicest folks you will ever meet, and we had a great time creating the portrait together. This past week was the ribbon cutting for the center, and here are a few images including the commissioned portrait.

Ann & Brandon - Wedding at Bridgeport and reception at Bridgeport Country Club

2010-11-03T09:19:00.002-05:00

Brooke & Travis - Wedding In Bridgeport, WV

2010-10-27T19:03:00.002-05:00

Casey & Cleave - Wedding At Bridgeport Conference Center

2010-10-27T16:05:00.002-05:00

Anthea & Jason - Engagement Session at Prickett's Fort State Park

2010-10-27T14:19:00.000-05:00

Sarah & Jerrod - Engagement Session

2010-10-20T12:21:00.001-05:00

Here are a few images from the engagement session we photographed of Sarah and Jerrod at The Wharf and the WVU Coliseum in Morgantown, WV. We had to capture some images at the Coliseum since Jerrod is the Director, Basketball Operations for men's basketball. Sarah and Jerrod were such fun for photograph, I really look forward to photographing their wedding next year.

Danielle & Jeff - Wedding at Rocky Gap Resort

2010-10-20T09:36:00.000-05:00

Here are some photographs from the fabulous wedding of Danielle and Jeff at Rocky Gap Resort near Cumberland, MD. The weather was spectacular, and the location is beautiful. I loved the really cool little bobble heads, really unique. The cake was the creation of Rosemary Herron.

Mary Beth & Josh - Engagement Session in Morgantown, WV

2010-10-13T17:58:00.000-05:00

Kathryn & Sam - Wedding at Lakeview Resort

2010-10-13T13:16:00.002-05:00

Here are some images from the wedding of Kathryn and Sam at the beautiful Lakeview Resort in Morgantown, WV. Kathryn and Sam were such a delightful and fun couple to photograph.

Jessica & Grant - Engagement Session at Prickett's Fort and at Family Home

2010-10-13T10:10:00.000-05:00

Tabitha & Dave - Wedding in Fairmont, WV

2010-10-09T10:36:00.002-05:00

Winner Of Our Bridal Show Drawing!

2010-09-12T19:07:00.002-05:00

Alisha Kilkenny is the winner of our bridal show drawing, and wins a FREE Engagement or Bridal Session!

Michelle - Senior Portraits

2010-08-28T09:32:00.000-05:00

Todd - Senior from Fairmont Senior

2010-08-26T16:18:00.000-05:00