Today we’d like to introduce you to Angel Ray.
Hi Angel, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’d like to first take this time to thank you for this opportunity! The long story short version of my story began when I was 5 years of age, and I died from a seizure resulting from my parent’s divorce. My mother was able to get me to a hospital, where the doctors were able to revive me. It wasn’t long after that my family noticed I enjoyed different toys and music. I even spoke differently from what I did before my accident. Of course, I didn’t remember any of this. My Mother and grandmother (Nana) told me of these occurrences growing up.
My birth name is Shawn Haskins; I was born on Fort Gordon in Augusta, Georgia. Due to my recovery from my accident, my Nana called me “Angel” and believed that what saved me that day and the name stuck. Fast forward to 13 years old, and little sister would pretend she was a model on the catwalk made up the name Angel Ray, famous runway photographer lol! That’s when Angel Ray, the photographer, really stuck and became the photographer; I wanted people to see me as.
Side note lol: I’ve always had a fascination with time, people, and history. Naturally, this enabled me to gravitated towards photography. The ability to hold a device in my hands to stop time in a moment to remember it for lifetimes to come brought me happiness because it brought the people I photographed happiness.
It didn’t take long after that to realize this is what I wanted to do in my life: become a photographer. Like most businesses, it wasn’t easy, most would see my work, and think I was too expensive. True, a photographer’s gear isn’t cheap, but I never looked at it as a reason to raise my prices or a get-rich-quick scheme. Time is the one thing “no one” can get back, so in my mind, why would I charge unrealistic prices for a moments no one can get back? Of course, you can imagine my peers, family, and friends telling me how I would never make money that way, and others would say I’d never go anywhere with that mindset.
To this day, I still haven’t raised my prices and kept them the same as it was since day one of 2002 when I set out to become a professional photographer when I graduated high school. I’ve been a photographer since the early 1990s. I was about 8 years of age then, but back then, digital photography hadn’t really taken off yet, nor the internet, and I wasn’t exactly born with a silver spoon in my mouth, but my mom did her best with my little sister and I to provide us with our interests.
My mother would purchase a Fujifilm disposable camera every paycheck, and I would photographed literally everything a kid could photograph! You can imagine my excitement when they upgraded the Fujifilm disposable camera with a flash that charges lol! From there, my photography grew into what it is today!
I still wake up every morning, motivating myself to go the distance because success will find those who seek it, and time waits for no one, so you can imagine my excitement when I receive an email from Voyage Magazine, lol! I thought to myself, someone loved my photography enough to take the time to recommend me. It really made me feel I went the distance this time and someone noticed me. Lol I guess that about sums it up lol! Trying not to tear up from excitement just writing this!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I honestly believe biggest obstacle and challenge was after my daughter’s mother passed in 2020 of cancer. My daughter took it hard, of course; we both did, but it was just my daughter and I, and I didn’t have time to quit. A roof, food and utilities still needed paid photography just wasn’t logical to continue. It was then I thought my photography days were truly over. Giving my children the time and attention she needed hit me as the needs of the many and my photography the needs of the few.
We’ve been impressed with Angle Ray Photography, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
The first thing I want people to know about me is that I don’t miss a moment because time only moves in one direction, forward, and their time is what’s most important to me, not their money. Those who have done business with me understand that it is a business, but it is important that a person’s time is appreciated and respected.
I specialize in portrait photography, but I have done weddings and events as well.
I am known for never missing a moment because time waits for no one. When I am hired to photograph family portraits, or a wedding, I don’t disappoint them by missing the moments that mean the most of them.
I like to offer things that most don’t. For example, if I photograph your maternity photos, I’ll show up for the birth of your child for free. The first moments of your child with you and their family is priceless. It feels like greed to charge for such a precious moment.
I don’t see the need for charging extra for an outfit change. If I’m hired to take portraits or headshots of someone and they really wish to look good at that moment, I feel I’d be disrespecting their time by charging them more money for a moment they’re not gonna get back. Plus, they’d be rushing to get in one outfit or the next. There’s a higher probability my client will be calm and focused if they’re not rushing for an outfit change, thinking they’re running out of time to get the portraits they need. Nothing but time.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I’d say the one thing most people don’t know about me is that I dream of becoming a national photographer. Flying all over the world photographing families and their weddings, different cultures, etc.! Still gives me goosebumps to this day just thinking about the possibility!
And
I train Asset Protection Investigators (APIs) for Walmart.
Pricing:
- Weddings are $1000 flat rate
- Head Shot and corporate headshots $150
- Senior portraits and maternity portraits $130
Contact Info:
- Website: Angelrayphotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angel_ray3473?igsh=YXhkdHN2N25yZmFs&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/angel.ray.37?mibextid=kFxxJD
- Twitter: https://x.com/angelray1177/status/1561456990513160194?s=46&t=Vs1gTpW-EIHWPMXfpzr7-g
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@angelray9118?si=xFtj7T1ffnNS38nW
- Other: https://dot.cards/angelray1177
Image Credits
Angel Ray
