About Me

When it comes to my family, it just doesn't get much better. I've been working on my website and my about me portion, and I realize how much my family has influenced who I am today.

I am sort of like a female version of my dad's brain. I like to analyze things and organize my thoughts before they are heard. I am VERY competitive. I like to win and be the best at whatever I'm doing. I tend to also have a very critical spirit, and do not like for people to disappoint me. (Sorry dad, it's true!) From my mom, I inherited my mom's keen eye and artistic vision. She can see things in her mind how she wants them and then sketch them out to match. My mom is easy going. I could call her at 9:30 pm and ask her to go see a movie and she would and has on many occasions. My parents together taught me to love, to have faith in the things I believe in, to put Jesus before anything, and to be head strong and have confidence in who I am.

Having so many brothers and sisters only fuels the "about me" fire. I get along with pretty much anyone, because you learn to adjust in a house with seven people who are different from you. I can sleep just about anywhere and anytime, because I was used to sleeping through crying, yelling, playing, and kids crawling over me. I learned an unselfish love at an early age because my love for my brothers and sisters is a lot like the love I feel for Gray. There's nothing they could ever do to lose it.

Just a few of the things about me.

Check out a new video project, working on some new things to get ready for my new site and blog! I think you will like it. Fun colors, a journalistic feel, and lots of images.

A Little Polish Please

When I was in high school, I swear to you that I painted my toenails to match my outfit almost everyday. Then, college came along, and I tried to make sure that my legs were at least shaved every week. Then came teaching, and I made sure by spring my legs were shaved and my toenails were decent enough to wear open-toe shoes (I didn't want to feel sorry for the kids who sat at my feet!) Then, came this past year. So far, it has trumped all of my "do not care" episodes in the past. If I'm not doing one thing, it's something else. If I have a little free time, I'm using it to find a way to make something better. I'm convinced my feet have joined forces and refuse to become silky smooth until I give them the undivided attention that they oh so deserve. :) In short, I need a pedicure.

Chicken Nuggets

I hope you are excited as I am about my new web presence coming up. In the process of trying to figure out a way to explain my type of photography in the "about me", I keep coming back to chicken nuggets. Huh?? (I can hear your thoughts.) Let me explain.

I willingly admit that I am a sauceaholic. Whatever I am eating must be the opposite of dry. I like my cheeseburgers, tacos, and nuggets to be dripping in sauces (a variety of them). Although I order tons of sauces everywhere I go, there are some places that scream one certain sauce. Zaxby's = Zax, McDonalds = Hot Mustard, Fatz = Buffalo & Ranch, etc.

I see my photography much of the same way. Each shoot, each image screams something unique to me. Some clean and crisp. Some raw and dirty. Some in between. Some all three. It just depends on the nugget, I mean client. :)

Every photography book I read tells me that I have to find my style, what I do best, the image that screams "this is hannah gray photography". From the description above, you might now understand the difficulty of this decision.

But why can't my style scream "variety". I don't want to edit my images the exact same way every time for the rest of my photog life. So, I'm sticking with the chicken nugget principle. Variety. That is my style.

Gray-Bay-Bay

My little girl is the cutest thing in the world to me. :) She blesses me in ways that I just can't put into words, but I'll give it my best shot. I could kiss her face off, could sit all day and just watch and listen to her, and do cry when I think about how much I love her.

I try to have photo shoots around the holidays to document, and to make sure I never forget what that sweet face looked like at every age. I have to tell you the shoots get a little more difficult everytime. Partly because she does not like to sit still anymore.







This is the new fish face. :)

If Only He Still Wrote on Walls

You know when I took the year off, I took for granted that the year would last a lifetime. However, what you knew and what I was ignoring has reared it's ugly head. Decision time?! I've been sincerely seeking with my whole heart, and all the arteries and veins that surround it, the answer to the hardest question that I've ever had to answer?! Be at home with the best little girl in the world and sacrifice ...... or go to work and provide extra financial comfort for my family. I know when you put it like this it seems like I should be able to choose the obvious answer, but I love both. I love what I've been able to do this year, but I really do promise that I love to teach! :) At the end of the decision day, I really want to do exactly what God tells me to do. If only He still wrote on walls.

I have pictures to post, but I'm working my little booty off making sure that I can stand the sight of my house through the rest of the week! :)

Staci & Brandon: The Bling

I've sort of been avoiding this blog like shaking hands with someone who has the flu. Why? Because I don't like it's look, and I'm so excited for the blog to come. But I had to post some of Staci and Brandon' pics, because they rocked it out. I had this idea of a field with a guitar. I was thrilled when he said that he played. Here are some of my faves. :)






This is my fave! The light was IN-SANE!

NEW! NEW! NEW!

To those faithful readers.....As you can see I've played around with how this blog looks for too, too long! In the works is a brand new blog, a brand new website, and many, many more great things to come. They are going to be awesome! :)

Forgive me....Site is under works.

Are you serious?

What am I doing? Thinking and working on my photography brand!!!! New look, old look, same look. I will not rest until I have it all figured out. WHat do you think? What has been your favorite logo, color, etc??? Help me out people! I'm open to suggestions.....

Content 1 here.

Content 2 here.

Content 3 here.

This is a mass email I sent to almost everyone in my email book. Just by chance, you don't email me a lot, I'm posting it on my blog as well. And...what post would be complete without a picture. Check the bottom for a couple of ring shots from Jonathan and Melissa's Christmas wedding! ;) On to the email:

Hey Guys!

This time last year, I was on my way back to work for the first time since having my baby girl, Gray. It wasn't long until I really felt the Lord laying on my heart that I was supposed to step away from teaching and stay at home with Gray. Kevin, thought that I had lost my mind, and I couldn't blame him nor argue the point. I didn't know how we would be able to do it, but for some reason I had such peace that we would be taken care of....

I would have never in a million years thought that Jesus would help take care of us through a photography business. I have always loved art in every form (painting, drawing, building, decorating, dressing, graphics, crafting...), but never considered it could be a career. I am so excited to see where this business takes me, and to be honest, I sit and think over it...A LOT!

2008 picture season was A-mazing, thanks to a lot of you guys. Who would have thought that in four and 1/2 months I would have shot 28 sessions and 4 weddings??? NOT ME! I look back at the pictures in the beginning and know that if I could go back and shoot them now, they'd be so much better. (It's a perfectionist's blessing and curse.) But seriously, I feel like in such a short time, I have learned SO MUCH! And I hope that never-eva stops. :)

2009 picture season is going to be great as well! I have a lot of faith that God will again use me and a camera to provide for my family. It's scary and exciting at the same time. Some things I have already changed and others are in the process.

-One biggie is that I've redone my pricing handout. The prices have changed, the look is different, and after a lot of research and thought...I feel good about it. I'm attaching it to give you guys a preview.

-Another Change: Instead of doing one shoot a weekend, I'm trying to be smarter with my time and use one Saturday where I shoot a lot! I had a lot of requests from the upstate for some shoots, so you guys will have a Saturday to abuse as well!!! Holla. :) Take a look at the fliers I have attached and send it out to anyone you might think would be interested. Hopefully, (Thanks to Adrian & Steven) I can have it ran in the Horry Independent (local newspaper) as well! Best case scenario, I'll have to schedule more than one Saturday!

There are more changes that I'm looking forward to and praying over as well. There is no way I can advertise and give everyone the best impression of my images all alone, so join with me in sharing and praying for the year ahead. I've made a commitment to pray over each person I'm allowed to photograph this year. My dream in this business would be to do so well, that I can give back like a mad-crazy woman.

Thank you again for being the best clients and friends a photographer girl can have!

Hannah Gray

It's Happening. Let's Start Booking.

What? You said you want a portrait session?

I don't blame you. Check out some more H-O-T-T! Portraits!

Bunch: The Leach's Family

Meet the Leach bunch. Amanda Leach Powley, was one of my lifesavers during my first three years of teaching. She is mild, kind, caring, a hard-worker, a great listener, and an even better friend. I don't see nearly enough of her. :) Amanda recommended me to her mom for some family portrait re-do's. Did I mention that she must have good taste!? ;) Anyway, I snapped the night away and could not quit laughing "with" the Leach family. I especially enjoyed editing the images where they are wearing mustaches, rubbing Grandpa's tummy, picking through Grandma's hair-do, and laughing their undies off (ha, ha!)! Amanda, Jane, and the whole Leach family....Thank you!

Here's the whole bunch. Click the title to see a few more pics.

The Big Day: Nelson & Jane

Linda, Jane's mom, contacted me about photographing her daughter's wedding. She told me they were planning to marry in Hawaii!!! "What?! What?!" Too bad they were only looking for a photographer for the rockin' reception that awaited them back here in South Ca-ca-lac-ee (Carolina). :)

During the reception, they had the video of their Hawaii ceremony playing on the big screen for everyone to watch. After it finished, Nelson and Jane, decked out in their wedding attire, were announced as the Mr. & Mrs. for the evening and got the party started with their first dance. The night continued with dancing (good dancing), eating, and even some karaoke!

Nelson & Jane, congratulations to you both. Hope you will always be as happy as you are now!!!!

This picture was my symbolic one for the evening. Nelson is from Venezuela, and Jane is an all American girl!

Jane's dad had a cowbell, engraved, and complete with lock and key. Nelson took it like a newlywed and had it ringing all evening.

The first dance....

I can't even begin to explain the smooth moves on display that night.


I love this picture. Everybody having a blast, but notice Jane & Nelson all wrapped up in each other.

Love this one as well. Nelson and his mom were too sweet. She is such a beautiful lady.

And one of my faves. I took pictures of the screen as the video of their wedding played. Each came out with such awesomely different colors. What a cool piece of art!


Nobody got into the karaoke....siiiikke!


I'll have the slide show up before long. Something is up with the site! :) If you haven't read yesterdays post..........READ IT!

Senior Pictures

Jostens, Smotens. Boring senior pictures are a thing of the past. Of course you have to have the one for the yearbook, but those others....with the cheeky poses, um...yeah. Why not have senior portraits that scream you, instead of scream "I love me some blue-gray backdrops????" If your interested in having senior pics made with me, shoot me an e-mail or leave me a comment. I'll be booking for the next month.

My sister, Evan, now a freshman, had the "boring" senior pictures, so we took a very short trip and had a senior re-shoot. They are turning out great, of course she does have my genes, so I didn't except anything but perfection..... :) Kidding, but seriously, she rocks in these pictures!



P.S. Just because you're not a senior, doesn't mean you don't know a senior. :) You might just get yourself a little reward if you send me one.

P.S.S Just because you're not a senior, doesn't mean that you can't have an "Anytime" shoot with me. For business or just because. You like yourself that much don't you.

Ok. I'm done!

Almost Time 4 Detox

Gray's first pigtail attempt. What....what, what?
Opening some stocking stuff from the Grands.

I made Ian be the Christmas Elf. He took it off after this picture.

My mom is hot. Showing off her magnification mirror.

This was my favorite. Evan wanted a tattoo gift certificate. My mom just told her she could have her next tattoo instead of getting the certificate. Evan fake pouted, so my mom ran and ripped off a piece of wrapping paper and scribbled:

"To: Evan, From: Santa, Good for one cool tattoo, Not to exceed......ehhh?"

Then balled it up, ran back in the room, and said:

"Look what I found, it's for Evan!"

Story Follow-Up: We went Friday and she got her second tattoo. I had my first touched up!

On to the blog:

No, I am not an alcoholic. I'm a foodoholic. I love it with every ounce of my being. I like to snack. I like to eat meals. I like to plan meals. I like to stay home for meals. I like to go out for meals. I like to go to the grocery store to buy food for meals. I'm telling you...IT- IS-BAD! In January, I'll start to put myself through detox. It's not fun. I get crabby. I get sad when I see someone else having what I can't. I tell my husband to help me but fuss at him when he follows through. It's horrible, but it's got to be done!

Enjoy some of my favorite pictures from this Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

I bought my first Christmas present on Saturday, took Sunday off, went at it again today, and only have a couple presents left to get. I work well under pressure!!! Tomorrow, we are off to Charleston for Gray's surgery! We will be up at 4 am, leave at 5 am, check in at 7 am, operation starts at 8 am, possibly out of there by 11 am. Thank you for your sweet comments, prayers, emails, and texts. I'll be sure to blog and post some pictures of her last surgery!!!! Merry Christmas!

The Robertsons

I've gotten to meet and get to know the Robertsons through our mygroup. They are such a sweet and special family, and Adrian did not pay me to say that! :) We finally got together for some quick Christmas pics. The ducks were way more intersting than me!!!

Is this just not the cutest pic, and she posed herself, go figure!

The Stokes

I am a sucker for red shoes!

And....big blue eyes!



I got to go backstage with the Stokes family as they gathered to celebrate Christmas! They are a very sweet family, full of beautiful people!

The Worry Wart

When I get stressed, I'm talking about real stress, I become the world's hugest worrier. I'm talkin', like if you were to sneak in to my mind for one second during this time, you would take off, running, and screaming. There is NO escaping it! None! I pray, watch a movie, take a shower, take a nap. Nothing helps!

I usually get this way when I start to think about the future. It's not that I'm such a planner, because I do my best thinking and teaching on the fly, seriously! It's that I hate surprises. I want to be in the know. I had a few worry attacks in the past, but this year, especially lately, they are coming on me like... whoa!

One attack came during college. I'm sure everyone has been through the questions: Am I where I'm supposed to be? Majoring in the right thing? Playing the sport I'm supposed to be playing? Dating the guy I'm supposed to be dating? During this time, I prayed for a sign. Just a reminder from God that I am exactly where he wants me at this point in life. My sign would be a yellow flower. (Deep down, I knew I was guaranteed to see some in the landscaping around campus.)

Wouldn't you know that they had decided to change the landscaping the day before and plant new plants. I'm not kidding. I went to dinner that night in the cafeteria and for a good reason left by myself. I on my way back to the dorm, chewing on a straw......worrying. I stopped at an oddly placed trashcan on campus because I was tired of chewing. I opened up the lid to the trashcan and before me were all of the flowers that they had gotten rid of on campus. I kid you not. It felt amazing. I knew I was exactly where God wanted me.

That week is the week I found my life verse as well. Proverbs 3:5-6. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths." It's been my prayer since. Trust Him, know that you don't have to understand what He is doing, acknowledge Him in everything you do, and He will take care of the unknown.

This year, since deciding to quit teaching, starting new adventures, and having a one-year-old along for the ride has given me enough stress to age me by 50 years. This past month especially, because I've been "thinking about the future".

Wednesday, I walked out with Gray to get the mail, and in my bush bed (I don't have any flowers), something caught me eye. It was a single yellow flower, the same as I had seen years ago in my trashcan. It's the only time I had ever seen it there, and the next day it was gone. I used it as a subtle reminder that this year I've trusted God more than EVER, haven't been able to lean on anything but Him, I've given Him credit for everything that I've been able to accomplish, and I'm exactly where He wants me to be doing exactly what I'm supposed to be doing. The rest of the unknown....well, He is taking care of that too.


Check out this A-Mazing sky. I happened to have my camera while driving downtown Conway. I saw this sky and couldn't resist a picture!

Lovin' & Not Lovin'

What I'm workin' on....





What do you want first? The good or the bad? OK. The good.

10 Things I'm Lovin':
1. Homemade, hot, apple cider! It is so yummy!
2. Christmas tree lights in the corner of my living room.
3. Gray walking around, rocking her baby, and giving me puckered up sugar on the lips.
4. TWILIGHT! I read it in one day. Unashamedly, I could not put it down!!!
5. My Christmas Cards!
6. Proverbs 3:5-6. It seems that this is always the verse I come back to when I get very overwhelmed with life, which is often these days. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your paths." I wanted to get this tattooed on me, but I chickened out and got the cross with the heart on it.
7. Fa-la-la-la Lifetime. They have some great Christmas movies! I said some not all!
8. Painted fingernails. I paint them, pick the paint, fix it, paint them, pick the paint, fix it......
9. Flats. I wore heels the other day for the first time and the last time for a while. I'm so happy that flats are so in.....
10. Being with my hubby.... :)

5 Things I'm not Lovin'; Two positives for every negative:
1. House Taxes in December. It should be outlawed.
2. Bugs. The flies have been replaced by ants and more earwigs.
3. My short list for Santa that will all go unanswered: A Mac Notebook, A Shootsac
4. Doctor bills. (P.S. Gray's surgery is next Tuesday.)
5. Worrying.