A few random things about me:
☕ Iced Matcha from Southern Grace in Maryville is my jam lately (Yes - Specifically Southern Grace.)
📚 Before We Were Yours - Lisa Wingate is my current favorite book. I LOVED it, but it is so sad.
👨👩👧👦 I'm married and have two sweetie little boys
🎥 I love a good PBS Masterpiece drama- Endeavour and Sherlock are long time favorites.
🎶 The Schindler's List theme song is one of the most moving pieces of music I have heard.
💡 I used to dream of being a writer when I was younger. Now I get to tell stories through my photos instead.
WELCOME!
Hi, there! I'm Susannah!
|Lover of Light & Nostalgia| Mama | Jesus Follower | Storyteller|
I am a wife, mother to two wild little boys who fill my days with joy, and passionate photographer to help other families remember the specialness of each stage.
For me, photography really isn't about capturing perfect smiles with perfect hair, it really is about capturing the love and joy of family life by giving you a space that is relaxed and comfortable and orchestrated strategically by me to help draw out those beautiful genuine interactions in your family.
Personal story here - Growing up, I was really close with my mom (and still am!) She hated having her picture taken and always felt nervous and awkward and self critical. I noticed that it was a bit of a self-fulfilling prophecy, she was so nervous in pictures that (of course) she looked nervous in the final photo. When I was a teenager, my mom got engaged to my wonderful step-dad, she asked me to take some photos for them. As I took their pictures, I was very strategic to talk, make jokes, and get my mom and step dad interacting. I knew just what I wanted, I wanted to see her smile the way she does when she looks at people that she loves. Guess what? She actually loves those photos because they look like her. I LOVE doing that for people, I know it is hard to be in front of a camera, my job is to help you relax and feel comfortable so that your beautiful personalities can all shine through.
After working with children for over 15 years and becoming a mother myself, I truly began to appreciate how quickly those moments fade, especially in the early days of parenthood. This deepened my love for capturing real-life family interactions, the belly laughs, the quiet cuddles, the messy, wonderful chaos of it all.
Whether it's an in-home session where your baby’s first days are documented in the warmth of your own space, or a family session full of playful games and sweet prompts, I’m here to help you capture the memories that mean the most to you in a way that is artistic and full of personality and meaning.
The Story Behind the Name:
SUSANNAH RAYE PHOTOGRAPHY
As a young girl, I remember sitting on the floor of my grandpa's cabin and gazing admiringly at the sunlight that cast a pattern on the floor through the smoke of wood and cigars.
There is a depth of beauty that can be hard to put into words in emotions, relationships, language, and nature.
As a child, I loved to write - With every piece of poetry or prose I sought to evoke emotion in my reader and found great pride in being able to bring the reader to tears.
I self-published a children's book while I was engaged to my husband. Because I was planning to be married and didn't want to use my maiden name on the cover, I decided to use my middle name to create the pen name "Susannah Raye"
I like to think that now as Susannah Raye Photography, I am still honoring the child in me who loves to watch dust dance along a sunbeam and ached with painful joy to hear an emotive turn of phrase by creating images with families that conjure up memories and emotions of time well spent together, chubby little hands, tender caresses, and sunkissed laughter.
Whether it's documenting your beautiful pregnancy glow, frolicking through fields of wildflowers with your family, or rocking softly to soothe your newborn in the quiet of your own home, I look forward to creating for your family someday soon! 🤎
Family
Maternity
