Atlanta Wedding Photographer YouAreRaven Isn’t Afraid to Get Silly

Because wedding photography should be fun

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WHO: YouAreRaven Photography in Atlanta, Georgia

WHY: Sometimes nontraditional wedding photographers are really just mainstream wedding photographers dressed up in a different uniform. Swap the peonies for paper flowers and the high heels for Converse, but the approach is the same: it’s all about the details. Unless that photographer is Raven Shutley of YouAreRaven Photography in Atlanta, Georgia. When Raven says she loves shooting weddings across the tradition spectrum, that’s not code for, “I’m really excited about the storm trooper you invited to your wedding, but I’m going to shoot this the same way I shoot all my weddings.” Nor it is code for, “If you’re getting married in a ball gown in a church, I’m going to try half as hard.”

Raven is one of the rare wedding photographers who really hears you when you talk about your wedding, and then meets you exactly where you’re at. So whether you’re a heavily tattooed bride that’s actually planning a pretty mainstream wedding, or if you’re thinking about proposing to your boyfriend (and photographing it) and want someone who will get that, or if you’re just finding that wedding planning is making you consider all of your different identities, and you want to honor them all authentically, Raven isn’t about to put you in a box just so she can make her job easier.

WHERE/HOW MUCH: YouAreRaven keeps things transparent and straightforward. For local Atlanta weddings, pricing is as follows:

  • $3000: Two photographers, six hours of coverage, online gallery, DVD of images, printing release, viewing and ordering appointment
  • $3500: Two photographers, eight hours of coverage, online gallery, DVD of images, printing release, viewing and ordering appointment, portrait session
  • $4250: Two photographers, ten hours of coverage, online gallery, DVD of images, printing release, viewing and ordering appointment, portrait session, 12×12 wedding album

And because APW readers are Raven’s favorite, she’s offering 10% all APW packages for all time, or 15% and a free portrait session if you book by February 14th (and 40% off travel fees for any 2015 weddings!)

YouAreRaven is one of the good guys. In an industry that takes itself way too seriously, without always taking its clients seriously, Raven is a rare bird (pun not intended). She is a consummate professional (and you don’t even need me to tell you that; just look at the photos for proof), but she’s also not afraid to get a little silly in the name of making her clients feel comfortable, and giving you photos that represent your true personalities. Because unless I’m doing something wrong, relationships aren’t all staring wistfully into each other’s eyes or being angry in a field, right?

While Raven’s style might be a little nerdy, a little bit romantic, with a healthy dose of humor thrown in, the impassioned photographer is most inspired by her clients. And her favorite clients are, of course, APWers. Raven explained:

I don’t do traditional wedding expos. I don’t advertise via flyers, or pass my business cards out to random people on the street. My people, my tribe, are made up of people like the lovely and amazing readers of A Practical Wedding. I can always tell an APW couple a mile away; they’re fun, they’re in love, they’re excited to talk to me because we have the same ideas and the same feels (yeah, I said it), and they get me. APW couples thrill when I tell them about my journey to go paperless and be as eco-friendly as possible. They grin from ear-to-ear when we talk about wedding equality and people of color getting representation in the media and the wedding industry in general. Their eyes light up when we talk about their story, when they look at each other, and when they talk to me about how much they love art and are excited to have me capture this moment in their lives like a mosquito caught in amber (and they laugh when I make nerdy references like that). They’re a little nerdy about something, or all the things. They have bad jokes, they relish in making puns with me, friend me on Goodreads, and tend to ask me what I’m reading or how I feel about The Hobbit or Hunger Games movies. (For the reference, I adore both. Go on, ask me about it.) They’re a laid-back people, these APW readers: unflappable and cool as the other side of the pillow.

The thing I appreciate most about YouAreRaven is that she refuses to rest on her laurels. She’s constantly working on her craft, so that she can make even more awesome photos for her clients. (And it shows. Her talent is growing in crazy ways these days.) On top of which, Raven puts a ton of effort and personal care into her work. Of her shooting style, she explains:

I’ve been in the photography industry for seven years, now, and I’ve shot just about everything. I had a stint as Santa’s helper at the mall and took pictures of kids with the jolly ole elf. I’ve worked the mobile daycare setup, and I’ve worked for a fast food photography company. All of these experiences have helped shape me, helped me decide what I did and did not want to be a part of my style, my philosophy. I strive for complete transparency in my business, especially being a part of the wedding industry, which can, at times, be gross and shady. It’s really important to me that my couples come in with knowledge of what’s going on, that there are no hidden fees or nasty surprises (except maybe my bad puns?), that I’ll be upfront and HONEST with them from day one about everything, including pricing. Equality is also a huge deal to me, and I mean that in a myriad of ways, but especially in marriage equality, intersectional feminism, and banishing the ideas the wedding industry seems to hold about grooms and how they “don’t matter” in favor of the bride. (One of my most recent favorite articles on A Practical Wedding was on sexism and gender roles in wedding photography.)

All of my sessions (wedding and non-weddings alike) are custom designed to the couple or family or person. All the way from the shooting to the editing to the album design, everything is based on the feelings I receive from and the personality of my clients. I always, ALWAYS discuss what you’re looking for in your session, and shoot differently with every client I have, depending on what your style is. People aren’t all the same. And I don’t treat them like they are.

My retouching and editing style is very natural and light. The trend right now tends toward a more heavy-handed edit in an attempt at looking “vintage,” but that’s not my style. My images are lightly vintage, lightly edited. The last thing I want anyone to notice is the editing or retouching. I want it to stay quiet and in the background, not be the first thing you see in the image.

For some people, my philosophy doesn’t match up with theirs, and that’s perfectly fine. They prefer having very formal and stiff posing and smiles and getting the same images as the last client. Those types of people aren’t my clients, and I’m thrilled for them that they have found what makes them happy. My clients, however, know that they and their families are amazing and unique, and deserve better. They want a personalized and custom session. Custom images that don’t look like anyone else’s, that aren’t run-of-the-mill, that are beautiful and full of life and laughter. They want a photographer who treats them well, who falls in love with their family, who wants to remain friends long after the session is over, who makes you laugh, whom you have FUN with. And that’s exactly what I do.

If you’re getting married in Atlanta, there are few people who will take better care of you than YouAreRaven. (Or with better hair, I might add. Raven is usually rocking some kind of pastel/ombre/magic hair.) With YouAreRaven, not only will you get all the photos that matter most to you and your family, but you’ll get the fun ones too, and you’ll get them without suffering, while probably making a friend in the process.

Don’t delay! Raven is offering 10% all APW packages for all time, or 15% and a free portrait session if you book by February 14th (and 40% off travel fees for any 2015 weddings!) Click here to get in touch now!

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