You Are Raven Makes Looking Good in Photos Easy

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Prior to working for APW, I hated getting my photo taken. I had recently gained a lot of weight, so I was already feeling self-conscious. But then no matter how hard I tried to pose and act model-y, the photos always turned out unflattering. (And my confidence took a nosedive with each failed attempt at looking cool. How come everyone else online seemed to be naturally inclined at modeling?) I chalked it up to general awkwardness and accepted that maybe I just couldn’t take a good photo to save my life.

Then I started getting my photo taken by good (APW-approved, obvs) photographers. And damn, what a difference it made. Suddenly all the photos were flattering! There was no awkwardness in sight! Working with creative people who not only listened to me, but who saw the best, flyest, truest version of myself and translated that into an image was a super empowering experience. (Because spoiler alert: The people you see in real weddings? Not models. Just good photographers and lots of joy.) And that’s what I love most about Raven Shutley, aka Atlanta’s You Are Raven.

Raven’s own experience in front of the camera has made her double down on her commitment to make sure her clients are a hundred percent comfortable when they are in front of her lens:

Recently, I was looking to have new headshots taken, and trust me when I say I understand what you’re going through when you’re shopping for a photographer. I know how important it is that you find someone to click with, who gets you and your vision. I get it if having your picture taken isn’t your idea of a good time—I’ll be the first to tell you that I tend to shy away from being on the other end of the camera myself. But I’m here to make it a good time. An easy time. A fun time that results in incandescently happy pictures of you and your loved ones.

More like incandescently happy, artistic, moving, and hilarious photos:

So how does Raven get you comfortable enough to capture all those quiet in-between moments, your actual inside jokes, weirdness and mushiness, romantic gestures, and silly nicknames? For starters, she’s a total pro at putting anyone at ease, and my guess is that’s because she truly genuinely loves and supports people being themselves—no matter what that means to you. Raven herself is a self-proclaimed intersectional feminist bookworm, nerd, fangirl, believer in magic, and well, she first discovered photography at Medieval Times. Whether you want to have a zombie wedding cake that bleeds when you cut it or a unicorn emoji balloon first look (true story, and it is amazing), your plans will be met with a big high five and documented enthusiastically.

But almost as importantly, You Are Raven makes sure she is absolutely the right fit for you before she ever lets you sign a contract (and if it ends up that she’s not, she’s got lots of photographer friends she’s happy to recommend, no hard feelings or hard sales here). According to client Angie:

When we first met Raven, I immediately felt comfortable and wanted her to A) be my best friend and B) be our photographer. While we are sadly not besties, she did become our photographer and the same sense of comfort and trust happened at each point of our wedding. She made me and my now-husband feel at ease in front of the camera. The photos that look like they were posed are actually candids taken at the perfect moment… meaning, we looked like models when neither of us are what you would call photogenic. Our wedding pictures are so beautiful, and I have nothing but raves for Raven!

And because she cherishes working with you guys so much, APW readers always get 10% off You Are Raven’s already reasonable rates, which start at $2,750 for 6 hours of coverage. Raven’s available in the Atlanta area, throughout the state of Georgia, and beyond (just look at this fall New England wedding at Smith College, where the bridal party’s fantasy hair colors are as magical a rainbow as the autumn leaves 🦄).

Raven’s been photographing APW couples for a long time, and the first thing she told me when we met a hundred years ago was that y’all have been her favorite people since forever, precisely because you always stay true to yourselves—whether that means your wedding involves bridesmaid animal snuggies, fuchsia satin kitten ballet flats, and an actual puppy or a lightsaber sendoff or a black tie gala—or all three. Basically, when Raven says she photographs magical creatures, she means literally, and she means you!