Hope Bray Photography

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meet me here.

I absolutely LOVE photography! I started taking classes when I lived in Italy in college & I have not been able to put my camera down since then! There is a story to tell behind every photograph & my goal is to capture those stories & the moments in life that are priceless. My style is unique, & I focus on capturing life from a perspective or angle that you might not otherwise see. I get SOOOO excited when I am editing photos that truly capture my photojournalistic style & the moment they were taken. I am married to an amazing man named Chris & I have 3 children - Chase (5) & Ellison (3), & Payton (4 months) who are often the subjects of my pictures:) I am located in Charlotte, NC but open to travel!

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eric & liz

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at 10:27pm Posted in engaged

The scenery in San Diego is absolutely stunning. I grew up on the coast so I have a special love for the beach in my heart but the Pacific coast is nothing like the East Coast. It is an absolute photographer’s dream. I was so happy to have to opportunity to do this engagement shoot last weekend. This is an area called “wind & sea” which is on the coast of La Jolla Shores. I mean, really – pair this beauty with a couple who is equally as beautiful & you have some pretty swanky pictures. Eric is out here doing a fellowship for one year just like Chris. His beautiful fiance, Liz, and & I have been able to spend a lot of time together commiserating about how much the boys work here & the boys obviously spend every waking moment together:) However, it has made for an awesome friendship between all of us. When they leave here in the next few months they are headed off to get married then settle down in NYC. Because that happens to be one of our favorite cities in the US then I know I will see them back on the east coast very soon! Eric & Liz – we wish you the best of luck – I cannot tell you how happy we were to get to spend this year getting to know you both. You will definitely be missed by the Bray family!

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the beautiful Benjamin’s

Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at 9:27pm Posted in kids

many many prayers went into our decision to find schools when we moved to San Diego. We prayed & prayed for months & finally settled on The Rock Academy. When we found the school we started praying for teachers for our kids. We met Mrs. Benjamin when we came out for a visit & we knew she would be perfect for Chase. It has been an amazing year for him of learning & growth in the Lord. Thank you, Mrs. Benjamin, for making Chase feel right at home from day 1 & THANK YOU for not only giving him an excellent kindergarten education but for pushing his little heart to know & love God even more. Through you God answered yet another San Diego prayer for the Bray family!

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Michaela

Wednesday, April 25, 2012 at 1:43pm Posted in kids

Introducing to you, the Davis family…

precious, I know. Yet another blessing to us on our journey here in San Diego has been meeting the Davis’s. As you already know from some of my previous posts, I had prayed and prayed for friends like this when I was back in Charlotte. We met the Davis family the first week we moved to San Diego & what a blessing they have been to us! Not only have our daughters become inseparable BFF’s, but the entire Davis clan holds a very special place in our hearts. Both being from the South, Mary & I instantly connected & developed a very special friendship that will certainly continue long beyond our move to New Zealand:) A few weeks ago I had the privilege of photographing the newest family member, Michaela. We have LONG awaited the arrival of this little princess in her purple tutu. Here is a glimpse of Michaela & all her sweetness at just a few weeks old…

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what I am truly thankful for.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011 at 9:29pm Posted in kids, my adventures

WOW. It has been so long since I have posted on this blog that I was having to try several passwords to get onto the site & then remind myself of how to even upload photos! To someone who spent a countless number of hours behind this computer editing/uploading photos, that just sounds crazy to me! My lack of blog time just reminds me of how amazingly wonderful the past 4.5 months have been & how God has allowed me to take some time away from work & just soak it all in. Don’t get me wrong – when I picked up my camera to do this shoot I had a wave of nostalgia come over me & remind me of all of the trillions of hours that I have logged behind that camera. I miss it, I really, really do but God has carved out this time for me for something greater, something SO much greater.

I want you to meet the Campbell’s. A few short months ago they were strangers to me. Now their hearts will forever be imprinted on my heart b/c of the greater plan that our God had to cross our paths with theirs in this huge city called San Diego. Ironically, Chris knew Kevin from playing basketball together years ago in middle school. Kevin & Susan answered the call to start a church in San Diego 4 years ago (http://www.elevatesandiego.com) & moved out here with their family. They were some of our first friends here & now some of our best friends for life. They are so near & dear to us that my heart already aches with the thought of ever having to say good-bye. The way that this church has challenged & pushed us & stretched our hearts is unexplainable. Clearly God wanted us to be in San Diego, clearly God wanted us to be at Elevate Church, & clearly God wanted us to do life with The Campbell’s. For His master plan that I cannot even begin to understand, I am truly & eternally THANKFUL….

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the very last one

Sunday, May 29, 2011 at 7:56pm Posted in kids

(Hope Bray – Charlotte Children’s Photographer)

Well, this is it. The very last shoot that I will post in Charlotte. What an awesome note to end on. I love Beth & have especially enjoyed getting to know her extended family. For Christmas she gave each set of grandparents a photo shoot. How fun is that? During our shoots I have been able to spend some time with both sides of her family & they are all precious. Thank you, Beth & Co., for making this such a fun shoot to end on!

The boxes are starting to crowd my house & we have only weeks to go:(. Please continue to check back as I will have some updates from our move posted in the next few weeks. I am planning on keeping up my site but mainly with pictures of our adventures in San Diego & New Zealand. We will miss you all very very much!