ABOUT ME

When I was little I wanted to be a dancer, a writer, a teacher, an actor… and a photographer.

It’s fun to be following my dreams, but it took me a while to get here.

I have a B.A. in English and Secondary Education, and spent more than 15 years working as an editor, writer, graphic designer, and web developer.

I liked the company and my coworkers but was ready for a change, so when I was laid off in 2009 I began to reevaluate how I spent my days.

At the time my book club was reading the Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. The author pointed out that if you get excited about someone else’s dream, it may be a dream of your own.

Although I do tend to get excited for my friends as they take risks and follow their hearts, I noticed I got particularly excited when my friends pursued careers in photography. I’d already started a photography blog, Random Photo of the Day, and it seemed like I should take the next step and explore photography as a career.

So I did.

I began taking classes at Orange Coast College, which has an incredible photography program; won a free spot at a 4-week workshop by Shannon Leith, a great photographer in Pasadena; and had a series of one-on-one classes with Christine Smith, another awesome photographer who is also an excellent teacher.

Then I realized that my last name, Boocks, wasn’t going to work for a business name… it’s pronounced “books,” but the c in it throws people off. So I went with my mom’s maiden name and launched Elizabeth Ray Photography.

Which brings us to today.

I’m having fun, meeting great people, and looking forward to what’s yet to come!