Who are we?
The Bright Lives provides alternative visual storytelling in a creative, honest way through pictures, video and sound. Whether you are getting married, celebrating a Bar Mitzvah or simply looking to update your family pictures, Bright Lives is here. Bright Lives is the creation of photographer and multimedia journalist Raymond McCrea Jones.
“I approach weddings, as well as ‘portrait sessions’ and other lifestyle shoots, as a documentary photographer whose primary focus is to play the part of observer and capture the unexpected, real moments that you just can’t get from staged poses. These fleeting moments pass in the blink of an eye and it’s my job to capture them so you’ll have the memories forever.”
Jones began shooting weddings with David Roberts, the founder of Wedding Photojournalist Association, in Connecticut in 2003. He continued shooting weddings through college and in 2006 moved to Atlanta where he began working with Our Labor of Love. In 2007 he moved to New York City to work at The New York Times. In 2011 Jones and his family relocated back to Atlanta where he is a freelance photographer represented by Redux Pictures.
What do we offer?
We provide visual storytelling of your wedding or event through photography. Our non-traditional style places emphasis on capturing the real moments that spontaneously happen between you and your loved ones. For more info on rates click here.
We shoot documentary video in a way that is unobtrusive and honest. Using HDSLR cameras the look of our video is beautiful and stands apart. For more info on rates click here.
Whether we’re shooting a family portrait, a bridal portrait or a CEO headshot our goal is always the same; to make a portrait that feels natural, honest and aesthetically appealing. For more info on rates click here.
Testimonials
Hear what clients who have worked with The Bright Lives have to say about their experience.
Ray did a great job with our wedding. We wanted someone with a photojournalism background to capture the spontaneous moments of our day with an artistic touch, and that’s what we got. Perfect candid shots from all sorts of angles and a real attention to detail.
David, New York City
Thank you so much for all your great work! We loved having you there, and are really excited to have had you as our photographer.
Edie, Brooklyn
My family was so impressed with you and your assistant at the wedding. The next day when we got together for brunch they all gushed about how one of you was there for every moment.
Amanda, North Carolina
