Mountainside Orchard Farm Wedding | Gabrielle + Colin

Published on March 2, 2022March 1, 2022 by Remy PhotosLeave a comment

Gabrielle and Colin had the backyard, mountainside wedding of our DREAMS. This family-owned orchard farm was the perfect location for this whimsical couple to tie the knot alongside all their sweet family and friends. This was an eventual day from the start…while the groom and his guys did a little skeet shooting, the bride sipped champagne with her favorite gals, and the pups roamed the hills of the wedding site. The rain came and went, the ceremony was incredible, the portraits were magical, and the party was the perfect mix of emotional, meaningful, and a load of FUN.

See all the pretty details and special moments of their beautiful wedding day as you keep scrolling. Congratulations to this dreamy couple- I’m so happy I could capture this day!

The Boathouse at Rocketts Landing Wedding | Meredith + Ryan

Published on March 1, 2022 by Remy PhotosLeave a comment

Meredith and Ryan got married on the most beautiful Spring day last May! These two cuties said their vows in a stunning church in downtown Richmond. They first shared a sweet first look on the front steps of the church and enjoyed portrait time with friends and family- the best way to do it! They celebrated their wedding day riverside at The Boathouse and got the golden hour portraits of my dreams. Every detail of this day was absolutely perfect, classy, full of romantic blooms, and pretty blues.

Meredith and Ryan share the kind of love we can all appreciate and adore.. from what I could see, their love is kind, gentle, joyful, and endearing. Photographing this wedding was amazing from start to end and I’m so grateful I was a part of it. Congratulations to this sweet couple!

Cousiac Manor Wedding | Sydnie + Dylan

Published on August 12, 2021February 11, 2022 by Remy PhotosLeave a comment

Sydnie and Dylan were such a JOY to work with on their beautiful day at Cousiac Manor! My favorite part of their love story is that they knew each other in middle school and “had one of those week-long boyfriend/girlfriend thingys” as Sydnie calls it (lol). Fast forward to 2013, Sydnie was going to a concert at Innsbrook with one of her friends and her boyfriend at the time. Her boyfriend’s best friend just so happened to be Dylan. She said they just instantly hit it off and the rest was history! These two are clearly meant for each other in every way and they bring so much light and love into everyone else’s lives. Cheer to their future and all the blessings coming their way!

Xo, Remy

I Feel It Too

Published on February 21, 2018February 27, 2018 by Remy PhotosLeave a comment

Most people don’t talk about depression, anxiety, broken hearts, or anger all that often on social media. I know I don’t because it’s not something I want to share through my business brand. My brand is happy, cheerful, colorful, bright, and exciting! I want people to see my brand, my website, and my social media and feel joy. That’s why I don’t normally bring up the other feelings when I’m actually feeling them. On a bad day, I usually don’t post on social media at all! I’m a real human though, I’m not a brand… I just built this brand for my business. I have ALL the feels ALL the time. I’m actually an extra emotional human. I take everything to heart, I take everything personally even when it might have nothing to do with me. I feel sadness, I get mad, I get anxiety, I cry, and I feel every emotion just like you. Just because I’m not sharing these thoughts and feelings with social media, doesn’t mean those feelings aren’t there. That’s important for you to know.

I’ll be honest, I’m not always happy and I’m not always doing what I love. I have to do whatever I need to do to survive and build this business. I’m hustling every day and I love what I do, but it’s not always easy. I’ve been given situations time and time again that challenge me in ways that push me to try harder and to be a better person. I learn something new through every emotion and every obstacle. I have nights where I can’t sleep because of the anxiety. I have days where I want to delete my social media. I have things happen in my life that you might never hear about because I choose to keep that private. I don’t think all my specific problems in life should be announced for the world to see, but I do think it’s okay to let you know I feel all the same things as you. I’ve been hurt, taken advantage of, put down, stressed, annoyed, confused, mad, sad, all of it.

I want you to know that I’m not always a confetti throwing lunatic and I have way more going on in my life than what meets the eye. I do however try to turn all my negative feelings into a positive outlook and that’s what I want to share with my followers. I want to spread joy and light to the world. I choose to share happy thoughts, encouraging words, and a colorful life because maybe that’s what someone else needs at the time.

Just know that you are not alone. Next time you see me holding a glass of champagne toasting to a big announcement and you’re over there crying because life is weird when you’re in your 20’s- just remember that’s not real life and I feel it too. Here’s to living a purposeful life day by day. Here’s to discovering our true selves with an open mind and heart, to the imperfections, adversities, and emotions that shape us. To those suffering in silence. Here’s to the people who don’t show it or share it but feel it and live it every day.

Headshots with Holly

Published on August 23, 2017 by Remy PhotosLeave a comment

Like I said last week, headshots have been the go-to lately! I LOVE supporting other small business owners and getting together to learn more about each other! Holly is growing her own photography business and has been doing amazing. I have loved watching her blossom and improve with every step she takes. We had so much fun meeting up at Sunday Park to take some head shots of each other while we were both visiting our hometowns. It’s funny how you can “know of” someone for so long, then finally get to know them, lose touch again, and then reconnect and share the same passions. That’s basically been our friendship since high school… I am so glad we could get together and spend some quality time afterward with our hubbies during a gorgeous sunset! Holly is SO sweet, super fun, and has the warmest heart! Here are some pretty headshots of Holly on a beautiful evening in Midlothian, VA! She is STUNNING!!!

Stop Dreaming, Start Living

Published on August 18, 2017August 18, 2017 by Remy PhotosLeave a comment

I work hard…

I mean like really hard. I’ve always had a strong work ethic and I’ll always be that way. I forced myself to be this way a long time ago and now it just comes naturally… it’s a part of who I am. I give my all in everything that I do.

There are those people we all know: the ones who easily succeed in school without having to lift a finger or open a book… and then there are the people who have to try extra hard to make it through… that was me.

Elementary school- I literally couldn’t learn the times tables no matter how many times my teacher jammed it in my head. Middle school- I actually couldn’t comprehend a single thing I was learning. High school- tutors on tutors on tutors. Math, science, history… it was all a nightmare. That left me to English/Writing, Music, and Arts… those were the only subjects I felt confident in. Obviously, I succeeded more in the creative field- where I (happily) am today.

Back then I thought I was a failure, and that I would never get a good job because I felt so stupid. Really? Stupid? That wasn’t true by any means, but that’s how the school systems can make you feel when you aren’t learning at the same pace as the majority of students. I, of course, was blessed with the typical loving parents who always told me how smart I was and how amazing I was doing in school, but I knew, truly, that it wasn’t my strongpoint and I struggled with that.

I wasn’t stupid, and I’m not stupid, I just learn differently. There is nothing wrong with that. Knowing this, I had to work extra hard at everything I did. I was so hard on myself, especially when it came to tests. I would bawl when I came home with a bad grade– not because my parents were upset… they were proud of me because they knew I worked hard — it was because I gave it my all, and I still didn’t see my hard work pay off. Yet, the person beside me could miss class for a week and text through every lecture, and still receive a better grade than me.

Taking the SAT was a nightmare. I took them twice and my scores were terrible, both times. Sadly, I didn’t get to experience the excitement of being accepted into the college of my dreams, like all my friends did. I experienced something way different. I was embarrassed, distraught, and felt totally alone. I had to accept the fact that I had to stay at my childhood home during what was supposed to be my freshman year of college and attend a community college instead. It just wasn’t what I pictured. Most people think of community college as a lesser thing, so I did too. I was in a really dark place and on top of that, I was diagnosed with Still’s Disease after being in the hospital for a week. I was on medication that gave me bad reactions and I was going through a healing process with my body.

My friends were all leaving for college, while I was dealing with illness, depression, anger, and, truly, I didn’t even want to leave the house. As it turned out, staying home and going to community college was honestly the best possible experience for me and it was exactly where I needed to be. I learned so much about myself, about my work ethic, and ways to succeed through college. I was determined to succeed and would not stop until I got accepted into a four year university. After two years of working my butt off at the community college, I was denied by the school I had my heart set on, but I was accepted into two colleges- VCU and ECU. I took a chance and chose East Carolina to study Hospitality and Special Events… thank the Lord I did or else I would have never found my great friends and my amazing husband. It all happens for a reason, friends.

I have never worked harder in my life for the Bachelors Degree that I received from ECU in 2014. Even after transferring from a community college, I only graduated one semester behind. I have never been more proud of myself for getting through college. It is SO rewarding to finally receive a degree knowing all of the stress, tears, and struggles that I went through along the way. I somehow found a path through the biggest challenges, but I believe it had a lot to do with the thousands of prayers I sent to God. I proved to myself that I could succeed, and not just succeed, but do it better than I ever thought I could. ECU gave me the biggest blessings at just the right time in my life.

Three years down the road, here I am owning my own business and succeeding more than I ever dreamed I could. I’ve been given the greatest opportunities thus far by working for some of the best people I know. I was given a gracious chance to prove myself and what I had to offer. I have been blessed with incredible experiences in many different areas. I have been inspired, encouraged and taught by amazing women in the creative industry.

This is where I belong. I can feel it and those who know me can see it. I get to use my best skills every day: organizing, planning, creating, coordinating, collaborating, sharing my heart, inspiring others, and working really really hard every day to improve and better myself. I wasn’t meant to remember and talk about history, or understand science, or work with numbers. The schools may not have planned for that, but looking at my life now, I couldn’t have it any other way. All I needed to do was put my best skills and my accelerated work ethic to use and now I truly feel that I can create anything I desire. A lot of people don’t have those skills, and that’s okay because they’re using their strengths to do big things.

I was meant for this field and I will succeed in it.

Here is some advice for anyone who feels they might be a little like me… This is your life, be who you are meant to be. It is your duty to prove your worth- work hard to get where you want to go. Nobody else will do it for you, only you can make it happen. There are so many opportunities out there for you. Some jobs might require a Masters Degree or some employers might look down on community college, but just know this… It only takes one person. It takes ONE person to see the real you, to believe in you, take a chance on you, and trust you. You might get denied a lot and leave you feeling worthless and harsh on yourself, but do NOT give up.

I’m telling you now, there is a place for you and it’s waiting for the right moment. It’s all in your hands. YOU can define your own success, YOU can decide what’s best for you, YOU are in control of your own life… nobody else is. So remember, hard work and dedication will take you anywhere you want to go in life. It’s not about being book smart, it’s about believing you can do anything and making it happen. If you’re trying, you’re improving. If you’re failing, you’re learning. If you’re changing, you’re growing. If you’re seeing all of this and continuing to work hard, you are succeeding. The money isn’t the reward in the end. The rewarding part is whatever is truly important to you.

Keep dreaming and follow your heart.

First step? Write down your weekly and monthly goals. Stop dreaming it, and start living it. I want you to feel empowered and inspired, because I believe in YOU! If I didn’t have my little support community through school, I would have given up and I wouldn’t have the happiness that I have now. If you need that support, that kick in the butt or a cheerleader, you let me know. I’m here to help and I would LOVE to hear from you. It’s time to hear the encouragement you need to get you on the path you deserve for yourself. This is much more than a career, it’s your happiness and the fulfillment of your life. Discover yourself and be exactly who you are meant to be.

“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” – Mother Teresa

Introducing One-On-One Mentoring

Published on August 11, 2017August 11, 2017 by Remy PhotosLeave a comment

Well, I think the title may have given away the big announcement! 🙂

YAS, it’s true!! I am now offering one-on-one mentoring to budding photographers who are looking to improve their skills, invest in their education, and grow their businesses! Mentoring is the best way to take your business to the next step and start making your dreams a reality! Having a mentor, someone to push you in the right direction, and someone to encourage you to keep going, is the most valuable resource you can invest in! Over the past year or so I have been getting a lot of emails and messages asking photography-related questions. I LOVE that so many people choose to come to me for questions and it makes me feel so honored! That’s when I knew I had to start trying this whole mentor thing, to take helping other photographers to an entirely new level.

When I first started photography, I felt seriously confused about EVERYTHING. I decided to reach out to just about every photographer I could find and asked if they were offering any type of mentoring. Some people just didn’t respond and most didn’t offer anything. Then I found workshops, and decided to go that direction instead. I love workshops, but I wasn’t where I wanted to be in my business when I attended my first one! I wish I would have found someone to sit down with me and break it all down piece by piece. I was frustrated, discouraged, and totally annoyed that I couldn’t find anyone in my area to help me. You don’t need to feel that same way.

Now, it’s MY opportunity to help YOU. I want to offer mentoring to those photographers who are starting out just like I did. If you are willing to work hard, learn, grow, and chase your dreams, this is for you!! I am here to guide you, teach you, encourage you, and help you succeed in the business you are meant for! This is your time to take advantage of something that could completely change your business. I want you to feel confident in your brand, style, skills, and the goals you have for the future!

If you are interested in knowing more about my One-On-One Mentoring, please email me for details at remybthompson@gmail.com! I would LOVE to get to know you and everything about your business! It’s time to celebrate, because you are about to start investing in yourself and making your dreams reality!!

For the past few months I’ve been planning a 6-Hour Mentoring Session located in Midlothian, VA with Colleen Megan Photography. Colleen originally messaged with a question a while back. After we spoke, I learned she wanted to really grow as a photographer, so I offered her some mentoring packages to choose from. She was ALL about it! Finally, the mentor day came to life this past Tuesday! We both met at a coffee shop to review the power point lessons that I had prepared and we talked for hours. I LOVED hearing her goals and being able to push her closer to achieving them. We had an awesome day getting to know each other better through our passion for photography! Our time together was jam-packed with a ton of material and great conversation, but the fun didn’t stop there…

The package she chose included a portrait session at the end with a model. I ended up surprised her with a full photoshoot including three stunning models, a variety of session types/outfits/props to practice with, a makeup artist, a florist, and a beautiful venue! THIS WAS CRAZY FUN!!! We started our session in the golden sunshine and finished just after sunset to practice the new lighting techniques she had just learned. She left feeling SO confident and she killed it during the photoshoot!! I was so proud to see her practicing the new skills I taught her during the lessons and learning more and more as the night went on. We were both exhausted by the end of the night, but our hearts were so full! I will never forget my first One-On-One Mentoring Session thanks to Colleen, these awesome models, and amazing vendors. I am so excited to share the beautiful images from the photoshoot!

Before that, I want to share Colleen’s testimony from after our Mentor Day together! She is so so sweet and I love her enthusiasm for life! She is going to be so successful as a girl boss and I can’t wait to see her business take off!

“When starting my business I was struggling to keep a float in the photography world. As many say it is an intimidating, overwhelmingly lonely game, and I couldn’t agree more, that is until I met Remy. She went above and beyond to comfort me and remind me I am not alone in this. Driving away from my mentor session I was ready to take this adventure in my business head on! Her fun loving attitude broke me out of my shell, and allowed me to drastically step out of my comfort zone. I went from hiding behind my camera to taking control of it. The future is is bright for Colleen Megan Photography, and that is all thanks to my incredible mentor Remy, her words of wisdom and, guidance ignited a fire inside of me I didn’t know could exist. I am a better photographer because of her, and for that I am truly humbled for the opportunity of working alongside her! If anyone is looking to grow their education and business Remy Thompson is a game changer!” -Colleen 8/8/17

First… headshots, of course!! 🙂 Isn’t Colleen stunning?!

NOW.. the photoshoot!! Huge shoutout to the vendors and models, they killed it!

AnnMarie is SO talented, I was thrilled to have her as a vendor!! Check her out on Facebook and Instagram @makeupbyvnnmarie_

We started off with a mini graduation shoot of these two cute friends, Compton and Maddy. Next we moved into bridal portraits with Brenna! You’re about to be blown away…

AND IN COMES THE BEST PART!!!…

Just wait until you see the horse with it’s owner, Compton. SO CUTE!!

RTP Giveaway #2 and Branding Photoshoot

Published on August 4, 2017 by Remy Photos1 Comment

FINALLY, I can announce the winner of Giveaway #2!!!!

THANK YOU to everyone who joined in the celebration of my Website + Brand Launch for Remy Thompson Photography!!! If you haven’t seen the new website, I would LOVE if you could take a little visit and share some feedback!

CONGRATULATIONS,

Sarah Kircher!!!

You are the winner of the giveaway Sweetheart Session in Richmond, VA!! I am SO excited to meet you! 🙂

If you entered the giveaway and are interested in booking a session or wedding with RTP, visit my website to contact me or to view packages, galleries, and more!

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at remybthompson@gmail.com! I would love to chat with you!! Subscribe to my website and blog if you’re interested in getting updates about giveaways, promotions, new offers, exciting news, fun photoshoots, and getting to know Remy a little better!

RTP BRANDING PHOTOSHOOT TIME!

RTP Office. Pink. Purple. Lollipops. Confetti. Champagne. Flowers.

AND… wait for it… GLITTER PIZZA BAGELS.

#pizzalover4life

RTP Launch Giveaway #1

Published on August 2, 2017August 3, 2017 by Remy PhotosLeave a comment

Oh, happy day!!! It’s time to announce the winner of Giveaway #1!!!!

THANK YOU, THANK YOU to everyone who joined in the celebration of my Website + Brand Launch for Remy Thompson Photography!!! I decided to offer TWO giveaways for this special occasion because I am so humbled and overwhelmed by the love and support you all have given me and this business! The best way I can show my thanks and love back is by giving and giving a little more. See Giveaway #2 at the bottom!

CONGRATULATIONS,

Kimberly McGee!!!

You are the lucky winner of a $20 Amazon gift card! YAY!!! Go treat yourself, girlfriend!

GIVEAWAY #2

Learn how to enter by visiting today’s Instagram/Facebook post!

Sweetheart Session based in Richmond, VA!

This includes all couples, anniversaries, engagements, and announcements- YAY!

Friday’s blog will announce the final giveaway winner at 10am, along with more fun branding images to celebrate the RTP Launch! Thanks for following, friends!

Fear and Faith.

Published on July 28, 2017August 3, 2017 by Remy Photos2 Comments

I read a blog post the other day and it got my thinking. Let’s stop thinking small, and start thinking big. Think outside of your Instagram, outside of your phone, outside of your house, outside of your city, and into the bigger picture. I’m a firm believer in serving others, sacrificing for others and putting your loved ones first. I think that’s an everyday motto, and it’s so important to remember. I also believe that in order to be selfless and giving, you should find your own happiness first. If doing good for others makes you feel unhappy and unappreciated, re-think the situation and think about the bigger picture. Are you unhappy with your lifestyle? Stop thinking you are chained down to your job, your location, your friendships or your relationship. MAKE A CHANGE… like now.

My mom always said, “the only person who can make yourself happy is YOU.” You have to be the one to make the change. Your friends aren’t going to change, your job isn’t going to change, and your life isn’t going to change unless you make it happen. Life is so much more than the tiny space your head lives in, and I too must remind myself of that.

This is what I read in the other blog, and I thought it was beautifully written.

“Leaving opens a new door for change, growth, opportunities and redemption. You always have the choice to leave until you find where you belong and what makes you happy. You’re even allowed to leave the old you behind and reinvent yourself.” -Rania Naim

You are ALLOWED to make a change for yourself, you are allowed to leave where you live or the job you’re in, and you are allowed to REINVENT YOURSELF. I love that. I can relate to all of that. You have every right to make the changes in your lifestyle to be happy, healthy, and feel refreshed. Nobody is holding you back, even if that’s what you’re thinking.

There are a lot of things you don’t know about me… and I think my juicy stories are meant for another day, so let’s talk about something that hugely relates to these issues– FEAR. What are you afraid of? Why aren’t you making the changes you need to make? Like I said before, think of the bigger picture. Get to the root of your fears. Think long and hard about what keeps you from making changes and how you can overcome those fears.

REMY’S FEARS.

Looking at the smaller picture:

Being trapped in the shower with a mosquito. (that happened yesterday. I worked hard to kill it and it just never happened. I came out alive.)
Sea creatures. Seriously, I am deathly afraid of anything that swims beneath me. That goes for tiny little fish too. I can’t do it.
Public speaking. Oh my gosh, you guys. I pray that my little sister doesn’t have a big wedding so that I don’t have to make a speech in front of all those people (so selfish, I know). College presentations were NOT easy for me.

Now, let’s look at my bigger picture fears:

Failure. I’ve been hard on myself since elementary school memorizing the 50 states and getting tested on it. (I passed, thanks to a song my mom came up with.) Now, it’s bigger than that: I think about failing as a business owner. I think about failing as a mother one day. I could fail at a lot of things in life, and that freaks me out, because it can affect the people around me.
Disappointment. I don’t like the feeling of disappointing others or myself. Even the smallest of disappointments give me the worst feeling deep down. That includes anything from making a less-than-savory dinner for my husband to letting a family member down, to making a friend upset, and so on. I also carry a weird amount of anger/frustration inside me when I am personally disappointed (like when I order food that I am super excited for, but it comes out totally wrong or burnt, hehe).
Embarrassment. Literally, I get so embarrassed about the smallest things. That goes for misspelling words in my social media posts, to tripping in a parking lot, to talking about something personal that might seem dumb.

WHY!? Ask yourself, why? Why am I so afraid of failure, disappointment, and embarrassment? I’d like to think it all goes along with my background, and my story. I learned to overcome a lot of these fears, just by going for it. I might still be afraid of these things, but I have pushed myself to get past it by making bold moves. By leaving, choosing happiness, choosing change, and re-inventing myself. I’ve made a lot of decisions in my life that put my happiness in front of my fears. I made the decision to grow and leave the rest behind. Do you know how hard that can be? Because I totally do!!!

If you’re going through this right now, and actively choosing your happiness before your fears, you should be SO proud of yourself!! If you want to make a change, but don’t know how, that’s okay too!! I have a little advice. Learn to just BE. Be alone with yourself, be alone with God if that’s your thing, be open, be accepting, meditate or pray on it, let go and be. If you fight against your ability to overcome your fears, then you aren’t making room for change. I have always lived by the mantra “whatever happens, is meant to happen… just go with flow.” When you find yourself at peace about an idea and feel that it’s exactly what is meant to happen, then let it happen!

I have always been queen of planning my own path. I’m a planner, I like to think ahead and plan for the future. God seems to disagree with me on that, though. He tends to guide me in the exact opposite direction of my plans most of the time. When I have a plan set in my mind, it seems to fall apart when the time comes, and that’s when disappointment sets in. After a few frustrating disappointments, I learned quickly that whatever God has planned for me is what is best for me and it’s all happening for a real reason. That can be scary, right? That’s when my fear of failure sets in. Because, basically, all I think is, “what am I doing, this wasn’t my plan!” Then I realize, this is God’s plan for me, so how could I be set up for failure? So I learn to roll with it, go for it, and put my all into it! That’s when embarrassment creeps its way in. I feel embarrassed when I’m confused or when others are confused about my decisions. That’s when I think, “why do I care so much about what others think…?”

THIS IS MY LIFE. I trust where God leads me, and I’ve learned that leaving, growing, changing, and being open to new opportunities are all part of the bigger picture in life. This path that God has laid out for me has been challenging and pretty much the exact opposite of what I may have originally planned… but gosh it is SO rewarding. To use something as an example, after a lot of obstacles, reasons for swollen eyes, and lesson after lesson, I was guided on a path that led me to my incredible husband. I could have put up fight after fight to make things go how I had first planned, but I let go and I ended up exactly where I belong by letting go and following the bright pink carpet that God rolled out for me. I will be sharing these life challenges and stories in a blog post to come… look out for it!

Think about your fears, what are they? Think about why you are so afraid, and think about how you can overcome them. What gives you inspiration to follow your dreams?This is YOUR time!! You may not think it’s the right time, but I’ve found that the time is never just right. I have faith in you. We all have faith in you. Do you?