Last year (that’s weird to say), I just couldn’t keep up with the college graduation blog posts! During these Fall sessions, I was secretively in the middle of packing to move to a different state, moving into a new home, traveling to 8 different cities, and having 10 different photoshoots all in the same month! My blogging went a little downhill because I couldn’t juggle it all! I thought it would be appropriate to blog the best of my Fall 2017 college graduates! YAY, I am so excited to finally show off these beauties! PS this might be the longest blog ever because I had the hardest time picking and choosing which images to use because they’re all so prettyyyy!!! Congratulations to these stunning ladies, you are officially a college graduate! XO
This is Lauren, one of my ECU graduates! Obsessed with these glitter shots!
This is Emily, an NC State graduate! This was my first time on this campus and I was loving it!! New locations make me the happiest, especially with this sweet lady!!
This is Allison, a UNC graduate, who brought a few friends along for the fun!
This is Michelle, another ECU graduate celebrating with glitter and champagne!
This is Katie, a sweet UNC graduate! I love that she included her boyfriend and adorable friends!
This is Morgan, another ECU graduate who got a big surprise at the end of her session! Just wait until you see what happens!!!
I’ve been waiting too long to share this special day on the blog! Morgan and I had this ECU graduation session planned for a long time. Just a few days before I was going to meet her, I got a (secret) phone call from Morgan’s soon-to-be sister-in-law, Jenna. She informed me that Morgan’s boyfriend, Alex, was planning to propose at the end of the graduation session!!! Naturally, I freaked out with excitement and couldn’t wait for the big moment! Jenna and I came up with a solid plan and we were ready for the mission! 🙂
When the session/engagement day arrived, I met up with Morgan just like any other graduation session would start. I was introduced to some family members and Alex, who “just wanted to come along” for the session. Little did she know, they were all there for the big surprise proposal… but, I will let the pictures tell the rest of the story.
This was easily one of the best moments I was asked to be a part of through my business. I mean seriously, I love having a role in major life celebrations, and this was a BIG one. There’s nothing like seeing love explode right in front of your eyes and seeing that moment being shared with the people who love them the most. It was incredible and yes, I literally cried. In front of everyone.
Thank you, Morgan and Alex, for allowing me to be a part of this time of graduating at ECU and getting engaged to the love of your life. This is the most exciting time of your life, and I hope you enjoy every moment of it! CONGRATULATIONS, wishing you all the love and blessings in your future!!
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
Oh my gosh, you guys, we are throwing it back today! This first session you’re about to see below was one of my first clients! She totally asked me to do her photos out of the blue so, naturally, I was nervous but SO excited. This senior session was at ECU in the Fall of 2015. At the time, I couldn’t believe that I was actually booking some shoots. It’s hard to believe I am now expected to receive at least thirty inquiries every graduation season at ECU, and I am SO thankful!!!
It’s amazing to reflect on how much I’ve improved over the past couple years from looking back at these images. I was shooting with my beginner camera gear and I edited quite differently at the time… Though things have changed, I have always loved this sweet session with Hailey- she was such a joy and just too cute!! After meeting her, I was hooked on the idea of booking new clients and getting to know more and more people through celebrating their accomplishments! This session in particular is so close to my heart just knowing how inexperienced I was at the time, but with some re-touches here and there, it is still a killer shoot! I am fully aware that her cap was backwards, too… good thing I have enough practice to know now! 🙂 I have RE-edited some of my favorites from this session to share what my 2015 beginner-self did while knowing just about nothing, but still taking the chance and going for it!
I am also sharing a few shots of my most recent Fall senior, Taylor! Now you can compare and check out the differences just within a year… Taylor’s shoot was insanely fun with all the props she brought and that gorgeous face! I loved my time with Taylor and getting to hear about how hard she worked to graduate from Nursing school. It is so empowering and inspiring to meet people like Taylor and so many more of my college graduates who are incredibly smart, kind, loving, caring, and determined.
How do I get so lucky with my ECU graduates? I always meet the most amazing people!!! EEE I can’t wait for my Fall 2017 graduates so we can play in the leaves and capture that golden Autumn sunshine!! 🙂
I’m so excited to start this new journey so that I can really begin growing this passion and business of mine! Normally I would think to myself, “nobody actually cares what I have to say..nobody is going to read it..most people will just laugh at me..nobody takes me seriously..” But now, I’m saying “GOODBYE negative thoughts, GOODBYE fear, and HELLO to an encouraged, inspired, first-time blogger, Remy!”
Name Rant: Yes, my name is Remy and no, I’m not a dog. I swear, I have met ONE human (a boy) and 10 dogs named Remy. This can get pretty weird when the dog isn’t behaving and the owner is yelling at it… No, Remy isn’t short for Remmington. Yes, I despise the movie “Ratatouille” because the rat’s name is Remy and now every time someone hears my name they think of a rat…that’s awesome. Also, the famous lines I have always gotten when I introduce myself: “ohhh, like Remy Ma?”…”ohhh, like Remy Martin?” Yep, you got it! 🙂 But anyway, I just wanted to get the name questions out of the way. Now for the real introduction!
Photo by Blessed Beginnings Photography.
I am a Portrait Photographer currently located in North Carolina, yet always willing, and even hoping, to travel! I grew up just south of Richmond, VA, graduated from East Carolina University in 2014, and found love on Hatteras Island, NC (that’s a whole other blog post). My best friend and fiancé is a super cool, part hippie, dread-head, surfer, musician, fire-spinner, who can-basically-do-everything, and he’s kind of my total opposite (and I love him for that).
I’m an obsessed Aunt to the cutest nephew on the planet! I’m inspired by my crazy, New York, Italian family, who I love to death and miss 24/7, even though they live 3 hours away (that’s sad). I most definitely have an obsession with pink. I mean.. you know you have an obsession when you are separating your laundry and realize you have an entire pile for just the pink clothes and then still believe you don’t have enough pink in your life.. I LOVE pink. It’s just so pretty and girly and fun!!! 🙂 Other things I really love: white chocolate mochas, vanilla chai, flowers, candles, LOTS of pizza (I mean like, a LOT of pizza), sunsets, and adventure. Oh, and I can’t forget my sweet pup, Behr. He sleeps all day, every day and I love his cute cuddles more than anything!
Photo by Hope Taylor Photography. The Biase clan!
I’d also like to share that I cry at just about every movie because, well, I’m emotional. The Biase’s are an emotional bunch. I wouldn’t have it any other way. My parents are amazing and taught me how to use my emotions in the best ways. This is where it gets juicy… Being emotional is what makes me care a weird amount for just about every person that comes into my life. I care a lot, I pour my heart into everything I do, and I love to love. Love is what we LIVE for. Some may not think so, but I do. Love is to give, to sacrifice, to serve. Love is real and raw. Love is what we share with friends, family, co-workers, strangers, and yourself. Love is what this world thrives off of! Love is everything. And that’s why I was called to study hospitality management in college. Hospitality is practicing friendliness, kindness, welcoming, and serving. No, I’m not always the perfect example of hospitality, I constantly face lessons that humble me; but my heart is in this industry and I want to use it to spread love and light to the world. Ultimately, I feel that light shining through the most when I am celebrating with my clients during a session.
I believe in celebrating each milestone in this wild life. I find passion in sharing your love story, popping the champagne because you’re graduating, showing off your first baby bump, and remembering each minute of every special moment.
I think you probably know me a little too well by now, and that’s fine with me! I can’t wait to begin this blogging journey with a fresh post each week…I already have so many ideas that my head could explode! Expect a little bit of every topic of my life and an inside look into all my portrait sessions coming up. I’m so happy you’re joining me on this exciting adventure! Have a topic you want me to share about in the future? Email me with suggestions, I’m open to anything!
