Friends of the Farm- Eray

So in my second installment of Friends of the Farm, I am going to profile the cutest lil southerner I've ever had the privilege of calling a good friend. She is also one of the most talented photographers I know. She has been killing it in the wedding business, has a newly designed website for her Elizabeth Ray Photography site, and sells her fine art prints on Etsy under Fly With Me.

1. What made you want to start takin pickshas?

I took a class after digging up an old camera in a junk drawer. Something about Photography was so personal. It changed the way I looked at everything. You just find beauty when you look at life. Your friend can be talking to you and all you see is the blue of the tv on one cheek, yellow lamp light on the other side of their face, and thier expression mixed with the textured wallpaper. Life looks unbelievable. Once you start seeing pictures all the time you can't stop.


2. What inspires you? what do you love to photograph?

Everything! Well, I like that moment when you connect with whatever you are photographing. Everything makes sense. Some photographs I take are just like eating candy. A little cute sweet picture of birds, flowers, puddles, clouds. I like to photograph things that make me as happy as chocolate. My portraits are inspired by ideas and themes. I like to pick out backdrops, colors, and props and set them into action with storylines and emotion behind the eyes.



3. You have been succeeding this past year in the wedding biz...whats the hardest part?

Not crying when people exchange beautiful vows during the ceremony.

4. Will you photograph my wedding and engagement photos when the time comes?

YES!!!!!!!! can I be the flower girl too?


5. Why you so darn cute?

Why you are making me blush!

6. Top 5 TV shows

1. True Blood 2. Lost 3. True Blood 4.Lost 5. True Blood (FYI- 3 weeks till seasn 2 - starts June 14)

7. Favorite Muppet?

I hate the muppets.

8. What do you miss most about SF when you arent around? (other than me of course). What about NOLA?

SF - I miss wandering the city from neighborhood to neighborhood and finding cute lil shops to peruse. I miss the beeeaaauutttfiul drives, mountains, the pacific ocean.
I miss california adventures and parties at the Big Blue House.

Nola - when I'm not in nola I miss the heat how laaid back and slow it is - Sitting outside a bar sipping a drink while the ice melts and going inside because of the roaches. Then the neighborhood character of the month walks up sings you a song asks fo a dolla. you laugh. you put your feet up and stay out till 5am. I miss the horrible accents, Yats, how ya ma'am an em'?, and walking around the quarter and finding a parade not during mardi gras.

9. Any advice?

p90x is not a joke.

a turtle named Monkey

It seems that all of my friends are pregnant, or with child. This may be where the inspiration came for me to start with the Wunzees, but who knows. I went to a old friend's wedding this past January, and it was a smaller affair, with a few of my good friends in attendance. There were about 8 ladies that I knew at this wedding, and two had their children with them, two guests were pregnant, and the bride was too! Still is in fact. That is where the inspiration for my latest creation came from.

Cindy had a turtle back in college. The turtle's name was Monkey. (As a side, we have a dog friend named Monkey as well. Apparently its a popular animal to name another animal) When Monkey got too big for his tank, and Cindy's apartment got too small for a Monkey, so she had to find him a new home. With Cindy having baby in the next few months, a baby gift will likely be necessary, and seeing as though baby gifts are my game now, I thought she could have a new little turtle who poops less, doesn't require daily feedings, and has a different name.

Don't get me wrong. This lil guy is totally for sale. However, if when the time comes for a baby gift to be given, if its still unsold in my shop...decision made. Remember too, that if you are reading my blog, or visiting my site, and you like one of the designs I have, but it's not being sold in the right size, just let me know and I can make another one!

If you have ever visited my Etsy site, you know that there is some clever wordsmithing involved that describes the items I put up for sale. Courtesy of my funny boyfriend Mick. (Check out his own blog WTF is Mick Drinking?) With that, this cutie patootie turtle is named

Padurdle the Turtle.

Padurdle is Mertyl the Turtle's Lertle Bertle. (Little brother)

He isn't quite as smart as Mertyl, but OOOH BOY...hes a LADIES' man....

That's when he comes out of his shell...

He is a little flirt, but he means well and has a hurtle gurdle. (heart of gold)

Don't be slow on the draw, and get your lil friend this Wunzee today!

This fits size:

0-3 months
19"-23"
8-11 lbs