The Man Behind the Lens
Meet, Ray Reyes, a professional photographer and the creative genius behind every blog photo. He’s easily one of the most talented, innovative people I’ve ever met. Every time I tell Ray about an upcoming post that we need to shoot for, he responds, “Let me think about this and I’ll get back to you with an idea.” Then immediately texts me the coolest concept I’ve ever heard 5 seconds later…
His work has brought Lost Online to life in a way that I never thought possible. Each photo we create tells a story and communicates my message in a unique way. You can find him on Instagram @rocketsciencephoto and Facebook @rocketsciencephotography where, after each new blog post is published, Ray shares the photo and describes how he has communicated the message through color, symbolism, and demeanor.
Not only is he an epic photographer, but he was a reporter for 13 years. Without his help, each post might very well be drowning in typos and run on sentences.
During our shoots and blog meetings, he’s always making Matt and I smile and filling the room with the sound of the most delightful belly laugh you’ve ever heard. When Ray isn’t coming up with incredible concepts, he’s most likely spending time with his adorable 2-year old golden retriever, Luka June, or hanging out under the night sky shooting astrophotography.
Be sure to check out his website, www.rocketsciencephoto.com to view more of his work. And if you need a kick-ass photographer, he shoots the entire Tampa Bay area and is available for commercial, editorial, and portrait bookings.
The Emotional Support
Meet the most important person in my life, Matt Rutski. Over a year ago, I met Matt after a sweeping declaration about how I was done dating. DONE. I swore up and down that I would never date again until I was at least 25 years old and had my life together. I was sick of playing games and came to the realization that I didn’t need another person to complete me. I was happy and I was whole, even if my relationship status said “single.” Just hours after that sweeping declaration, the universe decided that I was finally ready to meet the love of my life. Our love story is how I know that everything happens for a reason.
He’s the person who has supported me through all my ups and downs and has been my cheerleader through every creative endeavor. Each day when I wake up overwhelmed because I don’t know how to make my dreams come true, he keeps me grounded and reminds me that I’m making progress. He’s one of the most genuine and kind people I’ve met and I 100% don’t deserve him. One of his New Year’s Resolutions was to tell me that I’m beautiful every day (: and he hasn’t missed a single day.
When he’s not dealing with me and all of my craziness, he’s drinking a worrisome amount of coffee, surfing with a giant smile on his face, and working out. He can make friends with anyone he meets and is a BIG fan of bonding with people over Old Fashions.
You can find my other half on Instagram @mrutski17.
Subscribers & Supporters
After I left my full-time job to pursue my dream there have been many days where I have experienced self-doubt and worried that I made the wrong decision. Honestly, I still have those days when I feel like I may never get better, never develop a following, and never accomplish what I set out to do on Lost Online. YOUR kind words have gotten me through those days. They’ve given me inspiration and courage to continue on creating until ONE DAY I will finally be making an impact in the way that I’ve always imagined. Some of these heartfelt messages have appeared on my phone at the very moment I needed them most – on those days when I was ready to give up and pull my hair out. Learning how to be a content creator, build a website, brand yourself, and get traffic on your own is NOT easy. I don’t know what I would have done without supporters like you. Thank you to the moon and back. You have no idea how much it means to me that people have taken the time out of their own busy lives to leave me words of love and support. Thank you, thank you, thank you. It means more to me than you will ever know.
