I often receive questions from people in the local community via email, DMs, or during conversations while out and about. I thought it would be helpful to share some of these frequently asked questions with all of you!

1.  Where am I located, and where do I take photos?

I am based in Winterville, NC. I do not have a studio, I do all my sessions on-location. Although I mainly do outdoor sessions, you have the option to choose either an indoor or outdoor location for your session.
I have a list of my go-to spots in Pitt County, but I'm also open to traveling and considering your suggestions for your personalized session! 

2.  How much do I charge? 

Pricing may vary, but for a typical 1-2 hour on-location session, which includes digital downloads, the cost is $200. I accept cash, credit card, Venmo, and PayPal. Additionally, I offer gift certificates that can be sent digitally or delivered to your porch for your convenience.

**Please note that pricing may vary in cases involving extended time, travel, or very large groups.

3. When am I free?

Great news!  My schedule is highly flexible! I have availability during both daytime and evening hours throughout the week, as well as on weekends.
Keep an eye on my social media accounts to stay informed about any mini session specials or upcoming events.
 

Choosing an outfit for yourself can be a daunting task, and most of the time, moms are dressing everyone for family sessions! Let me help take the stress out of it and leave everyone relaxed and ready to have fun.

Be Prepared:

You may email or text me pictures and I can give you feedback.

I always say start in your own closets, you may be surprised at what you find. 

If you do need new items, I can provide you with a list of my favorite local shops for clothes and accessories.  

You should try everything on ahead of time to avoid any last minute surprises.

At least one day before, make sure everything is clean and hang up the outfits to keep them neat and easy for everyone to find.

How to Coordinate:

1-3 colors with similar tones 

Coordinate and compliment, but don't match.  

I usually suggest neutral colors with a few bright pops of color

Avoid all black & white 

Limit patterns 

Avoid characters or large graphics on kids' clothing

Accessorize:

Compliment your outfit 

Keep it small - oversized jewelry can be distracting

Accessories can give you multiple looks without changing clothes 

Add textures with items such as a belt or scarf.  

Dress in layers and you can remove items for different looks 

A scarf, bow tie, headband, hat, or statement necklace make nice additions 

It's fun to use parent's accessories for the kids

Comfort is Key:

Dress comfortably – feel good = look good 

Kids and babies should be able to move around freely 

Shoes:

Shoes or socks are a fun way to add a pop of color 

Shoes should tie together the  look 

Neutrals are good if you have a lot of color in your outfits 

Barefoot is a great option, especially for babies and kids 

Show off your personalites, for example: converse sneakers, cowboy boots, flip flops

Final Touches:

Think about how your photos will be displayed, what are you going to do with them? 

Colors and location should compliment your home decor

Professional hair and make-up are a good option for special sessions, such as maternity or engagement pictures







 

Last summer, we decided to celebrate my mom's 70th birthday by gifting her with a family photo session. It had been quite some time since we last had one done, except for a surprise session we arranged for my parents several years ago for Christmas, which only included the "kids," our significant others, and my niece. This time, we wanted to include our parents as well. Because I live out of town, we planned the session during a family wedding visit. Since I couldn't be the photographer, we enlisted the talented skills of my amazing sister-in-law, Jen, from Jen Lima Photography 

We took our time choosing the location (my brother's house, which used to be our grandparents'), considering the time of day, and coordinating our outfit color scheme. As someone who often assists clients with the planning stage, it wasn't too challenging for me. However, during the session, I found myself feeling uncomfortable, struggling with posing, uncertain about where to place my arms (which is evident to me in some of the photos), and unsure how to stand. This experience was helpful because it made me realize the importance of guiding and directing my clients during their own sessions, especially if they seem unsure.
 

Jen delivered an awesome digital gallery. :) It was a fun day documenting one of our visits with family from NC to New England.

However, I then committed the very mistake I always advise my clients against: I left those beautiful images sitting on my laptop for months. I now understand how easy it is to keep intending to order prints but never actually doing it. This became my most significant lesson from the experience. Finally, I had the motivation to order prints for myself and my parents. I look forward to displaying these images in my home. So, my advice is, don't let those precious photos linger on your computer; get them off and proudly showcase them in your home. Moving forward, I will continue to guide my clients on what to do with their images once the gallery is delivered. I never want to bother them or make it seem like I'm only interested in orders. I genuinely want to assist! The photography package includes digital images, giving clients the freedom to choose any printing service or order products like canvases or framed prints from various sources.

I am grateful that we took time as a family to capture some memories and hope we can do another one soon! If you need updated family photos, reach out to me! I'd love to get you in front of my lens this year!