The Southern Pines Photography Studio
Probably the most versatile location around! The proximity of the studio to several hair/makeup salons makes it super simple to get to your session after your appointment. There are several amazing restaurants within a two block radius at which to enjoy a nice lunch after your session. Southern Pines is a little less than an hour from many surrounding towns including Durham, Raleigh, Cary, and Fayetteville. Many clients choose to stick around after their session and enjoy the beautiful and historic town. More information about the studio is located HERE.
Type of portrait session
Maternity, newborn, baby, toddler, family, or headshots
Time of the day
The quality of light is perfect in the morning through early afternoon.
Season
It looks beautiful in every season.
Outfits
I generally recommend to dress in solid colors and avoiding stripes. Colors that photograph well include navy, baby blue, khaki, grays, creams, and soft pinks. Colors to avoid include stark white, bright pink, and red.
Props
My style is simple and uncluttered to keep the focus on your family relationships. Therefore, I keep props simple and timeless. Newborn and baby props and clothing are included in your studio session. There is also a boutique studio wardrobe for maternity, new moms, and children to use during a studio session.
Bonus
The studio is located in downtown Southern Pines, which is a beautiful place to photograph! We could split your session into two looks, both studio and urban. If you choose this route, we will start your session at 9am.
Pinehurst Area Garden
One of my favorite outdoor locations to photograph! There is almost always something interesting to use as a backdrop for your garden session.
Type of portrait session
Maternity, baby, toddler, child, or family
Time of the day
The quality of light is perfect during the “Golden Hours” of the day, which puts our session start time about an hour and a half after sunrise or two hours before sunset.
Season
It looks beautiful Spring, Summer, and Fall. We could do a winter session here, but most of the plants will be dormant.
Outfits
I generally recommend to dress in solid colors and avoid stripes. In the spring, opt for pastels or beachy colors. During Summer months, think jewel tones, while during the Fall think tones like chocolate, teal, and burnt orange, to compliment the changing leaves. Neutrals are always a great choice no matter where we photograph. Avoid anything neon or super bright, as well as red and pure white.
Props
I generally don’t photograph props at outdoor locations, and instead focus on your family having fun!
Urban – Downtown Pictures
This turn-of-the-century town still retains it’s charm and is a dream to photograph! Think black wrought iron, red brick, gray concrete, and evergreen trees to add a bit of balance to your photographs. The town of Southern Pines is the perfect place to take your pictures!
Type of portrait session
Maternity, child, family, or headshots
Time of the day
Downtown is a popular place to be, so we usually start urban sessions about 1.5 hours after sunrise. This can be a bit chilly in the winter, so make sure to dress in layers!
Season
This is the one outdoor location that we can photograph no matter what time of year. The only greenery downtown is evergreen, so it never goes dormant.
Outfits
Neutrals are always a great choice no matter where we photograph, but you can go for bolder colors in our funky urban environment. Avoid anything neon or super bright (think highlighter yellow) as they immediately draw the eye in a photograph. The background will be red brick, wood, black wrought iron, gray concrete, and evergreen trees.
Lifestyle Session- In Your Home
Type of portrait session
Maternity, newborn, baby, toddler, child, or family
Time of the day
This depends on a number of factors including: what time your children nap, which rooms you’d like to photograph in, and the quality of light in each of those rooms. As a starting point, we generally start lifestyle sessions at 9:30am.
Season
Any!
Outfits
Lifestyle sessions are a peek into your daily lives, so one step above casual is recommended. Dress in similar colors to how you decorate and avoid stripes, t-shirts with logos on them, loose or ripped clothing, or anything you don’t think you’ll love in five years.
Lifestyle Session- Hospital Fresh48
Type of portrait session
newborn
Time of the day
It depends on the hospital you have delivered at, but generally either 9am or 3pm. These sessions are a quick and easy 30 minutes and can be timed so that I’m there to document older siblings meeting the new baby for the first time. Womack Army Medical Center, Cape Fear Hospital, and Moore Regional Hospital all offer rooms with beautiful windows, which make for lovely newborn pictures while baby is still in the hospital.
REX Women’s Center and Duke Birthing Center are also best choices for newborn hospital pictures.
Season
Any!
Outfits
An in-hospital newborn session is a lifestyle session, which lends to casual clothing. Steer towards solids and avoid t-shirts with logos on them. You don’t need to bring a special outfit for baby, but may want to pack a special cap or swaddling blanket.
