The Burr Family | Raleigh Family Photographer

If you schedule a session with me, I'm probably gonna try to talk you into meeting me at sunrise. Sunrise is the absolute most PERFECT time for a session....especially with those little ones who are up bright and early anyway. The Burr Family met me one CHILLY CHILLY morning and we had the most perfect light and the entire park all to ourselves. We explored, cuddled and had the best time. Thank you, Burr Family, for braving the cold and for trusting me with your memories. 

For your film peeps, this session was shot on Pentax 645n with Portra 400 + HP5.

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun | Raleigh Family Photographer

This mama and her FIVE girls are what dreams are made of and my time with them was simply amazing. Their energy was so calm and relaxed and their mama, Brooke, was the center of their universe. I will admit that I was quite nervous when I read Brooke's questionnaire about her FIVE girls. Some days I can barely handle my own two, so I wasn't really sure how chaotic and crazy our session together would be. BUT - Brooke is simply amazing and carries herself with such calmness and grace, which is apparent, because her girls are the exact same.

It was so wonderful to capture Brooke and her girls together. Being able to show a mama how much her children love and adore her is my very favorite thing about this job and I am so very thankful Brooke trusted me to capture her family.

The Hanner Family | Raleigh Family Photographer

This sweet family just makes me smile! We had the most beautiful night for their session (back when Fall was still treating us like Summer) and the light and soft breeze couldn't have been more perfect. Nicole is an amazing photographer herself and it is always a pleasure to meet and photograph others who have the same passion for photography. Thank you, Hanner family, for letting me capture you together! xo

Laura + Her Babies | Raleigh Family Photographer

I truly don't even have words to describe how much I love this sweet mama and her dear babies. This was the third time I photographed this beautiful family (minus dad this time), and watching them grow and change over the year is THE BEST. Laura is the most amazing mama and her babies love her so much. Thank you, Laura, for trusting me to photograph your family. It is ALWAYS an honor to show you how awesome your life is through the lens. 

The Smith Family | Raleigh Lifestyle Photographer

"Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family: Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one."

All the smiles and giggles from this sweet family! You would never know it drizzled for most of our session, which is why I always say that magic is made by YOU, not by beautiful sunsets and glowing light. Bring your family. Hug, smile, cuddle and just make your MAGIC. Thank you Smith family for letting me capture your love for each other. xo

Arika + Amelia | Raleigh Lifestyle Photographer

Oh how I love when I get to see the babies I photographed as newborns again! I had the pleasure of capturing sweet Amelia when she was just a few days old and photographing her again at 6 months was just awesome!

Amelia and her mama, Arika, are gorgeous both inside and out! Here's a little peek at our colorful session!

The Abel Family | Raleigh Lifestyle Photographer

My favorite thing about this family is DAD! Yep! You heard that right! When the Abel's booked me for a session, I'm pretty sure mom had the idea to just photograph the kiddos. But Dad.....he thought it would be a great opportunity for them to have pictures as a family. I know it gets SO much harder when the kids are grown and your schedules are all over the place, but capturing you as a family NOW is just so important. This stage and age will soon fade and evolve into something different - and looking back on these images will be priceless for years to come.

So, yep. I gave Dad a great big high five and told him he was my favorite person ever. Here's a peek at our dreamy session.

The Kane Family | Raleigh Lifestyle Photographer

My fall sessions are in full swing and I have loved spending time with all of the amazing families I've been able to photograph so far this year. The Kane family was such a delight to capture together and I still can't get over the sweet expressions from their little guy! Here's a little peek at our time together!

The Bunn Family | Raleigh Lifestyle Photographer

I mean....what's sweeter than a toddler with a gummy smile? I really don't think anything. Toddlers are probably my favorite because they really could care less about me. All they want to do is explore, cuddle mama and dad and giggle. They make my job pretty easy. It was such an honor to meet and photograph the adorable Bunn family.  Here's a little peek....

The Fitzpatrick Family | Raleigh Lifestyle Photographer

A few weeks ago, I hosted charity photo sessions for hurricane relief and I got to photograph THE BEST families. It was so much fun and my heart kind of loves mini sessions. They're short and sweet and just long enough to capture that love and connection of a family (without kiddo meltdown or fussiness). 

When I scheduled these, my hope was for pretty fall weather with those cool, crisp breezes. Unfortunately, NC is still on a summer schedule, but we made it work anyway. The Fitzpatrick Family were my first of 12 families and even though it was hot, they still showed up, loved on each other and let me capture them together.

Here's a peek at their sweetness. (And the mom, Sara, owns the best cupcake shop in downtown Raleigh! The Cupcake Shoppe is simply divine and if you're local, you just have to stop by and grab a cupcake (or 6))!

Danielle Mama + Me | Raleigh Lifestyle Photographer

"There are so many beautiful reason to be happy."

My heart just bursts when I look at these images of Danielle and her adorable babies. A mother's love is like no other and I consider myself so fortunate that I am able to give other mamas a glimpse of just how wonderful their life and role as a mother is!

Sara Mama + Me | Raleigh Lifestyle Photographer

My mama + me sessions have been some of my most favorite sessions ever. Mamas are so special and I know we are all super guilty of being BEHIND the camera recording all those memories and not IN FRONT of it. I love seeing the hugs, cuddles, kisses and listening to a sweet child call for their mama just melts my heart. 

All mamas deserve to see themselves with their babies and I am so honored to those mamas who let me capture that beauty. This sweet mama and her dear baby boy were beyond precious. We had a beautiful night out at the farm and I loved watching them interact together. Motherhood is a hard, crazy experience, but it is beyond priceless. 

Thank you so much, Sara, for allowing me to capture you with your sweet boy. xo

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To book your mama + me session, please contact me at stephanie@stephaniebryanphoto.com or via my contact page.

Amanda Mama + Me | Raleigh Lifestyle Photographer

"And she loved a little boy very very much, even more than she loved herself."

It was such a pleasure to photograph Amanda and her sweet boys. They barely glanced my way, which is just how I like it!! Amanda might have a house full of boys right now, but she'll soon be adding a sweet baby girl to the mix. These guys are going to be the best big brothers and it was so fun to capture mama with her babies. 

For session inquiries, please contact me at stephanie@stephaniebryanphoto.com or via my contact page.

Jenn Mama + Me | Raleigh Lifestyle Photographer

This sweet mama + all of her babies (with one on the way) were just amazing to work with. I always love seeing the different personalities of children and I especially love when they open up, laugh, smile and giggle with me! 

These mama + me sessions are probably my favorite ever. I love newborn sessions and I love family sessions, but there is nothing better than watching a mama love on her babies. I leave every session smiling and I couldn't be more grateful to the mamas who have let me capture their love and joy. 

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For session inquiries, please contact me at stephanie@stephaniebryanphoto.com or via my contact page.

The Collins Family | Raleigh Lifestyle Photographer

It was such a pleasure photographing the Collins Family. These beautiful souls are like family to me and I have known them since I was a little girl. Their boys kept me on my toes and I'm sure I got my workout in just trying to chase the little one around. But this is what I LOVE. I love kids and little babes who don't my camera on lick of attention. I love looking for the perfect moment and just WAITING for it to happen. It's all in the wait. 

The weather started off rainy and muggy, but ended with the sun showing itself off. It was a beautiful night with a beautiful family. Thank you Collins family for letting me capture you all together. xo

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For session inquiries, please contact me at stephanie@stephaniebryanphoto.com or via my contact page.

To all you mamas....

To all you mamas,

Thank you for opening up your hearts and homes and letting me capture you with your babies. I hope you all know just how special you are and I hope you see yourself the way your children do - absolutely beautiful. Being a mama is a hard job full of selfless feats, unrewarded tasks and exhausting moments, but their little hearts are so very thankful for you. Keep on being amazing, mama. And happy Mother's Day to each of you and to all you mamas everywhere. xo

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The Dawkins Family | Raleigh Lifestyle Photographer

I fall in love with every single session - every single time. I love mamas snuggling on her babies and daddies making everyone giggle. This family was just the sweetest and watching them love on each other during our session was the highlight of my week. Thank you, Dawkins crew for letting me capture your love and joy. xo

For family session inquiries, please contact me at stephanie@stephaniebryanphoto.com or via my contact page.

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May Mama + Me Sessions | Raleigh Lifestyle Photographer

Hey mamas? When's the last time YOU got in a photo with your kids? Excluding selfies. Hmmmm.... That's hard to answer, right? Maybe you snapped a quick Easter family photo, or if you're like me, it was probably Christmas (or even last fall). Let's change that, m'kay?

Why you need a mama + me session

Mamas are usually the ones BEHIND the cameras. They are the ones documenting those little moments of life. Dads are ALL in those photos. But what about you? You need to put on a pretty dress and snuggle your babies and let someone else worry about snapping away for a change!

Capturing the bond of mothers and their children is near and dear to me. I lost my mama when I was just 19 and there isn't one day that goes by where I don't wish she were still here. The photos I have of us together are PRICELESS. Beyond priceless. They aren't professional photos, just snapshots, but I am so thankful someone picked up a camera that day and captured that moment in time. 

After becoming a mama to my two little ones, it just seemed like life passed too quickly and everyone kept changing and growing and evolving. Capturing you and your children NOW is so very important. 

The mama + me details

The mama + me sessions will take place within the month of May. I have a few select openings for these sessions, so don't wait! Together, we will decide on a gorgeous location and I'll even help you figure out what to wear. The goal of these sessions (like all of my sessions) is to have FUN! All you have to do is show up with your babies and snuggle on them. I will do all the rest. 

The session includes:

- a ONE hour session in a gorgeous location

- 10 high resolution digital images with full printing rights and release

- an online gallery of all images (available within 3 weeks of your session) to share with friends and family

- $100 off your next family session (applicable to session fee only. excludes promotional sales + packages)

Mama + me sessions are for mamas and children only.

Investment

There are two options for payment for your Mama + Me session! You can pay a $100 deposit of the full amount to hold your session or you can pay a discounted rate($200)  if you purchase the entire session now. Please note these are on a first come/first serve basis. 

The fine print:

These sessions are completely non-refundable and will be held in the month of May only. Session will be rescheduled for inclement weather only. Session for mamas only. Offer can not be used for a family session. All sessions will take place within 30 miles of Raleigh, NC unless otherwise planned. Session is non-transferable.

Book your session using the two checkout options above, or contact me today with any questions!!

stephanie@stephaniebryanphoto.com

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Bethany + Peter | Raleigh Lifestyle Photographer

"There are many paths in life. But the longest of them all is the path to the heart. If you resist this path, you will take lifetimes to find it again. If you surrender and embrace it, you'll be home."

I seriously can't get enough of this session. I met Bethany through a local Raleigh creative group and I was tickled pink when she invited me into her home and let me capture her with her sweet husband, Peter.

These two know the drill, man. It was kind of like I wasn't even there. They were so sweet to each other and I loved being a fly on the wall while they chatted and cuddled.

They were even brave enough to venture out in the drizzle with me. Nothing says cozy like a chilly, dreary day. 

Thank you, Bethany and Peter, for letting me spend a few hours with you. You all are the best.

Let me capture you with the love of your life. For session inquires, please contact me at stephanie@stephaniebryanphoto.com or via my contact page.

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The Francis Family | Raleigh Lifestyle Family Photographer

Oh this family. Oh those smiles....

You have to love NC in the late fall. Even though most leaves had fallen from the trees, there was still a sprinkling of color on this unseasonably warm December evening. 

I've known this sweet family for years and have had the pleasure of photographing them a few times. I'm pretty sure they think I'm crazy with my ideas, but they roll with it and as always, we had a ton of fun. There is really nothing better than seeing the love and bond of a family. Thank you, Francis family, for letting me capture your joy. xo

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For lifestyle family session inquiries, please contact me at stephanie@stephaniemakes.com or via my contact page.

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