Holding on

Some days you just want to hold on for dear life.

Some days you just need a hand.

Some days, a smile, hug or pat on the back can make all the difference.

Every day, mama can make everything all better.

What to wear for your session | Raleigh Film Photographer

I totally get it. Deciding what to wear for your family or newborn session can be a nightmare and headache. I can help my clients ALL day long figure out what to wear, but as soon as it's my turn to be in front of the camera, I freeze up and basically just shut down mentally, lol.

My biggest suggestion for selecting a wardrobe for your session is to start with YOU, MAMA - and then go from there. I know, I know...these photos aren't all about the mama, but you better bet mama will ALWAYS be the main focus in the majority of the images. I always strive to make mama look amazing, because let's face it.....if everyone else looks outstanding, but mama doesn't love the way she looks, well...that photo isn't going to make it very far.

So step 1 is to find something beautiful and special for mama. Long flowing dresses are THE BEST OPTION when it comes to family and newborn photos. You may be rolling your eyes at me right now saying "but Stephanie, I NEVER wear dresses"; and you know what?? Me either! BUT - when it comes time for family pictures, I am searching Free People, Anthropologie and Piper + Scoot looking for the perfect flowing dress like it's my job because there is nothing more beautiful than a mama with her babies in a long, flowing dress. 

And I also know you are saying "but Stephanie, we are having photos taken in our home - do I really need to wear a dress?". Um and the answer is - UM, DEFINITELY! Inside or outside, long flowing dresses are beautiful, timeless and perfect!

I always suggest looking for a dress that has flow and movement, as well as a little bit of texture - maybe the sleeves have lace, or the bottom part of the dress/skirt is tulle. Textures add so much depth and dimension to photos. You can't ever go wrong with texture.

For spring and summer sessions, opt for lighter or pastel colors to really make your photos pop! For fall and winter sessions, warmer colors and floral patterns are the perfect combination!

So since you've already picked out your dress (right, mama???), styling the rest of the family is easy peasy! All you have left to do now is to select colors and patterns that COMPLIMENT, but not match your dress! Long gone are the days of family sessions where everyone is dressed in a classic white button down shirt and khaki pants! You want your wardrobe to have variety and some style!

Style your wardrobe around your dress and opt for items that bring out your dress! I always suggest having ONE pattern in your wardrobe, so if you are wearing a solid colored dress, have your daughter in a small-patterned top and solid skirt! OR - if your dress is patterned, dress the rest of your family in solid colors (or maybe add in a small complimentary pattern, such as stripes to go with your floral dress).

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My typical suggestions for wardrobes: 

Mom: long, flowing dress or skirt with some texture!

Dad: Neutral colored button down, polo skirt or v-neck shirt and solid pants (no jeans!).

Little boys: solid colored or striped polo shirt or button down with khaki or neutral colored shorts/pants.

Little girls: solid colored or small patterned dress that has a little bit of flow and movement.

Remember textures and accessories can work great with everyone!! Throw a fluffy vest over your daughter's dress, or add a scarf to your son! Little extras can add a ton of interest to a photo!

And with that, I know that you want to book a session immediately, right??. : ) Here's the low-down for ya. Family sessions are typically done in your home + fave places...we usually always venture outside around your home to play  (weather permitting). Some folks like to do just their house and yard, some folks like to do just one room of their house and their favorite park up the road. We're not meeting in some random park or place you've never been before. These are the places that matter most to you. This stage/house/moment you're at right now will be totally different and changed and just "where in the world did time go?" a year from now. Take the time to capture your here and now. I promise you will NEVER regret preserving those in-between moments. Call or email me for session deets (or just click this link riiiiiiight here).

Smiles + a nap | Raleigh Family Photographer

Smiles and a nap sound like the perfect combo, right?

Sometimes kiddos just need a break during a session. Maybe they need to nurse, or maybe they just need to take a little walk to get some fresh air. All that's a-ok. Your family session shouldn't be crazy and hectic and stressful. These images are supposed to depict your love, connection and joy as a family and being stressed and frazzled rarely ever leads to beautiful photos you want to plaster up on your walls! Taking a little five minute break gets your little ones away from the camera and often times it leads to magic - like a NAP on mama's shoulder during a session - how priceless is that?!?!

I don't always stop shooting during these little "breaks", but I do try to give you a little space and distance and capture you all from a far. Or often times, I'll take maybe a kiddo (and a parent) who doesn't need a break to the side for some fun portraits! The end goal is to always give you a beautiful representation of your lovely family. Tears and meltdowns are part of your life too and sometimes I'll sneak in and capture those moments as well. I promise you years from now, a meltdown photo of your then 2 year old will be beyond priceless.  

So don't worry, mama. We'll do whatever we need to relax YOU and your babies (and hubby) during your session! I promise it will be magical!

And with that, I know that you want to book a session immediately, right??. : ) Here's the low-down for ya. Family sessions are typically done in your home + fave places...we usually always venture outside around your home to play  (weather permitting). Some folks like to do just their house and yard, some folks like to do just one room of their house and their favorite park up the road. We're not meeting in some random park or place you've never been before. These are the places that matter most to you. This stage/house/moment you're at right now will be totally different and changed and just "where in the world did time go?" a year from now. Take the time to capture your here and now. I promise you will NEVER regret preserving those in-between moments. Call or email me for session deets (or just click this link riiiiiiight here).

True Love | Raleigh Film Photographer

True love....

These two love birds are tying the knot in September and I can't even tell you how excited I am to be a part of their wedding. I leave room in my calendar for one (mayyyyybe two) weddings a year and as soon as Kathryn and I started messaging back and forth about her wedding, I knew we would be a perfect fit. Getting married is a BIG deal. Like a really BIG deal. You only do it once, and the person capturing and recording all of these little details for you should be an absolutely perfect fit to your wedding day and wedding plans. I spent a morning meeting and chatting with Kathryn and Lorenzo, discussing my style, my take on photography and all of my quirks. And they were awesome. They let me be myself and are so open and welcoming to any and all of my suggestions.

Photographing them for their engagement was fun and quirky and probably different than most engagement photos you see out there floating around. Both Kathryn and Lorenzo wanted to have the session in the comfort of their own home and out in front of their house.....and you all know how I feel about those home sessions!! They make my heart skip a beat. :) Both of these love birds opened up and truly let me in to their love for each other. They laughed (probably most at me....), joked with each other and settled into those true love moments. 
 

And with that, I know that you want to book a session immediately, right??. : ) Here's the low-down for ya. Family sessions (babies, couples, newborns) are done in your home + fave places...we usually always venture outside around your home to play  (weather permitting). Some folks like to do just their house and yard, some folks like to do just one room of their house and their favorite park up the road. We're not meeting in some random park or place you've never been before. These are the places that matter most to you. This stage/house/moment you're at right now will be totally different and changed and just "where in the world did time go?" a year from now. Take the time to capture your here and now. I promise you will NEVER regret preserving those in-between moments. Call or email me for session deets (or just click this link riiiiiiight here).

Home is wherever Dee Dee is | Charlotte Film Photographer

I can't even with this cute family.

I first met Melissa at a Click Away conference in Seattle a few years ago. She's from Charlotte, NC and since we were basically two little East Coast gals heading to the west, we texted and emailed prior to the conference and I basically just palled around with her and her sweet friend, Danielle, the entire time.

Fast-forward a year or so later, it turns out we are both OBSESSED with film. Kinda crazy obsessed (and if you've hung around my site for a while, you know this to be true....). We had tried to connect several times for a family session while I was in Charlotte, but our timing never really worked out. BUUUT. All the stars finally aligned and I got to be a fly on the wall as Melissa and her sweet family loved on each other. 

Family sessions are wild + crazy. There is usually at least one family member who really doesn't want ANYTHING to do with me. And that's totally ok. We still make magic....even if you don't feel very magical in any fashion or form. My end goal with every session is for you to see how beautiful your life really is.....to find the magical in the mundane....to see the joy and love even during times of tears and frustrations. Melissa and her family were truly magical and it was a pure honor to capture them all together!

And with that, I know that you want to book a session immediately, right??. : ) Here's the low-down for ya. Family sessions are done in your home + fave places...we usually always venture outside around your home to play  (weather permitting). Some folks like to do just their house and yard, some folks like to do just one room of their house and their favorite park up the road. We're not meeting in some random park or place you've never been before. These are the places that matter most to you. This stage/house/moment you're at right now will be totally different and changed and just "where in the world did time go?" a year from now. Take the time to capture your here and now. I promise you will NEVER regret preserving those in-between moments. Call or email me for session deets (or just click this link riiiiiiight here).

A blank canvas | North Carolina Family Photographer

A big blue sky + a few puffy clouds. Sounds like heaven to me.

The beach seriously has to be THE BEST spot for family photos. It's basically a big blank canvas to create whatever you wish. The mix of the baby blue sky and the white sandy beaches make for the most beautiful family photos. And not to mention, you're at THE BEACH, so basically it's like a vacation WITH photos. It's just YOU and your family - loving on each other, being together and running free! All shot on film!

The best thing about living in the middle of North Carolina is that we have the beach on one side and the mountains on the other. Living in Raleigh lets us take advantage of both magical spots - and it also gives me the ability to hop over to one or the other and capture you and your family in these beautiful vacation spots. Ever thought about having a beautiful set of family photographs with your kids frolicking through the water, toes in sand and hugs as the ocean rolls in the background? Um, yes please! Doesn't that sound just amazing? I have a few beach sessions lined up for this summer in our beautiful beaches and would LOVE to get your family in front of my camera as well! And I can travel to the mountains too if you prefer something a little more tranquil and nature-y (I totally know that's not even a word, but oh well....).

And with that, I know that you want to book a beach session immediately, right??. : ) Call or email me with your vacation location and vacation plans (or just click this link riiiiiiight here) and let's see if we can figure something out! 

Here's some beach eye-candy to give you a glimpse of what those amazing beach sessions are all about! Enjoy!

Baby Nora | Raleigh Newborn Photographer

"On the night you were born, the moon smiled with such wonder, that the stars peeked in to see you, and the night wind whispered, life will never be the same again."

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Those first few moments at home as a new family....there is truly nothing quite like it....  

So many memories in those first few days at home with your new baby. It's a mix of just about every emotion imaginable, but so full of love at the same time. I promise you will never look back on these moments captured and regret this point of time that you preserved forever. The tiny little hands, the teeny little toes, that button nose and the way the skin starts to flake off....the pin prick on the heel from the hospital, the baby hair. All these things grow, change and heal and soon your teeny tiny baby will be toddling around the house calling out for "mama and dada". I hope you savor these moments and remember just how important they truly are. Being invited into the homes of my clients and allowed to record these priceless moments will always fill my heart. The bond of this brand new family is unbreakable and being able to witness the love and joy amongst this new family is simply amazing. 

Newborn sessions are always held in your own home because that's where the love is (not to mention, it's SO much easier to just stay in the comfort of your home instead of packing up your baby and everything you MIGHT need to take to a studio). Home gives everyone a chance to relax and settle into the love of one another. Being at home gives us a chance to take feeding break, cuddling breaks of any break you might need (this includes you too, Dad.... ;) ). Home is love.

Thank you, MacMaster family, for allowing me capture you all together during these fleeting moments. Baby Nora is beyond precious and I know she is so very loved. 

Are you expecting soon and looking to record these first few moments together as a new family! I'm currently booking lifestyle newborn sessions through September 2018. I'd love to chat with you about your story and how very important it is to have this time captured and recorded! Email me for more info or click here to be taken to the "contact page".

Perfectly Imperfect | Raleigh Family Photographer

When it comes to my personal and professional work, my head and my heart often speak a different language. 

My head loves perfectly composed, well-lit, in-focus images.

My heart loves weird crops, double exposures, out of focus images and blurred movements.

The dilemma...

I know I will always be my hardest critic. I am brutal with both my personal and professional images. I can cull 200 images down to 50 in about 5 seconds flat. I'm the first to discard a weirdly cropped image or softer focus image. BUT....y'all. The culled images might be perfectly composed and completely in focus, but those other moments....the softer moments that were captured during the craziness of a session....those speak to my heart. They make me happy because they are REAL. They are RAW. And most importantly, they are YOU.

Over the past year, I have really taken a look at both my personal and professional work and have tried to dissect WHAT a moment means to me. I've poured over image after image trying to figure out the WHY behind my work. My end goal with any family session is to always evoke an emotion. Maybe it's happiness and laughter...maybe it's love as a family....maybe it's a quiet moment captured unintentionally. I am always searching to capture the "here and now", and in my life, and mind, the "here and now" is rarely perfectly composed.

I think all of our "here and nows" are perfectly imperfect. Life is perfectly imperfect. We are dealt with what we are given and it's up to us to either let that sourness take us over or make that lemonade with a smile on our face. 

My client galleries always include a mix of BOTH of these moments.....the well composed, well-lit images, AND the perfectly imperfect images. Some of those imperfect images are purposeful because that's the way I saw that particular moment in my head or that's how the moment unfold before me. Some are unintentional and happened because often time life just moves too quickly - but they are just as important.

So all this is to just show you a little bit of my heart and for you to know WHY I shoot the way I do, or why I share the images I choose to share. I will always share the images that speak to my heart. The ones that quicken my pulse and make me want to pick up my camera and shoot another family session IMMEDIATELY. My heart will always be a part of your session. 

And with that, I know that you want to book a session immediately, right??. : ) Here's the low-down for ya. Family sessions are done in your home + fave places...we usually always venture outside around your home to play  (weather permitting). Some folks like to do just their house and yard, some folks like to do just one room of their house and their favorite park up the road. We're not meeting in some random park or place you've never been before. These are the places that matter most to you. This stage/house/moment you're at right now will be totally different and changed and just "where in the world did time go?" a year from now. Take the time to capture your here and now. I promise you will NEVER regret preserving those in-between moments. Call or email me for session deets (or just click this link riiiiiiight here).

The here and now | Raleigh Film Photographer

My kids started back to school after their three week spring break and my soul needed every single minute of our time together. Often times I feel like I'm starting to need my kids more than they need me. They show me unconditional love and affection and just add so much joy and happiness to my life. I will forever be grateful that I get to be there mama. 

Hanging around with my kids makes me realize what's most important in life.  It's also a gentle reminder to be present and to enjoy the here and now.....the everyday....the chaos....those in-between moments of our day. 

When I get to photograph a beautiful family, I find that it's those in-between moments that I'm always hunting for. I obviously want to capture you all together, but what my soul craves are those moments of the everyday where your kids are "with" you....where they curl your hair with their fingers or gently caress your cheek. These moments are what I live for in my own life....and my hope to be able to let you have some of "those" moments of your life preserved forever. 

And with that, I know that you want to book a session immediately, right??. : ) Here's the low-down for ya. Family sessions are done in your home + fave places...we usually always venture outside around your home to play  (weather permitting). Some folks like to do just their house and yard, some folks like to do just one room of their house and their favorite park up the road. We're not meeting in some random park or place you've never been before. These are the places that matter most to you. This stage/house/moment you're at right now will be totally different and changed and just "where in the world did time go?" a year from now. Take the time to capture your here and now. I promise you will NEVER regret preserving those in-between moments. Call or email me for session deets (or just click this link riiiiiiight here).

Baby Love | Raleigh Newborn Photographer

My absolute favorite thing about my sessions is that I get to relive bits and pieces of my life as I view my clients lives. This picture above could have been me almost 7 years ago as I brought Drew home from the hospital (to a sister who barely blinked an eye in his direction at first). It's a bittersweet perspective because I remember fumbling through those first days full of emotions. There was happiness, joy, elation, but also worry, anxiety and stress about how in the world we were going to manage two kiddos under two. Now, as I sit with my clients and see their lives unfold in front of my camera, I remember all those moments, but I also see the other little things that I probably overlooked the first time. The curl of hair, the gentle touch from big sister, time standing still. When you're IN the mix of the craziness, it's often hard to truly see how beautiful everything is.

Even with my personal photos, being on the other side of the camera allows me to slow down and savor the moment. It gives me a fresh perspective on an otherwise crazy moment. Little kids don't necessarily WANT to be a part of my session....especially the younger ones. My sessions are sometimes crazy and chaotic. If you've ever tried to make a two-year old do something EVER, you know what I'm talking about. They don't WANT to hold the new baby at all. They want to run and play and BE A KID. All that is totally fine. I want them to be themselves and be kids. I know it may make it hard for you, mama, during these crazy times, but I promise I have tricks up my sleeve....and I promise we are making magic even though it seems like chaos. 

Soooo...the point of all my rambling is that these moments change so quickly and I wish I would have had someone come and capture us during this precious time. I wish I had more of ME in our photos. You need these photos, mamas and dadas. Your babies need these photos.

Are you expecting soon and looking to record these first few moments together as a new family! I'm currently booking lifestyle newborn sessions through September 2018! I'd love to chat with ya about how very important it is to have this time preserved! Email me or click right here and I'll send ya more info lickety-split! 

On Beach Time | North Carolina Family Photographer

The beach is pure magic...

Sand between your toes + that golden sun on your face can pretty much calm your soul and make all your worries disappear. The beach will always be one of my very favorite places for escape. Sunny days, cloudy days, breezy days - they are all magical at the beach. Probably just like you, I have so many fond childhood memories of splashing in the waves, digging tunnels in the sand and being crispy burnt from that glaring sun.

The best thing about North Carolina is that we have the beach on one side and the mountains on the other. Living in Raleigh lets us take advantage of both magical spots - and it also gives me the ability to hop over to one or the other and capture you and your family in these beautiful spots. Ever thought about having a beautiful set of family photographs with your kids frolicking through the water, toes in sand and hugs as the ocean rolls in the background? Um, yes please! Doesn't that sound just amazing? I have a few beach sessions lined up for this summer in our beautiful beaches and would LOVE to get your family in front of my camera as well!

The beach in general makes my heart go pitter-patter, but the clean backdrop of the sand, water and sky makes my heart almost explode. It's just YOU and your family - loving on each other, being together and running free! 

And with that, I know that you want to book a beach session immediately, right??. : ) Call or email me with your vacation location and vacation plans (or just click this link riiiiiiight here) and let's see if we can figure something out! 

Here's some beach eye-candy to give you a glimpse of what those amazing beach sessions are all about! Enjoy!

Mama + Me Sessions | Raleigh Family Photographer

Updated March 26, 2018 -

Mama + Me sessions have SOLD OUT! Send me an email if you would like to be on the waitlist! stephanie@stephaniebryanphoto.com

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"Mama: The glue that holds everything together even when she feels like she may fall apart."

I love my babies so much it hurts. They are my heart and soul. But being a mama is hard work. It's work that's selfless and usually goes unnoticed. It's day in, day out. It's never-ending. Your babies may be older and grown now, but they still need you just as much. Mamas are the heartbeat to a family. Let's celebrate YOU, mama.

I'm bringing back a limited number of Mama + Me lifestyle sessions because YOU need to be in front of the camera. We all know that mamas are usually the ones BEHIND the cameras. They are the ones documenting those little moments of life. They are the ones who cherish the tiny details of the day. 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. 

Mama + Me sessions are for mamas and babies only (sorry dads.....) and will start in your home and conclude outdoors. Home is where your heart is and where you likely spend the most time with your babies. Being at home lets you and your kiddos take a collective sigh and relax into the moment. These in-home sessions are going to be honest, intimate and timeless. They will capture YOU as you are now, and are a wonderful portrayal of your beautiful life as a mama. 

These sessions are perfect for:

- Mamas who yearn for those priceless moments with your kids to be recorded and documented.

-Mamas who want someone to step in capture all the love you shower your kiddos every single day.

- Mamas who are willing to slow down, take a deep breath and let me in to the craziness of your day so I can give you a glimpse of your amazing life

These sessions aren't really perfect for:

- Mamas who want only "perfectly-posed-everyone-cheesing-at-the-camera" images. I always try for an image with everyone looking and smiling, but my sessions are more than perfectly posed photos.

- Mamas who aren't willing to slow down, take a deep breath and let me in to the craziness of your day

MAMA + ME SESSIONS ARE SOLD OUT!!!

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Let me spoil you, mama! I would LOVE to get you and your littles in front of my lens!! xo