The Experience
From first conversation to finished piece on your wall
The Consultation
Everything starts with a conversation. Before any session is scheduled, we get on a call or meet in person to talk about your family, what kind of images you're looking for, and what you want to feel when you look at these portraits long after this time has passed.
This is also where we figure out the right type of session, the right environment, and the right approach for who you are and who you're bringing in. It typically takes 20 to 30 minutes and there's no obligation to book.
If you're curious about something specific, like a Storybook session or a painted portrait, this is the time to talk about it and figure out whether it's the right fit.
Your Session
Portrait sessions take place in the studio or on location, depending on what was decided in the consultation. The studio is just outside Wake Forest in Zebulon, NC, and is set up specifically for this kind of work. Sessions are unhurried. There's no timer running.
If you're bringing children, expect the first part of the session to be them getting comfortable with the space and the camera. That's normal. By the end of the session, most kids who showed up not wanting to be there are asking when they can come back.
We'll move through different looks, setups, and moments depending on what's working. You won't be standing against a backdrop counting down for an hour. It's more collaborative than that.
The Reveal
About two to three weeks after your session, you come back to the studio for a private viewing appointment. Your images are shown large, the way they're meant to be seen, not on a phone screen or in an online gallery link.
This appointment is where you select the images and pieces that belong in your home. We'll talk about your space, what makes sense for the walls you have, and how to create a collection that will actually look the way you're imagining it. No pressure. Just a conversation about your home and what fits it.
You're not making decisions in a vacuum. You're seeing the images at the scale they'll actually exist in your house.
Your Walls
This is what the whole thing is for. Not the files on a hard drive, not a digital gallery that gets opened twice. The actual physical thing on the wall that becomes part of how your home looks and feels.
That's the part clients describe years later. Not the session day, but the first morning they walked past the image in the hallway and their kid stopped to point at it. That's what it's all for.
Common questions
How long does a portrait session take?
Most sessions run between one and two hours, but we don't put a hard stop on the clock. The consultation beforehand gives us a good sense of what we're working toward, and the session ends when we have what we came for.
Where is the studio located?
The studio is at 106 W Horton St, Ste 3, Zebulon, NC. By appointment only, so no walk-ins. Your consultation is the first step to getting on the calendar. We also offer on-location sessions for clients who prefer an outdoor or lifestyle setting, which is something we can decide together during the consultation.
What should we wear?
We'll talk through this during your consultation so the guidance is specific to your family. Generally: stick to a coordinated palette rather than matching outfits, avoid large logos or busy patterns, and dress at a level slightly above how you'd dress for a nice dinner out. Solid colors and classic cuts tend to hold up the best in print.
Can we bring our dog?
Yes, pets are welcome for part or all of a session. Let us know in advance so we can plan accordingly. The best approach is usually to get the shots without the dog first, then bring them in while everyone's still fresh.
When will we see our images?
Your reveal appointment is typically scheduled two to three weeks after your session. You'll come back to the studio for a private viewing where your images are shown the way they're meant to be seen: large, and on a proper screen. That's when you select what goes home with you.
Ready to start?
Every session begins with a conversation. Reserve your consultation and we'll take it from there.
Reserve a Consultation