January 30, 2020

Raleigh Family Photographer

Alys and Brian met on MySpace and I love them for it. Remember MySpace, you guys!? Those were the golden days of social media and are dearly missed by yours truly. They were both living in different parts of NC, met on MySpace, and were married thirty-three days later. That was a little over 12 years ago. I find this story very endearing and sweet and it just proves even further than those who met on MySpace were destined to be together. Alys and Brian just had their first daughter about 17 months ago and her name is Diana. She is a GOOD kid. This was my first time photographing a napping/bedtime routine (which I loved doing!) and I was astonished at how Diana put up zero percent fight, agreeably climbed up the stairs, put on her pajamas without a fuss whatsoever, read two books, said “yes” when asked if she wanted to go to sleep, then kissed both her parents on the cheek and laid down without a fight. What! Alys and Brian then went to cuddle with Zeta (who is, in her opinion, actually the original daughter even though she’s technically a dog), and Diana remained peacefully asleep. I couldn’t even believe it. She’s a little gem. When she’s awake, Diana enjoys playing piano, throwing oranges off the kitchen counter and playing outside. She also enjoys wearing an extremely oversized sweater that makes her resemble some sort of Alaskan fisherman and is very adorable. Her parents love her and it’s not hard to see why.

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January 27, 2020

Tiffany+Neal+Co. // Christening Ceremony

We’ve been lucky enough to have Tiffany and Neal in our lives for nine years now (!). We first shot their engagement session long ago, then the Christening ceremony for their first daughter Natalie. Tiffany, who once bought me a very wonderful bat scarf that I still wear all the time, runs an award-winning events planning company and we worked on several weddings together. And in between all the events and the coffee dates and photo shoots, they’ve always been our friends (for better or for worse – they agreed to have cocktails with us the other night and Neal unfortunately ordered a cocktail that I announced smelled literally like garbage that needed to be taken out… and then no one could “unsmell” it… and his cocktail was ruined. Sorry, Neal). It’s an honor to be asked to photograph the Christening of their second daughter Marion (who is like a mini Natalie at this age!), complete with Reverend Barbara Lodge and their family members. So happy to have this family as our friends and a huge congratulations on the birth and Christening of Baby Marion.

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January 15, 2020

Catsby+Catalie+Aristocat // A Raleigh Cat Photography Session

Yes, you read that title correctly: A Raleigh Cat Photography Session. MY DREAM. Photography is fun but photography involving petting cats is even better. And photographing cats named entirely with puns is EVEN BETTER THAN THAT. For those who aren’t aware, I’m doing a fundraiser during the months of January and February for Safe Haven for Cats, a Raleigh non-profit no-kill shelter for feline friends. They rely on donations and volunteers to keep their shelter running, and I believe in what they do (it’s also where we adopted our own fuzzbucket cats so I’m a little biased). Because they rely on donations and I wanted to give back, I’m giving 50% of my photography fee to Safe Haven for all cat sessions at the moment, and I’m so glad that Liz and Mitchell participated!

Liz is related to the fab couple that is Dottie and Jon (she’s Jon’s sister) and I’ve worked with her before at a few family related weddings! Liz is just incredible – hilarious and generous and loves her cats. Turns out that her boyfriend Mitchell is the same way. Liz said that Mitchell would prefer an entire farm full of cats if he could, and I 100% agree and will ask them to live there if they ever make this cat farm a reality. All of their cats are rescues and are absolutely gorgeous. Catsby is the gray+white longhaired cat who has a constant look of, “WHAT?!” but is very friendly and outgoing. Aristocat is the ragdoll cat who is so gorgeous but also insaaaanely friendly and outgoing. Part of this might have to do with the fact that I gave her treats upon my arrival but she’s truly a gentle, loving cat. The middle child is Catalie, all black, who was not entirely sure about the whole thing but came out for a fewwww pictures before returning to hiding underneath the couch (2/3 cat wins ain’t bad). I absolutely love working with people who adore their animals at this level, and it was a delight working with Liz and Mitchell. Thank you guys so much for having me in your home and participating in the Safe Haven fundraiser!

Cat portrait photographer Raleigh Durham

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