Durham Branding Photographer

Carolyn Scott is a Durham branding photographer. She specializes in candid and editorial branding photography in the Triangle area (Durham, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Cary, etc). Carolyn’s work has been published in several popular books and magazines, including Apartment Therapy, BuzzFeed, and Fangoria. Locally, she’s been voted Best Photographer in Durham Magazine’s Best Of Durham and INDY Week’s Best of the Triangle. She lives in South Durham with her husband Geoff and three cats.

When I recently posted some sneak previews of Kristen Lee’s latest shoot to my Instagram, I called her “delightfully uncompromising” and I’m not sure I’ve ever more aptly described anyone in my life. I did a branding session for her back in May of this year, but for those who missed the post, Kristen Lee is a dog business coach (!!) who helps dog business owners branding themselves and get on the right track in their business. But – she’s not really a normal business coach. Instead, she’s more of the kicking ass, middle-finger type of business coach who’s wearing Louboutin heels *while* she’s kicking ass and giving everyone the middle finger.

She’s unapologetically herself, and she strives to help other women find their own sense of self in their brand. She also LOVES dogs. Loves dogs. Loves loves loves dogs (why else would you become a dog business coach?). For this particular shoot she brought with her Duke, “The Greatest of Danes,” who is a client of her husband’s in his dog training business. Duke was more like a pony, and I had a pretty fabulous time attempting to take selfies with him while he drooled on my head. I’m so happy to have had the opportunity to work with this fantastic woman multiple times, but also to meet the cute dogs she always brings with her. Hair Creds: Synquis at @kawaiistyles_u. Makeup Creds: Shatara at @justfaceitmua

Michelle is yet another strong businesswoman in the Triangle area who I’ve had the privilege of getting to know during her branding photos, and I’m a more educated person for it! Michelle has had quite the interesting life already, having lived in New York City, Singapore, and Hong Kong. She’s traveled quite extensively with her husband and her son, and now they chose Durham as their new home so their son can be closer to his grandparents. And we are so lucky to have her here!

Michelle’s a content marketer for a tech company that focuses on eCommerce logistics, and she writes a lot of blog posts and publications online (which you can read on her website!). She’s also a devoted mother to Xavier and a big fan of moose. Yep, moose. She once went on a moose safari in Maine but saw no moose (I found this to be very sad because I just picture everyone on this moose safari to be SO EXCITED to find a moose and alas, not a single moose). In addition to being crazy good at her job and in her profession, she’s also gorgeous AND it was just her birthday. So join me in wishing this talented lady a happy belated birthday, and I’m so glad I could do these branding photos for her!

I’ve done work for the Downtown Raleigh Alliance for many years, and I still get asked questions about what they do for the city. The DRA is responsible for fun events that happen downtown (like First Friday, Downtown Raleigh Restaurant Week, and partnering with local artists to decorate storefronts and make murals) but they also provide Ambassador services! These (and many more) friendly folks wearing blue DRA ambassador logos patrol downtown, helping locals and visitors. They keep an eye on the cars in parking garages, provide directions and assistance, check on shop owners and local businesses, and they even jump your car for free if you need it! If you’re downtown late at night and would like an escort back to your car, you can call them and they’ll walk with you. They provide an immense and helpful service. I was happy to photograph the ambassadors in their new uniforms this year!