Durham Family Photographer

Carolyn Scott is a Durham family photographer. She specializes in candid and documentary at-home family 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.

Sam+Casey+Desmond+Spencer

What better way to start of my 2023 shooting season than a 30 second walking commute to my neighbor’s house?! Best commute ever. Was very tempted to send them a text shortly before telling them that I would be late because traffic was bad. Meet Sam, Casey, Desmond, and Spencer! They are most excellent neighbors with good taste in music (if you ever see me wearing my rainbow Nirvana shirt it is because I saw Sam walking around the street with one), good taste in holidays (Desmond is a big fan of Halloween and loves discussing The Nightmare Before Christmas), and good taste in felines (they have a very adorable orange and black cat named Lily who is extremely sweet). I was very excited to go photograph them hanging around on a Sunday morning, especially because I knew it would involve Desi’s amazing Power Wheels bulldozer. The kids on our street all have Power Wheels, which makes me very jealous of them even as a late-30s adult woman who clearly never recovered from never having a Power Wheel herself. But at least I can photograph them now, and so I’ll take every opportunity. I also photographed Spencer looking absolutely precious in her little winter outdoor clothes and eating her first s’more in the backyard. It was a ton of fun to photograph our wonderful neighbors Sam and Casey and their amazing kids, plus bring back leftover S’mores for Geoff. :)

Family Photographer - Sam+Casey+Desmond+Spencer
Family Photographer - Sam+Casey+Desmond+Spencer
Family Photographer - Sam+Casey+Desmond+Spencer
Family Photographer - Sam+Casey+Desmond+Spencer
Family Photographer - Sam+Casey+Desmond+Spencer
Family Photographer - Sam+Casey+Desmond+Spencer
Family Photographer - Sam+Casey+Desmond+Spencer
Family Photographer - Sam+Casey+Desmond+Spencer
Family Photographer - Sam+Casey+Desmond+Spencer
Family Photographer - Sam+Casey+Desmond+Spencer
Family Photographer - Sam+Casey+Desmond+Spencer
Family Photographer - Sam+Casey+Desmond+Spencer
Family Photographer - Sam+Casey+Desmond+Spencer
Family Photographer - Sam+Casey+Desmond+Spencer
Family Photographer - Sam+Casey+Desmond+Spencer
Family Photographer - Sam+Casey+Desmond+Spencer
Family Photographer - Sam+Casey+Desmond+Spencer
Family Photographer - Sam+Casey+Desmond+Spencer
Family Photographer - Sam+Casey+Desmond+Spencer
Family Photographer - Sam+Casey+Desmond+Spencer
Family Photographer - Sam+Casey+Desmond+Spencer
Family Photographer - Sam+Casey+Desmond+Spencer
Family Photographer - Sam+Casey+Desmond+Spencer
Family Photographer - Sam+Casey+Desmond+Spencer
Family Photographer - Sam+Casey+Desmond+Spencer
Family Photographer - Sam+Casey+Desmond+Spencer
Family Photographer - Sam+Casey+Desmond+Spencer
Family Photographer - Sam+Casey+Desmond+Spencer
Family Photographer - Sam+Casey+Desmond+Spencer
Family Photographer - Sam+Casey+Desmond+Spencer
Family Photographer - Sam+Casey+Desmond+Spencer
Family Photographer - Sam+Casey+Desmond+Spencer
Family Photographer - Sam+Casey+Desmond+Spencer
Family Photographer - Sam+Casey+Desmond+Spencer
Family Photographer - Sam+Casey+Desmond+Spencer
Family Photographer - Sam+Casey+Desmond+Spencer
Family Photographer - Sam+Casey+Desmond+Spencer
Family Photographer - Sam+Casey+Desmond+Spencer
Family Photographer - Sam+Casey+Desmond+Spencer
Family Photographer - Sam+Casey+Desmond+Spencer
Family Photographer - Sam+Casey+Desmond+Spencer
Family Photographer - Sam+Casey+Desmond+Spencer
Family Photographer - Sam+Casey+Desmond+Spencer
Family Photographer - Sam+Casey+Desmond+Spencer
Family Photographer - Sam+Casey+Desmond+Spencer
Family Photographer - Sam+Casey+Desmond+Spencer
Family Photographer - Sam+Casey+Desmond+Spencer
Family Photographer - Sam+Casey+Desmond+Spencer
Family Photographer - Sam+Casey+Desmond+Spencer
Family Photographer - Sam+Casey+Desmond+Spencer
Family Photographer - Sam+Casey+Desmond+Spencer
Family Photographer - Sam+Casey+Desmond+Spencer
Family Photographer - Sam+Casey+Desmond+Spencer
Family Photographer - Sam+Casey+Desmond+Spencer
Family Photographer - Sam+Casey+Desmond+Spencer
Family Photographer - Sam+Casey+Desmond+Spencer
Family Photographer - Sam+Casey+Desmond+Spencer
Family Photographer - Sam+Casey+Desmond+Spencer
Family Photographer - Sam+Casey+Desmond+Spencer
Family Photographer - Sam+Casey+Desmond+Spencer
Family Photographer - Sam+Casey+Desmond+Spencer

Kristen + Patrick

Yesss, my first couple family photo session since I’ve come back from retirement! It was so much fun to photograph Kristen and Patrick. I’ve known Kristen for a very long time, but this was my first time meeting Patrick, and they complement each other so well. I had a great time hanging out in their home, listening to records, making dinner, and having lots of laughs together to celebrate their one year wedding anniversary. They introduced me to compostable packaging spices (yesss), new tv shows, and a variety of amazing humorous fake band names that they keep a list of in case they ever decide to break into the industry. Until then, Patrick’s a gene therapy scientist and I learned about how certain genetic eye problems can be improved, and Kristen works in politics where she’s truly passionate about making a difference locally and nationally. We discovered that we all had slightly different versions of the same shoes, and it was just fun. Thank you for having me into your home and helping to be a part of your anniversary, guys!

Picture of vinyl records
Couple choosing a vinyl record to play
Woman putting a record on a record player
Putting a vinyl record on a player
Couple sitting in their living room during wedding anniversary photos
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Couple putting a record on a record player
Husband playing a record
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Couple photographer in Raleigh NC
Portrait of a couple at their home in Raleigh NC
Portrait of a couple at their home in Raleigh NC
Couple laughing on bed in home in Raleigh NC
Couple laughing on bed in home in Raleigh NC
Couple laughing on bed in home in Raleigh NC
Couple laughing on bed in home in Raleigh NC
Husband looking through spice drawer in kitchen
Couple making dinner together in kitchen at their home
Couple making dinner together in kitchen at their home
Couple making dinner together in kitchen at their home
Couple making dinner together in kitchen at their home
Couple making dinner together in kitchen at their home
Couple making dinner together in kitchen at their home
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Couple hugging in kitchen at home in Raleigh
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Couple photographers in Raleigh
Couple photographers in Raleigh
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Best photographers in Raleigh NC
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Couple posing for photographs outside in Raleigh
Couple posing for photographs outside in Raleigh
Couple posing for photographs outside in Raleigh
Couple posing for photographs outside in Raleigh
Couple posing for photographs outside in Raleigh
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Close up of couple's wedding ring

Clare+Dan+Harper+Lyla

The first time I met Lyla she was a very sleepy and chill baby and now she has the energy of one thousand highly-caffeinated hummingbirds. Harper, her older sister, is also extremely energetic but concentrates most of her energy in two areas: jumping and changing outfits. She would just…disappear and change her outfit. She changed her outfit no less than 7 times during the session and I told Clare I’d need to go home and apologize to my mother, because I did the same thing when I was Harper’s age, except that I would put the clothes I just wore for 5 minutes into the dirty laundry basket instead of hanging it back up because it really hadn’t been worn, causing my mom to do excessive laundry until she realized what was happening. I’m sorry, Mom. I am glad I’m not alone though; I’m glad some other kid out there is rapidly changing outfits throughout the day as the mood strikes them. I think Harper has a future career in fashion of some sort, and Lyla has a future career as a high-powered CEO for some very cute company like Sanrio or some other business involving sparkles and animals, OR she’ll fulfill her dream job, which is to become Taylor Swift. Both girls are on the path to success and how can they not be when they have Clare and Dan? I love this family and I love their color and pattern-filled home and I love their British accents and for introducing me to a British marshmallow called a Flump. Thank you for letting me be a little part of your life.

Girl hugging her mom at home
Girl running up the stairs in her home
At home editorial documentary photographers
At home editorial documentary photographers
Girl jumping on bed
Best at home editorial documentary photographers
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Sisters jumping on the bed
Mom hugging little girl
Black and white image of little girl running
Girl jumping off her bunk bed
Girl jumping off her bunk bed
Picture of girl climbing on her window sill
Picture of girl climbing on her window sill
Little girl wearing fairy wings
Mom reads a book to her daughter
Mom reads a book to her daughter
Mom reads a book to her daughter
Mom reads a book to her daughter
Lifestyle and editorial family photographers in Durham NC
Lifestyle and editorial family photographers in Durham NC
Lifestyle and editorial family photographers in Durham NC
Girl holding her mom's hand in black and white photograph
Girl hugging her mom
Mom sitting on bed with daughters
Girl in a Frozen princess gown twirling
Girl in a ballerina outfit twirling
Dad dancing with daughter
Girl in a ballerina outfit twirling
Little kids jumping on the bed
Little kids jumping on the bed
Mom holding daughter
Kids jumping on the bed
Family photographer in Durham, NC
Family photographer in Durham, NC
Family photographer in Durham, NC
Mom playing with toys with daughter
Mom playing with toys with daughter
Girl brushing her hair in mirror
Girl brushing her hair in mirror
Girl brushing her hair in mirror
Girl twirling in the kitchen
Durham NC family photographers
Siblings sitting in the living room
Little girl crying
Girl playing with toy kitchen and girl reading book
Girl reading chapter book
Parents in living room with kids
Girl offering a marshmallow
Mom getting a glass of water for daughter
Family sitting around living room
Family sitting around living room
Dad holding daughter
Daughter smiling at her dad in living room
Daughter smiling at her dad in living room
Daughter smiling at her dad in living room
Little girl dancing in living room
Little girl dancing in living room
Little girl dancing in living room
Little girl dancing in living room
Family cuddling on couch in living room
Family cuddling on couch in living room
Girl upset that her sister's foot is touching her
Girl reading a book at kitchen counter
Girl reading a book at kitchen counter
Mom and daughter do crafts in kitchen
Daughter painting a holiday house with her mom
Daughter painting a holiday house with her mom
Daughter painting a holiday house with her mom
Daughter painting a holiday house with her mom
Girl standing on bar stool chair
Sisters doing arts and crafts
Sisters doing arts and crafts
Sisters doing arts and crafts
Little girl painting toy house
Little girl smiling outside at family
Handwritten note on fridge to mom and dad
Girl working on marker board
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Documentary photography
Documentary photography
Documentary photography
Girl putting on play shoes
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Little girl in play shoes
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Durham and Raleigh family photographers
Durham and Raleigh family photographers
Durham and Raleigh family photographers
Durham and Raleigh family photographers
Durham and Raleigh family photographers
Durham and Raleigh family photographers
Durham and Raleigh family photographers
Kid yelling on a patio
Mom laughing on a patio with daughters
Kids playing on a patio
Girl running around patio with play shoes
Girl running around patio with play shoes
Mom sitting with daughters
Durham and Raleigh family photographers
Durham and Raleigh family photographers
Durham and Raleigh family photographers
Durham and Raleigh family photographers
Durham and Raleigh family photographers
Durham and Raleigh family photographers
Durham and Raleigh family photographers
Durham and Raleigh family photographers
Durham and Raleigh family photographers