27 Apr

Engaging Charlotte NC Family Photographer| National Tell-A-Story Day

Engaging Charlotte NC Family Photographer| National Tell-A-Story Day

Today is National Tell-A-Story Day and I thought this photograph of a Mom and her little man sharing a story was the perfect image to share today.  Isn’t amazing what happens when we open a book to read to our children? All Mom had to do was open this book to read to her son, and this sweet moment just happened.  I love how he just cuddled into her arms ready to read with his Momma.  It’s the simple, classic moments in life that are filled with memories.  They bring us back to childhood and to our favorite places.  Being a mom now, I love reading time with my kids and this photograph speaks to my heart as I remember all those nights with my own little munchkins snuggled into my arms and lap ready to read a good story together.

From National Day Calendar, it says “On National Tell A Story Day, it does not matter if the story is a short story or a long story, fiction or nonfiction, a tall tale or folklore. This is a day for them all.  We encourage you to tell your stories and even share them on social media using #NationalTellAStoryDay.”

Engaging Charlotte NC Family Photographer for National Tell A Story Day

28 Oct

Charlotte NC Family Portraits | Focus on the Moments

Charlotte NC Family Portraits | Focus on the Moments

One of my favorite wedding photographers is constantly reminding photographers that photographing a wedding isn’t about capturing and documenting the shoes, rings and table cards, but it’s about capturing the moments of the day.  I think the same can be true in family portraits.  It isn’t about photographing a styled session and showing photographs of children holding berries or pinecones (while I will admit these can be beautiful images and wonderful accents to a gallery), but it’s about documenting a family together for an afternoon.  It’s about the squeezes and hugs, the way they look at each other, the giggles and laughs, and the stolen moments of pure adorableness.  And it’s about remembering the couple of hours they spent together just enjoying each other’s company and being happy.  But sometimes, my favorite part of these sessions is remembering the moments that triggered that perfect giggle or smile and what might have been happening behind the scenes to create those seemingly perfect moments.  If the viewer of the photographs only knew how we did it.  Because yes, maybe the giggles were generated by the tiniest family member singing a song about poops while the family walked together holding hands.  As you can imagine, that might just cause the rest of the family to crack up with real, genuine laughter and for me – it becomes the perfect moment.   I just love those moments.  They are my favorite.

 

Charlotte, NC Photographer, Carolyn Ann Ryan, photographs family portrait session in Spring Charlotte NC Family Photographer takes photographs of Moms and Dads with their children Charlotte NC Child and Family Photographer Carolyn Ann Ryan creates beautiful family portraits

12 Oct

Charlotte, NC Family Photographer | Even when they are not so little . . .

As a family photographer, I truly believe there is never a bad time for family portraits. It doesn’t matter the age of your children, younger or older, it’s always a great time to update your photographs.  Children deserve to have tons of beautiful images and photographs with their parents that they will keep and treasure years into the future.  When children are teenagers, it’s awesome to remind them of the importance of family and the closeness they share with their family members.  As children get older, they often start to realize that their parents are their best friends and their biggest fans and champions.  These relationships are so fun to capture in images for both parents and children. During this particular session,  I especially loved showing these  beautiful girls just how stunning they really are, and my favorite photographs from the day were the ones we created  of the sisters together.  Their incredibly close friendship just shines right through in these photographs.  Through thick or thin, these sisters will forever be each other’s best friend.

 

Charlotte NC Family Photographer photographs teenagers and parents

North Carolina Family Photographer, Carolyn Ann Ryan, photographs clients on location in a historic village. Charlotte North Carolina Family Photographer creates beautiful images of sisters

 

17 Mar

Sunny Marvin, NC Family Photographs | I need spring!

Sunny Marvin, NC Family Photographs | I need spring!

I don’t know about you but I’m just about done with winter.  We’ve had snow, the temps have been in the single digits and the holidays are over so I’d be very happy if we could just fast forward to spring. We are so close to it and I can’t wait!

That’s why I had to post these colorful, bright, cheerful photos of this beautiful family of 4!  I can just feel this warm sunshine on my back, smell the green blades of grass and hear the sweet giggles of these two sisters.  Oh spring time, you can’t come fast enough!

 

Sunny Family Portraits by Marvin, North Carolina Family Photographer Sunny Marvin, NC Family Photographs by Family Photographer Carolyn Ann Ryan Sunny Marvin, NC Family Portraits

16 Dec

Enchanting Waxhaw, NC Family Photography | A Picnic

Enchanting Waxhaw, NC Family Photography | A Picnic

These sweet angelic sisters make my job very easy; their blond curls and innocent blue eyes look beautiful at any angle. When I look at these images, it’s as if I’m peaking through a window in their house.  Their graceful, playful and lovable personalities come through so clearly.  I feel like I can hear their giggles and laughter as they twirl through the grass and share an afternoon picnic.

 

Enchanting Waxhaw, NC Family Photography by North Carolina Photographer Carolyn Ann Ryan Enchanting Waxhaw, NC Family Portraits by Carolyn Ann Ryan North Carolina Child Portrait Session by Carolyn Ann Ryan

10 Dec

Playful Marvin, North Carolina Family Photographer | A Wish

Playful Marvin, North Carolina Family Photographer | A Wish

Throughout our lives we wish for different things.  As children it’s typically a toy, as we get older it’s a car, then as we become adults, it’s a family.  Family is where we feel the safest and can truly be ourselves.  I was honored to capture these special moments where mother and son could let loose, be themselves.  There is such a special bond between these two, and I enjoyed watching them have fun together – isn’t that what family is all about?

 

Playful Marvin, North Carolina Family Photographer | A Wish Staten Island Child and Running Photographer Carolyn Ann Ryan Playful Marvin, North Carolina Family Photographer Smiles Giggles and Fun with Mom and Son Staten Island Family Photographer

05 Nov

Vibrant Waxhaw, NC Family Portrait Session | Childhood Enclosed

Vibrant Waxhaw, NC Family Portrait Session | Childhood Enclosed

Lately, I find myself constantly saying how much I love my job.  When you get to see smiles like these on a regular basis, how could you not love what you do?

A few weeks back, I met this adorable family and we had a wonderful afternoon.  The sun was warm and shining in early October, and the light was just perfect everywhere we went. We started at their home in the backyard, which gave the family dog an opportunity to jump in a few images, and then we headed to a park in Edison, NJ after a quick clothing change.  I love watching a family just have fun together.  You can see the happiness and smiles just shine through in these photos!

Vibrant Waxhaw, NC Family Portrait Session by family photographer Carolyn Ann Ryan

21 Sep

Lovable Marvin, NC Family Photography | Nieces

Lovable Marvin, NC Family Photography | Nieces

I am blessed to have four beautiful, little nieces living not too far away.  They are my daughter’s best friends, and we just love spending time with them.

I think my sister loves having a photographer in the family, but I don’t mind. It is a pleasure to spend a few hours with these girls and capture their beautiful smiles and watch them grow.
This year, some of my favorites are of my youngest niece, because she made me work for some of those smiles as you can see below, but capturing all of her personality (including the “fake” pouts) was just so much fun. Sometimes, those are the images that make me giggle most when I’m post-processing the session on my computer.

Here are some highlights from our End of Summer session last week.  {Thanks girls for being so wonderful and fun!}

Lovable Marvin, NC Family Photography highlights adorable portraits of her nieces

31 Aug

Marvin, NC Children’s Photographer | Summer Days

Marvin, NC Children’s Photographer | Summer Days

It’s nearly the end of summer, and a perfect time to highlight this fun Summer Session.  We began our session at their home, and immediately started to see the personalities of the little ones. I love watching brothers and sisters playing together, especially when the little ones are entertaining the older ones.
After a clothing change and snack, we took a short drive to a nearby park. It was a beautiful August morning, and these little guys loved spending time with their Mom and Dad.
Marvin, NC Family Photographer captures family fun in Summer Days
05 Jul

Precious Marvin, NC Child and Family Photographs | Enjoying Childhood

Precious Marvin, NC Child and Family Photographs | Enjoying Childhood

What could be better than spending a morning with a happy family?  For me, the only thing better is sending that same family beautiful images of our time together that they will cherish for years to come. Childhood is filled with so many sweet moments, and it was a pleasure to capture those moments with these adorable little girls.

Even now as I post these images, I just want to go outside, find a little dandelion and make a whole bunch of wishes and remember the fun of being a little girl.Enjoy!Precious Marvin, NC Child and Family Photographs

Precious Marvin, NC Child and Family Photography by Carolyn Ann Ryan