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Charlotte Portrait Photographer | Carolyn Ann Ryan Photography

Charlotte, NC Portrait Photographer

I am an international award-winning Charlotte family photographer. I specialize in capturing stunning, timeless portraits worthy of display on the walls of your home. I was previously based in Westfield, NJ, where I photographed hundreds of families during my first six years in business. I relocated to the South Charlotte area of North Carolina in 2015. After only one year in Charlotte, I was so grateful to be voted Best Photographer by South Charlotte Weekly's readers in The Best of the Weekly 2016, followed by Most Loved Family Photographer 2017 by Hulafrog South Charlotte and Gold Daisy Award Winner for Best Photographer 2017 by Macaroni Kid Union County. Most recently, I earned a 2024 BOB Award (Best of the Best) from Charlotte Magazine's readers and Best Photographer by South Charlotte Weekly readers again in 2024. I have also been included on Peerspace.com's list of The 11 Best Charlotte Portrait Photographers and Expertise.com's list of the Best Family Photographers in Charlotte and Best Portrait Photographers in Charlotte.


I don’t just aim to make you or your children smile during a portrait session but also to make you smile nearly every day after simply glancing at the beautiful prints of your family that will hang on your walls. Seeing your family's portrait hanging on your wall or above your fireplace can make you smile any day of the year. I believe in making moms cry because they often cry when they see beautiful portraits of their whole family together. But these are the best possible tears filled with happiness and overwhelming love.

I chose to specialize in family photography because I also believe that children deserve to have beautiful photographs with their parents - hugging them, tickling them, giggling, and laughing with them, so that years down the line, they will always be able to see your beautiful face smiling with theirs, so I’m always encouraging Moms and Dads to jump into the photographs with their children.

My work has been featured in numerous publications, including NAPCP Inspired Magazine, American Baby Magazine, Shutter Magazine, Denim & Grace 2014 Posebook, New Jersey Family, and Ballantyne Magazine. I have also been featured on blogs for NAPCP, Lemonade & Lenses, Project Nursery, Seniorologie, Two Bright Lights, Love + Wander, The Indie Tot, and ProDPI.

Over the years, I have received numerous awards for my photography from professional image competitions, including:

I photograph on location throughout Mecklenburg and Union Counties, including Ballantyne, Olde Providence, South Park, Blakeney, Rea Farms, Myers Park, Dilworth, Plaza Midwood, Eastover, Elizabeth, Barclay Downs, Quail Hollow, Piper Glen, Pineville, Matthews, Marvin, Weddington, Waxhaw, Wesley Chapel, & Fort Mill, SC.

During a family portrait session with me, we will capture individual portraits of each of your children, photographs of siblings together, portraits of each parent with each child, and multiple full family portraits.

This gallery highlights favorite images from client portrait sessions. Enjoy!