North Carolina child photographers Archives - Charlotte Family Photographer

10 Apr

Classic Charlotte NC Family Portraits – National Siblings Day

As you may have heard, today is National Siblings Day and I love taking a few moments on this day to share some of my favorite portraits of siblings from the last year. Siblings are your instant best friends, biggest supporters, shoulders to cry on, and they will be a special part of almost all of your childhood memories. And yes, they are also the people you will likely fight with the most, but regardless of the fights, teasing, or competing, they are the people that will always be there for you when you need them. They will be in your biggest cheerleaders in life, and even your defenders should you ever need them.

There is just something amazing that comes with being and having a sibling, and it is definitely something to celebrate. It is unconditional and everlasting.

Having a sister myself, I have always loved the song “Sisters” featured in the movie White Christmas. ‘Sisters, Sisters, there were never such devoted sisters . . .”

While many of these are classic portraits of siblings, I think the last image at the bottom may be one of my favorites showing the silliness of siblings working together in opposite of their parents. That image was not posed or requested and was just a natural moment from an adorable family session.

And below, here are some favorite images of my family members. On the top left is my four beautiful nieces, which my daughter jumping in. On the top right is a photograph from a family party showing my father with his eldest brother along with my aunt and my mom. The brother two images highlight the sibling goofiness and friendship of my own two children. The bottom left photograph was taken by my talented friend, Annette Goodman, from Annette Goodman Photography during our family portrait session last year.

26 Feb

Charlotte Child Photographer | National Tell A Fairy Tale Day

Today, February 26th, is National Tell A Fairy Tale Day! So, to help inspire you to tell your children a fairy tale this evening, I dug through my photographs to find a few that just might have a story behind them – but I challenge you to decide what that story might be and share it with your loved ones this evening! Have fun and enjoy! And feel free to come back and comment here with your fairy tale ideas and let us know which image inspired you! We would love to hear them!

Charlotte Child Photographer Fairy Tales Charlotte NC Child Photographer fairy tale 2

11 Feb

Charlotte, NC Child Photographer | Chocolate Dreams

Growing up, Chocolate Milk was one of my favorite foods. It was my breakfast before school (nutritious, right?), and I’d have a glass when I arrived home from school and another before bed. I do wonder how my parents allowed to occur. I’m pretty sure I drank about 5 glasses of chocolate milk per day between the ages of 12 and 18. I had even decided that when I grew up, I would have two dogs – both Chocolate Labrador Retrievers and I would name them Nestle and Hershey.

Well, I don’t have the dogs yet. But this is what happens when a family photographer that doesn’t cook much takes a food photography class at the NAPCP Retreat with Lauren Carnes. I needed to practice what I learned, so this was the easiest scene I could create and one of the first that popped into my head. My glasses of chocolate milk never looked this pretty when I was a kid. And I am pretty certain my children will be requesting to recreate these images this weekend to celebrate Valentine’s Day.

Milk Bottles: Target

Valentine’s Day Decor and Candy: Target

Food: Hershey’s Syrup and Reddi-Whip Whipped Cream

21 Feb

Childhood Photographer Charlotte, NC – What are you wishing for this year?

If I asked this question right now, most people in the Northeast would answer with warmer weather, sunshine, Spring, Summer, etc.

Have you ever wondered what a child was thinking when you asked them a question? I just love the sweet expression in this first photograph when I asked her “What are you wishing for this Christmas?” You could tell there was a long list running through her head, and her eyes twinkled and sparkled with happiness as she thought about Christmas morning.

The rest of the session was filled with happiness and giggles as we spent a beautiful afternoon in the Fall enjoying the outdoors. Here’s hoping your wishes come true this year.

08 Jan

Charlotte, NC Family Photographer – Hearts Galore

Charlotte, NC Family Photographer – Hearts Galore

Isn’t it bizarre how a simple outfit can change your mood and make you so happy? Isn’t it true that when you feel good about the way you look in a particular dress or pair of jeans, it can make your whole day? This adorable young lady looked so sweet and happy in this perfectly pink and red dress. We just had to capture this moment. As a parent, there are times during your children’s youth when you want to be able to remember how adorable they are and this was one of those times. It was around Valentines Day when we photographed these images (hence the jewelry and hearts!) and Mom wanted to capture that feeling – when she saw her daughters smile in the most perfect little dress. Transforming you back to those special moments – PRICELESS!

30 Jul

Cheerful Charlotte, NC Child Photographer – Smiles, and Laughter and Minions- Oh My!

Cheerful Charlotte, NC Child Photographer – Smiles, and Laughter and Minions- Oh My!

Any photographer will tell you that you need to be prepared for anything, and for the first time in a long while, I was taken off guard by this little man. The reason why is simple – I didn’t know I could fall in love more than I already am with this little Minion. I had prepared a day for my son and I to capture a few special moments for his upcoming birthday party invitations designed around his favorite character. I have to admit I was prepared with the outfit and hat, but what this little guy did for me when it all came together, was remind me of how NOT so little he is anymore. And that took my breath away for a moment. He is truly “one in a minion!” The beauty of capturing images of your family is that you can look at a photograph and you are instantly takes you back to that moment and you feel the rush of love all over again. THAT is why I love my job!

25 Jul

Graceful Charlotte, NC Child Photography – Holy Communion

Lovely and Graceful Charlotte, NC Child Photography

Not only do these smiling faces bring happiness to every single day for this family, but on this day I was lucky enough to be a part of the sweetness and joy of a precious milestone. We captured some beautiful moments, together with her and her brothers. Everything we captured was as symbolic as the special milestone itself. I especially love the moments that she seems to be reflecting on her accomplishments as she gazes at her flowers, and maybe, just maybe, she is thinking how proud she is on this special day. These are the sessions that remind me how lucky I am to be able to provide families with memories that will be a part of their child’s journey.

09 Jul

New Jersey Child and Family Photographer | Walking in Sunshine – Promise Walk for Preeclampsia – Cranford, NJ

For the second year in a row, I photographed The Promise Walk for Preeclampsia held at Oak Ridge Park in Clark, NJ. After photographing last year’s event, I heard from numerous friends and client Moms that had also been impacted by Preeclampsia during pregnancy. And while many of the stories I heard do have happy endings, unfortunately there are still too many that do not.

The Promise Walk for Preeclampsia – Cranford supports The Preeclampsia Foundation, and their mission to provide patient support and education, raise public awareness, catalyze research and improve healthcare practices. This organization holds a special place in my heart for the help they have provided to dear friends, and so I continue to support and contribute to this organization and donate my time to their events.

Thankfully, the sun was out this year for our event organizers, volunteers and walkers, and it was another amazing day! Once again, I met a ton of wonderful people as well as reconnected with good friends.

I created this slideshow with my favorite images from the day and shared it with the race organizers. I invite you to take a couple of minutes to watch the slideshow, but I also ask that you take some time to learn more about Preeclampsia and its symptoms from the Preeclampsia Foundation.

The Promise Walk for Preeclampsia – Cranford has raised over $32,000 for this cause, with donations still accepted through August. If you would like to donate, you can do so by clicking here. Thank you for your time.

10 Apr

Charlotte, NC Sibling Photographer | National Sibling Day 2014

Siblings. They are instant best friends, biggest supporters, shoulders to cry on, and they will be a special part of almost all of your childhood memories. And yes, they are also the people you will likely fight with the most, but regardless of the fights, teasing, or competing, they are the people that will always be there for you when you need them. They will be in your biggest cheerleaders in life, and even your defenders should you ever need them.

There is just something amazing that comes with being and having a sibling, and it is definitely something to celebrate. It is unconditional and everlasting.

For National Sibling Day, I wanted to share some of my favorite photographs from recent years of siblings just being siblings. And I wanted to give a special thank you to my sibling, my big sister for always being there for me when I needed her.

Charlotte, NC Sibling Photographer Carolyn Ann Ryan shares favorite sibling portraits National Sibling Day Portraits shared by Charlotte Family Photographer Carolyn Ann Ryan

28 Mar

Classic Charlotte, NC Fall Family Portraits

Fall seems like a distant memory especially after this past winter. Thankfully I have these warm photographs to remind me that winter will soon come to an end! As I look back at these images, I’m reminded that there is nothing better than family. Through thick and thin and for better or worse, your family is always with you. What a joy it was for me to be a part of this day, I got to witness and experience the true happiness of family.

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!

09 Mar

Delightful Waxhaw Family Portraits | Brothers

Brothers have a special connection – they are playmates, partners in crime and best buds. I’ve photographed this special family for several years and nothing gives me more joy than watching these brothers grow not only taller but closer! I’m so thankful that this family of four has allowed me to capture these special family moments year after year!

24 Feb

Union County, NC Family Photographers | Tickled Pink

Photo sessions with babies can sometimes be unpredictable. We have to coordinate meals, snacks and sometimes naps! Some days you just never know what you’re going to get, but this sweet little girl was a true pro – she posed, giggled and laughed. We did photos indoor and outdoors, had wardrobe changes and even the dog looked picture perfect. Can’t get much better this! And I just can’t get enough of the beautiful dresses and headbands that her mother coordinated for this day! This little lady is truly pretty in pink (and purple too!)

14 Jan

Charlotte, North Carolina Family & Child Photographer | Eyes

There’s a saying “the eyes are the window to the soul”. I am so mesmerized by these big, beautiful brown eyes. They are warm, inquisitive and happy – just like this little girl. Her eyes tell a story, it’s telling me that she has these wonderful parents who tend to all her needs and teach her the important things in life, like laughter, music and family. It also says there’s no place she rather be and is the luckiest little girl in the world.

16 Dec

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.