North Carolina Family Photographer Archives - Charlotte Family Photographer

27 Apr

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.”

28 Oct

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.

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.

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.

19 Jan

Future Charlotte, NC Family Photographer – The Road Ahead

Getting ready to move to Charlotte, NC

Carolyn Ann Ryan, Family Photographer from NJ, gets ready for relocating to Charlotte, NC

As we have been packing away the holiday decorations (and yes, we are definitely delayed on that task), the reality of the next six months is sinking in more and more – and our upcoming move to Charlotte, NC is almost here. If you are a subscriber to my monthly newsletter, then you probably already saw the news a few months back that my family and I will be moving to Charlotte, NC in June 2015. My husband is being relocated for his job, and so while we are excited about this opportunity, we are also going to miss our family and friends in NJ, and I will certainly miss my wonderful clients.

I’m definitely a sentimental person, and therefore with each holiday and milestone, I can’t help but realize that this is our last Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s in our NJ home. When we purchased this house, we thought it was just a starter house and we would probably only live here for a couple of years. And here we are, 10 years later, and this house has truly been our home. We have loved this town, our friends, neighbors and this whole community.

But I also have been keeping my thoughts focused on the road ahead. These will be exciting times for our family with new home construction, new schools for the kids, new friends to make, warmer weather to enjoy (really happy about this one), and many new adventures for all of us.

What does this mean for Carolyn Ann Ryan Photography? I’m still in business in NJ until the end of June, but the last sessions in NJ will be held around mid-May to ensure that all images are processed and all ordering appointments are complete before we move.

I will unfortunately be unable to donate gift certificates to Tricky Trays and Silent Auctions in NJ this year, but if you know schools in the Marvin, Weddington, Ballantyne, Matthews, Wesley Chapel, and Pineville areas in North Carolina that will be hosting fundraisers in the late Spring, please let me know and I may be able to provide a gift certificate.

Additionally, if you have friends in the South Charlotte area, near Marvin, Weddington, Ballantyne, and surrounding neighborhoods, then please let them know that Carolyn Ann Ryan Photography will be re-launching in the Fall and I’m looking forward to working with families in the area!

We still have six more months to go, but just wanted to give a special thanks to all of our wonderful NJ and NY clients! It has been a privilege to work with you and your families, and thank you for making me part of your moments and memories! If you are ever in the Charlotte, NC area, then please get in touch!

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

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!

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.

12 Dec

Stylish Uptown Charlotte Family Photographs| Big Sis

Having an older sister is a gift – she’s a friend, a partner in crime, a teacher and sometimes a second mom. This big sister is not only a confident young lady but she has a fun, silly side which allows her to be that quintessential big sister. This younger brother is so lucky to have her to look up to and one day their roles will reverse and he’ll return the favor. Siblings, what a gift!

10 Dec

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?

28 Nov

Dreamy Waxhaw, NC Family Portraits | Give Thanks!

Thanksgiving is about eating, laughing and most importantly spending time with your loved ones. It’s a time to GIVE THANKS for all that we have. Life is busy and sometimes we forget our greatest treasures are the people right in front of us. During this session, this beautiful family of four took the time to celebrate their family and give thanks for each other.

Today, I’m so thankful for my amazing family and friends that support me, even through the busiest of seasons, and also thankful for every moment that I get to spend doing something I love. Thank you to my husband, children, parents, sister, sister-in-law, my entire family and all of my friends and clients!

Wishing everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving and safe travels to be with the ones you love!

13 Nov

Delightful Waxhaw, NC Family Photography | Feet

Feet are funny! In those first few years they are so adorable and cute. I love how babies and toddlers are always fascinated by their feet but what makes me smile about these twins is how he seems more interested in his sister’s feet than his own! It was just instinct for him to grab his sister’s foot as soon as she kicked it forward. It speaks to the connection between them, and I really I hope that connection simply grows, as they grow up together.

07 Nov

Vintage Charlotte, North Carolina Extended Family Portrait Session | Props!

This vintage Charlotte, North Carolina extended family session is special for two reasons. First, I love when extended families get together and share the love and second, I absolutely love and appreciate when they bring props!!! Working with props is always fun, it not only helps me understand their personality but it just brings a great energy to the session. These hats are the perfect example! The kids had such a great time and their own creativity just shined through as well. One of my favorite images is the tango, and it’s even better because it was THEIR idea!!! I love when the kids join in and help plan the photographs, because then their smiles are just that much bigger in the images!