Waxhaw NC Family Photographer Archives - Charlotte Family Photographer

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.

10 Sep

Warmhearted Charlotte, NC Family Photography – Outdoor Happiness

Like so many others, when I’m outdoors and the sun is shining and the light is just so perfect, I’m a happy lady!! These cuties and their parents were all smiles that day and I was so incredibly glad to have found a new, fabulous location to capture this family’s beautiful images. The kids especially loved peeking through the old tree and playing with the crackling leaves in the field. My excitement is building knowing that the weather is turning soon, the sun will be setting earlier, the air will be getting a chill and the leaves are going to start falling. I am so eager about my upcoming fall sessions!!

Marvin NC Family Photographer Carolyn Ann Ryan photographs an adorable Fall family session Photographs by Marvin NC Family Photographer Carolyn Ann Ryan Warmhearted Charlotte, NC Family Photography by Carolyn Ann Ryan

08 Sep

Union County North Carolina Family Photographer | Quiet Moments

No doubt about it, life is busy. Careers, kids, spouse, friends, family – sometimes it seems like there’s not enough time to fit it all in. But once in a while, when you least expect it, life gives you a quiet gift. Sometimes it’s in the form of a warm hug, a silly giggle or sweet kiss that keeps you grounded and reminds you what life is all about. These images remind me that in a fast paced world of go-go-go, there are the moments with our families that we want to hold on to and cherish as we tackle the day to day.

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!

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.

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!

31 Oct

Engaging Charlotte, NC Family Photographer | Happy Halloween!

Engaging Charlotte, NC Family Photographer | Happy Halloween

Halloween is a time to together with your friends, dress up in costumes and get as much candy as you possibly can. Today the costumes are more elaborate and creative as ever, gone are days of clowns and witches – now you have kids dressed up as a bowl of spaghetti or a bag of groceries. But the one costume that has always been popular and will probably always be popular are your superheroes! Spiderman, Batman, and Superman – I think every boy dreams of having those super powers and there’s no better time to fulfill that dream than Halloween!

30 Oct

North Carolina Family Photographer | Moms

Moms have the hardest job on the planet. We are constantly pulled in different directions and feel such pressure to be great at every role we are given. We strive to give our children everything and as a result our lives become one big complicated schedule. As I look back on this misty, rainy, cold day what I remember most is not the pink beach, the wet sand or the deserted boardwalk but this special mom and her strong bond with her adorable son. She’s raised a boy who loves to play, explore and be free! I love how we put those schedules aside and just enjoyed the day and each other!

04 Oct

Professional North Carolina Family Photographer | Giggles and Smiles

This sweet family of four is full of happiness and giggles! We spent this beautiful afternoon enjoying nature, smiling and lots of exploring. As I sat back watching this family interact with one another, I wondered what were they thinking about as they laughed and whispered in each other’s ear. What were these boys smiling about as they sat in the warm, green grass? I just love to see the awe and wonder in young faces ; it always reminds me that I need to appreciate and enjoy the little things in life!

Enjoy!

03 Oct

The Carolinas Family Photographer | Christmas & Holiday Cards and Your Clothing Selections

The Carolinas Family Photographer | Christmas & Holiday Cards and Your Clothing Selections

Yes, the Christmas music is already playing in my car. About two weeks ago, as we drove home from a doctor visit, my 4 year old little man wasn’t feeling well, and I needed to cheer him up. So I asked Siri to play “The Chipmunks”. Now every morning on the way to school, I get to listen to The Chipmunks versions of “O Christmas Tree”, “All I Want For Christmas is My Two Front Teeth” and “Jingle Bell Rock” along with a few other classics sung by the high-pitched little animals.

But Christmas and the holiday season have been on my mind for many months already. As a portrait photographer, one of my favorite products to deliver to my clients is beautiful Christmas and Holiday cards. I’ll start designing card ideas for clients in April and May, because the photographs from their portrait session can always make a beautiful card to share with their friends and families.

Recently, a client was curious about her outfit selection, and wondered if their holiday outfits would work nicely with the Fall Foliage in the parks during this time of year. So, I thought it would be a great idea to share a few examples of holiday card designs from previous sessions as inspiration for future portrait session clients.

While some clients specifically choose to dress in holiday outfits for their portraits, I have found that almost any selection of coordinated outfits will pair nicely with the variety of Christmas and Holiday Card templates I have acquired over the years. My clients have even used images from their Spring and Summer portrait sessions for their cards, and most of the colors in my templates can be adjusted to match the color palette of my clients’ outfits. And honestly, I personally love traditional holiday outfits photographed outdoors with the beautiful Fall Foliage. The colors work well together and complement each other nicely, especially when you included the beautiful, golden Fall sunshine.

After completing one session last year, one of my clients clapped her hands with excitement and said, “Yay! I can’t wait to have my very own Carolyn Ann Ryan Photography Christmas cards this year!” It seriously makes me smile every time I think about that moment and realized my cards were “a thing”.

The Carolinas Family Photographer shares samples of Holiday Card Designs

The Carolinas Family Photographer, Carolyn Ann Ryan, shares samples of Holiday Card Designs for clients

And I just love cards that include images on the front cover, inside and even the back of the card. While I will include my logo on the back of all of my cards, I still love including a sweet and storytelling image on the back of my clients’ cards (and my own too). Sometimes, the back of the card is my favorite. Here are a few of my favorite Back Covers from last year’s holiday cards.

The Carolinas Family Photographer shares samples of the backs of Holiday Card Designs for clients

Hope these cards help to inspire your next portrait session and I continue to look forward to creating more cards for my incredible clients!!!

Vendors: Christmas and Holiday Card Templates from Design Aglow

26 Sep

Classic Marvin, NC Family Portraits| Extended Family Celebrations

Classic Marvin, NC Family Portraits | Extended Family Celebrations

Could you imagine a better gift for a 40th wedding anniversary? Three thoughtful sisters wanted to provide their parents with beautiful images of the entire family together – parents, children and grandchildren all together. I love these sessions, because this is what family is all about. It is so important to have these images. While Grandma and her girls will treasure these images today, they will also create beautiful treasured gifts for the three little ones in front in another 40 years.