THE story of you

Not the posed version of your child.
The real one — right now, exactly as they are.

Made for toddlers through the elementary years.

CHILDREN’S PERSONALITY PORTRAITS | RALEIGH, NC

SESSION DETAILS

What's Their Story?

The way he tilts his head when he's thinking. The way her hands fidget when she's excited.

The way they clutch a favorite lovey, twirl their hair, squint into the light, or burst into laughter without warning.

These are the tiny things that make your child them. And somehow, while you're right there watching, all those tiny things begin to disappear.

The Story of You was created to remember them.

Not the perfectly posed version. Not just the smile they make when someone says cheese. But the expressions, gestures, quirks, and little pieces of personality you know by heart — the ones you don't realize you'll miss until they've changed.

Because someday, you'll want to remember exactly who they were right now.

THE BEST WAY TO PHOTOGRAPH A CHILD?
LET THEM BE ONE.

As a former preschool teacher and photographer for almost two decades, I've spent a long time getting to know little ones.

And I’ve learned that the best way to photograph a child is to let them be one.

There’s no pressure to sit perfectly or smile on command. We’ll play, talk, explore, be silly, and take breaks when we need them. I’ll gently guide things along while giving your child plenty of room to lead the way.

Because when a child feels comfortable enough to forget about the camera, that’s when their real personality comes through.

INQUIRE FOR DETAILS
Your Story of You session includes:

  • 10-15 minute session in the studio for one child
  • Simple styling guidance before your session
  • Private online gallery with approximately 20 images to choose from, in both color and black & white

SESSION FEE: $150
Images are purchased separately after your session. Collections range from $450–$1,150.

session details

INQUIRE FOR DETAILS
Bring 'em!

The Story of You is all about giving each child their own moment to be completely, wonderfully themselves.

Siblings are photographed one at a time, with each child receiving their own gallery — and I'll absolutely grab a few of them together, too. Because how could I not?

The first child's session fee is $150, and each additional sibling is just $75. You'll also receive 10% off of your image collection for each child.

MORE THAN ONE FAVORITE CHILD?

"we will be coming again and again!"

"We have a toddler who is very active and it was hard to get him to sit still. I was so impressed with how well Christy was able to capture his personality through the photos. We will be coming to her again and again!"

Meagan F.

why it matters

Years from now, when childhood feels far away, these images will bring you back.

Back to the missing teeth.
The favorite stuffed animal.
The way they scrunched their nose when they laughed.
The quiet moments and the big expressions.

Not just what your child looked like — but who they were.

Let's tell their story.

INQUIRE FOR DETAILS

GOOD TO KNOW

Answers to frequently asked questions

How long does the session take?

Most children are finished in about 10–15 minutes. I reserve up to 30 minutes for each child, though, so there's plenty of breathing room if they need a little extra time to warm up, take a break, or just be a kid. When they're done, we're done!

What ages is this session for?

The Story of You is perfect for toddlers through the elementary years — that wonderful stretch of childhood when their personalities, opinions, quirks, and interests are becoming more and more their own. If you're wondering whether it's the right fit for your child, just ask!

What if my child is shy, wiggly, or just not in the mood?

That's completely normal — and honestly, it's part of their story. As a former preschool teacher, I've learned that children need to be met where they are, not managed. We'll play, talk, take breaks, be silly, and follow their lead. There's no pressure to sit still or smile on command.

Can I be in the photos?

The Story of You is designed entirely around your child, so parents stay behind the scenes for this one. If you'd like photographs that include you together, a Signature Session will be a better fit — and I'm always happy to help you decide between the two.

What should my child wear?

Something simple, comfortable, and very them. We don't need elaborate styling for these sessions — the goal is for your child, not their outfit, to be the star. Once you book, I'll send simple styling guidance to help you choose something that photographs beautifully and still feels like them.

Can siblings come too?

Absolutely! Each child gets their own Story of You portraits and their own gallery, and I'll grab a few of them together, too. The first child's session fee is $150 and each additional sibling is $75. Families photographing siblings also receive 10% off each child's image collection.

Can we bring a favorite toy or lovey?

Please do! The stuffed animal they sleep with every night, the blanket that's been loved nearly to pieces, the toy they carry everywhere — those are exactly the little details The Story of You is meant to remember.

What happens after the session?

Within two weeks, you'll receive a private online gallery of approximately 20 hand-edited images in both color and black & white. From there, you'll choose the image collection you love. Collections begin at $450, and most families choose the Complete Collection with the full gallery of digital images for $750.

When is the best time to book?

There's really no wrong time. Maybe they're about to start kindergarten. Maybe they've just lost their first tooth. Maybe they've entered a dinosaur-everything phase, or suddenly have very strong opinions about what they wear. You don't need a milestone — sometimes who they are right now is reason enough. And yes, some families come back every year!

How is this different from Heirloom Portraits?

Heirloom Portraits are classic, timeless portraits that many families choose to create once at a meaningful stage — maybe while the baby cheeks are still cheekin', or right before kindergarten, or another moment they especially want to preserve.

The Story of You is designed to grow right along with your child. Some families make it a birthday tradition every year, while others come back every couple of years — think ages 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 — to capture all the personality changes along the way.

Because somehow the two-year-old with the lovey becomes the six-year-old with the missing teeth before you know it.

READY TO CAPTURE THIS VERSION OF YOUR CHILD?

If your heart is tugging, trust it.

I'd love to meet the little person you're loving right now.

BOOK THE STORY OF YOU