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Raleigh, North Carolina

Honest documentary
& lifestyle newborn and
family photography

Illuminating the magic of real life & everyday rhythms

Life is happening - every moment, every day. The years pass quickly & we can’t keep our little ones from growing & changing, but we can document what real life looks like right now for your family.

The silly little things your kids do, the way you hug them & care for them, the moments of calm & the moments of chaos… I want to create an honest snapshot of your family’s life so you can see & savor the magic all around you and chronicle what truly matters - your life as it actually is. 

LET'S CAPTURE YOUR FAMILY

Newborns

Capture life with your sweet new family member

In-home lifestyle newborn photo session around 2 hours

20 digital images
& print credit

Session preparation guide & wardrobe guide

...and more

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NEW LIFE COLLECTION

LIFESTYLE FAMILY

Document joyful moments of togetherness

Guided family photo session up to 1 hour at your home or other favorite location

20 digital images
& print credit

Session preparation
guide & wardrobe guide

...and more

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PORTRAIT ARTWORK

DOCUMENTARY FAMILY

Embrace the magic in your real life rhythms

2 hours of documenting the everyday moments you want to remember the most

60+ digital images
& print credit

Session preparation
guide

...and more

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YEAR IN THE LIFE COLLECTION

What's the best fit for your family right now?

“Thank you Kelly for a fantastic experience and amazing product!! 30 seconds before Kelly was going to put our kids in position, I accidentally hit my 7-year-old in the nose with my arm and the tears started flowing. Somehow, Kelly had him in position and laughing like crazy within 2 mins. Amazing! The Christmas cards were unbelievable, the quality was amazing, the ornaments have been a hit, and we just love our photo box! Well worth every penny!”

- Colleen & Doug

My Promise to You

I see you, and you are worthy of having your life documented.

Lifestyle newborn & family photography, documentary newborn & family photography, yearlong photo collections, heirloom artwork, simple prints for your home & to share…

Whatever you’re here for, I’m here for you. I’m here to see your natural beauty & the magic in your family’s moments of connection. I’m here to laugh in the funny moments, celebrate the joyful moments, and be sensitive in the hard moments. 

I’m here to see you, see your family, and show you how beautiful you really are - just as you are.

Will you let me capture the beauty of your family & your natural moments?

LET'S CHAT

the Light Creative experience

 one

Complimentary
Consultation

 two

session
planning

 three

true-to-life session

 four

photo reveal
& ordering

 five

artwork
delivery

I’ll be with you each step of the way so you and your family know what to
expect, feel comfortable & relaxed while I'm photographing, and receive printed artwork to help you document these beautiful, simple, real life moments.

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frequently asked questions

FAQ

What if my kids aren’t well behaved during the session? 

Psst - You probably know this, but perfectly happy & always well-behaving children aren't real life! 

This is one area that’s way different than your traditional portrait session - in a GREAT way. Big feelings happen in real life. I bet you know the best ways to understand your kiddos and console them. Maybe they need space; maybe they need a hug. Documentary photography allows us to capture ALL the feelings - joyful, sad, angry - and document the unique ways you care for your family through all of it. 

Rest assured, I’m extra aware during those moments of less-than-happy feelings and do a “vibe check” to gauge if I should take a few photos during those times for you or not. It may feel awkward when I do, but then you get to see your caring self in the photos you get as a result. 

Most importantly, your kids are going to have a blast in this session - just being themselves in an environment they already know & love, without any pressure to pose or wear outfits they’re not used to. Because of this, meltdowns tend to happen much less often in these true-to-life sessions than in a posed portrait or lifestyle session. But if they do, I’ll be there for you in that time, in whatever way you need me to be!


Why do you include prints with the digitals?

I believe photos come alive when we hold them in our hands! My job isn’t done until I’ve provided you with a finished product, so that you can quickly and easily enjoy your photos in your home and one day pass them on to your kids. Our memories aren’t meant to live on a hard drive - they’re meant to be displayed around your home & bring joy daily. 

You get the best of both worlds here! You’re welcome to use your high-resolution digital files for any print needs on your own, and I’m here to help with any archival-quality heirloom artwork you may be interested in. We can chat about using your artwork credit toward albums, wall art, mounted prints, etc., or we can keep it simple by sticking with the included 4x6” premium prints.

Is Light Creative LGBTQ+ friendly? 

Absolutely! I welcome people of all different backgrounds - sexual orientation and gender identity included. Please know that I value you, honor you, and celebrate you exactly as you are.

“Kelly is compassionate, personable, and encouraging. She does a wonderful job of helping make preparation for the session, and the session itself, as stress-free as possible. As someone who does not like being in front of the camera, I appreciate how comfortable she makes me feel. Every year, we get a canvas to hang on the wall. This past year, we also got an heirloom album. Our girls have loved looking at it and reminiscing over how much fun they had. They can’t wait for the next session!”

- Alison & Aaron

Let's capture the magic of your family's everyday rhythms

LET'S GET STARTED