28 Nov

Dreamy Waxhaw, NC Family Portraits | Give Thanks!

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!

Dreamy Waxhaw, NC Family Portraits by Carolyn Ann Ryan with Thanksgiving Theme Waxhaw NC Child and Family Photographer Carolyn Ann Ryan Wahxaw NC Family Photographer Carolyn Ann Ryan shares dreamy family portraits

13 Nov

Delightful Waxhaw, NC Family Photography | Feet

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.

 

Delightful Waxhaw, NC Family Photography | Feet Delightful Waxhaw, NC Family Photography Twins First Birthday Portraits Delightful Waxhaw, NC Family Photography Twins First Birthday Portrait Session

11 Nov

Charlotte, North Carolina Family Photographer | My Wish

No matter who I’m photographing my wish is always the same, to take images that will make you smile and remember! Sometimes it’s hard to remember how things once were so my hope is that your family portraits will transport you back in time where you can relive some of those happy memories.  Family photo sessions are special because it can include everyone – even your pets.  And these images aren’t just about the moments when you are smiling for the camera, but it’s the interactions and special moments you share as a family that you will treasure for years to come.  It’s the secret a daughter tells her Mom, or the airplane ride a child gets from Dad, or the giggles that are shared between siblings. And sometimes, I can just step back into the distance to capture those precious moments of a family together.

 

New Jersey Family Photographer Scotch Plains Family Portrait Session 1 Scotch Plains Family Portrait Session 3 Scotch Plains NJ Family Photographer Autumn Session 4

07 Nov

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

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!

 

Vintage Charlotte, North Carolina Extended Family Portrait Session Extended Family Portraits by North Carolina Family Photographer Carolyn Ann Ryan

05 Nov

Sweet Marvin, NC Family Photography | Fall Memories

Sweet Marvin, NC Family Photography | Fall Memories

Toddlers are special little people, they notice everything and are so easily amused by the littlest things.  I love how the fall background enhances the warmth and love of this young family.  This session reminds me of when my kids were toddlers, they were very much like this sweet girl and had to examine each and every leaf!   We, too, would spend warm fall days taking long walks and creating special family memories.

 

Sweet Marvin, NC Family Photography Sweet Marvin, NC Family Photography with Autumn Family Portraits by Carolyn Ann Ryan Sweet Marvin, NC Family Photographs by North Carolina Photographer Carolyn Ann Ryan

 

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!

Engaging Charlotte, NC Family Photographer

30 Oct

North Carolina Family Photographer | Moms

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!

 

North Carolina Family Photographer NC Beach Portraits Carolyn Ann Ryan Family Photographer 2 NC  Family and Child Portraits Carolyn Ann Ryan

 

 

28 Oct

Charming Waxhaw Family Portrait Session| USA

Charming Waxhaw Family Portrait Session| USA

It is so important to teach our children the how lucky they are to live in the United States.  We live in a place of opportunity and freedom.  I doubt this little girl realizes or understands what our flag represents that but I love how her parents have embedded their patrioism in their family photos.  I’d be very curious to see how the meaning of this photo changes for her as she grows up; something tells me our flag will be as important to her and it should be to all of us!

 

Charming Waxhaw Family Portrait Session| USA Patriotic Portrait Session

Charming Waxhaw Family Portrait Session by North Carolina Family Photographer Carolyn Ann Ryan Waxhaw Family Photographer Carolyn Ann Ryan photographs charming portrait session in home

 

 

18 Oct

Charlotte, NC Newborn and Family Photographer | Peace

Charlotte, NC Newborn and Family Photographer

There’s nothing like a photograph of a newborn baby.  This young family gave me  the privilege of photographing their sweet baby girl.  What struck me about her was her expression, it is so peaceful and angelic.  I can already see her personality shining through.  I predict she will be a calm, laid back, happy child – one who will just go with the flow.  As a photographer, what more can you ask for?

 

Newborn Photography, Charlotte, NC Charlotte Newborn Portrait Session by Carolyn Ann Ryan Charlotte NC Newborn Portrait Session

16 Oct

Charlotte, NC Family Photographer | Game On

Charlotte, NC Family Photographer | Game On

Little boys are just awesome!  I don’t know if it’s the animation in their face or the inhibitions they display, but I just love it when they let loose and wear their personality on their sleeve.  This little dude did not disappoint,  he came to the session with his game face on!

It must have been contagious because his brother and sister played right along with him.  And I can’t forget to send a special  thank you to mother nature for supplying us with the leaves.

This session was filled with all kinds of family moments and I loved every moment of it – from photographing the family to preparing the slideshow, I couldn’t stop smiling.  I was even a bit giddy as I placed the order for a few beautiful canvas prints with my lab, because I just know the awesome folks at my lab are going to love these as much as I do!

Enjoy!

 

Family Photography, Charlotte NC Westfield NJ Childrens Holiday Portraits Charlotte, NC Family Photographer Fall Family Portraits

14 Oct

Charlotte Metro Area, NC Family Photographer | A New Family

Charlotte Metro Area, NC Family Photographer | A New Family

It’s true, when a child enters your life, everything changes!  Sure there are 3 a.m. feedings and countless diaper changes but it’s all worth it and these photos capture the essence of a young family.  I just love the tender moments they share together not only between the three of them but especially between mom and dad – you can feel the love and connection they share.  I think it’s so important to remember where all the love started and this young couple certainly took that time to focus on that too!

 

Charlotte Metro Area, NC Family Photographer Carolyn Ann Ryan Westfield NJ Baby Portrait Session Charlotte NC Couple Portraits by Carolyn Ann Ryan Charlotte Metro Area, NC Family Portraits

10 Oct

Darling Charlotte, NC Family Photography | Red!

Darling Charlotte, NC Family Photography | Red!

What does the color “red” mean to you?  For some it means love, for others it means fire or power, but for me it means “redhead” as in this sweet little boy!  How cute is he?  I just love how his red hair compliments the background and brings out the warm colors.  I had such a fun time with this family – the kids played in the grass and traded leaves and we enjoyed the last few days of summer.  It tickles my heart to see how much this big girl loves her lil’ brother, and you can just see how much he absolutely adores his big sister.  And you can’t miss the last photo at the end – it’s one of my absolute favorite sibling photographs!

 

Darling Charlotte, NC Family Photography - Portrait Session photographed by Carolyn Ann Ryan Darling Charlotte, NC Family Portrait Session in Summer with Carolyn Ann Ryan Darling Charlotte, NC Family Photographs

 

04 Oct

Professional North Carolina Family Photographer | Giggles and Smiles

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!

Professional North Carolina Family Photographer Carolyn Ann Ryan

Professional North Carolina Family Portrait Session with Carolyn Ann Ryan

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

 

02 Oct

Charlotte Metro Family Photographer | A cutie pie!

Charlotte Metro Family Photographer | A cutie pie!

OMG!!  This one year old boy is such a cutie pie!   I don’t know what I love the most – the red shoes, the images of his hair blowing in the breeze, the cute vest or the checkered bow tie!   He is clearly a budding model already demonstrating he can handle  multiple locations, wardrobe changes and props!  This family is as sweet in person as they look in these photos – I’m smiling right along with them.  Oh and let’s not forget this all takes place in my favorite city, New York City.

Wait til you see these images, you’ll be saying … “OMG!”

Enjoy!

Vendors:
Bowtie and Tie: William & Sally on Etsy

 

 

Charlotte Metro Family Photographer photographs adorable cutie pie and his family

Charlotte Metro Family Photographer features urban uptown family portrait session

Charlotte Metro Family Photographer Carolyn Ann Ryan shares cute family portraits