I loved EVERY single minute of this sweet engagement session, and I can't WAIT for their October Wedding! American Tobacco Campus when the sun goes down is MAGIC.
Northpoint
LOVE this brand new Signature Property, Northpoint!!! The style is so beautiful, all these places are making me want to redecorate! :)
Garnish Hair Studio
We had such a fun time doing a commercial shoot for Garnish Hair Studio off Creedmoor Rd. in Raleigh, North Carolina! They have an AMAZING studio experience, their comfortable, stylish decor will make you feel like you just walked into Pottery Barn! I don't know about you, but I am ready to remodel my house! ;-)
he next time you need a new do, comes experience this amazing place! Thank you Garnish Studios for such a fun morning!
The Gardens at Anthony House
This gorgeous signature property was built on an old plantation. The club house has so much character I wanted it to be mine! ;-) After I got home and told Bryan all about my time shooting for Resident 360 + signature property he told me he used live at The Gardens at Anthony house! (Before we met) Enjoy this sweet charming property!
Silly cousins
Laughed so hard with these precious kids! They always come dressed to impress, with many jokes up their sleeves! 😄😂❤️
Dying.... These boys are so funny!
Little Miss
LOVED my time with this PRECIOUS girl and her sweet family at Historic Oak View County park!
Family.
Such a fun freezing morning at American Tobacco with this sweet family! ❤️
#TheHeadshotGame
LOVED my evening with this guy! Downtown Raleigh made the PERFECT backdrop for these awesome headshots!!
Family Sweetness
Loved laughing with this SWEET family today! I don't know about YOU, but I am realllllly ready for SPRING!!
15 //
Such a fun day celebrating this beautiful girls 15th birthday - remembering 15 myself I really think every 15 year old girl neeeeeds a photoshoot like this! American Tobacco didn't disappoint on this gorgeous day!!
ONE YEAR!!!!!!
One year ago today we MOVED INTO KAY MANOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can't believe it's already been a whole year, it's been more fun that I could have ever dreamed, making this house a HOME. I fall in love with it a little more everyday!
A year ago when we announced that we bought a house in Raleigh, it came as a surprise to some. It was a hard decision for me to move my business and call Raleigh my HOME. I love Greenville, always have and always will. Greenville continues to be a HUGE part of my life. It's full of some of the most loving and tender-hearted people I have ever met. I couldn't have dreamed of a better place to have some crucial years growing my business.
July of 2013 my Daddy battled some really tough health issues and at the same time BOTH my grandmother's health were in a progressive decline. It was some of the MOST difficult months for me and my family. Here I was with more friends that any girl could count, and the most successful year of my business. And while those wonderful times and memories I will carry for the rest of my life, my family, my home, was 4 hours away from it all. During those tough months, this funny, cute guy would send me text messages EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. without fail he would ask me what I ate for lunch (which usually made me go, oh dayum, I didn't eat lunch today). He cared for me in those months when I didn't even know what I needed, He kept me laughing and trusting that life was about to get so much better. We had our first date a five guys, I was wearing sweatpants and NO MAKEUP. That should tell you everything you need to know about Bryan right there. He's the best man I know, loyal, loving, funny, smart, and more than everything I ever wanted. Time progressed, and so did our love - I'll spare you the mushy gushy details, but you get where I'm going : )
We looked a few houses together and it was a total DISASTER. I learned just how controlling I was, and I am sure he learned that too! ;-) So I took 7 steps back, a chill pill or two, and let him take the lead. Flash forward to the FINAL WALK THROUGH. (The night before closing) The very first time I saw inside the house I was going to be calling home very soon. Indy & I showed up and there are few words I know to describe that moment. He bought the house of my DREAMS. It had all the details I had been blabbing about for months, and so many more that I hadn't even considered. I couldn't have built a more perfect house for us...and he chose it. It was a huge step in our relationship and helped in making my decision to leave Greenville.
The two puppies that make this house so fun and I are forever grateful for our Bryan who never fails to give us the absolute best he can.
I promised a year ago to take photos of the inside, and a whole year went by before I broke the camera out a did it, but without waiting any longer let us officially Welcome you to Kay Manor.
Indy + Bossley central - it's been fun to find creative ways to make all their stuff look cute ;-)
Bryan's dad made that cabinet, and it's been perfect for dog stuff!
Among my favorite rooms, the kitchen ranks pretty high I love all the natural light, white cabinets, and the table my Granddad refinished.
As a little girl I dreamed for the day I would have a dinning room table to host, decorate, and share so many memories around. This BEAUTIFUL dinning room suite, that looks like it walked out of pottery barn is from Bryan's mom, and one he remembers fondly growing up!
These place settings are made complete with my Great- Grandmothers white linens, and handmade napkin rings! The highchair was brought back on the back of a cattle train car by my great great grandfather, and refinished by my Granddad. A staple in our family for years, I can't wait to have little ones someday to sit it in too! ;-)
My sweet, never really clean, filled with puppies office that I adore so much.
obsessed with our target shower curtain!
We have yet to finish painting our bedroom... someday...
Our guest room, which has been blessed by so many people this year! Olaf says he's ready for more visitors!
Love this wall... can't wait to fill it with more memories of our own!
A end table built by my Granddad & a babydoll chair of my Nanas
Come as you are, and stay as long as you can!!!!
Braxton.
It was such a joy to watch two people I love so much journey to being parents. You can see their adorable Furman maternity session here. I loved taking sweet Braxton's newborn photos and I can't wait to watch him grow up in front of my camera! Auntie Em loves you so much sweet little man! :-)
Hey guys! ;-)
Headshots
Make your first impression your BEST impression. Professional headshots will take your website, social media presence, online dating, and other online marketing to the next level. The more time I spend on LinkedIn the more passionate I become about professional headshots, It truly makes a HUGE difference.
Brian + Jennifer
Last March I had the honor to shooting this GORGEOUS wedding day. Love this picture perfect love story at Farms of Brusharbor in Concord, North Carolina.
Love, EmilieCarol
Harper is ONE!
It's been so much watching these two kids grow up right in front of my camera! Hard to believe that sweet Harper is already one, seems like yesterday we were taking her newborn photos! Enjoy her oh so sweet cake smash!
Sweet Briggs jumped in a few too!
Here she goes! Happy Birthday Harper!
Love, EmilieCarol
Bringing your dog on a photoshoot...
If you are like me your dogs are your life, you couldn't dream of any family, engagement, or wedding photos without them. After having two puppies of my own for the last year and multiple years of having four-legged friends tag along on shoots I have learned a few tricks to help you for your shoot!
1. Bribe a friend(s) and/or family with beer or food.
Ask someone that you and your dogs know and trust. For our family photos this year I asked my parents to come along, Indy & Bossley are obsessed with them and they were the key to getting great shots! While it's important to have dog caregivers during the photos you take with your pets, their most important role will be taking your dog(s) away or to another area when you are done taking photos with them. Dogs have an even shorter attention span than children and in my experience dogs take their best photos in the first 7 minutes. So call your friends and family and get ready to bribe them with beer and food, you'll be glad you did!
2. Prepare your Dog(s)
Help your dog to burn off some energy before the shoot. Take them on a hike, walk, to the dog park, or daycare prior to your shoot, this will help them sit, stay, or lay down, and generally relax during the session. I always talk to Indy & Bossley and explain what's going to happen (must be all my years in childcare) I let them know the night before what we are doing, and what I want from them. Not sure if they understand or even care, but Indy (our great dane/black lab mix) really always seems to respond as if she understands. It's also important to prepare them with whatever they are going to be wearing (now I don't just mean cloths!) Make sure they have had several walks or hikes with the harness, collar or leader you want them to wear in photos. put your dog(s) in the best position to succeed. Just as it's important for you to wear comfortable cloths, the same goes for your dog(s).
3. Pick a place they know
When choosing a location for your photoshoot make sure you pick a place that your dogs know well. Maybe it's a park you often go to, or maybe it's just the backyard. Try to pick an area where other dogs aren't going in close proximity to you. Often times you can consult your photographer to help choose a location where they aren't a lot of distractions around you such as a quiet wooded area, or a large field. If your dogs are going to be off leash for the photos make sure you that you have performed this feat before and that the dog(s) can be trusted in this environment.
4. Bring treats
Treats are a great way to get our pets to listen to commands and stay engaged. I know Indy & Bossley have done great with consistent treat and pats. Also if you have treats that you can fill with peanut butter or something that can occupy them for a little longer than a Milk Bone this can help to encourage the results and behavior that you want.
4. RELAX
This could seem so basic, but your pet feeds off your energy, just like children they aren't going to relax into situations where they aren't comfortable. Most professional cameras shoot 7+ frames per second, which means if you can get your dog(s) to sit for ONE second - we've done our job! If they know you are anxious or getting frustrated with them they won't give us the desired results. Enjoy the process, the love a fur-parent has their dog(s) is beautiful - let it shine through in your photo shoot and you'll both enjoy the process ; )
5. Reward them afterwards
Make sure you reward your dog(s) after the photo shoot, take them to the dog park or give them a peanut-butter filled Kong. You know their favorite treats and activities. People always ask me how I get Indy & Bossley to sit and pose for me so much, and it's simple. They know that if they do what Mommy is asking they will be rewarded in fun and tasty ways.
Cats...
there are no rules, or great nuggets of wisdom when it comes to taking their photos... sometimes they let you...sometimes they don't.
We can't wait to see you for your next photoshoot!
Love, EmilieCarol
Enjoy some recent snaps of Indy & Bossley @TheKayPack #TheKayPack
Snow Day!!
Indy & Bossley are beside themselves with all this snow!!!!! ❄️⛄️💕 Stay warm friends! 🐾
Love, EmilieCarol
Kay Manor
Eeeeekkkk I can hardly contain my excitement of seeing Kay Manor's first snow, just weeks before we celebrate ONE whole year here. So hard to believe, so many firsts in this beautiful HOME. ❄️⛄️
Last night we ran out really quickly as the snow started rolling in..... GORGEOUS!!!!!! ❄️❄️❄️❄️
Early morning, Bryan is thinking we got about 5 inches here in North Raleigh! ❄️⛄️❄️⛄️
Enjoy your snow day!!!!
Love, EmilieCarol
Baby Leo
Sweet sweet sweet Baby Leo and his precious BIG brother + sister! Love this family, and all their magic.
Love, EmilieCarol
Smash the cake!
Had so much fun smashing the cake with this adorable little girl in Holly Springs!