I’m absolutely loving the new thing that I’ve been doing in downtown Wilmington where I’ve been hosting an Airbnb “experience”. It’s been so much fun getting to meet families and couples who are visiting Wilmington and exploring the town, and then I take them around downtown in a bunch of the beautiful alleys and then end the photo shoot at a local brewery. This time, we chose to head to Ironclad Brewery and taste some delicious beers together. I absolutely loved chatting with these two – honestly we spent most of the time talking about Harry Potter and what more could I ask for!? I hope you guys had the best time on your vacation!!! It was a blast being a part of it. – Allison
Read MoreFort Fisher Family Photography | The Whitenack Family
This family was visiting town last week and I got the chance to meet up with them for some family photos at Fort Fisher. We walked around the always gorgeous historic site, we climbed rocks, we almost fell, we got wet and sandy, but I like to think we had a blast!!! Their daughter is just the sweetest little thing, and held my hand half of the time. So happy that we got a chance to get some photos while you guys were in town!! – Allison
Read MoreDowntown Wilmington Portrait Photography | Emma & Kyle
I met these two through my Airbnb experience that I host in downtown Wilmington, where we wander around through the alleys, to the river, and end up at a local brewery at the end. These two were SO sweet, so easy to be around, and so fun to chat with. I loved hearing their story of how they started dating, and found each other again years later. I’m so glad you guys visited Wilmington and we got to do this!! Wishing you both all the best! – Allison
Read MoreHolden Beach Family Photography | Mosier Family
This sweet family came from Georgia to North Carolina for a family vacation, and lucky MEEEE got to take some photos of them while they’re here! Not only were their three kiddos THE CUTEST TINY HUMANS, but they were a blast, too. It’s never a simple task to get kids to focus and smile for family photos, but they NAILED it! I was warned right away that it wasn’t going to be easy, and they totally knocked it out of the park instead. It probably helps that their parents are photographers, too! So much fun working with other photographers and giving them a chance to actually be IN FRONT of the camera. Thanks for having me, you guys! And special shout out to the weather for being so perfect! – Allison
Read MoreHolden Beach Family Photography | Arnold/Pugh Family
I absolutely love TOURIST SEASON! You know why? Because I get to meet a bunch of awesome families that don’t live here and I get to take their photos while they’re living their best lives on vacation! I ventured down to Holden Beach last week to meet up with this GIANT family – and by giant, I mean, I think we had like 54 people there?!?! Seriously. We intended on getting alllllll kinds of family group shots, and then once I got there, I was let in on a little secret. Not only is this a family photo shoot, but there’s also going to be a PROPOSAL. Dream come true?! YEP. I’m so grateful to have been a part of such a fun event – and to get to witness two people getting engaged!!! Just a little side note to all people who are planning on proposing – be like Chris. Do it when you have a professional photographer hanging around – you will NOT regret it!!! Congrats, MV and Chris! – Allison
Read MoreFigure Eight Island Family Photography | Elijah’s First Birthday
So, the short version of the story of how I moved to Wilmington, begins with Figure Eight Island. I grew up vacationing here with my family, I came almost every summer since I was about 6 years old. We’d meet all of my aunts and uncles and all the cousins and we’d all get beach houses at Figure Eight, and we’d spend a week on the beach together, running around and frying our skin, and swimming until our fingers were pruned. This family tradition has definitely gotten smaller now, but it still continues, and I hope it always does. Some of them came to town recently, JUST IN TIME for our very first grandchild in the family to turn ONE! We were able to squeeze in some photos of my beautiful cousin Sarah, her husband Joel, and their sweet sweet Elijah! You can tell he’s the first grandkid, because while we were taking his photos, we had about 10 people standing behind me on the beach, singing and cheering him on while he grinned and wiped cake all over himself. HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELIJAH! I cannot believe you’re one already!!!!! <3 – Allison
Read MoreIronclad Brewery Bridal Portraits | Ashley
Bridal portraits were not something that I had ever done when I was living in Ohio and photographing weddings. I moved to the South and discovered the popular demand for a photo shoot like this. Not only did the practice of bridal portraits start in the South, but down here it has evolved into more than just a fun keepsake. It’s a family tradition. Typically, the bride’s mother had her portraits done, and her mother before her did as well. The other benefit to doing a session like this before the wedding day is that it really gives you a chance to see how you’re going to look in photographs on your wedding day. I once had a bride who did her bridal portraits with me and realized the felt that her makeup wasn’t just right, and it gave her to chance to adjust that before the big day. It’s also a day that is JUST about the bride and it’s a fun and relaxing way to make sure we get plenty of photos of just her, instead of trying to squeeze these in on the busy wedding day. The only thing I don’t like about bridal portraits is that I CAN’T SHARE ANY UNTIL THE WEDDING! It is SO hard to do a great photo shoot with a beautiful bride and then not get to share anything online. We did Ashley’s photos all the way back in February and now that her wedding is over, I can finally show you! We didn’t have ideal weather, but you know what? We made the best of it, we got plenty of photos indoors at Ironclad Brewery – talk about an industrial dream venue – and then between rain showers we were able to walk around outside of the brewery to get a few more. There may have even been a little run in with a One Tree Hill star! Something I know BOTH of us will never forget! Okay, enough rambling, go look at how beautiful Ashley is!!! – Allison
Read MoreNewborn Photography | Millie Kai
You guys, I just have to brag a minute about my friends and their ability to make PERFECT BABIES!!! I am so excited to have gotten to meet and also – become BFFS with – the sweet and tiny little Millie Kai. My friends Jordan & Bo had this gorgeous little bundle of joy on June 5th and I couldn’t be happier for them. She is just perfect already the light of their lives. I can’t wait to watch this girl grow up and spoil her as much as possible and be her favorite fun auntie :) Congrats, my friends, it’s going to be quite the adventure! – Allison
Read MoreOld River Farms Sunflower Field Photography | Rachel, Jake, & Aiden
Another AMAZING session in the sunflowers with three pretty awesome people. Old River Farms was the perfect place to get these three together for some photos, and I had a blast. Jake played us Post Malone’s “Sunflower” on his phone while we laughed and ran through the sunflower field together. There was even a perfect Dirty Dancing photo that occurred and it’s definitely my favorite one. Thanks for letting me make you my models for a day, friends. Here are my favorites! – Allison
Read MoreOld River Farms Sunflower Field Photography | Sammie & Lillie
There’s seriously nothing like running through a field of sunflowers with your friends to make you really appreciate the little things in life. They really are the happiest flower. When I found out a sunflower field had sprouted near Wilmington, I jumped on the opportunity to get some photo sessions booked out there. Luckily, my awesome friend Sammie wanted to come with me to get some new headshots for her business (seriously go to this talented woman for all your hair needs, including wedding hair AND makeup – Samantha Hill Studio) and she brought her sweet little firecracker of a daughter with her for some mother and daughter photos, too. Photographing your friends is so much fun, it’s not like work at all. Plus any time with little Lillie is always time well spent, this girl has me laughing the entire time. Check out my favorites from our session! – Allison
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