Category: Photos

Anna Carson Dewitt Photography

7/31/2018

Ever had your true spirit captured in a photograph? Not that fake smile we do when we say "cheese" but the real deal grin that sparkles from within? Anna Carson Dewitt Photography specializes in real life portraiture that takes precious moments and commits them to film. Anna says "When I take your picture, I witness the things that make you interesting, tender, strong, and loving, and reflect that beauty back to you in photos that you’ll keep forever. The most important audience for my photos? Your children, fifty years from now."

Anna is truly talented - I say this from personal experience with her cool, calm and collected manner in a photo shoot during a tornado watch! You see, we had planned to get some shots of my kiddos but little did we know how the weather would turn on us. Time was not on our side and I wasn't sure how it was possible for her to get anything with the wind whipping around but when the results came in I was amazed. Despite the blustery day, she wrangled my two kids into some amazing shots where she really captured their spirits, from cuddly and sweet to silly and sassy. You can see two of my favorites from that day on the left!

If you want to see her most recent shoots, check her out on facebook here.

Anna uses her skills behind the camera to really make a difference. Earlier this year she had portrait sessions to benefit paying the school lunch debt in Durham down. This weekend she does something equally as special and giving. She's holding Durham Tiny Sessions to support the Texas Civil Rights Project 's efforts to reunite immigrant families. You can get amazing one-of-a-kind shots of your family while helping other families in need - what better reason do you need to have portraits done?

The fundraiser takes place this Sunday August 5th, from 4p-7p in downtown Durham. Anna believes deeply in this cause. As she explains, "As of today, as many as 700 immigrant families remain separated by the US government, despite the July 10th deadline. It's going to take a massive mobilization of skilled professionals and resources to get these children back to their parents-- let's raise some money for the lawyers and advocates who are working around the clock to make it happen. I know you all have been hugging you children extra tight lately-- come hug them in front of my camera! I came to know of the Texas Civil Rights Project when I was in Rio Grande Valley a few weeks ago, and they are tireless, profoundly compassionate professionals with deep roots in the Texas struggle for immigrant rights. You can explore their work, listen to their briefings, and check out their financials here: https://texascivilrightsproject.org"

The Tiny Sessions are super-short, super fun photo sessions for kids, families, or headshots. They last five minutes (really!) and cost $75 for the session your choice of three high-res digital images, with the option to buy more. Yes! Five minutes! It can be done! I can attest to how quickly Anna can get special shots. Signup here and do it soon before she's booked up for this great cause!

Anna is truly skilled with a variety of subjects. Her website portfolio showcases her portraits of everyone from newborns, families and children, to couples, wedding and maternity shots. Her headshots are stunning and she even features photos of small businesses at work and makers crafting. For her standard full length shoots, the packages include a 60-90 minute session at your home or someplace you love, and the full collection of hand-edited, high resolution images with print release, downloadable from a private online gallery. For more on how it works, head here.

If you can't make the special fundraiser on the 5th she also has mini sessions Saturdays and Sundays until September 16th. These sessions will take place at Leigh Farm Park on Saturdays, and Downtown Durham on Sundays. The fee is $195 for the 20 minutes session and your choice of twelve high-res images, downloadable from a private online gallery. Full details and signup right here on her website.

If you're looking for special photographs that capture a moment in time for eternity,
you can't go wrong with Anna, a true artist of the lens.
I urge you to book her now before your kids get any older!
You can get in touch with Anna at any time
via email or by messaging her on her facebook page.
But wait... there's more!
Would you like to win a mini-session
from Anna Carson Dewitt Photography
just for SoDu Parents Posse readers?
Then scroll down to the end to enter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Lauren Soignet Photography

12/10/2014

2 Comments

There is nothing more precious than the first few days of a new baby's life. When the labor is over, but the lack of sleep is taking it's toll until you look over at the most amazing creature you've ever laid your eyes on, peaceful and perfect. That is why you need to capture that moment in time. And who better than the talented, artistic eye of SoDu Parent Posse member, photographer Lauren Soignet.

Lauren has been doing family photography as a hobby for about 6 years now, but her passion for it has turned it into a successful business. You can tell she must have a good rapport with kids because she really captures their personalities. There's a reason it comes so naturally to her - she taught first grade for 4 years!

When she had her own little girl, a sparkplug of a redhead, she decided to pursue life as a stay at home mom. Not that she's slowed down, mind you! In fact, Lauren is expanding in 2015, building a studio, and working to focus mostly on newborn photography, due to both high demand for her breathtaking work and to feed her soul, doing what she's drawn to as a photographer.

Lauren says, "I feel this is an area that I want to continue to learn and grow in. I love to capture those fresh moments that are gone so quickly in the blink of your eyes. In 2013, I think I had a total of 9 newborns that I took pictures of. In 2014 that number jumped to 23. Some of them being friends and a few were newborn "mini sessions" but 23 fresh, tiny, beautiful and perfect little newborns." You can see in the many images I picked below why she would want to do this more! This doesn't mean she won't be taking photos of families, siblings, or anything else, just that newborns will take scheduling priority. So now that you know that she's in demand, plan ahead! Moms who are due in 2015, book as early as possible to make sure you don't miss a spot. (By the way, wouldn't a photography session with Lauren be a great gift to ask for this holiday?)

I love so many of her portraits that it was impossible to choose just one.
I mean, look at those twins!
And the big siblings! Squeal!

Lauren likes to shoot families, children, couples, teenagers, and even pets with a Nikon D7000 and uses mostly natural light. She prefers shooting in well lit locations with fun and different scenery, saying you can find her "downtown, on the train tracks or in the woods climbing rocks." Or with a fun blue pickup she used for many of her family portraits this fall, like the great photo below.

Even though she is concentrating on newborns in 2015, she is still going to hold her popular mini sessions throughout the year (typically at least one set each season and several in the fall and winter). How mini sessions work is that multiple clients come to a specific location and are shot back to back in short succession. These sessions are short in length and only a few images are included (hence the name mini) but cost less than a full session, which is nice if you're on a budget. Mini sessions are good for updating your family photos, holiday cards and more. One past fall location was at West Point on the Eno, and she had ready to use props like pumpkins and quilts. Good thing about hiring a pro like Lauren is that she can make you comfortable quickly, and it takes no time at all to warm up to her. Pretty soon you're not even seeing the lens, you're just having fun!

Lauren also shoots at South Topsail Beach in the summer. She has dates there from June-August and other dates are often available when requested. It's nice to know someone local even down at the coast. Imagine being able to get a nice family shot when you're all relaxed on your vacation!

Did I mention that she does gorgeous maternity portraits as well? I couldn't help but to include this one for all us Bull City mamas - "Made in Durham!" Love it. Lots of couples expecting their first use her portrait to announce the pregnancy on their holiday cards, and other families who are waiting on their 2nd or 3rd kids have adorable shots of the soon-to-be older sibling adoring their sweet mommy and her growing tummy. As an added bonus, Lauren also prioritizes the newborn shoots of women who also choose her for their maternity portrait. It's a wonderful time to document for posterity, the glow of pregnancy and the joy of anticipation.

This image below is my absolute favorite of all Lauren's work so I had to conclude with it. It's so visually powerful with the stormy sky as dusk, the full belly cradled by pink tipped hands, the face looking off in the distance with gorgeous windswept curls, sea oats tickling her feet... it is mesmerizing to me. Might as well be a Andrew Wyeth painting , just potent and perfect.

So, SoDu, you ready for your special deal?
Posse members get 10% off of the cost of your newborn package! (Normal prices here.)
Even better. . .
when her facebook page gets to 800 likes
she will draw from her fans and giveaway a FREE mini session!

So what are you waiting for?
Check out more of Lauren's work, find out what inspires her,
and get details on how to book her at:
http://laurensoignetphotography.blogspot.com/

FTC required disclosure: In exchange for the above blog post, I was given discounted services by the pardner. Some of the content, such as the images, are provided by the pardner for my use. I give permission for this blog post to be used in perpetuity by the pardner as they wish. May seem silly, but legally I gotta say it. Congrats for reading the fine print!

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Anna Carson Dewitt Photography

Lauren Soignet Photography

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