Our Story
At Crafted Light Photography, we believe photography is more than taking pictures — it’s about preserving genuine emotion and creating artwork that families will treasure for generations. As a family-run business, we bring a personal touch to every session.
Our Team
Led by Chris, our lead photographer with decades of experience, we excel at crafting beautiful light in any environment. Chris’s expertise ensures consistent, flattering, and emotionally resonant images, regardless of weather, time of day, or location. We bring the light with us and never rely on having great available/natural light. We chose Profoto years ago for the exceptional quality and beauty of light their strobes and modifiers produce. This allows us to precisely craft and shape light on every subject exactly as we envision, creating consistent, flattering, and emotionally resonant images in any setting.
Sam, our second photographer, brings her artistic eye and creative flair, adding unique perspectives to every shoot.
Michelle: Support and behind-the-scenes operations. Together, our family team works seamlessly to deliver a warm and professional experience from your first inquiry to your final gallery.
What Makes Us Different
Rooted in Southeastern North Carolina
Born and raised in the Wilmington–Leland area, we’re grateful to still call this home. This is more than just our home; it’s the place where we’ve built memories of our own, and it deeply inspires the way we photograph families and couples in their most meaningful moments.
Our knowledge of local light, landscapes, and hidden gems along the coast allows us to create authentic, natural images that truly reflect the spirit of this special place we’re proud to call home.
Mastery of Light: Chris’s years of experience and our investment in professional Profoto lighting equipment allow us to craft beautiful, consistent, and flattering light in any environment — from bright beach sun to overcast skies. We don’t just take photos; we shape light to create emotionally resonant images that look natural and timeless. Complementing this, our deep investment in professional Nikon cameras and lenses enables us to capture fleeting moments, subtle details, and authentic expressions with exceptional clarity and precision.
Artistic Collaboration: With Samantha’s creative eye as second photographer, every session benefits from multiple perspectives and artistic flair, resulting in richer, more dynamic galleries.
True Family Partnership: As a family-run studio, we ensure smooth communication and exceptional service from inquiry to delivery, while keeping the entire experience friendly and stress-free.
Heartfelt, Client-Focused Approach: We only schedule one session per day to keep every experience intimate and unhurried. Our goal is not just beautiful artwork, but memories your family will cherish for generations.
Our Promise
We’re passionate about what we do and love creating a relaxed, enjoyable, and stress-free experience for every client. If you’re ready to preserve your special moments, we’d love to work with you.
Let’s create artwork you and your family will love for generations.
I can't wait to hear from you
Say hello. Let's work together!