How We Create Together
At Crafted Light Photography, every session begins with one guiding principle: without great light, you cannot take great photos. Whether you’re dreaming of heartfelt family portraits on the Carolina coast, an intimate wedding full of genuine emotion, or a custom project that tells your unique story, we bring our obsessive attention to crafted light—blending beautiful natural golden hour with professional Profoto illumination—to create timeless images that feel authentic and look stunning as wall art.
(910) 380-3187
Text or call me. I’d love to learn about your family vision and share custom session options and pricing designed around what matters most to you.
Portraits
BEAUTIFULLY LIT MOMENTS THAT LAST A LIFETIME
We love photographing families of all sizes — and we also create beautiful portraits for couples, individuals, children, and extended family groups. At Crafted Light Photography, we believe great portraits begin with great light. Using our professional Profoto studio lighting system (brought on location) combined with the warm natural light of the Carolina coast, we create images that feel genuine, warm, and timeless. Whether in your home, a favorite park, or on the beach at golden hour, we take the time to capture real connections—no rushing, no stress.
What’s Included:
- Consultation to understand your family’s story and vision
- Unhurried session (as long as needed)
- Expert lighting by Chris (30+ years experience)
- Second photographer support from Samantha when beneficial
- Digital images delivered via beautiful online gallery
- Options for professional prints, wall art, albums and books.
- Location and time permitting, we’ll gather around my laptop at the end of the session to review the images together.
- Bonus: Mobile Gallery App for your phone with all your images.
(910) 380-3187
Text or call me. I’d love to learn about your family vision and share custom session options and pricing designed around what matters most to you.
Intimate Weddings
Capturing Your Love Story with Care
We specialize in small, meaningful weddings and elopements where every detail and genuine moment matters. With our obsessive focus on crafted light, we blend the warm glow of Carolina golden hour—skillfully augmented with Profoto strobes and modifiers for flawless, flattering illumination—alongside our full Profoto system for indoor or intimate settings.
The result? Emotional, authentic images that celebrate real connection and look stunning as timeless wall art, rather than feeling overly staged.
What’s Included:
- Consultation to understand your vision.
- We work with your schedule and capture everything in a photojournalistic way.
- Two photographers (Chris & Samantha)
- Beautifully lit portraits of the couple and their loved ones
- Online gallery available within one week.
- Flexible delivery: digital images, complete wedding albums, individual prints, or whatever best suits your desires.
- Location and time permitting, we’ll gather around the laptop at the end of the day to review images together.
- Bonus: Mobile Gallery App for easy viewing on your phone.
(910) 380-3187
Text or call me. I’d love to learn about your wedding vision and share custom session options and pricing designed around what matters most to you.
Custom & Specialty Sessions
Tailored Photography Experiences
Have a special idea? We love creating personalized sessions for maternity, engagements, anniversaries, family milestones, and other meaningful moments. Our flexible, client-centered approach means we meet you where you are—both literally and creatively.
We also bring decades of experience in commercial and industrial photography. Whether you need professional images for your business, products, architecture, or corporate events, we can craft clean, high-quality visuals using the same attention to light and detail that defines our portrait work.
What’s Included:
- Personalized consultation and planning
- Custom lighting and location strategy (including our Profoto system on location)
- Full attention to your unique vision
- Location and time permitting, we’ll review images together on the laptop during or at the end of the session
- We can also display images live as they are captured for instant feedback
- Bonus: Mobile Gallery App with all your images
Whether it’s a personal milestone or a business need, we approach every project with the same care and attention to crafted light.
(910) 380-3187
Text or call me. I’d love to learn about your vision and share custom session options and pricing designed around what matters most to you.
TELL ME ABOUT YOUR IDEA
Have a project in mind? Let's talk about it.
My Process
Confirm details
Before the shoot, we’ll plan the location, timing, and overall goals for the session together. I’ll help with recommendations around lighting, weather, outfits, timing, and any logistics needed to make the day run smoothly.
Shooting Day
Whether we’re capturing golden hour portraits on the beach, creating heartfelt moments in a favorite location, or documenting your family’s natural interactions, my goal is to foster a relaxed and joyful atmosphere. You and your loved ones can simply be present and enjoy the moment while I craft beautiful light around you.
Location and time permitting, we’ll gather around my laptop at the end of the session to review the images together. You’ll get to see the magic as it unfolds and choose the ones that speak to your heart before we wrap up.
After the shoot
Once the adventure is over, I carefully edit and curate the images to reflect the feeling of the experience. You will receive a private online gallery 1 week after the shoot. If you opted to get digital images you will easily be able to download them. Or we will get together to work out what prints you want and how you want them delivered. We will help you every step of the way to get the photographic treasures you desire.
frequently asked questions
Do you help with planning locations, timing, or direction for the session?
I’m always happy to help with locations, timing, and shaping the overall feel of your day. I bring a calm, flexible approach to every session, adapting in the moment to create the most natural and meaningful images possible while ensuring beautiful, consistent lighting throughout.
What types of sessions do you offer?
We specialize in heartfelt family portraits, couples, individuals, intimate weddings, and select coastal sessions along the Carolina coast. Our work is centered around beautifully crafted light, genuine connection, and timeless images that feel natural and refined.
How do we book a session?
Booking is simple. Reach out through our contact form, and we’ll connect with you to talk through your session details, preferred date, and what you’re hoping to create. Once everything is confirmed, we’ll send over the next steps to officially reserve your session.
How long does a session last?
We do not rush our sessions. Our goal is to create a relaxed experience that gives everyone time to settle in, feel comfortable, and enjoy the process while we capture images with care and intention.
Do you charge a session fee?
Yes. A session fee reserves your date and covers the time, planning, and photography involved in your session. Depending on the session, digital images or products may be purchased separately.
Will you guide us during the session?
Absolutely. You do not need to know how to pose or what to do in front of the camera. We’ll guide you through the session with simple direction so everything feels natural, comfortable, and easy.
What should we wear?
We recommend clothing that feels comfortable, coordinated, and timeless. Soft neutrals, natural tones, and simple textures tend to photograph especially well and help keep the focus on your connection and expressions.
Are travel expenses included in your packages or quoted separately?
Travel expenses are usually quoted separately since every location and project comes with different needs. Once we start planning together, I’ll always put together a clear estimate based on the destination, timing, and overall scope so everything feels clear and transparent from the beginning.
When will we receive our photographs?
Turnaround times vary depending on the session type and season, but we’ll give you a clear estimate when you book. Once your gallery is ready, you’ll receive a delivery email with everything you need to access your images.
Can we collaborate on a custom project that doesn’t fit a standard package?
I would love that. Every project tends to come together a little differently, especially when travel or a specific location is involved. Once I learn more about what you have in mind, I can usually suggest an approach that feels right for the experience rather than trying to fit everything into a standard package.
What if our children don’t cooperate?
That’s perfectly okay. We understand that children have their own pace, and we’re patient, flexible, and experienced in working with families. We create space for real moments rather than expecting perfection.
Do you offer digital files, prints, or albums?
Yes. We offer digital downloads as well as prints, wall art, albums, and photo books. We want you to enjoy your images in whatever way feels most meaningful for your family.
Do you offer print sales or wall art?
Yes. We offer a curated selection of professional prints, canvas wraps, and stunning wall art options designed to bring your images to life in your home. We’re happy to guide you through the choices and can help arrange archival framing so your treasured photographs will be enjoyed for generations to come.
Are your sessions time-limited?
We prefer a relaxed pace so no one feels rushed. That allows us to focus on making beautiful images, especially when working with families or creating in challenging light.
Do you travel?
In some cases, yes. If you have a special location in mind, we’d be glad to discuss travel details and availability.
Do you edit the photos?
Yes. Every final image is carefully edited to reflect our style, with attention to light, color, and overall polish. We aim for images that feel warm, clean, and timeless.
What time of day is best for outdoor sessions?
Outdoor sessions are best scheduled when the light is soft and flattering, such as early morning or later in the day near sunset. We prefer to avoid harsh midday light whenever possible so your images look their best.
Can you help us choose a location?
Yes. We’re happy to help recommend locations that fit the feel you want for your session, whether that’s something coastal, natural, relaxed, or clean and classic.
Where do sessions take place?
Sessions are typically held on location in the Wilmington and Leland area, or at a setting that best fits your family, celebration, or vision. If you have a meaningful place in mind, we’re happy to talk through options and make a plan that works beautifully.