How long does a family photography session take?

Most lifestyle family photography sessions run between 60 and 90 minutes. Family film sessions are a little longer — typically 2 to 3 hours — so we have time to capture genuine moments rather than rushed ones. We never watch the clock. Every family moves at their own pace, and we follow your lead.

Do you photograph both photos and video, or do I have to choose?

You don't have to choose. Our family sessions include both still photography and cinematic family film. We believe photos and video together tell the whole story — one gives you a moment to hang on your wall, the other gives you the sound of your kids' laughter and the way they move. Most families tell us the film becomes their most treasured thing.

How much does a family photographer in Durham cost?

Most families invest between $850-$1,400, which includes your session and the print artwork created from it. Family Film sessions are four payments of $900. Legacy Films begin at $2,800. The Time Capsule Membership is $245 per month. Visit our Packages page for full details, or reach out and we'll help you find the right fit for your family and budget.

Where do you do sessions in Durham, NC?

We photograph sessions all over the Durham area — at Duke Gardens, Eno River, Duke Forest, and in clients' own homes. We also serve Chapel Hill, Raleigh, Cary, and the greater Triangle. Some of our favorite sessions happen right in your living room. If you have a favorite spot, we'd love to hear about it.

How long until we receive our photos and film?

Gallery delivery is typically within 3-4 weeks of your session. Family films take a little longer due to editing — usually 6-8 weeks. We put real time and care into every delivery, and we'll keep you updated along the way.

Do you photograph newborns in Durham?

Yes — natural newborn photography is one of our specialties. We take a gentle, documentary-style approach to newborn sessions, photographing in your home during those tender first weeks. No props, no posing — just your family in the quiet sweetness of this new chapter.

Do you travel outside of Durham for sessions?

Absolutely. We regularly photograph families throughout the Triangle — Durham, Chapel Hill, Raleigh, Cary — and we're happy to travel further for the right project. Legacy Films and destination family sessions are something we especially love. Reach out and let's talk.

What makes Fifty Two Hundred Photography different from other family photographers?

Our name comes from unit 5200 at Duke University Hospital — the bone marrow transplant unit where our son's life was saved. That experience changed everything about how we see families and why we photograph them. We're not here to make perfect pictures. We're here to help you remember what it actually felt like to live these days. We've been voted Best of Durham four years running (2023-2026) and are featured photographers with Adobe Creative Cloud.

What are the best times of year to book a Durham family photography session?

Spring (April-May) and fall (October-November) are our most popular seasons for the light and color. That said, summer sessions at the Eno River at golden hour are stunning, and winter home sessions have a warmth all their own. We book out quickly in peak seasons, so reach out early.

How do I book a family session in Durham, NC?

The easiest way is to fill out our contact form — just click 'Request Your Session' anywhere on the site. Tell us a little about your family, what you're hoping to capture, and your general availability. We'll be in touch quickly to find a date that works and walk you through everything.

Durham Commercial Photographer | AFR Furniture Rental Move-In

A finished room tells one story. Watching it come together tells another.

I recently photographed AFR Furniture Rental as their team moved in and set up a home for Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje, a Duke basketball player. Rather than arriving only for the finished interiors, I documented the process from the first stages of the move-in through the completed space. It was a chance to show the care and coordination behind a result that can look effortless once everything is in place.

AFR Furniture Rental team moving furniture into a Durham home during a commercial photography session

Showing the work behind the finished home

For a furniture rental company, the final photographs matter. They show how the pieces live together in a room and help a prospective client imagine what is possible in their own space. But the behind-the-scenes photographs tell prospective clients something else: what the team actually does to make that transformation happen.

As AFR Furniture Rental brought the home together for Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje, I photographed the progression of the installation: the work in motion, the details taking shape, and the shift from an empty space toward a furnished home. The story is as much about the people and process as it is about the furniture.

Behind-the-scenes photograph of AFR Furniture Rental arranging a living space in Durham, NC

Why photograph a project from start to finish?

Commercial photography can do more than show a polished final result. A complete project story gives a brand a useful range of images for its website, social media, presentations, and future marketing. In this case, the sequence helps viewers understand the scope of AFR’s service, from moving furniture into a space to creating a cohesive home.

Those in-between moments often make the strongest brand images. They show scale, collaboration, and the decisions that turn individual pieces into a space that feels ready to live in.

Finished furnished interior photographed for AFR Furniture Rental by Durham commercial photographer Fifty Two Hundred

A Durham project with a Duke basketball connection

The home was being set up for Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje, who is on the Duke men’s basketball roster. That connection makes this a particularly memorable Durham project, but the visual story remains AFR Furniture Rental’s: the team, the installation, and the finished environment they created.

For businesses working with clients in Durham and across the Triangle, documenting a real project like this can help people understand both the end product and the experience of working with your team. It gives your audience something more specific and credible than a generic image of a beautiful room.

Duke basketball player in home done by AFR Furniture Rental in a Durham home

Commercial photography for businesses in Durham, NC

I’m Katrina, a Durham commercial photographer with Fifty Two Hundred Photo + Film. We create brand imagery that shows what businesses make, how their teams work, and what clients experience along the way. That might mean photographing a furniture installation from start to finish, a team at work, or the details of a finished space.

If your business has a process worth showing, I’d love to help you tell that story. Explore our commercial photography in Durham, Raleigh, and the Triangle and tell us about your next project.

Interested in working together? Let's chat!

Hello there and thank you for stopping by! I’m Katrina, the heartbeat behind Fifty Two Hundred Photo + Film, in Durham, North Carolina. I specialize in capturing meaningful and precious memories for remarkable families in North Carolina. I hope you enjoyed this story I shared today and if you are interested in learning more about The Time Capsule membership, or let’s connect. Not quite ready to connect, but you would like to follow along the journey? Follow me on Instagram and let’s be friends!

Katrina is a family photographer and family filmmaker based in Durham, North Carolina. She offers lifestyle newborn photography, family sessions, and storytelling family films that focus on honest, heartfelt, and authentic moments. Her clients love receiving both their digital files and beautiful artwork to display in their homes. Katrina also creates custom heirloom albums so you can revisit your favorite memories for years to come.

Katrina has previously partnered with Adobe to share her expertise in capturing magical light and the true essence of each family—an experience that continues to shape her approach and craft.

Want an easy way to make something beautiful out of all your phone photos and videos? Learn more about the Time Capsule Membership here.

Katrina serves Durham, Raleigh, Cary, Carrboro, Apex, and Chapel Hill, North Carolina