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.

Duke Park Motherhood Session & First Birthday Celebration | Durham NC Family Photograph

Duke Park in Durham, North Carolina is one of my favorite locations for family photography—and this fall motherhood session is exactly why. With golden fall foliage, wide-open fields, and the sweetest playground tucked among the trees, Duke Park has a way of making every session feel like it was made for that family.

A First Year Journey Complete

This session was extra special because it marked the final chapter of a First Year Package—three milestone sessions across baby's first year, ending with a beautifully designed custom album. We photographed this sweet boy at three months, six months, and nine months, and then came back to Duke Park in fall to celebrate his very first birthday with a motherhood session.

There's something that gets me every single time: watching a tiny newborn grow into a curious, laughing, walking one-year-old. Being therethrough that whole journey—and being the one to capture it—is something I never take for granted.

Why Duke Park is Perfect for Durham Family Photography

If you're looking for a fall photography location in Durham, Duke Park should be at the top of your list. Here's why I keep coming back:

The fall color is genuinely stunning. The trees turn deep oranges, reds, and golden yellows, and the afternoon light filtering through the canopy is—there's just no other word for it—magical.

There's real variety in one location. Open grassy fields give toddlers room to run freely. Shaded spots under the mature trees provide softer, more even light for portraits. The stone steps and winding paths add beautiful depth and texture. And the playground? A gift.

Duke Park is genuinely toddler-friendly. When a one-year-old has a swing to explore, you get real smiles and real joy—not a kid who's done cooperating after five minutes. First birthday sessions come alive here.

Mom crouches with arms wide open as baby boy walks toward her in fall leaves at Duke Park during Durham NC first birthday photography session

Mom laughs while holding her one - year - old baby boy in an open field at Duke Park during Durham NC motherhood photography session

Mom laughs holding her one - year - old baby boy at Duke Park with fall foliage and the stone steps in the background in Durham NC

The Magic of Motherhood Sessions

Motherhood sessions aren't about posed perfection. They're about the real stuff—the way she holds him just so, the laugh that comes outof nowhere when he does something silly, the quiet cheek kiss when he's not looking.

During this Duke Park session, we had all of it. Baby boy toddling through fall leaves. Mom lifting him high over her head while he laughed atthe sky. The two of them on the swings together. Their white fluffy dog photobombing half the shots (honestly, the best part of the whole afternoon).

These are the images that live on your wall for years. The ones you actually stop and look at.

What's Included in a First Year Package

If you're expecting or have a newborn in the Durham, Chapel Hill, or Raleigh area, a First Year Package is one of the most meaningful investments you can make right now. Here's what's included:

•Three milestone sessions—capturing your baby's growth at key moments throughout the first year

•Consistent storytelling with the same photographer from newborn through first birthday, so you're never starting from scratch

•Custom album design that brings all three sessions together in one beautiful, lasting keepsake

•A real relationship—by the time the first birthday session arrives, your baby knows me, and it shows in every frame

Book Your Duke Park Session in Durham, NC

I work with families across the Triangle—Durham, Chapel Hill, Raleigh, Hillsborough, Carrboro, and beyond—and Duke Park is always one of my first recommendations for fall sessions. Whether you're dreaming of newborn photos, milestone sessions, a first birthday celebration, or a motherhood portrait session, I'd love to work with you.

The first year goes by so fast. Let's document it beautifully.

Ready to book? Contact me to learn more about First Year Packages and fall motherhood sessions at Duke Park and other Durham locations.

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