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 Newborn Photographer | What to Expect for In Home Sessions

If you've never done a newborn session before, you probably have questions. A lot of them.

Do we need to clean the whole house? No. What if the baby won't stop crying? That's okay. Should I have lost the baby weight by now? Please don't spend one second thinking about that.

I've photographed dozens of families in those tender first weeks — in Durham homes, in little apartments, in living rooms full of casserole dishes from neighbors and laundry that never quite got put away. And every single time, something beautiful happened anyway.

Here's exactly what to expect when you book an in-home newborn session with me.

Mother holds a newborn while sitting on a bed with another child during an in home photo session in Durham, NC

Why In-Home Newborn Photography

I photograph newborn sessions in your home on purpose — not as a workaround, but as the whole point.

Those first weeks are soft and slow and completely unlike anything else. Your baby smells like your house. The light comes through your specific windows in your specific way. The dog is there. The pile of burp cloths is there. That detail — the realness of it — is what makes these photos worth keeping.

A studio session can give you beautiful posed images. What I'm after is something different: the weight of your baby in your arms, the way your partner looks at you both, the ordinary magic of a Tuesday morning that you will never fully remember and will always want to.

Mother and father look down on their sleeping newborn during an in home photoshoot in Durham, NC

That's what we're capturing.

Mother lovingly holds her newborn during an at home newborn photo session in Durham, NC

When to Book Your Durham Newborn Session

The sweet spot for lifestyle newborn photography is the first two to three weeks of life. Babies are sleepier, more curled, more themselves in that quiet newborn way.

That said — if your baby is six weeks old and you haven't booked yet, please reach out anyway. I've photographed newborns at eight weeks who were wide-eyed and alert and completely beautiful. Every stage is worth documenting. There is no window you've missed.

I recommend reaching out during your second trimester to hold your spot. Newborn sessions book quickly, especially in spring and fall.

Sister looks down at newborn baby during an in home photoshoot in Durham NC

What the Day of Your Session Actually Looks Like

We go slow. That's the whole plan.

I'll arrive at your home and spend the first few minutes just getting settled — meeting the baby, getting a feel for the light, letting everyone relax. There is no agenda and no clock to watch. If the baby needs to nurse, we pause. If your toddler needs a snack, we pause. If you need a moment to sit down and breathe, we pause.

Most in-home newborn sessions run about two hours. Sometimes a little less, sometimes a little more. We follow the baby's lead.

What we'll photograph:

Family sits in a child's bedroom with string lights during an in home photoshoot in Durham NC

Your baby on their own — tiny details, perfect hands, that unbelievable face
The two of you together with your baby, and individually with your baby
Siblings meeting the baby, if you have older kids — these are some of my favorite frames I've ever made
Real moments: nursing or feeding, the way someone holds your baby while you sleep for ten minutes, the dog investigating from a respectful distance

I'll help you move through it all gently. You don't need to pose or perform anything.

About Your Home

Here's what I tell every family: don't deep clean.

Seriously. I'm a light-seeker, not a white-glove inspector. What I need from your home is open blinds and the artificial lights turned off. That's it. Natural window light is what makes these images beautiful, and I know how to find it in any space.

I might ask you to move a lamp or clear the kitchen counter for one frame. But I'm not coming to judge your laundry pile. I have one too.

If you're self-conscious about your space, know this: I've photographed families in tiny apartments, in homes mid-renovation, in rooms that hadn't been touched since the baby came home. The images were stunning. Because what I'm photographing isn't your house — it's your family inside it.

Family of four smiles together on a couch during an in home newborn session in Durham NC

What to Wear

Comfort is the only rule.

Soft, simple clothing photographs beautifully — linen, cotton, knit. Neutral tones let your baby be the main event. Think cream, white, soft grey, blush, sage. Avoid large patterns and busy prints.

For the baby: a simple swaddle, an unsnapped onesie, or nothing at all — just a diaper and a blanket — all work beautifully. You don't need a special outfit. The baby is the outfit.

And please, wear something you actually feel okay in right now. Not the jeans you're hoping to fit into, not something stiff and formal. These images will show you exactly as you were in this season — and that's the whole gift.

Common Things People Worry About (That You Really Don't Need to Worry About)

"The baby cries the whole time." Crying babies are part of it. A baby being comforted by their parent is one of the most beautiful things I photograph. We work with whatever the baby gives us.

"Our other kids won't cooperate." Sibling chaos is welcome. Some of the most treasured frames I've made have been a toddler climbing onto the bed to see the baby, or an older kid making a face. Real is the goal.

"I'm not ready to be photographed." You are exactly where you're supposed to be right now. I promise you — the parents who almost didn't book because they weren't feeling their best are the ones who cry the hardest when they see their gallery. You deserve to be in these photos. Your children will be so glad you were.

"My house isn't nice enough." It's nice enough. See above.

Mother smiles at her newborn baby while on a bed during a newborn photoshoot in Durham NC

After Your Session

Your gallery will be delivered within three to four weeks of our session. You'll receive 50–75 images that tell the quiet story of those first days — images you can print, frame, and hold onto for the rest of your life.

Print artwork and heirloom albums are available to add on. I'll help you design something beautiful for your home.

Mother smiles with a newborn and an older sibling during an at home photoshoot in Durham NC

Ready to Book Your Durham Newborn Session?

These first weeks pass faster than you can believe. I'd be honored to be there for them.

Request Your Session

See More Newborn Photography

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