Hi friends, I’m Caroline!

Mom of four and constant chaos tamer. Also a Raleigh Family Photographer.

I’m actually based in Hillsborough, NC, but Google says no one searches that, so I’m claiming Raleigh. Which actually makes sense since I was born in Durham, lived in Raleigh for 3 years, moved to Wake Forest where I grew up, then went to Chapel Hill for college (go Heels!). My husband and I moved to Cary when I was working in Durham and he was getting a grad degree at NC State & then another one at Duke.

So I’ve been in and around Raleigh my whole life – hence being a Raleigh family photographer.

Why photography?

My oldest daughter was born in early 2014 and we made the huge decision that I was going to quit my marketing research job to stay at home with her full time, which had been my dream for as long as I can remember.

I had always loved photography and had even done some “professional” sessions for clients (aka extremely trusting friends) when I was still traveling the globe with my corporate job. Staying home full time allowed me the opportunity to really jump into Caroline Merrill Photography – my 2nd dream job.

It’s been 12 years since she was born and in that time we welcomed twins in late 2015 and everyone’s favorite baby sister in the summer of 2018. We also moved from Cary to Hillsborough, NC 9 days after our youngest was born. Super chill time of life – highly (do not) recommend.

Balancing mom life & my own business

I don’t need to tell you what happened in early 2020, but that led to a few bonus years of kids at home! I ended up homeschooling our oldest instead of sending her to virtual 1st grade with 3 little sibs at home, and we all fell in love with the flexibility, ability to travel, and time as a family.

We continued homeschooling until the fall of 2023 when all 4 started public school in Kindergarten, 2nd grade & 4th grade.

I’ve had and continue to have alllll of the emotions about this huge transition, but I’ve also discovered how lovely it is to actually have time to work on my business not in the margins of naptime, quiet time or after bedtime.

It’s been such a gift and has allowed me to get to this spot of launching a brand new website and really trying to grow this business that I have loved as a 5th child for so long.

Raleigh Family Photographer

As a Raleigh family photographer, I specialize in lifestyle family & newborn photography. That means I’d love to work with you for any type of family session from maternity to hospital / fresh48 to newborn to milestones to seniors and everywhere in between. I love capturing motherhood (& parenthood / family life in general, but I have a strong pull toward motherhood) in all of it’s forms.

As I said above, I use Raleigh as my big city base, but I don’t mind a drive. I love shooting in Hillsborough, Chapel Hill, Durham, Mebane, Cary, Wake Forest, and anywhere within an hour of my house.

At home sessions are currently my favorite – you can learn why here. I’ll gladly come to your home for any of these types of sessions, but I’ll also shoot outside forever and ever. I love chasing good light, so if you prefer an outdoor session, let’s do it!

We also often travel to the NC coast or mountains (or even further) and would love to photograph your family in your favorite vacation spot, too! Clearly some of my favorite pictures of my own kids are at the coast.

Thank you for being here!

There are not enough ways to say thank you to those of you who have supported me and my dream of Caroline Merrill Photography all these years. The trust, honor and privilege you gave me when I didn’t even have a legit website or enough time for good client management will never be forgotten.

I believe in myself and in what I can create with your families because of your continued choice to work with me, your kindness in welcoming me into your family, and your tears over your final images.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I can’t wait to see you and your beautiful families again this year!

Join my mailing list and follow me on Instagram for more updates, funny kid stories & motherhood solidarity. If you’re looking for a Raleigh family photographer, reach out & I’d love to work together!