Engagement Photographer: Heather Lauffer for Tamara Lackey Photography Location: Chapel Hill Known to many as Miss Sprint Cup and recognized as one of NASCAR's 50 Most Beautiful People, Monica Palumbo is known by those closest to her as "the sweetest girl you will ever meet." I first met Monica about 10 years ago and was struck by her genuine charm and warm demeanor. Even my oldest son (he's 6) is head-over-heels for her, with an autographed picture of her in his room! W

Carolyn and Stephan's engagement session in downtown Durham was a joy to photograph! Stephan can make Carolyn burst into giggles with just a look... Carolyn can make him smile with a word. Watching this adorable couple's love is inspiring. I can't wait to photograph your wedding next month!

Carolyn and Stephan's engagement session in downtown Durham was a joy to photograph! Stephan can make Carolyn burst into giggles with just a look... Carolyn can make him smile with a word. Watching this adorable couple's love is inspiring. I can't wait to photograph your wedding next month!

A huge thanks to Crash Taylor for a very fun interview. Crash is an exceptionally talented England-based photographer who has interviewed some exceptionally intriguing people ... and then, recently, lowered his standards a bit (sweet soul) and interviewed me... You can check out the rest of the interview here. A special thanks to Australian-based Sue Bryce for the new headshot - she also photographed a few other lovely images while we were in Las Vegas, which I'll post next

A huge thanks to Crash Taylor for a very fun interview. Crash is an exceptionally talented England-based photographer who has interviewed some exceptionally intriguing people ... and then, recently, lowered his standards a bit (sweet soul) and interviewed me... You can check out the rest of the interview here. A special thanks to Australian-based Sue Bryce for the new headshot - she also photographed a few other lovely images while we were in Las Vegas, which I'll post nex

A big thank you to Modern Photographers and Don't Box Us In for profiling my work on their site. They are known as a place for the artistic, the unique and the extraordinary in photography. If you get a chance to scroll through and see some of the beautiful work showcased there, it's worth your time :) A few random screen grabs from the profile...

A big thank you to Modern Photographers and Don't Box Us In for profiling my work on their site. They are known as a place for the artistic, the unique and the extraordinary in photography. If you get a chance to scroll through and see some of the beautiful work showcased there, it's worth your time :) A few random screen grabs from the profile...

Kim and Angelo were referred to me by the always-stylish Ivy Robinson. They drove up from Charlotte for our engagement shoot, and we used the streets of Raleigh as our backdrop, doing nearly as much laughing as shooting... For such a tough guy (Angelo plays for the Buffalo Bills), he is so sweet & funny with Kim. These two have been together for years, and you can tell how much they mean to each other not just by how they look at each other but also by how well just th

Kim and Angelo were referred to me by the always-stylish Ivy Robinson. They drove up from Charlotte for our engagement shoot, and we used the streets of Raleigh as our backdrop, doing nearly as much laughing as shooting... For such a tough guy (Angelo plays for the Buffalo Bills), he is so sweet & funny with Kim. These two have been together for years, and you can tell how much they mean to each other not just by how they look at each other but also by how well just th

Carrie & Jay live in New York but are getting married in North Carolina - more NY to NC! We were able to meet up during one of their recent visits for a sunny, gorgeously-lit morning in the park. Besides being ridiculously adorable together, they share a strong affection and respect for each other, while also sharing a darn good sense of humor :) But, more importantly than any of that: Is it just me or does Jay look A LOT like Wesley from The Princess Bride??? My ver

Carrie & Jay live in New York but are getting married in North Carolina - more NY to NC! We were able to meet up during one of their recent visits for a sunny, gorgeously-lit morning in the park. Besides being ridiculously adorable together, they share a strong affection and respect for each other, while also sharing a darn good sense of humor :) But, more importantly than any of that: Is it just me or does Jay look A LOT like Wesley from The Princess Bride??? My ver

As part of the wonderful Life As An Artform workshop this week, Jesh and I took turns photographing two sets of models to showcase to our awesome group how two photographers can work with the same people, similar equipment and yet be true to their own selves. First up was Tony & Anna, who also happened to be wedding photographers and also happened to be gorgeously in love with each other after 3 years of marriage... And since this was a workshop designed to show how you

As part of the wonderful Life As An Artform workshop this week, Jesh and I took turns photographing two sets of models to showcase to our awesome group how two photographers can work with the same people, similar equipment and yet be true to their own selves. First up was Tony & Anna, who also happened to be wedding photographers and also happened to be gorgeously in love with each other after 3 years of marriage... And since this was a workshop designed to show how you

I was initially planning to meet Christi-Ann and Robert in Greenville, South Carolina for their engagement shoot. They wanted to use the fabulous open park downtown as a backdrop to best showcase their relationship. We ended up having to postpone due to weather, and they decided to travel up to the Triangle instead. We started our shoot early, and I'm so glad that we did. We practically had the entire park to ourselves, which made for easy impromptu clothing changes out &

I was initially planning to meet Christi-Ann and Robert in Greenville, South Carolina for their engagement shoot. They wanted to use the fabulous open park downtown as a backdrop to best showcase their relationship. We ended up having to postpone due to weather, and they decided to travel up to the Triangle instead. We started our shoot early, and I'm so glad that we did. We practically had the entire park to ourselves, which made for easy impromptu clothing changes out &

When I photographed Sarah & Paul Casey's wedding in Hawaii last year, I had a blast spending four days with not only them but also with their amazing friends and family. By the time I photographed their Chapel Hill wedding celebration weeks later, it was like greeting old friends. And Sarah & Paul have become dear friends since then. My husband and I are sincerely happy to have them in our life :) So when I learned that Susan, Paul's sister, got engaged, it was bi

When I photographed Sarah & Paul Casey's wedding in Hawaii last year, I had a blast spending four days with not only them but also with their amazing friends and family. By the time I photographed their Chapel Hill wedding celebration weeks later, it was like greeting old friends. And Sarah & Paul have become dear friends since then. My husband and I are sincerely happy to have them in our life :) So when I learned that Susan, Paul's sister, got engaged, it was bi

I met Tara when I was adopting our son, Caleb. She was working at the adoption agency at the time, and I always thought she was so friendly and bright and, even more important, helpful...so when she called our studio to book a session with her and her husband, Greg, I immediately started looking forward to the shoot. Tara and Greg have been together since high school, and because he works with pretty significant security detail, he is often gone for long stretches of time.

I met Tara when I was adopting our son, Caleb. She was working at the adoption agency at the time, and I always thought she was so friendly and bright and, even more important, helpful...so when she called our studio to book a session with her and her husband, Greg, I immediately started looking forward to the shoot. Tara and Greg have been together since high school, and because he works with pretty significant security detail, he is often gone for long stretches of time.