Marcus HillI used to think I could pull off great photos just by using my phone and a good selfie angle. But after one too many blurry birthday pics and awkward family group shots, I realized I was seriously missing the mark.
A friend of mine recommended finding a pro, and yep, what a difference it made—suddenly, everyone looked their best. So, if you’re tired of photos where someone always has their eyes closed or the lighting looks like a bad filter, I totally get it.
That’s why we’ve listed here the top photographers in Charlotte! Whether you need stunning portraits, event coverage, or just some Insta-worthy shots, you have to check out our recommendations!
How much do photographers charge in Charlotte?
In Charlotte, you can expect to pay between $150 and $350 for a standard portrait session, depending on whether it’s outdoors or in a studio. For wedding photography, rates typically range from $2,500 to $7,000 for experienced professionals.
This usually covers a full day of shooting and may include extras like engagement sessions or special edits.
1. Designs By JK Photography L.L.C.
Address: 4109 Stuart Andrew Blvd.
Phone: +1 704 451 3878
Business Hours: Monday to Sunday – 8 AM to 7 PM
Design by JK Photography really surprised us with how much they offer and the polish they bring to the table. They handle everything from maternity sessions and family shoots to birthdays, proms, weddings, and even business portraits.
After talking with several past clients, what stood out most was the lightning-fast turnaround. People raved about getting both their edited and unedited photos way before the quoted deadline.
Meanwhile, their creative flair comes through in the variety of portfolio shots. In fact, we enjoyed browsing through their works!
They mix fun, unique concepts (like cake smash sessions for kids’ birthdays) with more cinematic, emotional portraits. They even offer a really cool cinematic animation add-on for those wanting something a little extra for their event.
Furthermore, we were glad that they’re up for traveling pretty much anywhere, which makes them really flexible. However, we noticed that calls and messages sometimes weren’t answered immediately, so last-minute planners might want to keep that in mind.
Fast turnaround of photos
“This has by far been the best photoshoot I have ever had. I booked a last minute shoot on 2/15 for 2/18. JK was professional from start to finish. I received my unedited gallery the next afternoon and then my selected edits the same day I sent them back to him which was within his guidelines. I do not plan on ever using another photographer for portraits as it’s hard to come across great professionals that just do right by their clients. JK is just that and you won’t be disappointed. The unedited photos looked so good it was hard to select my 6 to get edited. He’s worth his price. Keep up the great work!”
NameSharnth Mor, Google Review
Easy to work with
“To say I love my photos is an understatement. I am very familiar with Jonathan’s work, he took my son’s senior and cap and gown photos and I was overly pleased with both. Having the chance to work with him was like working with family. He was super professional but made you feel at ease. He’s a master at his craft. If you have the opportunity to work with him you will not be disappointed. Jonathan I sincerely thank you for creating portraits I will cherish for years to come and capturing a side of me I never knew existed. Thank you for making this process enjoyable and such a breeze. It was an honor to have worked with you and I look forward to working with you soon.”
Tylisa Crawford, Google Review
2. Moving Mountains Studios
Address: 1111 Central Ave., STE 200
Phone: +1 704 745 2515
Business Hours: Monday to Friday – 10 AM to 6 PM
Moving Mountains Studios is one of those places where we can tell right away they’re not just cranking out generic photos. We saw how they make each session feel intentional, whether it’s weddings, family portraits, or corporate shoots.
The wedding side is especially impressive; they’re not only seasoned at shooting big traditional events, but they’re also equally prepared to handle intimate elopements and micro celebrations.
What gets people talking is their extra services, like the photobooth that’s super popular at receptions and their wedding filmmaking. So, if you’re looking to capture videos and stills, they pack it all in as a bundle, making things simpler.
Moreover, when we spoke to previous clients, almost everyone said they felt seen and that the team took care to get to know them, so the photos always reflect the real relationships!
With that being said, some people felt nudged to write a review or were pitched on extra service during their appointments. This is definitely something to keep in mind.
Excellent shots
“I have no words to describe how amazing this team is! Their creativity is truly out of this world. Moving Mountains photographed our engagement party, bridal portraits and the wedding day—which all turned out beautifully. I especially want to highlight Christian—he was absolutely fantastic! He completely blew me away during my bridals and then again on the wedding day. He is so kind and patient, super easy to work with, and literally got every single shot I wanted. Christian and the MM team will be photographing every event in my life moving forward!”
Ariel Gardner, Google Review
Clear and upfront
“We did an engagement photo shoot in Moving Mountains’ studio location in Charlotte, NC. We “won” the opportunity through a social media drawing and it was a wonderful experience! Everyone is very encouraging and professional. I really loved that they have a room with a large projector to go through all of your pictures! They do an amazing job explaining wedding packages as well. Very transparent pricing with an incredible portfolio!”
Logan Fowler, Google Review
3. Charlotte Vibe Photography
Address: 4109 Stuart Andrew Blvd., F
Phone: +1 704 644 3853
Business Hours: Monday to Saturday – 9 AM to 5 PM
Charlotte Vibe Photography kind of has that boardroom-meets-creative-studio thing locked in. The overall vibe at their studio is super straightforward—walk in, and everything’s set up for clean, flattering headshots.
Their whole operation is tightly focused on corporate work. Honestly, that’s a plus because the staff knows exactly what makes a professional image actually feel inviting and approachable.
We can’t help but notice that the photographer seems to have a sixth sense for knowing when someone’s feeling awkward. They help relax them into a natural, confident look!
We’ve also heard from a bunch of people who finally felt good updating their company profile pics, and that’s saying something. Renting out their studio is another cool detail.
Some local startups and creative teams actually use the space to shoot their own branded content! The only thing is, skip this place if weddings or birthdays are on the agenda.
It’s strictly business here, which has its pros and cons, depending on what’s needed.
Easy to work with
“Thoroughly enjoyed the rental of studio space to film a recent video project. Chris was so easy to work with and allowed me to make myself at home while I worked. Would definitely recommend and do it again!”
Mark DeJesus, Google Review
Exceptional service
“I wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude for the excellent work that Chris has done for our firm. His photography skills are top-notch, and we rely on him to take headshots of our newly onboarded employees on a regular basis. The best part is that we are typically able to book him for the following day. His service is exceptional, and the pictures have consistently met our expectations.”
Bailey Hart, Google Review
4. LaLa Photography NC
Address: 4205 Stuart Andrew Blvd., Ste G
Phone: +1 980 428 9939
Business Hours: Monday, Thursday to Sunday – 10 AM to 6 PM
After hanging out at LaLa Photography, we noticed how their welcoming studio instantly puts families at ease. This doesn’t surprise us, since they’re known for handling young kids who usually only have ten minutes of patience.
Their “Giggle Engineers” seem to have some secret sauce for getting natural smiles without anyone forcing it. Parents, especially the ones we chatted with, rave about how every visit turns out stress-free—even those newborn and cake-smash shoots that usually spell chaos.
LaLa’s setup is a total win for people who want options; there are hundreds of backdrops and themed sets, with the team swapping out fresh monthly specials and mini sessions all the time!
The only thing we keep hearing is the frustration over coupons—they promote deals, but using those codes doesn’t always work out. This leaves some folks wishing for a little more consistency.
Otherwise, the photos and the whole experience get a big thumbs up from nearly everyone who steps in.
Welcoming studio
“We’ve had photo shoots done with Lala Photography for my family, including my mom and sister, and every experience has been wonderful. The studio looks really nice and welcoming, and Morgan is always so patient with kids and makes the whole process easy. She shows you how to pose, gives great direction, and makes sure everyone looks their best. The edits are always beautiful and we’re so happy with how the photos come out every time. Morgan is incredibly talented and great to work with. We highly recommend Lala Photography -Minerva R.”
Minnie Ruvalcaba, Google Review
Beautiful and clean studio
“So incredibly happy with how this photoshoot went! They have a beautiful clean studio and a very professional staff. The pictures turned out better than we expected. We will definitely be back for every holiday and milestone in the future💕”
Merideth Hinchliffe, Google Review
5. Portrait Creations Photography
Address: 1930 Abbott St #404
Phone: +1 704 540 9915
Business Hours: By appointment only
Portrait Creations Photography is easily a go-to for those wanting something more than those generic portraits. What stands out is their versatility—family shots, senior sessions, professional business headshots, or fun pet portraits are all available here.
When we talked to their previous clients, something that kept coming up was the tailored experience. The photographer actually reaches out beforehand to talk through ideas and preferences, so every session feels custom and relaxed.
Since they’re “by appointment only,” you get unrushed, full attention—which is great, though it’s a little inconvenient if you’re hoping for a last-minute or walk-in session. On the plus side, their online gallery system makes tracking and viewing your photos quick and easy!
A nice little bonus: their reloadable gift cards. Turn outs, if you give one, it covers the session’s fee for whoever gets it—a great idea if you want to gift someone a fun experience!
Excellent experience with the team
“David has such a love for his craft and makes you feel at ease during the entire process-he has done several sets of professional head shots for me and always does an exception job! I highly recommend their team to anyone in need of professional head shots or family pictures.”
Alex Determan, Google Review
Nice print quality
“Recently hired Portrait Creations to do headshots for my sales team, and WOW! Could not be more excited with how they turned out. We did the 3-photo package, and now have several quality photos to use on all our print and promo materials.
Highly recommend to anyone wanting quality photography done right the first time.”
Dylan Rhodes, Google Review
