Black Friday - Cyber Monday Gift Certificate Sale

There are no lines - just a great deal. From now until Monday at 11pm (EST) - you can purchase a $100 gift certificate for only $50. You may purchase as many as you like and use them yourself or give as gifts. Gift certificates good for any session January 1, 2012 - December 1, 2012.

You can purchase your certificate(s) HERE. Click on "session and fees" and add the certificate(s) to your cart. If you are purchasing a gift for someone else, just let me know in a note when you check out. I can send the certificate to you or directly to the recipient.

If you have questions, don't hesitate to e-mail me at dana@danajacksonphotography.com

(the fine print: Certificates are not redeemable for cash - if the link doesn't work go to http://danajacksonphotography.com/proofs).

And of course - I can't have a blog post without a portrait - this is one of my favorite family portraits of the season. I have been photographing the Stinson family for years - and I'm so thankful they keep coming back year after year. I have loved watching their children grow up behind the lens.

Family Fun | Wilmington, NC Family Photographer

There are some sessions that you wonder if you were really meant to do the session. The first time I was scheduled to photograph this family the weather was TERRIBLE and sweet Gabby had an allergic reaction to some weekend farm animals. So, we rescheduled only to find that that day the weather was very iffy - meaning really dark clouds and threat of rain the whole time. I made it to Poplar Grove a few minutes before Karla and her family only to realize that the highly anticipated Poplar Grove Halloween festivities were already set up - OOPS!

Well, we made it work. We played quickly before we lost all of our light and still had lots of fun!






Karla - thank you for continuing to come to me year after year. I love watching Gabby grow up before my lens.

2011 Holiday Mini-sessions Nov. 5-6

It's that time of year again. Folks are starting to make their Christmas lists and portraits are always at the top of the list because they make the perfect gift for parents/grandparents.

With so many families needed updated portraits, there's only so much time available to get them all in, so mini-session have become a necessity for Dana Jackson Photography.

Session times are filling up fast, so don't delay. This is the only weekend available for any portrait sessions available until 2012.

E-mail Dana at dana@danajacksonphotography.com if you have more questions, or call her up at (910) 297-6244.

Hailey & Jenna, Class of '12 | Wilmington Senior Portraits

I really need to get better about blogging sessions, there is a lot I need to catch up on! What a better way to start getting back into blogging by introducing you to my first seniors of 2012. That's right, seniors - TWINS! It's the perfect way to kick off the season. The girls were smart to get them done BEFORE their year actually started, because once it starts it just gets crazy.

We played a little downtown, which always has so many different textures, and then ended the evening at the beach.

Meet Jenna

And Hailey

And of course, you can't do a senior twin session without getting some of them together. The girls are just naturally beautiful and seemed so comfortable in front of the camera. Photographing them was a lot of fun.

Turning 6 | Carolina Beach Child Photographer

There are some sessions that are just meant for certain photographers, and I think this one was surely meant for me. Sweet, Mr. W is 6 - TODAY! He's lucky enough to be on vacation during his birthday, and I was lucky enough to have a spot open to get in a quick session to help him celebrate yesterday. There's something special about turning 6 to me. Maybe it's because I also have a 6 year old (well, 6 and a half according to him) and I realize how much different this is than 5. I wonder if I'll feel the same way when he turns 7 - but for some reason, 6 is a big birthday and I was tickled pink when mom said she wanted a session just for him. He is an amazing kid, and I can see why mom wanted to capture this time in his life. Thank you for allowing me to be part of the birthday celebrations. And HAPPY 6th BIRTHDAY!!!!!

Oh, and I have to add - I LOVE the fact that mom purchases things based on whether they will make a good photo prop!!! A mom after my own heart!

Melinda's Family | Carolina Beach, NC Family Photographer

It's always fun photographing other photographers, and Melinda was no exception! When she told me she was going to be near me, I jumped at the chance to meet her. We've been online friends for a long time, now - but never met in person. She is as sweet as I imagined her being, and her family absolutely wonderful. We met at my favorite beach spot, and I got to meet her whole family. I really love extended family sessions, they are always so full of laughter. Thanks for your patience in getting your blog post up!

Melinda's youngest, Makenna was so sweet the whole session.
And big sister, Jaylyn, well, even though she really didn't want her picture taken much (I mean she's 4 and her mom is an awesome photographer, she has better things to do), she hung in there for me!

And then there was Melinda's nephew, Tyler, oh, he was so sweet! So full of smiles (I LOVE the one of him watching me while dad is throwing him up).

There is nothing, nothing sweeter than children with their grandparents. Nothing.


If you haven't had an adult family portrait taken with your family, it's time you do. You won't regret it, I promise. Look, all grown up!
Cousins - this one stands alone.

When you are a photographer, you have tons and tons of beautiful portraits of your children. What you don't have are portraits of your children with the person they love the most. Melinda - you and your girls make my heart smile!




I have brothers, and while we are close, I don't think it's anything compared to what sisters share. Melinda you have to have one of these big on your walls!
I wish we could have had a whole day to sit and chat and play together. I hope next time you are in the area we can make time to do that!

A morning with Skylar on the beach | Carolina Beach, NC Photographer

My first morning beach session of the season and I couldn't be happier. I don't get to do them often, because, let's face it, the sun rises pretty early around here. Luckily I'm a morning person, and we all know the best time of the day for just turned 1-yr olds - so we were a great match. Skylar is such and easy going, happy baby (plus I just LOVE her name!).

I just love her bonnet!

A little quality time with Meme.
Even though Skylar was just about done at this time, she surprised us by cooperating for a 3 generation portrait (and the dog!).


I seriously could photograph a mom and her child all day long, and these two were no exception. Their bond is obvious!
I love how curious and adventurous 1-yr olds are. It didn't stop Skylar that she isn't quite walking yet. She was everywhere!

Thanks so much Jess, for sending Skylar my way! It was an honor!

2 babes in a field | Southport Children's Photographer

Who would have thought that when Cassie requested a field for the twins 18th month portraits, we would find one in her mom's back yard! I wish you could have seen the grin on my face when I pulled up in the driveway. I knew instantly it was going to be perfect. And to top it off, Ava and Eli did not disappoint. They were smiley, giggly, all over the place, and full of personality. I couldn't have asked for a better session.

First, let's meet Ava....
And now here's Eli - such a flirt!

I love, love books, so loved capturing mom and the babes having a little story time.

And what a treat, to have their great-grandmother and grandma there for the session!!!!! Melt my heart.


And well, it's difficult to get any siblings in the same frame together, so 18 month old twins was exceptionally challenging! Thank goodness mom had high chairs from both sides of the family - a little piece of history - to help corral the kids!
Thanks so much Cassie for the awesome session! I love watching your children grow up! Now to start thinking about where we'll go next time!!!

A Family with love to share | Carolina Beach, NC Family Photographer

I have been friends with Stephanie for a long time. Her youngest, Bates, and my son, Silas have been classmates since they were 3. I have photographed Bates several times with preschool portraits, but I've never photographed her family. So, you could imaging my excitement and honor when she asked for a mini-session of her beautiful family. Typically mini-sessions only happen a couple times a year, but new this year at Dana Jackson Photography, mini-sessions can be scheduled at anytime during the year, as long as the location is in Carolina Beach. There are so many beautiful areas around CB, this makes it an easy option for families wanting updated portraits of their children.

Stephanie has a very special reason to get updated portraits, too. Her family is in the process of adopting a boy from Honduras. They are in the beginning stages of the adoption process, and one of the requirements is a recent photo of mom and dad. Well, like many of us - we have all sorts of pictures of our children, but very few of just adults. Again, I felt even more honored they chose me as their photographer for this occasion. What a reason to CELEBRATE!

Jillian and Bates - Oh, they have this amazing connection! I can only imaging what it's going to be like when they introduce a little brother!
The lighting was beautiful, the weather perfect, and what a beautiful sight to see signs of spring! And of course a beautiful family makes it all the better! I look at this series and I KNOW they have so much love to share!

Getting Stephanie and Johnny together for their shots led to pure silliness! It's a bit awkward being in front of the camera - but they did beautifully! I love the obvious chemistry between them!



Keep watching - in a year or so, I'll have the pleasure of introducing their newest family member!

Meet Lukas | Wilmington, NC Newborn Photographer

I think I could have photographed Lukas all day. He started off wide awake - and then quickly fell into a deep sleep and pretty much stayed that way throughout the entire session. How did I get so lucky?!? Lukas was just 12 days old when I got to meet him - and it couldn't have been more perfect.

Can you tell he is loved? Both of these are probably some of my favorites - ever.

Of course it wouldn't be a newborn session if I didn't break out the bowl and floor! And I could absolutely kiss those baby wrinkles!

Swoon, sigh - aren't they just beautiful. I love my job!
Thank you so much for inviting me to celebrate this time in your life. I look forward to many more sessions watching Lukas grow up!

Sweet Sam | Wilmington, NC Newborn Photographer

Life has been crazy and I haven't been blogging like I used to. So sorry about that - but I promise to get better! I was so excited for Megan when she called to tell me Griffin was going to be a big brother. I photographed Griffin when he was a newborn, too - so it was only fitting that I head out to the house again. I'll tell you, these boys are very much alike - they made me work for it!

You always have to worry a little when photographing a two year old, no matter what kind of session - but a newborn session always presents a bit more of a challenge. I couldn't have been more happy with Griffin's cooperation! He loves being a big brother!

Sam is so lucky to have his grandma make all these wonderful blankets and hats! All of the blankets and hats shown in this sequence were done just for Sam! Oh, I could eat him up!!!!

I love capturing firsts for families. This was the first time that Griffin got to hold his baby brother. They have these huge beanbags, and they act as the perfect support for the two. Griffin did NOT want to give him up - he's a natural, don't you think?

I can't wait to watch these two grow up! Thanks, Megan and Vinny for inviting me back to celebrate these moments in your life. It was truly an honor. Congratulations!!!!

Valentine Mini-Sessions | Wilmington, NC Photographer

Feel the sunshine - feel the LOVE! It's time for Valentine Mini-Sessions. Let me know if you have any questions!

It's a CONTEST! | Wilmington, NC family photographer

It's time to start 2011 with some fun. Plus - my birthday is in January - so I feel like giving!!! I haven't done a contest in almost 2 years so I figured it was time. All the details are below - don't hesitate to ask questions! I can wait to see what you send me! Oh - and this contest is open to EVERYONE: old high school buddies, my friends in the neighborhood, previous clients, fellow photographers, or folks I've never even met before.