20 Charlotte photographers you should know

Whether you’re looking for a portrait session, a wedding photographer or art for your home, here are 20 Charlotte photographers to know.

• Of note: Photographers are listed alphabetically. This is not a ranking.
• Also: This isn’t a comprehensive list of all the local photographers we love. There’s also Myles Gelbach, Rémy Thurston, Houston Ray, Andy McMillan, among many others.

1. Brittany Alvarado

You are probably familiar with Alvarado’s work as Charlotte FC’s video manager, but she is also a freelance photographer and videographer.

Rates: A day rate for shooting video is $750, with an additional $150-$300 for editing. Her photo rate ranges from $250-$300.

Instagram: @bavacado

2. Taylor Banner

You’ve likely seen Banner’s photos around town. Charlotte FC’s senior creative manager and team photographer captured the MLS team’s inaugural season, and she’s also a freelance photographer. She regularly shoots portraits, family photos, graduation photos, proposals and engagements, and weddings.

Rates: Portraits, family and graduation photos range between $150-$300. Weddings can be customized, but her packages range from $2,200 – $3,500.

Instagram: @tay.banner.photos

3. Makayla Binter

Binter is an artist whose mediums include photography. She’s also an Elder Gallery of Contemporary Art artist. 

Price: Her works range in price from $75-$4,000.

Instagram: @makaylabinter_

4. Charmekia Bias

Bias captures baby milestones with newborn photography, maternity and vibrant family portraits. Images can be taken in the studio, outdoors or on location. 

Rates: Prices range for packages but mostly start at $550. Holiday mini sessions start at $250.

Instagram: @charmariephotography

5. Gavin Boulware

Boulware specializes in lifestyle photography including maternity, engagement, graduation and headshots. His work has also been featured in USA Today, CNN and FUSE Magazine. If you’re struggling with ideas for your shoot, he has a blog with suggestions and tips on when to take pictures and what to wear so you’ll be fully prepared. He also created a podcast to assist Black and Brown photographers and videographers. 

Rates: Sessions start at $400. 

Instagram: @iam_gavinb

6. Logan Cyrus 

Cyrus served in the Navy before becoming a photojournalist. You’ve probably seen his work in the New York Times nationally and Charlotte magazine locally. 

Rates: Contact for pricing.

Instagram: Cyrus is not on social media.

7. Travis Dove 

Dove is a freelance photojournalist based in Charlotte. His work has appeared in everything from National Geographic Magazine to GQ to Axios Charlotte.

Rates: Assignment dependent. Prints are $125 for a 16×24. Signed editions are $325.

Instagram: @travisdovephoto

8. Troy Hull

A longtime TV videographer who turned his eye to photography, Hull does it all, from shooting sports for local publications The Charlotte Post, to shooting commencement for schools like Johnson C. Smith University. You can expect anything from an engagement session to shooting photos for local churches. His other clients include Amazon.

• Plus he earned an artist residency at the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art for his photography.

Rates: Contact for pricing.

Instagram: @tcooperpics

9. Heather Ison

Ison has experience taking photos of both people and homes, but focuses on interior photography, including interior design and architecture, plus home building and renovation. 

Rates: Contact Ison via email or Instagram for pricing.

Instagram: @heather_ison

10. Alvin C. Jacobs Jr. 

Jacobs is an image activist. His work has been featured at the Levine Museum of the New South. He was also an artist-in-residence at the Harvey B. Gantt Center.

• He also shoots commercial and corporate events, editorial and headshots.

Rates: Commercial and corporate events are $250 per hour. Contact for editorial and headshot pricing.

Instagram: @acjphoto 

11. Jonathan Keitt

You can choose from a location, natural light and studio photography. Keitt specializes in wedding photography, destination wedding photography, and couples, family, maternity and children photography. 

• Some bookings, like weddings, may need to be scheduled one to two years in advance. 

Rates: Prices vary depending on each service. 

Instagram: @designsbyjk

12. Asa Kryst

Kryst is a former professional soccer player turned videographer and photographer who founded Blue Method Films. His work includes everything from social activism to sports.

Rates: Photography prices start at $500 and videography prices start at $1,500.

Instagram: @asa_kryst

13. Surf Mitchell

You probably know Kevin “Surf” Mitchell’s Couch Surfing series, which spans nearly a decade. It’s a nod to the struggles of artists and is inspired by his roots. Mitchell, a west Charlotte native, is an arts and lifestyle photographer.

Rates: Photography services start at $800. Prints start at $150.

Instagram: @surfmitchell

14. Ariel Perry

Perry documents milestones for people of all ages, but she’s dedicated most of her professional photography to capturing senior portraits. She also specializes in branding photography, and she will travel. 

Rates: High school senior sessions range from $1,200-$3,000 for a custom experience. A branding experience ranges from  $950-$2,000. 

Instagram: @arielperry

15. Jamey Price 

Price, a Charlotte native, specializes in motorsport and automotive photography. His work has been featured in a number of publications, including Sports Illustrated and ESPN. He is also the staff photographer for QC Exclusive.

Rates: Contact for pricing.

Instagram: @jameypricephoto

16. Sir Will 

Will Jenkins, who uses the name SimplisticPhobia Photography, focuses on creative lifestyle portraits. 

• He also co-owns artist collective BLKMRKTCLT at Camp North End, and his work has been featured at the Mint Museum.

Rates: Artwork starts at $300. His photography services start at $500.

Instagram: @sirwilltheartist

17. Alex Souder and Mallory Souder

This couple’s photography themes range from lifestyle to real estate. They started out with urban and landscape photography and now capture everyday moments of couples, weddings and engagements. They also host photography tours in Uptown every few months to take guests to their favorite spots and views around the city. 

Rates: Email for pricing. Skyline prints start at $45.

Instagram: @alexandersouthnc

18. Chanelle Smith-Walker

If you’ve ever looked at the Carolina Panthers website or social, you’ve probably seen Smith-Walker’s work. She’s their team photographer, and she also shoots editorial portraits.

Rates: $200-$350

Instagram: @_nellez

19. Laura Wolff 

You’re probably very familiar with the Charlotte Knights’ team photographer. She’s also a freelancer who shoots weddings, events and portraits.

Rates: $175-$200 for events. $400-$700 for a portrait session. Wedding packages range from $4,000-$6,000. Contact for sports photography pricing.

Instagram: @laurawolffphoto

1 photographer we love to go:

20. Andy Weber

You see his work every week in our newsletter and on our website, so for full disclosure, he does work for Axios, but he’s also a photographer who loves street photography. But his skills extend to editorial and sports photography as well.

Rates: $150 per hour

Instagram: @andyjweber