Business Details
Charleston Family Portrait Photography Experts
Captured by Kate Photography has been preserving authentic family moments in Charleston, SC for over two decades. Our team specializes in candid lifestyle sessions that reflect your family's unique story, offering both outdoor portraits on local beaches and in-home sessions that capture everyday joy. With expertise in lighting and composition, we guide clients through personalized experiences tailored to their needs, whether celebrating milestones or creating annual traditions.Our photographers bring professional skill and local knowledge to every session, ensuring timeless images that highlight genuine connections. We prioritize client collaboration through pre-session consultations and maintain a commitment to quality through continuous education and technical excellence.
Services
Family Portraits
Lifestyle Photography
In-Home Sessions
Graduation Portraits
Commercial Photography
Highlights and features
- We offer 20+ years of Charleston-based photography expertise
- Our team includes certified associate photographers with specialized training
- We provide personalized pre-session consultations for optimal results
- We specialize in both beach portraits and relaxed in-home sessions
- Our photographers have deep local knowledge of Charleston's best backdrops
What people say
Beautiful family memories
Professional expertise
Natural compositions
Beautiful Charleston settings
Excellent with children
Services
Family Portraits
Outdoor and in-home family photography capturing authentic moments. Sessions focus on natural interactions and milestone celebrations, with expert guidance for flattering compositions. Available for multi-generational groups and pet-inclusive portraits.
Lifestyle Photography
Documentary-style photography capturing daily family life. Specializes in candid moments during home activities or beach outings. Emphasizes emotional connections and natural environments over posed shots.
In-Home Sessions
Photography sessions conducted in clients' residences for relaxed family portraits. Ideal for showcasing personal spaces and capturing everyday moments. Scheduling optimized for natural daylight in interior settings.
Graduation Portraits
Custom senior photography sessions highlighting individual personalities. Options for location shoots at local landmarks or traditional portraits with personal elements like vehicles or pets.
Commercial Photography
Professional branding and editorial photography services for businesses. Includes corporate headshots, annual reports, and magazine cover photography. Leverages 20+ years of commercial experience for polished results.
People
Kate Thornton
Founder & Lead Photographer
Professional photographer with 20+ years experience. Specializes in candid family portraits and commercial photography. Graduated from College of Charleston in 2000 with photojournalism background.
Larry
Associate Photographer
Charleston native with 6 years experience. Photography degree from Trident Technical College. Handles second-shoots, office operations, and videography projects.
Amy
Photographer
Knoxville native based in Charleston since 2011. Education background with MA in Education. Specializes in children and family photography. Commercial Graphics degree from Trident Technical College.
Questions
What locations do you recommend for family portraits?
We suggest Charleston beaches for golden hour lighting or in-home sessions for personal settings. Popular locations include Kiawah Island, Isle of Palms, and Folly Beach.
How long are typical photography sessions?
Family sessions typically last 1-2 hours depending on group size and location. In-home sessions usually require 2 hours to capture multiple settings within your residence.
Do you photograph extended family groups?
Yes, we specialize in multi-generational portraits. Our team handles groups of all sizes from immediate families to large reunions with extended relatives.
What should we wear for family portraits?
We provide style guidance during pre-session consultations. Recommend coordinating colors rather than matching outfits to create natural, timeless compositions.
How far in advance should we book?
We recommend booking 2-3 months ahead for popular seasons. Beach sessions during golden hour require early scheduling due to limited daily availability.
