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Beautiful couple, Spanish moss, a painted sunset, and a dog in a tux…it doesn’t get much better than this. Olivia and Hudson’s wedding day was so authentic to them – traditional and classic but still relaxed and personal. This was my first time shooting at Amelia Grove and I have to say, it is a […]

Traditional Spring Wedding at Amelia Grove in New Bern, NC | Olivia and Hudson

Weddings

May 2, 2024

This wedding is extra special to me. Being able to serve not only past clients but also my personal friends is a highlight of my career. I met Brittany when she was a freshman in college and I was a junior. She became a little sister to me, hanging out in my apartment, making me […]

Uptown Charlotte Wedding at Kimpton Tryon Hotel and Belk Chapel | Brittany and Joesph

Weddings

April 17, 2024

While I am all for the clean neutrals of a classic wedding but I am SO excited that COLOR is making it’s appearance in weddings again! After meeting Jeri Lynn and William, I would expect nothing less than over the top and full extravagance in the absolute best way. Jeri Lynn’s style paired with the […]

Colorful Spring Wedding at The Cornealius Properties in Goldsboro, NC | Jeri Lynn and William

Weddings

April 12, 2024

I don’t know if I’ve ever laughed as much during an engagement session as I did with Morgan and Grant. Morgan brought her mom along as a surprise guest and she was a HOOT! The four of us were giggling the whole time walking through the gardens. Morgan is a North Carolina girl, growing up […]

Airlie Gardens Engagement Photos | Morgan and Grant

Engagements

March 26, 2024

Ashlyn and Matthew have have known of each over basically their entire lives, going to the same high school and only living 7 minutes down the road from each other. They randomly connected over social media and have been inseparable ever since! Matt made Ashlyn’s proposal dreams come true by taking her to the Biltmore […]

Engagement Photos in Downtown Wilmington, NC | Ashlyn and Matt

Engagements

March 18, 2024

Another classic annual blog post – the behind the scenes of making the magic happen!!! While our days are spent focused (literally) on our clients, I do try to be intentional about capturing moments for myself along the way, whether that’s appreciating the beautiful spaces I get to photograph, my fellow vendors doing their thing, […]

Behind The Scenes of Dakota Hersey Weddings 2023

Weddings

March 13, 2024

I haven’t done one of these posts in a few years because they’re a little overwhelming. Going through full galleries from 20+ weddings and narrowing them down to a few favorites is a major challenge…but also what a joy!!! Sometimes when you get to experience beautiful things so often they can start to lose their […]

The Best Of Dakota Hersey Weddings 2023

Weddings

March 6, 2024

As a girl growing up in the South, I remember going over to my friends’ houses and seeing their mother’s bridal portraits hanging in their homes. I loved seeing their moms as brides, and it was always really interesting to see the generational differences between portraits.  Bridal portraits are a very Southern tradition. Traditionally, the […]

How To Prepare For Your Bridal Portraits

Bridal Portraits

February 26, 2024