Why You Should Book a Photographer (More Often Than You Think!)

By Karli Santana – Charlotte Photographer | Est. 2017

As someone who has been behind the lens since 2017 — originally in sunny South Florida (Fort Lauderdale + Miami + The Palm Beaches) and now proudly serving Charlotte and surrounding areas — I’ve learned something that never changes: time moves fast, but photos last forever.

Whether it’s a wedding, birthday, growing family, or fresh content for your business, booking a professional photographer isn’t just a luxury — it’s a way to capture life as it happens, beautifully and intentionally.

So… Why Book a Photographer?

  1. Life Changes Quickly
    Your kids grow, your business evolves, your love story unfolds — and suddenly you wish you had more photos to look back on. Professional photos help freeze those milestones before they become memories.

  2. You Deserve to Be in the Frame
    Too often, one family member is always behind the camera. A professional session ensures everyone is captured, candidly and confidently.

  3. Quality Matters
    Phone photos are fine for everyday moments, but lighting, composition, and storytelling? That’s where a seasoned photographer comes in. You’re not just getting pictures — you’re investing in a legacy.

  4. Content is Key (for Everyone!)
    Entrepreneurs, realtors, creatives, and influencers — the right visuals elevate your brand. Consistent, custom content can transform how clients connect with you.

How Often Should You Book?

It depends on your life and goals, but here’s a simple guide:

  • Families & Couples – Every 6–12 months

  • Weddings & Events – As soon as you know the date

  • Business Owners/Professionals – Quarterly for content, headshots, branding

Photos don’t have to be reserved for special occasions. They are the occasion.

From South Florida to Charlotte — Let’s Work Together!

I bring a vibrant, easygoing energy to every session, shaped by years of working with diverse clients in Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Now that I’m in Charlotte, I’m excited to offer my signature style and experience to the Queen City and beyond.

Whether you're planning a wedding, growing your brand, or simply want to capture life as it is — I’d be honored to help you tell your story.

Let’s create something timeless. 💫
📅 Now booking in Charlotte + surrounding areas
📧 Karli@photosbykarli.com

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💍 Top 5 Wedding Venues in and around Charlotte, NC: Where Dreams Come True

Planning your wedding is a journey filled with choices, and selecting the perfect venue is one of the most significant decisions you'll make. To help you navigate this exciting process, we've curated a list of five exceptional wedding venues in and around Charlotte, NC, each offering unique charm and elegance.

1. The Grand Victorian – Monroe, NC

Nestled in the heart of Monroe, The Grand Victorian is a timeless venue that exudes classic elegance. This historic estate boasts a grand ballroom with crystal chandeliers, a sweeping staircase, and meticulously manicured gardens, providing a picturesque backdrop for your wedding day.​

  • Capacity: Up to 300 guests

  • Features: Indoor and outdoor ceremony options, bridal suite, and customizable packages

  • Tours: Available by appointment​

Perfect for couples seeking a blend of historic charm and modern amenities.

Click the link to view this venue’s website: https://thegrandevictorian.org/


2. The Bottle Factory – Monroe, NC

Located in a restored 1927 Coca-Cola bottling plant, The Bottle Factory offers a unique industrial-chic setting. With exposed brick walls, open-beam ceilings, and hardwood floors, it provides a stylish and versatile space for your celebration.

  • Capacity: Up to 200 guests

  • Features: Indoor space, rose garden for outdoor ceremonies, and full-service event planning

  • Tours: Available upon request​

Ideal for couples looking for a venue with character and a touch of nostalgia.

Click the link to view this venue’s website: https://thebottlefactoryvenue.com/


3. Crystal Ballroom Charlotte – Charlotte, NC

For those dreaming of a fairy-tale wedding, Crystal Ballroom Charlotte delivers with its opulent décor and customizable design options. From crystal chandeliers to elegant floral arrangements, this venue transforms into your vision of perfection.​

  • Capacity: Up to 200 guests

  • Features: All-inclusive packages, in-house design team, and VIP customization consultations

  • Tours: Complimentary VIP tours available​

Perfect for couples desiring a luxurious and stress-free wedding experience.

Click the link to view this venue’s website: https://www.crystalballroomcharlotte.com/


4. Morning Glory Farm – Shelby, NC

For a rustic and romantic setting, Morning Glory Farm offers a serene farm environment with a charming barn and scenic outdoor spaces. The venue provides a tranquil escape from the city, allowing couples to celebrate their love surrounded by nature.​

  • Capacity: Up to 200 guests

  • Features: Barn venue, outdoor ceremony space, and customizable packages

  • Tours: Available by appointment​

Ideal for couples seeking a rustic, nature-inspired wedding.

Click the link to view this venue’s website: https://morninggloryfarmnc.com/


5. The Ruth – Charlotte, NC

The Ruth offers a blend of modern luxury and historic charm. Once a production facility, it now boasts a light and airy atmosphere with elegant design elements, making it a versatile choice for various wedding styles.​

  • Capacity: Up to 868 guests

  • Features: Multiple event spaces, customizable décor, and in-house planning services

  • Tours: Available upon request​

Perfect for couples desiring a modern yet timeless wedding venue.

Click the link to view this venue’s website: https://www.beaumondevenues.com/the-ruth


📸 Enhance Your Wedding Day with Professional Photography

As you embark on this beautiful journey, capturing every moment is essential. Here's how I can assist:

  • Engagement Sessions: Let's create a personalized engagement shoot that reflects your unique love story.​

  • Wedding Day Coverage: From the first look to the final dance, I'll be there to document every cherished moment.​

  • Newlywed Sessions: Extend your celebration with a post-wedding shoot in your wedding attire, allowing for relaxed and creative portraits.​

  • Custom Photo Albums: Preserve your memories in a beautifully designed album, customizable to your preferences in size, color, and material.​

  • Social Media Content: Receive engaging reels and photos to share with your friends and family, building excitement for your big day.​

  • Flexible Packages: Whether you're planning an intimate gathering or a grand celebration, I offer affordable packages tailored to your needs.

📝 Tips for Choosing the Right Venue

Selecting the perfect venue is a significant step in your wedding planning. Consider the following:

  • Style and Theme: Ensure the venue aligns with your desired aesthetic, whether it's rustic, modern, or classic.​

  • Guest Capacity: Choose a venue that comfortably accommodates your guest list.​

  • Location and Accessibility: Consider the convenience for your guests, including proximity to accommodations and transportation options.​

  • Amenities and Services: Evaluate what each venue offers, such as in-house catering, décor, and planning assistance.​

  • Budget: Select a venue that fits within your budget while meeting your needs and expectations.​

Remember, your wedding day is a reflection of your love and commitment. Choose a venue that resonates with your vision and creates a memorable experience for you and your guests.

Feel free to reach out if you need assistance with photography services or have any questions about these venues. I'm here to help make your wedding day as beautiful and memorable as possible.

Settled in the New Location

I am now settled and established in North Carolina

Vow Renewal Event at Wyndham in Deerfield Beach 11.30.24

In March 2024, I moved back to where I was raised - Charlotte, NC. Since moving back I have captured a wedding, I’ve done portrait sessions, I have produced business content for local small businesses, and more. It’s been quite a journey and I’m thankful that I am able to provide value to many through my hard work and talents.

Since I moved, I have revisited South Florida many times to provide my services to families who have worked with me in the past. Being able to do what you love as an income, is the ultimate arrival at happiness. I will be revisiting South Florida again at the end of January. If you’re interested in booking a shoot with me, inbox me so we can get you scheduled. @photosbykarli

As I reflect back on the almost 8 years that I have been in business, photography has really introduced me to so many new experiences that would have never been had I never chose to believe in myself enough to sacrifice and create what I’ve built.

On my personal page, I share my journey as a mother and as an individual. I value the deeper and profound things in life. I enjoy researching and investing in my own personal development. You can follow me there by clicking here @ikarlisantana.

I have a bit of an obvious confession. I struggle with pumping out content of my own due to a majorly busy schedule. I do have plans to change that. Follow me on my instagram platforms and I would love to connect.

Relocating to Charlotte, NC

TO MY FAMILY

(my repeat clients, those who book me multiple times per year, or those who plan on booking me, my supporters, those following my social media accounts, those who have shared my work, etc.)

I am relocating to Charlotte, NC. It is a bittersweet announcement. I will miss all of my south Florida clients, those I’ve captured year after year for every milestone. I will be traveling back to capture your families and upcoming events and will post the dates as they come up and if you have photography needs you may book me on the dates I post. Please inquire with me and I can make a separate trip if your photography needs do not fall on the dates I posted.

I am looking forward to relocating in Charlotte, NC. Some of you may not know but I was raised in Charlotte and part of my family resides there. Since I was in South Florida for the majority of my adulthood, this is definitely going to be such a different life going back to a place and residing there, a place that has changed so much over the years that I’ve been in Florida. It’s not the same place I remember as a child.

They say people change but they never mention how much places change. Change is good and I am definitely excited to see what’s in store.

If you reside in Charlotte or the surrounding areas, reach out to me to book your next portrait session or to photographically document your next event. I look forward to growing a client base in the city I grew up in.

If anyone would like to meet for lunch and discuss their business, for many years I have helped several small-medium sized business scale their marketing in many ways and I will also be offering this service as I transition my business to Charlotte, NC.

Thank you to everyone who trusted me as their photographer or marketing specialist in Florida, I am still here for you all as well.


What - to - Expect Guide for Family Photo Sessions

We found each other and you booked a session.

Now what?

Here’s a little guide to discuss what to expect for our session together.

  1. We meet at the agreed date and time

  2. I set up equipment. I get my flash out onto a tripod and I set the manual setting on my camera to match the location. This can take me 5-10 minutes which is why I usually arrive early to be prepared by the time you get there.

  3. The Session Begins. Our first photos are going to be awkward but this is okay and super normal. After a couple of clicks and a few pose changes it all becomes fun and ends up being an amazing experience with the people you love most.

  4. Your Choice. Be sure to let me know if you have any pose ideas at this point. Poses that you must have. Also tell me if you have no idea how to pose. This is okay. I can help with this.

  5. Outfit Change. When you’re ready, completely up to you we take a break for the outfit change if you decided to bring an extra outfit. If not we continue shooting

  6. Poses I will be sure to capture or offer as an option and not in this order:

    • Full Family, several variations

    • Just Mom and Dad

    • Just Siblings

    • Mom with kids, together and separate

    • Dad with kids, together and separate

    • I offer for everyone to have a single photo I call them “solos”

    • Fun personalized poses are always inspired during shooting. I found candid photos to be among the favorites.

  7. After the session:

    • I select the best photos from the session and edit to fit my known style as a photographer. My style is known as true-to-color.

    • I offer all photos fully edited delivered in an online gallery included in the session fees. These basic edits include lighting, color adjustments, and cropping.

    • Premium edits are not included ($25-$35 per image):

      • Hair strand removal

      • Body or Face adjustments (photoshopping double chin, decreasing size realistically, and other imperfections that you want adjusted)

      • Other requests (sky swaps, face swaps, etc.)

  8. Editing. Editing the full session or event can take up to 2 weeks after the date of our session depending on how many photos were taken. I usually do my best to deliver the photos sooner. Two weeks is the time frame that reflects the maximum amount of time it will take me worse case scenario. No later than 2 weeks as stated in the contract.

  9. I deliver the images in an online album. You can download them to your phone or computer.

  10. Feedback. Some time after our session, if you could kindly leave feedback on my Facebook business page recommending others to me. This is a crucial part of the business and helps me in every way.

I hope this guide removes any mystery surrounding our session and eases your mind about what to expect.

The feedback I’ve received from my past customers are consistent with the below remarks:

  • Laid back sessions

  • A lot of fun

  • An amazing experience with the family

  • Amazing images that you love

And this feedback sometimes comes from the family members that absolutely dislike having their photos taken. Click here to see my reviews.

We are going to have fun and it’ll be a day to remember with many images captured to always remind you and the family of who you are now, despite what’s to come in the future.

What - to - Expect Guide for Events

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Thank you for booking me for your event. Here’s a step by step guide on what to expect when you hire Photos by Karli for your events.

  1. Deposit Required. In order to secure the date/time you must pay $100 deposit to book.

  2. The remaining balance is due the day of your session.

  3. If you’re already booked then we already discussed prices

  4. I arrive 30 minutes early to capture detail shots of decorations and setting before everyone arrives.

  5. At this time, I discuss with the host or hostess what they are expecting to ensure I capture the big moments of the event. For weddings this is done ahead of time on a call or in-person.

  6. During events I am constantly taking photos. I offer posed shots as well as candid throughout the event. There’s not a moment that I do not take photos, I’m constantly searching the room for photo opportunities. For weddings I capture the ceremony as it happens, getting all of the important moments. In between the ceremony and reception I take the bride and groom, family, and wedding party and we do our posed portraits (family and wedding party first then directly afterwards, the bride and groom alone.) During the reception I capture posed and candid moments throughout.

  7. After the event, I pull the photos and review the best shots. I edit a preview the following day. The preview usually includes 50 photos. I deliver the photos in an online album that I can either text or email for you to download to your phone or computer. Be sure to click “download” please do not screenshot the photos the quality will not remain in a screenshot. The full size of the image is high resolution and is only intact if you click “download.”

  8. Please allow 14 days from the date of the event for the rest of the photos to be added to the album as it takes time to edit each photo. I do not deliver unedited images.

  9. Photo albums of the images I captured at the event are available for purchase with Photos by Karli. Click here to select your photo album.

  10. If you are 100% satisfied with the service and images I provided including the entire process I welcome you to review my business on Facebook and Google.

    Leave me a review on Facebook.

    Leave me a review on Google.

If you have any questions regarding my prices or the process you can contact me anytime. I would love to hear from you.

Contact ME

Quality is Everything

Zooming in on these two files you will notice one is sharp and the other is fuzzy. After uploading the screenshot to Facebook or other social media platforms - the more pixelated it will appear. The sharp image will appear pixelated as well when you zoom in but it won’t be as poor quality as the screenshot.

In the beginning, every photographer’s main objective is to produce high quality images. It’s why we spend thousands of dollars on the best equipment. Anyone who operates in the capacity of a photographer or even a videographer has spent hours perfecting their methods, learning lighting and shadows, and they practiced and practiced in order to produce a high quality product.

My point is photographers understand and appreciate true quality. They can be pricey because all of their hours learning and perfecting their craft prior to you hiring them, along with their expensive equipment that they purchased and mastered, also their hours spent in post, editing your session - this is the price point.

Many full-time photographers have calculated how much they need to make per session to keep their business afloat along with being able to support their family this justifies their pricing and should not be challenged after a quote is provided. If you cannot afford their prices keep shopping around for a photographer that will cater to your budget. I can’t imagine walking into Best Buy and saying I have $300 let me buy this $2,000 tv. Yet, this is how photographers are treated. Yes it’s my business and yes it’s my main source of income, and no you cannot name your price.

With all of that being said, most photographers are capable of providing you with quality images - original files (not compressed) through photo sharing apps that preserve the true size of the image.

Do:

  • Ask questions about quality and image sharing or self printing

  • Download the images from the photo sharing site.

  • Value the high quality image and appreciate the photographer’s time spent on your images.

  • Try to understand the process

Do Not:

  • Screenshot photos for sharing or printing (major quality decrease)

  • Ask for originals or “Raw” files unless you want to pay hundreds per photo.

  • Downgrade a photographer’s work because you cannot afford their services.

I’ve seen it time and time again. A photo on Facebook and you zoom in and there’s no sharpness just an image full of globby pixels. Yuck! Download first (to computer or phone) and then upload to social media.

There are some people who don’t care about quality they just want to keep an image forever. Photographers care so much about the art they produce. Do your part and preserve the quality that they worked so hard to create in your images.

Appreciate your photographer.

I Love Capturing Love

The other day I was reflecting on my past sessions of couples and their families whether it was a portrait session or a wedding, I can see the love in every photo.

I just love everything I do. When people trust me to deliver photos of their most beloved family members and friends I take this task very seriously and I aim to do my best.

Taking photos of my own children is what sharpened my skills over the years. I started to market my services in January 2017 and I’ve been unstoppable ever since. It all started as a side income. My main job I worked as sales support for a company as just a regular employee for five years.

I’m now happy to say I do this full-time.

What dreams and goals do you have? Write them down and pick a date to launch whatever it is. It doesn’t have to be perfect at first it just has to be. Figuring out the business do’s and don’ts, seeing the failures and successes is what shapes the business. I started with a humble Facebook business page posting photos of my daughters. From there it grew to what it is now in the last two years.

I welcome you to explore my Galleries. If you have any photography needs - please think of me. I do my best to provide services that fit your vision as we collaborate. Or if you don’t have a vision at all I help to deliver photos that will be treasured and valued for years to come.

Here’s what some of my customers have to say about their photos. (Click here to see all reviews.)