Last Friday was a highlight of my holiday season. I had the privilege of setting up a pop-up studio at the McDougle Elementary School PTA Winter Market right here in Carrboro, NC.
There is something special about the energy at a school fundraiser. Between the local vendors and the excitement of the students, the atmosphere was buzzing. My goal was to offer professional studio quality lighting and posing in a quick, accessible format for families attending the market.
How the Mini-Sessions Worked We wanted to keep things simple and beneficial for the school. The structure was a hit:
- The Session: A quick & fun 10-minute studio slot.
- The Cost: A $20 donation directly to the McDougle PTA.
- The Result: Families received a curated gallery of 5-10 high-resolution images.
- The Deliverables: One digital download was included with the donation, with an easy option to purchase the full gallery for those who couldn't pick just one favorite.
Community Highlights We had a fantastic turnout of students, siblings, and grandparents. We saw everything from festive holiday sweaters to cool, casual looks.
I have to give a special shoutout to Principal Jones, who stopped by the booth. As you can see below, she is incredibly stylish and undeniably photogenic! It was great to capture her energy and see her support for the PTA.

It wasn't just about individual portraits; capturing the bond between siblings and multi-generational families is what makes local photography so rewarding.


Thank you to everyone who stopped by, donated to the PTA, and stepped in front of my lens. Events like these remind me why I love being a Carrboro photographer—it’s all about the people.