Amaris Hames

Owner @Amaris Photo

Raleigh, NC, US

Starting a small business was certainly not on my Bingo card in 2011, or any year prior, but this little shop of mine has been one of the best things to ever happen in my life.Within just a year, I was traveling overseas to capture portraits and weddings. It took off from there! I\'m grateful to have partnered with over families, most of whom I now call friends, and employed multiple assistants, second shooters, studio managers, and other support staff that still fill in when current folks need to take a pause. Capturing portraits, while delivering a valuable and welcoming experience, has always been the highest priority. It takes a lot of trust and connection to let someone take your photo, much less tell your story to the world, and it\'s something we do not take lightly. We have all received training on how to support families with disabilities, children with ASD, ADHD, and anxiety. Serving all families and children is extremely important to us, as great imagery should be accessible to all! It is with that thought in mind that we regularly support underserved communities with opportunities for images and have an annual generosity budget to create those partnerships. Serving local non-profits, like Corral Riding and C2P, is something we consistently accommodate in our calendar. With a client retention rate of over 75%, it\'s been a joy to travel to 31 states and 17 countries capturing events and weddings, making memories with families as their children grow, and supporting small and large businesses alike with their commercial needs.

The Orange Factory

Photography

North Carolina State University

Bachelor of Arts