Wedding and portrait photography based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Sarah Der Photography | Chapel Hill Wedding + Portrait Photographer bio picture

Hi, I’m Sarah.

I'm a graduate of the University of Richmond, where I studied Studio Art and English. I am married to a scientist, have a pesky and clever French kitten named Toulouse, and just made my big move from snowy Ohio to a quaint, warm and peaceful apartment in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

I quite enjoy taking lovely pictures, but my favorite part of being a photographer is telling stories--of love, of laughter, of commitment, joy and honesty. When I'm not behind the lens, you can always find me reading a very good book, trying my best to cook Indian food, trucking my way through a season of LOST, or traveling to visit friends and family (who can't seem to stay in one place). I think it would be wonderful to meet you for some good coffee. We can get to know one another. So when you're ready, send me a message to say hi, and we'll start from there.

MacKenzie + Philip + Pax + Charlie | family shoot in Durham

05 | 08 | 2012

I just love these four. MacKenzie + Philip are the incredibly talented creatives behind Inkspot Crow Films, the soon-to-be parents of a tiny little baby Pax, and the proud owners of a furry and ridiculous labradoodle named Charlie. Bryan and I are incredibly blessed and happy to call M+P friends, to support them as their petite family becomes four, and to give them images from such a special time (true or false Mackenzie is a so cute pregnant…TRUE!). It was delightful, photographing these friends and grabbing delicious (SO DELICIOUS) Nana Taco afterward. CANNOT WAIT TO MEET YOU, little Pax! Feel free to come any time! :)

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P.S. Is there anything more exciting than the fact that ANY DAY NOW (!), M+P’s little baby may be born? I will just say, it is crazy, friends. Crazy, I say!

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Richmond engagement session | Josh + Lee

04 | 24 | 2012

Good morning, everyone! I hope you are warm, enjoying a morning cup of coffee, as you peruse the ol’ blog. The weather outside is unusually chilly, isn’t it?!
When I got an email from Lee (close friends with several other SDP brides) I was so excited–not only did Lee link me to her Pinterest wedding board for me to see her planning inspiration (!!!) but having met her at a wedding last year, I secretly knew she was both lovely and creative, and would be delightful to work with. THEN, in December, I got to see Lee + Josh dancing like crazy people at Stacey + Stephen’s wedding and since then, I’ve been looking forward to getting to know them both and photographing their summer wedding in Charlottesville. They are a ridiculously sweet couple, easy and charming to be around, creative and thoughtful, and here is just a peek at our time together! I can’t wait for their wedding in June! :)
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MacKenzie - April 24, 2012 - 10:52 am

Ah! I’m so happy to see these two on your blog! I don’t even know where to begin….these are some pretty awesome photos Sarah Der! Loving the blanket photos and you did a phenomenal job of capturing their playful love! LOVE!

Avelaine - April 24, 2012 - 11:30 am

What a beautiful session! Love the warmth and sweetness you captured.

Heather - April 24, 2012 - 12:43 pm

They are REALLY adorable!

Kari Bellamy - April 24, 2012 - 3:07 pm

These are so sweet! I love the school house feel. Takes me back to the “first love” feeling. Great work!

Lucy Taylor - April 24, 2012 - 3:15 pm

SO CUTE! Lovely job Sarah :)

Leo - April 24, 2012 - 4:29 pm

Love how happy, relaxed and in love they are. Makes me feel happy just scrolling through these. Gorgeous work :)

Graham - April 24, 2012 - 9:24 pm

Incredible! I am loving these Sarah! Wonderful work!!!

Natalie Gibbs - April 24, 2012 - 9:43 pm

I think you’re on your way to stardom. I love 100% of your pictures. These have a such a beautiful, easy, cozy feel to them. Please come take family photos for me.

Sara - April 25, 2012 - 1:52 am

I love these! They are just so happy and freaking adorable. Great set!

Jessie - April 25, 2012 - 1:52 am

This is an incredible session! I can’t pick a favorite. You captured so much love.

Seba - April 25, 2012 - 8:05 am

I love the BW in front of the building, also how the couple look so relaxed in front of the camera. Great pictures

Jakob - April 25, 2012 - 11:22 am

Beauty, Sarah. Natural and beautiful.

AdonyeJaja - April 25, 2012 - 1:15 pm

very well done, cute, artistic and beautiful. great work!

benj haisch - April 25, 2012 - 1:48 pm

ok ok, they’re pretty freakin’ adorable.

Jared Tseng - April 25, 2012 - 4:52 pm

These are amazing! Lovely work.

Beth - April 26, 2012 - 7:55 am

These photos are beautiful, and I love how happy they are!

[WORDPRESS HASHCASH] The poster sent us ’0 which is not a hashcash value.

Tyler - April 26, 2012 - 3:25 pm

seriously such a legit connection! rad clients, but a ridiculous photographer to capture them.

Brett - April 26, 2012 - 6:55 pm

Gah! These are all do great! Can’t wait to get back up to Richmond and shoot!

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Tenielle - May 3, 2012 - 2:16 am

These two are so cute I could fold them up and put them in my pocket. The golden light in #15 is utter perfection.

Wintry Raleigh engagement session | Kelly + Ryan

04 | 19 | 2012

sarah der photography raleigh wedding photographer chapel hill wedding photographer nc photographer blanket quilt at photography session chapel hill engagement photographer photography nc raleigh times engagement session raleigh photographer Kelly + Ryan are sweet. I’m thankful to have had the chance to get to know them both a bit better, and I was so, so delighted that they took me to Fletcher Park in Raleigh, where R proposed to K! (!!!). Their late spring wedding is just around the corner, so peek back here in a few short weeks to see these two again! :)

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Claire + Sam (+ Kodi!) | downtown hillsborough engagement session

04 | 14 | 2012

I adore these two and cannot wait for their fall wedding later this year! I met with Claire early last year and have been anxious to reconnect with her and Sam ever since. I’m so thankful C + S introduced me to their ridiculous little dog Kodi (JUST LOOK AT THOSE TEETH)–I think you all know how I feel about dogs (i.e. I LOVE THEM). Such a fun session, such a sweet couple. Happy weekend, folks, and I’m so glad you stopped by!

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