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ARTIST'S JOURNAL

WELCOME TO THE JOURNAL ...

HERE YOU'LL FIND SNEAK PEEKS OF RECENT PORTRAIT SESSIONS, STUDIO NEWS & UPCOMING PORTRAIT EVENTS, AND THOUGHTS FROM THE ARTIST

Framed portrait of a smiling child with short hair in a white shirt, displayed next to a decorative vase.

A PLACE BESIDE HIS BROTHER

Feb 10, 2026

A PASTEL HEIRLOOM PORTRAIT OF 5 YEAR OLD IN RALEIGH This pastel heirloom portrait of a five-year-old boy in Raleigh was created with one very special purpose in mind—to take its place beside his brother’s portrait, completed a few years earlier. Together, the two pieces tell a quiet story of childhood, growth, and individuality, preserved in a way that feels timeless and deeply personal.A Portrait That Honors Each ChildWhile the structure and presentation of this portrait ...

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Framed collage of five black and white baby portraits.

A STUDY IN EXPRESSION

Feb 03, 2026

Five-Image Composite Portraits for Babies and Children - Raleigh Heirloom Portrait Artist The classic five-image composite has been part of children’s portraiture for generations, and for good reason. Long before digital galleries and endless image delivery became the norm, families chose a small number of portraits that told a fuller story. This style was designed to capture personality, not perfection, and to preserve a fleeting stage of childhood in a way that feels intentional ...

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Framed black-and-white baby photo on a shelf beside a vase with decorative twigs.

SWEET AS CAN BE

Jan 27, 2026

A Charcoal Heirloom Portrait of an 18-Month-Old Boy This charcoal heirloom portrait in Raleigh features an 18-month-old little boy with the sweetest, classic Gerber-baby expression. His gaze is turned slightly to the left, perfectly showcasing his big, beautiful eyes and soft expression.A Timeless Toddler ExpressionThere’s something especially endearing about this age, and his portrait captures it beautifully. The subtle turn of his face and gentle expression give the image a quiet, ...

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A framed portrait of a child in a blue shirt, next to a vase with dried plants.

DRESSED FOR TIMELESSNESS

Jan 20, 2026

Choosing Wardrobe for a Head & Shoulders Heirloom Portrait When it comes to heirloom portraiture, wardrobe matters more than most people realize. A head and shoulders portrait removes distractions, placing the focus entirely on expression, light, and emotion. What a child wears should support that simplicity—not compete with it.Why Wardrobe Matters in Heirloom PortraitureHeirloom portraits are designed to feel timeless. Trends come and go, but classic styling allows a portrait to ...

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A framed oil painting of two children in white dresses, one playing a violin, on a wall with sunlight.

WHEN CHILDHOOD BECOMES ART

Jan 13, 2026

Why Families Choose Custom Oil Portrait Paintings for Their Children There’s a difference between taking pictures of children and creating portrait paintings that live on the wall as works of art. More and more families are choosing custom oil portrait paintings because they want something lasting—something that feels intentional, elevated, and deeply personal.Portrait Paintings as Fine ArtOil portrait paintings have been used for centuries to document childhood, talent, and ...

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Baby supported by multiple hands against a black background.

LITTLE IN THEIR HANDS

Jan 06, 2026

A Black and White Newborn Portrait Highlighting Family Bonds This black and white newborn portrait in Raleigh captures the tiniest member of the family held gently by each family member’s hands—her parents and three siblings. The image highlights connection, love, and the incredible bond of a growing family.Powerful Family ConnectionEvery hand cradling the baby tells a story of care, protection, and love. The composition emphasizes the central role of the newborn while ...

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Framed black-and-white portrait of a baby next to a vase with dried plants.

MADE TO LAST

Dec 30, 2025

Why Heirloom Portraiture Is Meant to Live on Your Walls Heirloom portraiture is about intention. Rather than creating dozens of images that live on a hard drive or in a drawer, it focuses on crafting one meaningful piece of art—something meant to be displayed, lived with, and loved for years to come.One Thoughtful PortraitThis charcoal heirloom portrait was created in my Raleigh studio and features a sweet three-year-old boy with the softest, most gentle expression. At this age, ...

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Child in pajamas shows a wish list to Santa Claus, sitting beside decorated Christmas trees.

CHRISTMAS CHEER

Dec 23, 2025

Raleigh Children and Family Photographer As the year comes to a close, I want to give a heartfelt thank you to all the families who trusted me to capture their children’s holiday magic in Raleigh. This year was full of joy, laughter, and memorable Dear Santa portrait sessions that made the season extra special.Capturing Holiday MemoriesEach Dear Santa portrait was filled with wonder, from bright-eyed toddlers sharing their wishes to playful moments with siblings. These sessions ...

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A framed portrait of a baby in a white outfit with a gold frame on a wall.

QUIET INNOCENCE

Dec 16, 2025

A Pastel Impression Heirloom Portrait of a 6-Month-Old Baby Boy This pastel impression heirloom portrait in Raleigh features a beautiful 6-month-old baby boy captured in a soft vignette style. Gentle painterly pastels frame his quiet expression, highlighting the innocence and tenderness of babyhood.A Soft, Thoughtful ExpressionHis calm demeanor and delicate features give this portrait a peaceful, almost storybook quality. The way he gazes softly forward captures that fleeting stage when ...

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Family of seven posing together outdoors on a grassy area with trees in the background.

ADDITIONS OF JOY

Dec 09, 2025

Family Portraits Celebrating Growth and New Additions This Raleigh family portrait celebrates three adult children and the newest additions to their family. Having known this family since their oldest children were babies, it’s been a privilege to document their story over the years.Generations and New BeginningsThe family has always been dedicated to capturing their milestones through portraiture. Now, with the arrival of new family members, we continue to document the evolving ...

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Dana Ashlyn serves the entire greater Raleigh area and can be commissioned for family portrait sessions, classic children studio photography, and baby & children heirloom portraits throughout the Triangle including Raleigh, Cary, Holly Springs, Durham, Wake Forest & surrounding areas.

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  • Heirloom Portraits
    • Oil Paintings
    • Head & Shoulders
    • Composite Portraits
  • Family Portraits
  • Journal
  • Meet Dana
  • Testimonials
  • Say Hello
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