Welcome!

My name is Summer and I am a mother and wife to the most supportive people in the world. When my husband and I were dating, the term "Real Promise" was created. It was our personal way of making sure the other person knew what had been said was honest and true. My Real Promise to you is that, as your photographer, I will capture moments in time that you will cherish forever.

I will use my blog to share sneak peeks of recent sessions and to share news and announcements from Real Promises Photography. I love to hear from you so please feel free to leave comments or contact me through the link above. I hope to hear from you soon!



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  • Triplets | Wake Forest Cary Maternity Photographer

    September 2nd, 2010

    Susan and I have been friends since college. We’ve had a lot of fun times together pre-marriage and babies and are now enjoying motherhood together. She’s surpassing me with the baby numbers, though, because she has two beautiful children already but is pregnant again…. with triplets. Triplet girls, at that. *faint*

    I am super excited to showcase Susan’s maternity photos with the world. She’s currently 27 weeks pregnant and looks amazing! I cannot wait to get my hands on those tiny girls for newborn portraits. Be on the lookout later this fall!

    Without further adieu, the W family’s sneak peek!

    Wake Forest Cary Maternity Photographer1

    Doesn’t she look FABULOUS?!

    Wake Forest Cary Maternity Photographer2

    Big sister and brother, L & L!

    Wake Forest Cary Maternity Photographer3

    2010 Holiday Mini Sessions | Cary Photographer

    August 21st, 2010

    Yes, it’s 100 degrees outside in the middle of the summer but the cooler temperatures are around the corner and that means Fall pictures!  I will be hosting two Mini Session dates this fall in two different locations.  Choose from three packages to fit your needs.  Sessions fill up fast so grab your date and time quick!  Perfect for family portraits or holiday cards!

    Raleigh Cary Apex Mini sessions 2010

    6 Months | Cary Child Photographer

    August 16th, 2010

    Mr. O is one of my Baby Planners and I always look forward to his sessions because he changes so much from month to month. I also love to see the true love that his parents have for him. Parents that are totally smitten by their children always make me smile! We had a blast with O on this early morning session. The weather was a tad cooler than it’s been lately so that was a relief. Mr. O was a trooper and I even got to meet his little cow that sings songs and makes him so happy! Enjoy your Sneak Peek and I look forward to the next session!

    Cary Child Photographer 1

    Cary Child Photographer 2

    Christmas in July | Cary Photographer

    July 18th, 2010

    It’s time to book Fall sessions. Fall is the perfect time to get those family portraits (or individual children portraits) taken, especially for holiday cards. We’ve got some FABULOUS card designs to offer this year and wanted to make sure everyone got in on the deal.

    What is the special, you may ask?

    Christmas in July Special

    Book a Fall session (for September or October) in July and receive a FREE set of flat 5×7 holiday cards from our design templates and take $50 off any Collection with a paid order. This is a deal you can’t pass up! Email us at summer@realpromisesphotography.com to see what dates are still available.

    Also, don’t forget about our Newborn Special we announced on Facebook as well.

    Book a Newborn Session before the end of July* and receive 3 FREE Brag Books (perfect for showing off your cutie to your friends and they make wonderful grandparent gifts) and $50 off your session fee!  This is a perfect gift for expecting parents and make a wonderful gift.  Just let us know and we’ll wrap up a gift certificate for the lucky parents.

    *Newborn Session must be completed before December 31, 2010.

    Happy July 4th! | Garner Photographer

    July 4th, 2010

    Last night, we packed up the family and headed to Lake Benson in Garner, NC. We got the stroller and the blankets ready, as well as my camera and tripod (which is on it’s last leg…). We let Mia play on the bounce houses and the many games they had available for children. She had a blast playing on the covered playground as well. After wearing her out, we picked the perfect spot for our blanket and watched the North Carolina Symphony play beautiful patriotic songs while Mia danced and sang to the music. Elaina enjoyed slobbering all over the beaded necklaces we had purchased. :)

    After sunset, we watched the beautiful fireworks while listening to music. It’s amazing being surrounded by 20,000 people and listening to the distant BOOMs. The fireworks didn’t disappoint. When people say Garner has the best fireworks around, they aren’t kidding! I had set up my tripod on our blanket and captured a few shots to share. Try dodging a crawling infant and a hyped up 3 year old to keep your tripod (that again, is hanging on by a thread) steady and you’ve got a miracle. Here’s the final product!

    Happy July 4th and Happy Birthday, America! Thank you to all that have served to keep our wonderful country free!

    Garner Photographer Lake Benson

    Parker’s Landscaping | Apex Commercial Photographer

    June 19th, 2010

    Yesterday, I was brave (*really brave*) and endured the massive heat wave to take some beautiful shots for Parker’s Landscape Services in Apex.  They specialize in Commercial and Residential properties and have some really beautiful properties!  Once I wiped the drool off my chin and resisted the urge to jump into the crystal clear pools in all the lush backyards, I was able to capture magazine worthy photos like this one.

    Apex Commercial Photographer

    Fresh Face Contest | Raleigh Photographer

    June 13th, 2010

    The first Real Promises Photography contest is here!  I’ve decided to kick off Summer 2010 with a Fresh Face Contest.  For this contest, you have to be a “Fan” of Real Promises Photography on Facebook.  The winner will get a FREE session!

    Check it out!

    Top 10: Memorial Day Weekend

    May 31st, 2010

    I’ve been working on finalizing my latest business cards and before heading to bed, I thought I’d post a Top 10 for this weekend.  These are my Top 10 things I am happy about at the current moment, in no particular order.  Enjoy!

    10.  There are 6 more school days left!

    9.  June track outs = a TON of playdates

    8.  The pool is open and my girls love the water.

    7.  Mia’s recent love of building tents and wanting to camp (she’s currently upstairs “camping” out in her room with her sleeping back and all…)

    6.  Elaina’s curiosity and learning to crawl.

    5.  Fresh produce

    4.  Good friends

    3.  A happy and healthy family

    2. Chick-Lit

    1.  Having a three day weekend with my wonderful husband at home!

    Addy | Raleigh Child Photographer

    May 18th, 2010

    After rescheduling a shoot due to winds, I finally had the chance to meet up with the M Family for Addy’s 1 Year Portraits. What fun we had! Addy is one of the happiest 1 year olds I’ve ever met. She was incredibly smiley the entire time and would just clap and smile. What a joy she is! B and K are lucky parents.

    Despite the hot weather, we were able to capture so many good shots. It was hard to choose which ones to showcase on my blogsite.

    I hope you enjoy your Sneak Peek!

    Mills19blog

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    My Family | Raleigh Photographer

    May 9th, 2010

    My parents came up to Raleigh and spent the day with us.  Well, year-round schools had a Saturday snow make up day today so I spent the afternoon with them.  We ate a nice lunch together, and then Mom and I took Mia with us shopping.  I was in search of something to wear to an upcoming wedding.  I was also supposed to have an afternoon photoshoot but the wind was a little too strong for pictures late afternoon.  We had to reschedule those for later in the week but the good news was I got to eat supper with my parents before they headed back home.

    While Elaina was napping, we had a small impromptu shoot in the front yard.  My parents moved into a new house on Christmas Eve 2009 and my mom is determined to get some photos of her family, especially granddaughters, up on the wall.  Elaina’s pictures will have to come later since she snoozed right through it.

    In honor of Mother’s Day tomorrow, I thought I’d post a few photos of those that I love.

    My mother and my firstborn that made me a mother.  These two are two peas in a pod.  It’s scary.

    NanaMia2

    NanaMia1

    Now, for my wonderful and supportive husband and Mia.
    DadMia

    I hope to snap a few of Elaina tomorrow after church. I’ll report back because it wouldn’t be Mother’s Day without both of my girls!