Gail VanMatre Photography

Gail VanMatre Photography Raleigh, Cary, Durham area photographer specializing in children, families, and small events.

Professional portrait photographer specializing in heirloom art pieces.

Margot’s new headshots will serve her beautifully on her website, as her professional photos for various speaking and le...
06/12/2026

Margot’s new headshots will serve her beautifully on her website, as her professional photos for various speaking and leadership engagements, and as her author photo for her soon to be published book (!!!). I am so glad that also asked me if it would be possible to print an 8 x 10 so that her photo can also be enjoyed in printed form, on her husband’s desk.

I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed working with Margot over several sessions this spring. I’m so excited to read her book and will share details when it’s available!

Need a headshot for LinkedIn or similar? Or do you have something more creative in mind? Either way, I am here to help!

Raleigh photographer, headshot photographer, author photos, professional portraits

Catching up posting some of the wonderful events I have photographed recently. Mazel Tov to beautiful, sweet Orly on her...
06/08/2026

Catching up posting some of the wonderful events I have photographed recently. Mazel Tov to beautiful, sweet Orly on her recent Bat Mitzvah!! The day was extra special for me because I was work friends with one of her moms wayyy back in the day and it was so lovely to reconnect. Orly lead the congregation with poise, confidence, and kindness, and it was a real pleasure to be her photographer.

Planning a Bat mitzvah, Bar mitzvah, B-mitzvah, or any kind of special celebration and want to talk photography? Let’s connect!

Raleigh photographer, Cary photographer, Durham photographer

Avi and Melanie’s B’Nai Mitzvah was epic! Though most of the photos won’t be shared on social media, I’m happy to be abl...
06/06/2026

Avi and Melanie’s B’Nai Mitzvah was epic! Though most of the photos won’t be shared on social media, I’m happy to be able to share just a handful from the racing portion of their epic celebration.

These siblings did a wonderful job leading the service and reading from the Torah. They were celebrated by lots of friends and family with an incredible, fun, and unique party, complete with go kart racing, rock climbing, axe climbing, arcade games and more. Everyone had the best time.

Venue
Event planner
Photographer

Raleigh photographer, Cary photographer, bar mitzvah, bat mitzvah

I love, love, love meeting other small business owners who are passionate about what they do. At a recent Bat Mitzvah, I...
05/29/2026

I love, love, love meeting other small business owners who are passionate about what they do.

At a recent Bat Mitzvah, I enjoyed meeting the dream team behind , who hosted one of the fun activities available for guests. Guests chose a hat, bag, or other special item to personalize - including a custom patch for the event. How cool! It was a huge hit with young and old alike, especially the teens. What a fun and unique idea for party entertainment! I hope to see Toteally Patchy again at future events!

I’m limited in the photos that I can show from this event, but know that it was an incredibly fun night to celebrate a sweet young lady and her family.

Looooved taking these branding images for Jill, who recently opened her own salon. Branding images are fun! I want you t...
05/27/2026

Looooved taking these branding images for Jill, who recently opened her own salon.

Branding images are fun! I want you to feel confident and enjoy the experience, so every session starts with the consultation to get to know eachother and make a game plan for your unique session. Whether in my studio or at one of the prettiest outdoor spots in the area, let’s meet up to tell your story and put your best face forward.

Thanks, Jill, for trusting me! I know your new salon will be a tremendous success.

So much fun taking senior portraits for Thomas this winter - and I’m so glad his family joined in for some family portra...
05/26/2026

So much fun taking senior portraits for Thomas this winter - and I’m so glad his family joined in for some family portraits as well. I’ve been fortunate to photograph several special occasions for Thomas’s family over the last few years. I also love seeing Thomas’s smiling face at Bar and Bat Mitzvah parties, where he is a Photo Booth attendant for !

Thomas is off on big adventures, and I’m so glad that he and his family will have these photos to look back on this special time.

Class of 2026. It is not too late to plan senior portraits and class of 2027, it is definitely not too early.

Raleigh photographer, senior portraits, Raleigh senior portraits, chapel hill senior portraits

Finally getting caught up on posting some of the fabulous events I photographed this season. I loved meeting and her fa...
05/24/2026

Finally getting caught up on posting some of the fabulous events I photographed this season. I loved meeting and her family for so many reasons - among them, discovering some wildly small world coincidences we share. (Go ‘Cats!)

Sebastian and his family pulled off a weather reschedule with poise and grace, making it look easy when you know it wasn’t.

Friends and relatives gathered in spades to celebrate this kind-hearted, soccer-loving guy and all of his achievements. He did a phenomenal job reading from the Torah and leading the service, and then everyone celebrated with a super fun, soccer-themed party!

As an event photographer, I’m here to guide and direct to make sure we get those important “must have” photos, and then to step back and document the magic as it is happening to make sure you get to enjoy your event. If you are planning a Mitzvah in 2026 or beyond, let’s connect!

DJ:
Venue:
Dessert:

Bar mitzvah, mitzvah photographer, Raleigh photographer, Durham photographer, event photographer

I got to take Dori on a little photo walk before her Bat Mitzvah, and it was such a highlight. I go into every Mitzvah (...
05/21/2026

I got to take Dori on a little photo walk before her Bat Mitzvah, and it was such a highlight.

I go into every Mitzvah (every session of any type, actually) with a plan to make sure I get the photos that I know you want, but I also leave a little time to be spontaneous and creative.

Thank you to Dori and her wonderful family for trusting me to capture this joyful occasion!

Raleigh photographer, Cary Photographer, Mitzvah Photographer, event photographer, Bat Mitzvah

Today I delivered a beautiful memory box with prints from Matt and Kara’s family session, taken in their gorgeous urban ...
05/14/2026

Today I delivered a beautiful memory box with prints from Matt and Kara’s family session, taken in their gorgeous urban oasis of a backyard.

Photos at home are awesome! Here are some reasons to consider having your photo session at your home.

👏 easy access to snacks, water, restroom, etc
👏include pets in some photos, then send them inside
👏easy breaks for young family members

but the most important reason…

👏 photos that don’t look like everyone else’s, and always remind you of your home

Don’t worry – your home and yard don’t have to look like an Instagram set in order to be the perfect place for your own unique family photos.

I can’t wait to share more photos from this beautiful session.

Family photos, Raleigh photographer, NC photographer, lifestyle photographer

On the heels of Mother’s Day, I am happy to share some highlights from a recent mom and sons photo session. This family ...
05/12/2026

On the heels of Mother’s Day, I am happy to share some highlights from a recent mom and sons photo session.

This family brought it all – kindness, love, laughter and fun (and patience as we had to sit out a brief storm.)

I’m lucky to meet many wonderful parents and children through photography. It’s always a pleasure to help capture those sweet relationships. And a reminder that photos with big kids (like these handsome young men!) are just as important as photos when the kids are small!

Happy (belated) Mother’s Day!

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