Dakota Hersey Photography

Dakota Hersey Photography Wedding, brand, and senior photos. Based out of Wilmington, NC. North Carolina Senior Portrait and Wedding Photographer, based in Wilmington and Goldsboro, NC.

Cheers to one month since graduation 🍾
06/14/2026

Cheers to one month since graduation 🍾

Personal take: it really bothers me when photos don’t make sense. I’m constantly questioning and confirming out loud tha...
06/12/2026

Personal take: it really bothers me when photos don’t make sense. I’m constantly questioning and confirming out loud that things look or feel “real” when I’m staging or posing.

Of course there’s a time to be creative but sometimes what is supposed to be a memory for the couple drifts off into the land of editorial and all of sudden you’re living in a magazine product shoot. This is partially why I will bend over backwards to not hang a dress from a random place in the room or tree outside (no shade lol).

But the dress draped across the bed right before the bride slips into it? 🤌🏼 real perfect gorgeous

Toootally understanding why they call it the newborn bubble and every time I am invited into one I want to curl up and n...
06/12/2026

Toootally understanding why they call it the newborn bubble and every time I am invited into one I want to curl up and never leave. Drew and Jenna are such dear friends of mine who I’ve been so lucky to photograph so many exciting steps in their relationship, and this is the most precious milestone yet 🌙

Their nursery is cowboy-themed in honor of Drew’s grandad and their son’s namesake. I absolutely love the handmade details and heirlooms, plus the curious pups are perfect. And those cheeks 🥹

Two degrees and a beautiful girl 🎓🪽 I always love having in front of my camera, and we found a new favorite location fo...
06/02/2026

Two degrees and a beautiful girl 🎓🪽 I always love having in front of my camera, and we found a new favorite location for the iconic bell tower photo.

/ Meredith College senior photos, NC State masters graduation photos

Ugh, the height and layers… Being best friends with a wedding planner really helps open your eyes to how and why certain...
05/29/2026

Ugh, the height and layers… Being best friends with a wedding planner really helps open your eyes to how and why certain wedding designs work and others feel like something is missing.

Similar to a photo, our eyes want to be lead. We walk into a room and immediately our eyes are drawn up, so having draping or pillar florals help our eyes land so we can then take our time noticing and appreciating all of the other intricate details. I loved this design because it was interesting but not overwhelming, and really fun to find the right angle that captures the way it felt walking into the room as a guest.

PS. If you’re booking or , count me in 🍸

Planner: Kinsey,
Venue:
Florals:
Draping and Rentals:
DJ:

Grabbed this palm leaf last second from ’s leftovers as I was leaving the venue to head to the getting ready location an...
05/21/2026

Grabbed this palm leaf last second from ’s leftovers as I was leaving the venue to head to the getting ready location and wow, it’s perfect.

5 years!!!!!! 🎈 I can’t even believe it. Dune came into my life right when I needed him and has been with through some o...
05/11/2026

5 years!!!!!! 🎈 I can’t even believe it. Dune came into my life right when I needed him and has been with through some of my most pivotal years. He has the most goofy cartoon character personality, loves to run fast as the wind, and will do anything for a tennis ball. Happy birthday to my soul dog!!! I can’t wait to see where the next 5 years takes us, bugs ❤️🐾🎾

This year I have been on a mission to approach my posing differently. As a wedding photographer it’s incredibly importan...
05/11/2026

This year I have been on a mission to approach my posing differently. As a wedding photographer it’s incredibly important to be quick and efficient. Wedding days sometimes require flexibility and also I’m a firm believer that the day *isn’t* just about the photos. It’s about the experience…so find a way to get the shots without disrupting the actual memory.

For engagement sessions (and all portrait sessions for that matter), I’m practicing the art of slowing down. Instead of directed poses the entire time, creating space for people to naturally connect so I can then find the magic in their actual interactions. This takes some patience and trust in the process for me who loves consistency and control 😅 But boy, when I lean in they are some of the favorite photos I’ve ever taken.

Kim and Dave are getting married at this upcoming weekend (!!!!) and for their engagement photos they wanted to incorporate the venue. I suggested that we have cocktails on the dock to start off, and we spent the first 30 minutes or so hanging out, talking, getting comfortable with some light prompting from me (I’m not just gonna hang you out to dry — the camera makes you hyper-aware and figuring out what to do with your hands is awkward 😂).

Within those first 30 minutes I felt like we were able to unlock what their connection looks like without the pressure to perform and I love the way the photos are a blend of memory and art. Plus, the way he looks at her? You can’t direct that.

Happy graduation weekend to all of my college grads!!! April is a busy month but I love spending every day on a differen...
05/09/2026

Happy graduation weekend to all of my college grads!!! April is a busy month but I love spending every day on a different campus, hanging out with the smartest girls, and hearing about all of the ways they’re going to impact the world.

This year I worked with over 50 grads for individual photos, mini sessions, and group shoots. I had multiple doctorates this year, along with masters students as well! Group shoots were by far the most popular and are definitely a favorite of mine too.

This was my first year having the majority of my grads be at UNC and I am feeling very born bred dead 🩵 …but still have a lot of love for my Pack, Pirates, and of course my Alma Mater, UNCW. Maybe next year we make it a competition for which university will be the “DHP college of 2027” lol.

Congratulations to the class of 2026!!! 🍾 Thank you for choosing me to capture your memories!!!

Cocktail hour on the water at Carson and Charlie’s wedding last October. I am so excited for evenings by the water in th...
05/06/2026

Cocktail hour on the water at Carson and Charlie’s wedding last October. I am so excited for evenings by the water in the sunshine.

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Wilmington, NC
28403

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+19192227333

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