Hungry Ghost Photography
(14)
(14)
Named one of the best lifestyle photographers in Charleston, Lauren McDuffie/Hungry Ghost Photography is a Charleston, SC based photographer, specializing in lifestyle + portrait + branding imagery.
A great photo has more to it than meets the eye;
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14 customer reviews
Amber
Lauren was amazing to work with! She was very organized and flexible in setting up the time for the session. My two kiddos absolutely loved her energy and felt super comfortable with her. She was able to capture their unique personalities so well. I really wanted to have family photos but didn't want them to feel stuffy or overly posed- Lauren nailed it. She was fairly priced and sent everything to us in an impressive amount of time. I couldn't be happier with our experience and I look forward to her being our go-to family photographer for years to come! More...
An
She did an amazing job while it felt she was having fun instead of working 🤩. It was an amazing, short session with great results. I recommend her for any of your photography needs. Thank you L. More...
Sarah
Extremely professional and personable. We love her pictures and look forward to our annual photos with her! Amazing quality and timeless style.
Jeff Davis
Lauren was very professional and our newborn photos turned out fantastic. My wife and I would highly recommend her!
Jaclyn
Lauren is very laid back yet very professional. We did a mini session as a young family. Our son was 5 months old. In 20-30 a minute session, and after Lauren did her editing magic, we got over 70 pictures! They were all great but I have about 15 pictures that are my favorites. There were so many great options to choose from. Our session was extremely easy and comfortable. More...
Jenna Beare
Lauren blew me away with the portfolio of Graduation photos she took for me. As a (soon to be) Citadel Graduate, I was looking for someone to campus the essence and story of my time on campus. & She certainly did that and more! Could not be happier with the photos I received. Lauren truly captured the ‘real-life’ meaningful moments of my time at The Citadel. I am beyond happy with her work & highly recommend her! If you want unique, one of a kind, story telling photos - this is the one! (Thank you Lauren) More...
Lindsey
Lauren was incredible! She captured the essence of our family and I felt like I had known her for years after spending only a few minutes with her. Best of all, my daughter just opened up her personality to Lauren immediately, something that never happens instantly. I would highly recommend her, you won't be disappointed! More...
Jessica
Lauren was the best! It was a natural, easy photo session that really captured the personalities of everyone in our family. Beautiful photos that everyone loved! Highly recommend More...
Vikki
Lauren was amazing! She took beautiful photos and was so wonderful with our child. I highly recommend her.
Tanorria Askew Nickson
Lauren and I have been friends for a while, but I did not experience being in front of her lens until last year. My now-husband and I had a shoot with her at the beautiful and historic Penn Center on St.
Helena Island in South Carolina. What Lauren didn't know at the time was that we were planning to get married two months later, and this was our secret engagement shoot!
Our time with Lauren is something that we will remember forever. She took extra special care to capture our location's rich history and culture while capturing our love. It was magical.
Our photos turned out so dreamy and beautiful. Lauren is a master at her craft, and anyone who gets the pleasure of having photos done by Lauren will have beautiful memories for a lifetime, both in the form of photos and their special experience with her.
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Erin Diehl
I met Lauren for the first time during our family photo shoot. She was the most kind and caring human being. She instantly made myself and family feel at ease (I'm notoriously awkward when I take pictures), and I have the photos from the session hanging all over our house.
I LOVE THEM.
She has since become my dear friend, and my go to photographer for my company / podcast and branding shots. She is truly one of the most genuine people I've ever met, and has the talent to boot. Her photos are vibrant, creative and I am always in awe at how she can take any type of canvas and make it look tasteful and like a complete work of art.
I am so glad to know her, and have told her she is my "photographer (and dear friend) for life!" You will be so happy to work with Lauren - she is the very best!
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Katie Monoc
Lauren’s talents and gifts are undeniable and transform the magic of life into art and captured memories we will always treasure. She gets right to the spirit of her subjects and is easy, affable, and playful in the process. I can’t recommend Lauren enough! More...
Jessica Browning
Lauren has a great rapport with her subjects. It's the reason her photos are so good. Lauren will always be the one we call to capture our family's milestones.
Lindsey
I can't recommend Lauren enough for a photographer! Her calm demeanor will put your whole family at ease...even with young children running around like crazy! Her pictures capture reality and beauty all at once. I will continue to have her shoot our family year after year. More...
What’s the secret to taking a great photograph?
They’re worth a thousand words, as the saying goes, but to me, great photos can make you dream. A great photo has a power to it, a kind of magic. When it comes to what I try to accomplish in my work - that’s exactly it. I want the magic. A memorable photo has more to it than meets the eye; a special something that goes beyond the smiles and the just-so poses, the pretty scenery and lovely, styled sartorial choices. When those things fall away, and your subject is laid bare, that’s where things get really interesting to me as a photographer. The emotional, the spiritual, the intangible. Those are the quiet corners of a moment that I try to capture in my work, to dust off and to show off; to freeze in time.
What questions might you ask a client when starting a new project?
I typically keep things as simple, straightforward and casual as possible, as I think it makes for a more fun and comfortable experience for everyone. I usually ask questions about location preferences and shoot times, and I offer advice about wardrobe, if they like. I also try to get a solid understanding of what my clients' goals are with the shoot - what types of photos are they hoping to get from the session together.
What do you love most about your job?
I love meeting new people, and making them happy with my art - those are easily the best parts. But, I adore this art form. Capturing simple, everyday moments in a way that shows them off in a different light is an exercise I will never grow tired of, and that I find a lot of joy in doing.
What inspired you to start your own business?
Years of freelancing and working for other businesses and brands inspired me to go out on my own, and offer truly inspired, original work as an artist of my own. Not having to bend my style and creativity toward the goals of others is freeing, and absolutely makes for better work. I get to do my own thing, all the way through, and that's been invaluable.
Why should our clients choose you?
I'd like to think that clients should choose me if they see something in my work that speaks to them. I definitely wield my own style and taste in my work, sure, but I do also work to ensure that my clients preferences and desires are met as well. Photo sessions can be so awkward and I make sure that time with me is fun, casual, and comfortable - awkwardness need not apply. I think this translates to great images, and gives a better value in the end.
Portraits
Intimate, raw and powerful, I specialize in straightforward portraiture, both of individuals, couples, families, and larger groups.
Couples Photography
Whether they've been together for half a century, or the romance is just beginning, I work with couples to capture their affection - their connection - in a raw, real way.
Family and Newborn Photography
From posed portraiture to candid, special moments frozen in time, I like to take a fly-on-the-wall approach to my family sessions, capturing you just as you are, in this fleeting moment in time. Finding the beauty in the everyday, and telling your unique story photographically is what these sessions are all about.
Branding Photography
I work with business owners to curate images and a powerful aesthetic that helps to both tell their brand's story and make an immediate impact on their audiences. First visual impressions are worth a thousand words, and these sessions focus on this core notion. How to set you apart? How to grab attention and capture an audience? This is what we'll accomplish together.
Food Photography
I have been a food stylist and photographer for nearly a decade, photographing and styling cookbooks, restaurants, chefs, magazine covers and more. I welcome new work in the food space and would love to learn about your unique needs.
