North Carolina Lifestyle photographer with a passion for the real, the raw, and the beautiful.
I don’t just want to take pretty photos. I want my photos to make you feel something.
I want our sessions to be fun, exciting, stress free, and real. I want you to look
back at your photos and have it ignite memories and emotions.
If you’re wanting stiff poses and fake smiles, I may not be the photographer for you, but If you want the real moments, whatever that may be, then I am the photographer for you!
Client Experiences
Lalani is simply amazing at what she does!!! She is very personable and makes you feel comfortable during the entire process!! She has captured many pictures of me, but most recently she had captured some of the most beautiful pictures of my son and I! She is able to capture that perfect moment and honestly her pictures are like none I've seen before which makes me so drawn to her style!!! I love the colors, tones, and emotion that just pops out in her pictures!!! I also love that she isnt a photographer that just captures one type of picture- she can capture beautiful maternity pictures, breastfeeding, family, special events, womens empowerment and sooo much more- not including all her beautiful weddings she does! Seriously- she is AMAZING!!!
Also, want to say how sweet of a human being she is??? She has done so many photography sessions at no cost- but rather to document a special moment in history- or to help a family who lost a loved one- or to help survivors share their stories!! Her heart is so big and just an amazing person!
—Ashley Wilson
Lalani is amazing at what she does. I contacted her for a nude maternity session but was nervous as this would be my first time in front of a camera with no clothes. Lalani immediately made me feel comfortable and was able to guide me through poses and even provided her client closet so I had options for dresses. The outcome of our session was everything I was hoping it would be. I will forever cherish the photos and can’t wait to share them with my daughter some day.
—Erika Beasley
Lalani was absolutely fabulous during our session. My toddler was very comfortable around her and she explained the process perfectly. She’s a very warm person and makes you feel very comfortable during the entire session. And the images came out better than I could have ever hoped for!
—Jenna Richardson
Lalani is amazing.
She did our family photo shoot to celebrate my husbands recovery from Guillain- Barre Syndrome. We get to be a family again and Lani captured our love perfectly.
Our daughter is a bundle of energy and was a little disaster on photo shoot day. I thought for sure that the photos were going to be terrible but she managed to get her attention and get so many beautiful pictures. Looking at them you would never know that our daughter was being anything other than perfect.
She captured our memory better than I hoped for and we will cherish our photos forever.
— Ashley Paige Axanna
Best pictures my family have ever had taken. Lalani was quick and efficient, had a great place picked out for us to shoot at, and captured exactly what we were looking for. Thank you so much for an amazing experience!
—Jacqueline Dollinger
I’m so impressed with Lalani’s skills! We recently did a ‘mommy & me’ shoot with a special highlight on the various methods of feeding our babies and the results were so incredible! The shoot was productive and didn’t take too long (important with infants in tow!), and we felt totally comfortable and well directed (which was a tall order considering I had my ta-tas exposed for half the shoot 😂). The quality of the photos were 10/10!! Seriously so blown away at how gorgeous everything was from the subjects to the background and the lighting - it was all absolute perfection!! I hope to have the opportunity to work with Lalani again - a truly talented pro!
—Christin Johnson
Lalani is a true artist and one of the best photographers I’ve had the pleasure to work with. I fell in love with her work after seeing a friends shoot and being blown away. When we booked with her, I knew we’d get quality images but I had no idea how in love I’d actually be. I’m obsessed with the photos from my shoot and know that they’ll be timeless.
As someone who has both modeled and done photography, I can genuinely say that Lalani has something you can’t teach..a genuinely good eye and the ability to see the beauty in others, even if they may not see it themselves. Lastly, she’s an absolute pleasure to work with. Our shoot was fast and the turn around was also pretty swift. 10/10 would work with her again and recommend her to anyone!
—Tiana Scarvers
Lalani is simply the best! I found her on Instagram and I followed her for a while just to see her work. One day I saw she did a shoot with a colleague of mine so I asked them what their experience with Lalani was like. They had nothing but positive things to say about her and the quality of work she does. I decided to book her for my maternity shoot and she did not disappoint at all! I loved the pictures so much that I booked her again for a family photoshoot and I also have Christmas pictures planned with her. Not only does she do beautiful work, she is so professional, kind, and helpful! This woman knows what she is doing so just book her. You will not regret it!
—Sydnee Williamson
I am SO thankful that I found Lalani. She’s done multiple sessions with our family already, and I will book with her again and again in the future. Her style is unique and she gives you so much more than just your standard “posed” family photo. She’s patient and wonderful with kids. BOOK WITH HER!!
—Angela Wheeler
I was extremely lucky to meet and work with Lalani Saleste with Lalani Saleste photography her vision and artistic talent are truly impeccable. The session was both smooth and comfortable Lalani is easy to talk to and work with. Considering she had my 19 month old to work around as well I could not have asked for a better experience. I highly recommend Lalani Saleste Photography will be using her in the future.
Thank you so much!
— Chelsea Miranda
Lalani was absolutely incredible during our maternity shoot. We were two awkward people not knowing what to do with our hands, and she made everything so easy and natural. She helped pose us when we weren’t feeling confident, which made a world of difference. She also made sure we were in the best locations for golden hour light and got us some truly beautiful pictures that we will always treasure. Thank you so much Lalani!!!
— Kelsey Palis
Hi guys it’s me, Lalani. I am the eye behind the lens of Lalani Saleste Photography.
I am a Raleigh NC based photographer, wife, a mother, and a lover of all living things! In my free time you will find me spending time with my family, my family is my absolute everything! I’m a lover of pizza, good music, chocolate, and sangria! Throughout life I have always been drawn to so many artistic and creative ways to express myself. From hair styling, make up artistry, drawing, singing, writing, painting, sewing, dancing, and modeling. I specialize in family, couples, and maternity photography but am not limited to. What sets Lalani Saleste Photography apart is my passion! I am extremely passionate about what I believe, feel, and see. I hope you can see that in my work, as well as my ability to visualize a photograph in my mind before my lens ever captures it.
I feel extremely blessed to be able to do something I absolutely love, and to be able to share in your special moments. I believe every single photo I produce and give you should be frame worthy. I can promise if you like my portfolio then you will absolutely love your photos. I will do everything it takes to capture life long memories for you to keep, and remember for years to come.