Pullen Photo

We don't look to magazines or industry to tell us who we are or how we should make images. We use intuition, experience, and creativity to inform us. We study the masters of documentary photography. We are passionate students of light, nature, and human connection.

Photography that

Transcends trends

bold documentary photography inspired by the wildly dynamic wind + waves of the Outer Banks

"an amazing team that continued to exceed our expectations"

— Alyssa T.

"They are willing to get down and dirty to get the perfect shot."

— Shari

Outer Banks Photographers

Documentary Photography Seen in:

(1/3) pillars for every photo

Light

Even in darkness there is light. It’s always present. It creates color and contrast. It is inviting and warm. It provides perspective.

We use it in our photographs to direct attention and create mood.

This is where we draw the word dynamic in our work. Light is the force behind it all. We’re students of light - always seeking to understand it better and interpret it in our images.


(2/3) pillars for every photo

The Moment

“We do not remember days, we remember moments.” -Cesare Pavese

Moments are so short, yet so profound.
Blink, and you might miss them.
They simply can’t be re-created.

Creatively capturing moments is exciting, challenging, nerve-wracking, and worth it.

Because it’s the moments we live for, not the poses.

(3/3) pillars for every photo

Composition

If light gives us color and contrast and moment is the subject of our image, composition is how we frame them together. Composition is creatively positioning the elements of a scene to create a compelling photograph. Composition is about perspective - whose perspective are we shooting from - a parent’s, a bride’s, a child’s? Composition is our narrator.

these are the three pillars of our photographs. 

Creative Composition

When we make images and when we later look at our photographs, we ask ourselves questions like:

  • How was the light? How did we capture it in the image? How does it help the story of the image? 

  • Did we capture the moment in the frame? Is it an honest raw moment? Does the image translate the emotion of the scene it depicts?

  • Did we consciously and creatively compose the image to maximize the light and moment to most effectively communicate the essence of the scene? Is it interesting? Is it intriguing? Is is exciting? 

Our clients can always expect these three elements in our photographs:

Dynamic Light

Magic Moments

How it all began...

OUR ORIGIN
STORY

We were told that photography was a pipe dream and we should play it safe and go for traditional careers. That was over 20 years ago.

We didn't always photograph weddings + portraits. When we started our business in 2003 we solely focused on surf and documentary photography. We shifted gears as our family grew. We knew we wanted to do all of life together - including work - so when a friend suggested we photograph weddings and families, we thought, well, we'll give it a try... as long as we can do it our way. 

Twenty years later we see the industry telling us what our photos should look like, trends we should follow to get likes, and who we should be. But that's just not who we are.

The best advice we've received is, "Show what you want to shoot." And that's what we've done here.

We hope it resonates and inspires you.

We're Daniel & Kate.

what we're known for

BOLD COLOR

weekend PLANS

Catch Waves

KNOWN TO SPLURGE ON

Adventures

OUR FAVORITE PLACE TO HOLIDAY

At Home

Always listening to

90s Hip Hop

ENTIRELY UNDERRATED

Cloudy Skies

at pullen photo, Inclusivity is a priority.

All are welcome.

Your comfort and safety are genuinely important to us. 
We welcome all love. 
Your story will be honored here.