Art made from wild love & bomb lighting.

Documentary-style wedding and family photography in Charleston, SC, for people who want their photos to feel exactly like the moment did.

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A bride and groom are touching foreheads during their wedding, with a warm sunset glow illuminating their faces. Lowndes Grove Wedding Photos

Voted Top 10 Charleston Photographer

Welcome, bb!

Cana Dunlap charleston photographer

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Hey there! I'm Cana (pronounced kay-nuh), and welcome to my little corner of the internet. I am so honored that you’re here!

About ya girl: I'm a single mamacita to three wild and wonderful kiddos, which means I've mastered the art of doing approximately 47 things at once. My faith is the thread through all of it. Jesus is the reason I can hold the busy seasons with open hands, and leading worship on Sunday mornings is one of my very favorite places to be. The rest of the week you'll find me cheering on my crew at a ball game, scouting my newest ENO spot, or loading everybody into the Jeep and heading straight for the beach. We're a Jeep fam through and through. Yes, we're emotionally attached to all the ducks, and yes, I do the Jeep wave every single time!

I'm a big believer in being fully here for the good stuff: the people you love, the dad who tears up at the first look, the moments you'll wish you could bottle up and keep forever. Those moments are gifts. So, naturally, I built a career around chasing them down with a camera.

Good people. Good stories. Good light.

I lead a creative team over at The Storyhouse Collective, but my own work here stays intentionally small. After fifteen years behind the camera, I take on only a limited number of weddings and sessions personally each year, so booking me directly means all that experience and my full, undivided attention on your day. My whole thing is natural, unposed photography, images that look like you and feel like the moment really did.

Artful photographs.
Bomb lighting.
A girl who will make you look really, really ridiculously good looking.

FUN FACT: My name comes from Cana of Galilee, the little town where Jesus performed His very first miracle at a wedding, turning water into wine. I've always loved that out of all the places He could have started His ministry, He chose a celebration of love. Every time I photograph a wedding, I feel a little closer to that story, and I don't take it lightly that I get to be there for yours!

Say Hello!
Say Hello!
A bride and groom sharing a kiss outdoors during sunset, with trees and a dirt path in the background.
A bride and groom holding hands and gazing at each other against a yellow wall. The groom in a black suit with a white shirt and black tie, holding a bouquet. The bride in a white off-shoulder wedding dress with a flowing train.
A smiling couple laughing on the beach at sunset, with the man wearing a plaid shirt and the woman in a black off-shoulder top.
Bride in a white wedding dress standing on a carpeted staircase, holding a bouquet, inside a grand, elegant house with ornate decor and a curved staircase.
A wedding procession with the bride and groom holding hands, walking with friends in formal attire through a scenic park with large trees and hanging moss.
A couple standing close together outdoors among flowering bushes and trees, with the woman resting her head on the man's shoulder.
Black and white photograph of a wedding outdoor ceremony with a bride and groom performing a dip kiss, surrounded by seated guests in a lush, wooded park.
A couple in wedding attire sharing a romantic moment at sunset, with their foreheads touching and the sun shining behind them.
A family of four walking hand in hand on a dirt path in a park during sunset, surrounded by trees and greenery.
A woman in a white wedding dress stands in a sunlit room with beige walls, large windows, and blue floral curtains.
A family of seven, including two parents, three children, and a newborn, standing outdoors in a wooded park area, smiling and looking at each other.
A couple holding hands and walking on a sidewalk in front of a white house with black shutters, enjoying each other's company and smiling.
An elderly man in a suit with a bald head and glasses, holding his forehead with one hand, standing near a window, appearing upset or distressed.
Close-up of a young child in a light pink dress holding hands with adults, on a wooded trail with fallen leaves.
A family of three, a man, woman, and a child, are standing under a large sprawling tree in a park. The man is holding the child, and the woman is standing beside them. The scene is peaceful with fallen leaves on the ground and lush green foliage over
A bride and groom kissing at sunset in a scenic outdoor setting with trees and a walking path.
A couple sharing a kiss outdoors during sunset, with sunlight shining behind them and trees in the background.
A couple walking down a wooded path, arm in arm, surrounded by lush green foliage and trees.
A couple holding hands and standing on cobblestone street in front of a large wooden door
Close-up of a woman’s hand with an engagement ring on her finger, resting on a man’s shoulder, outdoors with a blurred background.
A woman in a white wedding dress holding the sides of her skirt, smiling in a park with trees and blooming pink and white flowers.
A happy couple embracing on a beach during sunset, with the woman pregnant, both smiling with closed eyes, surrounded by grass and water in the background.
A family of four posing on a dirt path in a park during sunset. The father is wearing a light blue shirt, the mother is in a light blue dress, a young girl is in a striped dress, and a toddler girl is in a grey outfit. Trees and sunlight create a war
A smiling woman in a white wedding dress holding a colorful bouquet of roses, dahlias, and eucalyptus outdoors.
A couple sharing a kiss in front of a white door with the number 19, surrounded by a pink flowering tree and an old-fashioned street lamp.
A couple embraces in a field during sunset, with the sun shining behind them and palm trees in the background.
A young girl is kissing a little girl on the cheek while hugging her, both wearing bows in their hair, outdoors.
A family of three enjoying a picnic outdoors on a grassy field, with a large tree and green foliage in the background. The father lifts a young girl into the air while the mother watches and smiles. A white blanket with pillows and two brown vases ar
A young girl with light brown hair in a bob cut stands outdoors among greenery and fallen leaves, wearing a white cardigan, blue dress, grey tights, and light brown shoes, with orange flowers blooming in the background.
A man holding a smiling baby girl with a white bow in her hair, in a lush wooded area with sunlight filtering through the trees.
A family of three, including a woman with long red hair, a man with a beard, and a sleeping baby girl with a white headband, smiling together indoors in front of a floral wall painting.
A bride and groom walking hand in hand on a small wooden bridge surrounded by lush trees and greenery.
A bride in a white wedding dress holding up the skirt while standing in a park with large trees and a gazebo in the background, smiling as she looks to the side.
A bride and groom sharing a kiss on the beach during sunset, with the groom dipping the bride while wearing wedding attire and the bride in a white wedding dress and veil.
A couple standing close together on a dirt path at sunset, embracing and touching foreheads in a romantic pose, with greenery and palm trees in the background and the sun setting behind them.
A couple walking hand in hand outdoors during sunset, with the woman in a flowing dress and the man in casual clothing, on a grassy area with a hill and trees in the background.
A black and white photo of a couple kissing on a wooden pier by the water. The woman has long hair blowing in the wind and is wearing a lace dress. The man is in a suit.
A bride and groom share a kiss during their outdoor wedding at sunset, with the sun setting behind them and a body of water in the background.
A romantic couple standing on a beach during sunset, with ocean waves and rocks in the background; the woman is embracing the man from behind.
A man in a navy suit and a woman in a red dress are standing together in a forest with tall trees, illuminated by warm sunlight filtering through the foliage.
A newlywed couple walking hand-in-hand through a crowd of celebrating guests at night, with string lights overhead, during a wedding reception outside.
Couple in wedding attire kissing and holding champagne glasses, on a beach at sunset.

A few favorites: weddings, elopements, families, and newborns from around South Carolina

What people are saying

A little Charleston magic, perfectly unplanned. As they shared a quiet moment together on a historic downtown porch, one of the city’s iconic carriage horses wandered into the foreground, creating the kind of image you simply can’t plan. Brick, stucc

“Cana is not only an exceptional photographer, but a truly beautiful soul. From the very beginning, she made us feel completely at ease, allowing every moment to unfold naturally. She captured both stunning, refined portraits and the most genuine, candid moments with an effortless artistry. The result is a collection of images that feel timeless, emotional, and deeply personal—we couldn’t have chosen a more perfect photographer.”

- Tallyn + Justin

A bride and groom walking beside a vintage blue bus during a wedding celebration outside a light blue house with white trim. A cannon Green wedding photographer.

“Cana captured our wedding day with a level of artistry that truly exceeded every expectation. Her ability to preserve both the grand, emotional moments and the quiet, intimate details, paired with her masterful use of light, resulted in images more beautiful than we could have ever imagined. Beyond her undeniable talent, Cana is one of the kindest and most genuine people we’ve had the pleasure of knowing. She brought such a calm, joyful presence to our day and made the entire experience effortless. Working with her was an absolute dream. We would give her ten stars without hesitation.”

- Savannah + Jonah
A pregnant woman in a white dress standing barefoot on a sandy beach at sunset. She has long dark hair, gold hoop earrings, and holds her hand on her belly while looking towards the sky with her eyes closed. Captured by Cana, Charleston Photographer

“Honestly the best pictures & you get to work with an amazing human. Cana not only has a passion for what she does but also for the people she works with. Plus you have so much fun working with her! Highly recommend her for branding photos, personal & family photos, and all the things! She’s your girl!”

- Mary

Charleston Wedding, Family, Maternity & Newborn Photographer

Hi, I’m Cana! For the last 15 years I’ve been photographing weddings, elopements, engagements, maternity sessions, newborns, and growing families. I’m based right here in Charleston, and for weddings I’ll travel anywhere the wind takes me, from a backyard in the Lowcountry to somewhere across the world. My family, maternity, and newborn sessions stay closer to home, all around Charleston and the surrounding areas. My style is documentary and unposed! I want your gallery to feel like the moment actually felt, not like everyone was staring at a camera.

You’ll get a sneak peek in your inbox within days, and your full gallery in 2 to 6 weeks. Because these are the photos you’ll actually hold onto!

Planning a conference, worship night or company event? I'd love to be in the room for that too! Take a peek at my event and conference photography.

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A list of media outlets and publications, including Wedding Wire, CNN, The New York Times, FM Forsyth Mags, A Lowcountry Wed, and the knot.

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Curious what it costs? Take a peek at full pricing here, then tell me all about your day below!