Today we’d like to introduce you to Alicia Dunlap.
Hi Alicia, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve been documenting life behind a lens ever since my kids were born — capturing their laughter, milestones, and everyday moments that pass too quickly. But it wasn’t until my son started riding in the rodeo at just 3 years old that things really shifted. My phone couldn’t keep up with the speed of the sheep, so I invested in a Nikon D750 and challenged myself to shoot in full manual mode from the start.
I took classes, attended workshops, and practiced constantly — with my kids as my first muses. I began photographing portraits of riders at the rodeo, capturing not just the action but the quiet, emotional moments in between. That quickly evolved into photographing families, couples, and boudoir sessions.
I officially launched Twisted Sapphire Photography after going through one of the hardest seasons of my life. Photography became both a creative outlet and a healing tool — something that grounded me and gave me purpose again.
When I photographed my first wedding, everything clicked. I fell in love with the raw emotion, the story, the fleeting moments that so many miss. The mother tearing up during her daughter’s father-daughter dance. The groom holding back tears while listening to heartfelt vows. The family speeches that trace a couple’s journey from childhood to the altar. These aren’t just photos — they’re time capsules, and I’m honored to preserve them.
I’m based in Lexington, NC, but most of my weddings are in Raleigh, Durham, Downtown Charlotte, and surrounding areas. I also frequently travel out of state for destination weddings and creative projects.
My style blends documentary storytelling with an editorial eye — I focus on honest, emotive moments while also creating timeless, artistic imagery that reflects each couple’s unique dynamic.
My mission is to create art that doesn’t just look beautiful, but feels deeply personal — something couples can relive and pass down for generations. I truly believe photography isn’t just about images — it’s about connection, memory, and meaning.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road — but every challenge has shaped the photographer and business owner I am today. I started my business at a time when life felt incredibly heavy. I was navigating a lot behind the scenes — from raising two kids to rebuilding my sense of purpose. Photography gave me something to hold onto — a creative outlet, a way to heal, and a path forward.
Before photography, I worked in accounting as an accounts payable specialist. While it may seem like a big leap, I’ve always been a creative person at heart. I loved drawing, baking, painting, wood burning — anything that allowed me to express myself. Shifting careers wasn’t about discovering creativity for the first time — it was about finally giving myself permission to pursue it fully.
That said, there were still plenty of challenges: learning manual mode from scratch, investing in gear while supporting my family, figuring out how to market myself, and building trust in a competitive industry. I didn’t have formal training in photography — just a deep passion for storytelling and a drive to create something meaningful.
Balancing motherhood, client work, editing, and growing a brand hasn’t always been easy, but it’s made me resilient, resourceful, and incredibly proud of how far I’ve come.
As you know, we’re big fans of Twisted Sapphire Photography. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Twisted Sapphire Photography is a North Carolina-based wedding photography business that blends raw documentary storytelling with an editorial, artistic eye. While I’m based in Lexington, most of my weddings take place in Raleigh, Durham, Downtown Charlotte, and surrounding areas — and I frequently travel out of state for destination weddings and creative projects.
The name Twisted Sapphire was inspired by my life on the farm and my love for the rodeo. At the time, we had longhorns — and one of our cows, Hattie, had the most beautiful set of twisted horns I’d ever seen. There was something wild, strong, and graceful about her, and it stuck with me. “Twisted” is a nod to those roots and the beauty in things that aren’t perfectly straight or polished. “Sapphire” is my birthstone — a personal symbol of resilience and transformation. Together, the name represents the heart of my work: authentic, emotional, and deeply personal storytelling.
I specialize in capturing honest, emotional love stories — the real stuff. The quiet tears, the stolen glances, the belly laughs, and the beautifully imperfect in-between moments. My work is known for being full of emotion and movement, with a cinematic and timeless aesthetic.
Along with weddings and engagements, I also offer intimate boudoir sessions that focus on self-love and empowerment. I incorporate both digital and analog formats, including Polaroids and 35mm film, to bring a nostalgic, tangible feel to my work. These little touches help create something that feels unique to each couple and story.
I’m deeply rooted in storytelling — but I also love guiding my couples into bold, editorial poses and creating striking, show-stopping imagery that feels straight out of a magazine spread. I believe there’s beauty in both the raw and the refined, and I bring that balance to every wedding day.
What truly sets me apart is how involved I am throughout the process. I stay in close contact with my couples every step of the way — helping them find trusted vendors, building custom photography timelines tailored to their day, and making sure they feel supported from booking to gallery delivery. It’s not just about showing up on the wedding day — it’s about being a calming, experienced guide throughout the journey.
My background in accounting also helps me create a smooth, dependable client experience behind the scenes — from budgeting to communication and organization.
What I’m most proud of is that Twisted Sapphire Photography has grown into more than just a brand. It’s a space for people to feel seen, celebrated, and documented exactly as they are.
What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to me is connection — with people, with moments, and with purpose. Life moves fast, and it’s so easy to miss the beauty in the small, quiet pieces of it. Through photography, I get to slow time down, preserve emotion, and remind people of the love, strength, and joy that exists in their story — even in the messy or imperfect parts.
As a mother, that connection runs even deeper. I know what it’s like to want to remember every little thing — the laughter, the way someone looks at you, the feeling of being held. That’s why I approach every session and wedding day with intention. I’m not just capturing pretty photos — I’m preserving emotion in a way that can be felt for generations.
What matters most isn’t just the images I deliver, but how people feel when they look back at them — seen, loved, and fully themselves.
Pricing:
- 8-Hour Wedding (2 Photographers – The Signature Collection): $4,500+ tax
- 8-Hour Photo + Video Bundle (2 Photographers): $6,800 on sale (Regularly $7,300) Limited-time pricing available for select 2025 dates.
- 8-Hour Photo + Video Bundle (1 Photographer): $5,200 on sale (Regularly $6,200) , Limited-time pricing available for select 2025 dates.
- Boudoir Sessions Begin at: $800 (Private studio space included)
- Elopements & Micro Weddings Start at: $1,800
Contact Info:
- Website: https://twistedsapphirephotography.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twisted.sapphire.photography/
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/twistedsapphirephotography
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alicia-dunlap-519254127/
- Other: https://twistedsapphirephotography.com/contact
