Today we’d like to introduce you to Kaitlyn Blake.
Hi Kaitlyn, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’m Kaitlyn Blake, the photographer and bridal stylist behind Bride of the Pines, a journey that began eleven years ago when I fell in love with photographing weddings. What started as capturing intimate, emotional moments for couples across North Carolina has grown into a career that now includes photographing designers like Hayley Paige, Sandals Resort Weddings, and celebrations at stunning local and destination venues.
Along the way, I learned exactly what brides gravitate toward, what flatters beautifully on camera, and how much the right gown can transform a moment. That insight inspired me to open Bride of the Pines! It is a boutique built on intention, warmth, and an elevated one-bride-at-a-time experience. Today, I’m honored to blend my photographer’s eye with a stylist’s heart, helping each bride feel exquisitely seen, celebrated, and completely herself from “yes” to “I do.”
We are also proud to have our master stylist, Mariah, who brings incredible expertise and warmth to every appointment. She helps brides discover their dream gowns and styles them to bridal perfection with a thoughtful, personal touch.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
When I opened Bride of the Pines, I thought that passion would seamlessly translate into retail but stepping into the boutique world came with its own lessons. I navigated the challenges of unreliable designers, damaged gowns, delayed shipments, and the reality that running a boutique is an entirely different art than photography. Those early missteps shaped me into a stronger owner and taught me the importance of curating only designers I trust, building a more intentional collection, and creating an experience rooted in warmth, honesty, and care.
Building Bride of the Pines has been a constant learning journey filled with moments of growth and grace. Coming from the photography world, I quickly realized that owning a bridal boutique is its own beautiful craft. I had to learn everything from designer relationships to production timelines to understanding how gowns are truly made. I leaned on trusted designers and supportive boutique owners who shared their wisdom and helped guide me through the challenges. Their mentorship strengthened my commitment to offering gowns that are thoughtfully curated and an experience that feels warm, genuine, and effortless for every bride who walks through our doors.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a wedding photographer and the owner of Bride of the Pines, a one on one luxury bridal boutique in North Carolina. My work lives at the intersection of heartfelt storytelling and intentional bridal styling. For the past eleven years I have photographed weddings across the state and beyond, and my portfolio now includes destination celebrations, local love stories, and designer campaigns for Hayley Paige, Sandals Resort Weddings, and other brands who trust my eye for beauty, timeless editing style, and emotion.
Inside the boutique, I specialize in creating an intimate gown shopping experience where every appointment is private, personal, and fully curated. I never wanted a bride to feel like a number or rushed through a fitting room, and that vision shaped the heart of Bride of the Pines. My background as a photographer allows me to guide brides toward silhouettes that flatter beautifully and move gracefully in their photos, creating a truly intentional approach to bridal styling.
One of the things that sets us apart is our collection of exclusive designers that brides cannot find anywhere else in the region. Curating these designers took time, trust, and many lessons as I learned the craft of bridal retail. Through that journey I leaned on supportive designers and fellow boutique owners who helped me shape a collection that feels fresh, elevated, and truly special for our brides.
I am most proud of how both sides of my work come together to serve brides with warmth, honesty, and artistry. Whether a bride steps into the boutique or stands in front of my camera, she receives a deeply personal experience that celebrates who she is and honors this moment in her life.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Something that often surprises people is that I have a degree in biology and grew up dreaming of becoming a marine biologist. I spent most of my childhood in Maine on the water, lobstering with my friends and joining biologists as they studied local fisheries. We lived beside a dock where marine life surrounded us every day, and I was endlessly fascinated by the ocean and its rhythms. Life shifted when I married my husband, who serves in the Army, and we moved to a landlocked state. That unexpected turn nudged me toward photography and eventually bridal fashion, creating a new and unexpected path that I now cherish. I still carry that love of the ocean with me and share it with my children through stories, fun facts, and countless funny little lessons from my days on the water.
Pricing:
- Full Day Wedding Photography Pricing Starts at $5,800
- Gowns in the boutique range from $1,500 to $5,500
Contact Info:
- Website: https://brideofthepines.com/ and www.kaitlynblakephotography.com
- Instagram: @brideofthepines
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092343024324
- Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/BrideofthePines/
