“I've had nothing but the best experience with True Essence Photography. From the moment I originally contacted the team for my shoot, through the booking process, the actual shoot, and receiving my photos afterwards. Very professional team. Dontavious was quite helpful and made this a very easy process. And I can't forget to mention how respectful the remainder of the the team was. They made sure everything was done in a timely manner, and I will definitely continue to use them for my photography needs.”
TRUE ESSENCE / COLLECTION
SCROLL TO REVEAL THE STORY ↓
WELCOME / 00
PHOTOGRAPHY & FILM / AVAILABLE NATIONWIDE
BOOK YOUR
STORY.
BECAUSE THE MOMENT WON'T WAIT.
Wedding photography, portraits, families, events, branding, headshots, maternity, and cinematic film. Based in Greenville, North Carolina, True Essence Photography welcomes clients of every background and travels nationwide to tell your story.
01 / 11
Wedding Photography & Film
WEDDING
STORIES.
Every vow. Every look. Every feeling.
From the first look to the last dance, your wedding deserves more than a record of who was there. We preserve the emotion, meaningful details, and people who make the day yours through thoughtful photography and cinematic film. Share your plans so we can shape the right coverage together.
EXPLORE & BOOK Wedding Photography & Film
02 / 11
Portrait Photography
PORTRAITS
OF YOU.
Your presence deserves the frame.
Celebrate your personality with portraits that feel confident, expressive, and unmistakably yours. We help with posing, lighting, and the small details that make a photograph work, whether you prefer a studio session or a meaningful location. Bring your ideas, your favorite outfits, and room to be yourself.
EXPLORE & BOOK Portrait Photography
03 / 11
Engagement Photography
BEFORE
I DO.
A chapter worth remembering.
This is the chapter before the wedding day: a chance to slow down and celebrate how you are together. With relaxed direction and a location that means something to you, we make room for genuine laughter, quiet connection, and photographs that tell the beginning of your story.
EXPLORE & BOOK Engagement Photography
04 / 11
Branding Photography
YOUR BRAND
YOUR VOICE.
Show the person behind the work.
Show the people and purpose behind your business with photographs that work as hard as you do. From personal branding portraits to your workspace, products, and daily process, we plan images around your audience and where you will use them. Build a consistent visual story for your website and campaigns.
EXPLORE & BOOK Branding Photography
05 / 11
Professional Headshots
MAKE YOUR
INTRODUCTION.
Confidence looks good on you.
Make a first impression that feels professional without losing your personality. We guide your expression, posture, and lighting to create headshots for your website, professional profile, speaking engagements, or team page. Choose a studio or on-location session, and tell us how you want to present yourself.
EXPLORE & BOOK Professional Headshots
06 / 11
Maternity Photography
BEFORE
HELLO.
Honor the beauty of this season.
Honor this season of anticipation with maternity portraits made with patience and care. We guide the session around your comfort, your style, and the connections you want to remember. From a quiet individual portrait to photographs with your partner or family, this chapter deserves to be part of your story.
EXPLORE & BOOK Maternity Photography
07 / 11
Family & Kids Photography
THIS IS
US.
The little things become everything.
The little expressions, familiar gestures, and changing personalities are what make your family yours. We offer gentle direction while leaving space for children to settle in and connections to happen naturally. Create photographs that celebrate who you are together at this moment, before the next season arrives.
EXPLORE & BOOK Family & Kids Photography
08 / 11
Graduation Photography
YOU EARNED
THIS.
Every late night led to this moment.
You earned this moment, and your graduation portraits should feel as individual as the journey behind it. Bring your cap, gown, achievements, and the details that tell your story. We help plan campus and studio portraits with confident direction, so you can celebrate this milestone and everything ahead.
EXPLORE & BOOK Graduation Photography
09 / 11
Birthday Photography
YOUR YEAR
YOUR MOMENT.
Make this one worth looking back on.
Make your next birthday a celebration of the person you are becoming. Plan a styled studio portrait, bring an outfit that makes you feel incredible, or document the people sharing your celebration. We help turn your ideas into personal photographs that give this year a place in your story.
EXPLORE & BOOK Birthday Photography
10 / 11
Event Photography
FEEL IT
AGAIN.
The atmosphere is part of the story.
Bring the feeling of your event back into focus, from the room and its details to the people who make it memorable. We document private celebrations, community gatherings, and corporate events with attention to both planned moments and unexpected connections. Tell us your schedule and how you want to share the story.
EXPLORE & BOOK Event Photography
11 / 11
Commercial Photography & Video
VISUALS WITH
PURPOSE.
Create work that moves your business forward.
Create purposeful photography and video for the people you want to reach. We work with businesses on images of products, teams, spaces, and services, planning each project around its message and intended use. Tell us about your campaign, your audience, and the deliverables you need for a practical creative plan.
EXPLORE & BOOK Commercial Photography & Video
00 / 11
SIMPLE STEPS / PERSONAL SERVICE
YOUR STORY. YOUR EXPERIENCE.
01 / CHOOSE
Find your experience
Scroll the collection and choose the type of photography or film that fits your day, milestone, or project.
02 / SHARE
Tell us what you imagine
Open your service's existing booking page to share your date, location, and session goals.
03 / CONNECT
We'll plan the details
We follow up about availability, coverage, and the next steps to confirm your experience.
A FEW THINGS TO KNOW
BOOKING QUESTIONS.
How do I book photography or videography anywhere in the United States?
Select an experience above, open its service booking page, and submit the details through the existing booking form.
Can we talk before I book?
Yes. Reach out before booking if you'd like help choosing a service or discussing what matters most to you.
Do you travel nationwide for photo and film projects?
Yes. True Essence Photography is based in Greenville, North Carolina and travels nationwide for photography, videography, and cinematography. Everyone is welcome. Share your location and project details so we can plan travel and coverage.
ONE MORE THING / WE'D LOVE TO HEAR IT
LET'S MAKE
IT MATTER.
Have a story that doesn't fit neatly into a category? Tell us what you're imagining. We'll help you choose the right photography or film experience.
Kind Words
Trusted with your moments
Read what clients say about working with True Essence Photography.
5-star Google reviews
1 / 5
“Dontavious was such a pleasure to work with! This was my very first photo shoot and he did an amazing job with guiding me through it. He is very professional, personable and witty. The quality of his images are outstanding as well as his pricing! I will be booking again in the near future.”
“I highly recommend True Essence Photography! I recently had my professional photos taken and I'm blown away by them. The session was great and I had lots of fun. The studio is in an accessible location and spacious. Dontavious demonstrates a high level of professionalism and attention to detail. I'll definitely be back again and considering having him do my corporate leadership team photos in Charlotte.”
“I would recommend everyone to book with True Essence. The name absolutely speaks for itself. The photographer, Dontavious, truly captured the true spirit and natural nature of me during our session and I was absolutely pleased. He was very informative and made sure I knew what each equipment that was surrounded by me was, and it was quite helpful and different. He encouraged me the entire time and I will definitely book him again!”
“An absolute dream to work with! He was very professional and so gracious. As a first timer I felt comfortable and relaxed. Im So happy I stumbled upon this one. On top of that my pictures are fire! 🔥 highly highly recommend!”