Scott Faber Photography, Durham

Though Scott Faber might see examples of his work on magazine stands, book jackets, and the Internet—where he's contributed snapshots to U.S. News & World Report—he feels a deeper connection to the pictures that encapsulate relationships. From wedding-themed shoots to records of maternity and childhood growth, his largely candid sessions adapt to preserve each family's rapport in scenic outdoor locales, such as Duke Gardens, or inside the studio.

Scott doesn't shy from photographic challenges; he brings the same ingenuity and college-mascot costume heads to corporate group poses as he does to high-school senior portraits. He encourages his clients to push their aesthetic boundaries as well, whether through his in-depth photography classes or before-and-after pictures for those who donate their hair to Locks of Love.