Cate Connery Bury
Cate Connery Bury
Photographic Portrait Artist
Photographic Portrait Artist
See the Love You’ve Built And Feel It Every Day
Studio Black and White Portaits in Nashville
When life feels like constant coordination, it helps to have something in your home that brings you back to what’s true: you’re here, your kids are loved, and this season matters. The Signature Portrait Experience is a calm, intentional space where connection slows down, truth rises to the surface, and you finally get to see the strength, love, and belonging you’ve helped create.
See the Love You’ve Built And Feel It Every Day
When life feels like constant coordination, it helps to have something in your home that brings you back to what’s true: you’re here, your kids are loved, and this season matters. The Signature Portrait Experience is a calm, intentional space where connection slows down, truth rises to the surface, and you finally get to see the strength, love, and belonging you’ve helped create.
10 Simple Ways to Create More Connection at Home
A short, practical resource to help you stay focused on the moments that truly matter.
10 Simple Ways to Create More Connection at Home
A gentle guide for slowing down and noticing what already matters.
Your Days are a Constant Act of Coordination
Pickups, schedules, meals, permission slips, practices, bedtime. The logistics are endless, and the mental load never really turns off.
Even when you are physically with your kids, part of you is already reaching for what comes next. You are present, but stretched. Loving them with your whole heart, while feeling split in a dozen directions.
And because you care so deeply, the choices feel heavy. When one child needs you, you go. When another needs you, you go there too. Yet somehow it can still feel like you are always leaving someone behind.
What you carry is mostly invisible. The devotion, the vigilance, the constant giving. You tell yourself you should be able to handle it, because this is the chapter you care about most. But it should not be this hard to feel seen inside the life you are building.
I see how much you are carrying. The coordinating, the anticipating, the constant giving. And the way you can be surrounded by the people you love most, yet still feel stretched thin inside it all.
That is exactly why I do this work. I believe parents deserve to recognize the unique and infinite value within themselves, even when they cannot catch their breath.
I’m Cate, and I’m a mom of three. I have lived the blur and I know how easy it is to lose yourself while you are holding everyone else. My role is to guide you back to what is true: your kids are deeply loved, your presence matters, and you are doing a good job.
When we work together, you will feel supported from the very beginning. You will walk away with something tangible in your home that reflects the connection you are building, and brings you back to yourself on the days you need it most.
I’m a wife and a mother of three myself, and I understand how full life can feel when you’re holding a family together. I know the quiet weight of loving deeply, of showing up day after day, and of rarely stopping to see how much that love has shaped the people around you.
About Cate
I believe that the relationships at the center of our lives deserve to be seen with honesty and care. Not styled or rushed, but witnessed as they truly are.
I’m a wife and a mother of three, and I know how full life can feel when you’re the one holding everything together. I understand the quiet responsibility of keeping relationships strong, of loving deeply, and of rarely pausing long enough to see how much that love has shaped the people you care for most.
The Signature Portrait Experience was created for this exact reason.
It’s a calm, intentional, black-and-white experience designed to remove distraction and allow connection to rise. There’s no pressure to perform and no expectation to be anything other than yourselves. My role is to slow things down, create emotional safety, and gently guide you into moments of real presence and closeness.
What matters most to me is not how things look, but how they feel. The way your family leans toward one another. The strength that’s been built through both hard and beautiful seasons. The quiet bond that already exists, waiting to be seen.
The artwork that comes from this experience isn’t about documenting a moment. It’s about reflecting the truth of your relationships back to you, so you can live with that reminder every day. A reminder of love, belonging, and the connection that holds your family together.
We Make it Simple for You
Step 1
Book Your Discovery Call
We start with a Discovery Call where we talk through what you’re craving most right now, who you want included, and what you want your home to feel like when you see your finished artwork.
Step 2
Experience the Signature Portrait Experience
Next is your Signature Relationship Experience - fully guided, simple, and designed to honor the connection you’re building in this season.
Step 3
Design What Will Live With You
Then we meet for your Design Consultation, where you see everything come together and choose what you want to live with in your home.
Step 4
Feel a Quiet, Steady Joy Every Day
And then, day after day, you walk past your artwork and feel that steady exhale in your chest: I’m here, and I’m doing a good job.
Ready for a steadier reminder that you’re here and doing a good job?
Let’s talk through what you’re craving most for your kids and your home.
10 Simple Ways to Create More Connection at Home
A gentle guide for slowing down and noticing what already matters.
What Life Can Feel Like
You move through your days feeling more rooted in what’s true.
You can still have full calendars and loud afternoons, but you’re no longer searching for reassurance that you’re doing enough. You feel it. You see it.
Your home reflects the connection you’re building, and it quietly gives something back to you: a steadier sense of worth, belonging, and pride in the family you’re raising.
You walk past your artwork and remember, without having to talk yourself into it: I’m here, and I’m doing a good job.
You already know what you’re craving.
Not a perfect schedule.
Not a quieter life.
Just a steadier way to feel rooted inside the one you’re building.
To see the connection you’re nurturing, and let it reassure you
in the middle of the days that move fast.
If you’re ready, we start with a simple Discovery Call
and talk through what matters most for your kids and your home.
Testimonials
Mirella Neely
Cate is a talented photographer and a joy to work with! The photo sessions were relaxing and fun. Cate was knowledgable about the best places for photos and captured the beautiful light of the sunset. The photos are stunning!
Julie Fette
Cate created such a meaningful experience for our daughter. The session was so much more than photos—it was about making her feel seen, heard, and celebrated for who she is. The portraits are beautiful, and every detail reflects her personality.
Sylvia Braden
Cate is great to work with! Her personality and professionalism make it easy to get BEAUTIFUL shots without stress.
Signature · Frequently Asked Questions
Getting Started & Booking
How far in advance should I schedule my Signature Relationship Portraits?
Ideally, reach out as soon as you have a season in mind. Weekday availability tends to fill first, and scheduling ahead gives you the most choice.
What makes this experience different is that it’s designed around connection—not rushing through a checklist—so we want to choose a date that supports calm, present energy for you (and for your people).
If you have a meaningful timeframe (a birthday, a milestone, or “before the season changes”), we’ll do our best to accommodate it.
Next step: Schedule a Discovery Call and we’ll look at the calendar together.
Where does the experience take place?
Signature Relationship Portraits take place in my studio.
This experience is perfect for families who want a refined, comfortable space where everything is thoughtfully set up—so you can simply arrive and be guided. Our clients often tell us the studio setting feels like a relief: fewer variables, less to manage, and a calmer pace.
We’ll talk through any accessibility needs or comfort considerations ahead of time.
Next step: Schedule a Discovery Call and I’ll share studio details and next available weekdays.
What makes your Signature Relationship Portraits different?
The difference is the focus: relationship first.
Unlike traditional photography that can prioritize performance, this experience is designed specifically for connection—the way your people naturally belong to each other. The real value of this experience is that you walk away with artwork that feels like truth, not a version of your life that had to be forced.
From the guidance you’ll receive to the way the final artwork is designed for your home, everything is intentional.
Next step: Schedule a Discovery Call and tell me what you want your home to feel like when you see your finished portraits.
How do we get started?
We start with a simple conversation so you don’t have to figure it out alone.
We’ll talk through who you want included, what you’re craving most from this season, and what kind of artwork you want to live with. If you’re the kind of person who wants this to feel easy, guided, and meaningful, this first step will feel like a deep exhale.
After that, we’ll reserve your weekday date and outline the next steps.
Next step: Schedule a Discovery Call.
During Your Experience
How long does the portrait experience take?
Plan for about 60 minutes in the studio.
The reason clients choose this is because it’s guided and intentional—enough time to settle in, connect, and create portraits that feel like you, without dragging on.
We’ll keep things calm and efficient while still leaving space for real interaction (especially for kids who need a minute to warm up).
Next step: Schedule a Discovery Call and I’ll recommend the best weekday time based on who you’re bringing.
What should we wear?
Yes—we’ll guide you. You don’t have to guess.
What sets this apart is that wardrobe is chosen to support connection and timelessness, not trends. The goal is for your portraits to feel refined and true now—and still feel right years from now.
After we schedule, you’ll receive simple, clear styling guidance (colors, textures, and what to avoid) so getting ready feels straightforward.
Next step: Schedule a Discovery Call and tell me who will be included, and I’ll point you in the right direction.
What should we wear?
Yes—we’ll guide you. You don’t have to guess.
What sets this apart is that wardrobe is chosen to support connection and timelessness, not trends. The goal is for your portraits to feel refined and true now—and still feel right years from now.
After we schedule, you’ll receive simple, clear styling guidance (colors, textures, and what to avoid) so getting ready feels straightforward.
Next step: Schedule a Discovery Call and tell me who will be included, and I’ll point you in the right direction.
What if my child won’t sit still or “cooperate”?
That’s completely normal—and it’s built into how I photograph.
Unlike traditional photography that relies on perfect behavior, this experience is designed specifically for real relationship. Kids don’t need to perform for this to work.
I’ll guide you with gentle direction and a steady pace, and we’ll follow your child’s lead enough to keep things comfortable while still creating beautiful, connected portraits. Our clients often tell us they’re surprised by how calm it feels.
Next step: Schedule a Discovery Call and I’ll ask a few questions about your child’s temperament so I can guide you well.
After Your Experience
When will we see our portraits?
You’ll see your portraits at your Design Consultation.
What makes this different is that you’re not left with a folder of files and a long list of decisions. This experience is designed specifically for families who want the finished result to feel clear, supported, and complete.
At the Design Consultation, you’ll view your portraits together and we’ll talk through what fits your home and how you want to live with them—whether that’s a gallery wall, a statement piece, an album, or an heirloom portrait box.
Next step: Schedule a Discovery Call and I’ll walk you through the timeline from studio day to Design Consultation.
How does the ordering / Design Consultation work?
It’s a guided appointment where we choose what you want to live with—together.
The real value of this experience is that you don’t have to second-guess decisions or try to design something on your own. Clients choose this because it turns beautiful portraits into finished artwork that actually makes it onto your walls.
We’ll review your portraits, talk through sizing and placement, and choose the pieces that best reflect your people and your space.
Next step: Schedule a Discovery Call and I’ll explain how we plan for your home (and what to bring to the consultation).
What products do you offer?
offer wall art, albums, and heirloom portrait boxes.
This experience is perfect for families who want more than a quick update—they want tangible pieces that hold meaning and belong in their home. What clients love most is choosing artwork that feels refined, personal, and lasting.
During your Design Consultation, we’ll talk through the options and choose what fits your style, your space, and the season you’re honoring.
Next step: Schedule a Discovery Call and I’ll share what product options tend to fit what you’re envisioning.
How can other family members see and order their own artwork?
Yes—other family members can absolutely be included in the ordering plan.
What sets this apart is that everything is handled with clarity, so you’re not stuck coordinating multiple people and preferences alone. If grandparents (or other loved ones) want their own album, framed piece, or portrait box, we can make that simple.
We’ll talk through the best approach during your Design Consultation so everyone knows what to expect.
Next step: Schedule a Discovery Call and tell me who you’d like to include, and we’ll plan for it.
Investment
What is the investment for Signature Relationship Portraits?
I completely understand wanting to know the investment before reaching out.
For Signature Relationship Portraits, the initial investment is $900. That includes a $200 experience fee and a $700 artwork deposit that you’ll apply to your artwork order. Most clients invest north of $3500 in finished artwork for their home.
What sets this apart is that you’re not just paying for portraits—you’re creating tangible artwork that becomes a steady, daily reminder of what you’re building in this season. Because every experience is designed around your people and your home, what you invest depends on what you choose to create.
Next step: Schedule a Discovery Call and I’ll help you plan in a way that feels clear and comfortable—no pressure.
What is included in the experience fee?
Your $200 experience fee reserves your weekday studio time and includes the guided portrait experience itself.
The real value of this experience is how supported you feel from start to finish—so you’re not trying to figure out styling, pacing, or what to do with your portraits afterward.
Your $700 artwork deposit is then applied to the artwork you choose at your Design Consultation (wall art, albums, or heirloom portrait boxes).
Next step: Schedule a Discovery Call and I’ll walk you through what’s included and how the deposit works.
Do you offer payment plans?
Yes, payment plans are available.
This experience is perfect for families who want to create meaningful, finished artwork without having to do everything all at once. What clients love most is having a plan that feels steady and doable.
We’ll keep it simple and transparent, and we’ll talk through options based on what you’re hoping to create.
Next step: Schedule a Discovery Call and I’ll share the payment plan options.
Do we have to buy artwork?
You’re never pressured—but yes, this experience is designed for clients who want finished artwork for their home.
Unlike traditional photography where you’re handed files and left on your own, the Design Consultation is where everything comes together and you choose what you want to live with—wall art, an album, or an heirloom portrait box.
Clients choose this because they want the end result to be complete, not another unfinished decision sitting on a to-do list.
Next step: Schedule a Discovery Call and we’ll talk through what you’re envisioning so you feel clear before you commit.
Common Concerns
What if I’m not photogenic (or I never feel confident in photos)?
You’re not alone in that—and you don’t need to “know what to do” for this to work.
What makes this experience different is that it’s designed around connection, not performance. If you’re the kind of person who worries you’ll look awkward or tense, this is exactly why the experience is fully guided.
I’ll direct you gently, keep things simple, and focus on what feels natural between you and your people. Our clients often tell us they felt more at ease than they expected—and that the portraits looked like them, on a good day.
Next step: Schedule a Discovery Call and tell me what you’re most nervous about—I’ll walk you through it.
What if my child has special needs or sensory sensitivities?
Yes—this is something I can absolutely work with, and I’m glad you asked.
This experience is perfect for families who want to feel supported and respected, not rushed or evaluated. The goal is comfort first—because connection can’t happen when a child feels overwhelmed.
We’ll talk ahead of time about triggers, transitions, and what helps your child feel safe. On the day, we’ll keep the pace steady and flexible so your child can settle in and we can create portraits that feel true.
Next step: Schedule a Discovery Call and share what you’d like me to know—so I can plan with you.
What if we need to reschedule or cancel?
Life happens—especially in this season—and we’ll handle it with clarity and care.
What sets this apart is that you’re not “in trouble” for being human. We simply want to protect the calm, guided experience you’re coming for.
If someone is sick, a school situation pops up, or you need to shift your date, reach out as soon as you can and we’ll look at the next available weekday options. Any specifics are outlined in your portrait agreement so everything feels transparent.
Next step: Schedule a Discovery Call and I’ll explain how rescheduling works before you commit.
What if I don’t want my portraits shared on social media?
That’s completely okay—your privacy is respected here.
This experience is designed specifically for families who want meaningful artwork without feeling exposed online. You’ll have a clear choice.
In your portrait agreement, you can opt in or opt out of having portraits shared. Either way, you’ll receive the same care, experience, and finished artwork.
Next step: Schedule a Discovery Call and let me know your preference—we’ll honor it.
2023 Ph0totgrapher of the Year
