Winston Salem, North Carolina


How to Photograph Milestone Family Celebrations | A 60th Birthday at Forsyth Country Club


Annie Lievens Photography

 

From Family Portraits to Cocktail Karaoke


Some occasions deserve more than a toast—they deserve to be remembered for a lifetime. When one of my long-time Winston Salem families asked me to document their matriarch’s 60th birthday, I knew it would be an unforgettable event.

We began with a private family portrait session at their Buena Vista home, capturing the generations gathered together.


Later, I joined them at Forsyth Country Club, where the celebration came to life with cocktails, laughter, and live music. A highlight of the evening was “Raleighoke,” a Raleigh-based karaoke band that brought energy, fun, and lots of memorable performances.

Photographing milestone events like birthdays, anniversaries, or reunions requires a balance of candid storytelling and intentional portraiture. The result is a collection of images that preserve not just the people, but the atmosphere, joy, and meaning of the day.


Family milestones don’t happen every day. Hiring a Winston Salem event photographer ensures these gatherings are documented with care, so that future generations can feel the love and legacy in every image.

A family portrait series taken outdoors with lush greenery and trees in the background.
A collage of outdoor group portraits shows people gathered in natural settings with green foliage in the background.
Couple poses outdoors in a garden setting wearing coordinated blue and navy formal attire.
A group in coordinated blue and floral outfits poses together under lush green trees on a summer day.
A playful sequence showing a baby being lifted up in an outdoor setting with soft bokeh effect.
Small white fluffy dog being held during outdoor family gathering with people in dressy attire.
Wedding party stands together in an outdoor garden setting wearing blue and purple coordinated dresses and suits.
A series of candid outdoor photos showing playful interactions with a baby in a light blue outfit on a grassy lawn.
A social gathering outdoors with people wearing coordinated navy blue and gray attire under shady trees.
A couple poses together on a grassy outdoor path surrounded by lush greenery and trees.
Two people wearing floral and striped dresses pose together in a lush garden setting on a grassy lawn.
An outdoor family portrait series showing a couple in formal attire against a green garden background.
Two people in summer dresses stand together on a grassy lawn surrounded by green trees.
White luxury farmhouse exterior with dormer windows, covered porch and wrap-around walkway creates elegant curb appeal.
Elegant green and gold event directional signage displayed in wooden frames along a white hallway.
Two young friends in contrasting outfits pose together in a hallway, one wearing a black dress and boots.
A couple poses together in formal attire on a tiled floor in an indoor venue.
People in formal attire sharing wine and conversation at an upscale event.
An elegant interior scene with patterned curtains and a person posing in white boots and a black dress.
A sequence of candid reception photos showing guests in blue and orange striped dresses mingling in an elegant venue.
A group of people at a formal event, with someone wearing a sparkly blue jacket amongst the crowd.
Group photo of people in formal attire posing together in an indoor venue with tiled flooring.
A group in formal attire poses together at an elegant indoor event space with framed artwork on the walls.
Three people in formal attire pose together at an elegant event with a decorative gold-framed mirror in background.
Wide angle panoramic view of a group gathered for a formal event in a bright interior space with cream colored walls.
A group of well-dressed individuals pose at a formal event, with one wearing a burgundy suit and another in a blue sequined jacket.
A group of women in patterned dresses enjoying a celebration indoors with drinks and laughter.
Wedding guests dance in a line following choreographed moves at a reception party with pink lighting.
A festive crowd enjoying a dance party with colorful lights and decorations at a wedding reception.
Partygoers perform synchronous dance moves in a venue with purple mood lighting and musical equipment.
People dancing and celebrating at an indoor event with blue and white decorative elements.
Group of people dancing and celebrating at a festive party with green lighting in an indoor venue.
People dancing and celebrating at a lively reception venue with a crowd gathered on the dance floor.
Performer in sparkly blue jacket sings into microphone while checking phone on colorfully lit stage.
Female performers singing on stage with colorful lighting and musical equipment in background.
Two singers performing energetically on stage with a live band at a Raleighoke karaoke event with colored lighting.
People dancing and celebrating at an indoor party with blue lighting and festive atmosphere.
People dancing and celebrating at an indoor event with wine glasses in an elegant room setting.
A performer in white singing passionately on stage with purple lighting effects in the background.
Singer in striped dress performs on stage with dramatic lighting and microphone.
Band members perform on stage under green lighting at a live music event with guitars and microphones.
Two performers sing into microphones while performing at an event with green lighting in the background.
People socializing and enjoying drinks at an indoor party event.
Party guests dancing and celebrating with raised arms on a lively dance floor.
People enjoying drinks and socializing at an evening indoor event with dimmed lighting.
Live band karaoke performance at Raleighoke with musicians and singers on stage.
Enthusiastic person in burgundy suit singing or speaking into microphone at formal event with chandelier overhead.
Entertainers performing energetically on stage with microphones during live music show.
Performers singing enthusiastically at a karaoke show with pink and blue stage lighting.
Party guests dancing and celebrating at an event with colorful lighting and a 'Lakechoke' sign visible.
Group photo of the Raleighoke live band and karaoke performers on stage with their logo sign.
Wedding reception guests dancing and celebrating on a dance floor illuminated with blue and purple lighting.
Guests laughing and celebrating with wine glasses at indoor party.
Group of wedding party guests posing in a line against a blue-lit backdrop at an indoor venue.
Large group photo of event attendees under colorful lighting in a banquet hall.
Group photo of event attendees in formal attire standing together in front of music stage setup.
Two performers pose in suits in front of Raleighoke branded backdrop with stage equipment visible.
Couple poses together in front of Lately banner at musical event with stage lights.
Group of party guests singing and celebrating together under colored lighting at evening event.
Performers singing and gesturing dramatically during karaoke performance with colored stage lighting.
Dance party with colorful purple lighting and people dancing in formal attire.
Party scenes with people dancing and celebrating under pink and purple mood lighting.
Guests enjoying themselves at a celebratory indoor event with dramatic lighting and entertainment.
Energetic dance party scene with people dancing under purple ambient lighting.
Band members perform on stage with raised arms during an energetic live performance with colorful lighting.
Performer in burgundy suit and sunglasses singing on stage with dramatic blue lighting.
Live band performing on stage with neon signage and colored lighting effects.

 

Thank you for spending time here!

Annie Lievens Photography is a fine art portrait photographer based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, serving Forsyth County and the surrounding areas of North Carolina. I specialize in timeless, heirloom-quality images that celebrate motherhood, family, and life’s most meaningful moments. From maternity and newborn sessions to milestone and family portraits, I offer a calm, guided experience designed to be as stress-free as possible. If you're looking for a Winston-Salem photographer who blends soft, natural light with intentional storytelling, I would be honored to serve you and your family.