Meet the Photographer: Chrissy Stein-Martin

Chrissy joins the Forward Focus team from Mooresville, NC. She is willing to do sessions for PALS on location or in her studio.

A bit about Chrissy:

I am a wife and mother of 3 wonderful boys. I was born and raised in Miami Florida, where I was a medical surgical nurse in the local hospital. My family moved to Mooresville 3 years ago for my husbands job and for a better place to raise our children. At that time I pursued my dream of opening my own photography studio, Portrait Pizzazz.

Meet the Photographer: Desirae Young

Desirae joins FF from the Lake Norman area as the third photographer to join our team.

Here's what Desirae says about herself and her business:

I am a stay-at-home mother of one Mr.Rhylan. He is the light of my life and why I have a passion for photography. I've been married to the most wonderful husband ever!

I am from Walnut Creek, California but I have lived mostly in North Carolina. Without the two of them by my side I would have nothing. My son is the reason why I photograph! I love to capture the everyday faces that he expresses. I love to help other families capture the moments they can turn into forever memories.

I have been asked by friends to photograph their families and encouraged to pursue my hobby more intently. Through the support of my friends and family, D.Young Photography was born.

You won’t find photo backdrops and poses and light stands with me, just me, my camera and maybe a tripod. I want all my clients to be thrilled with their photos. I am sure you will love your photographs!

Meet the Photographer: Ryan "Fenix" Sumner

Ryan ("Fenix") is the second photographer to join FF. He will be available to those PALS in and around the Charlotte area who are able to visit his 2nd floor studio in the Historic district.

What Fenix has to say about his work:


With studios located at the heart of Charlotte's Historic NoDa Arts District, Fenix Fotography specializes in artful photography for weddings, business, and fashion.

In addition to my individual and corporate clients, I'm a photographer at Uptown Magazine for artistic editorial, events and sports.

In December 2007, VH1’s The Shot sponsored an online contest for wedding photography. From 1,281 entries, one of my bridal images received both the highest number of votes (801) and the most views (1,866) world-wide.

I was a staff photographer at Elevate Magazine from February 2005 to August 2006--a publication to which I still sometimes contribute photography.

My work has also been seen in numerous other regional and national publications, advertisements, and calendars. Most recently for the Charlotte Checkmates professional cheer/dance team and for Innoseal's national magazine advertising campaign.

The Light Factory Contemporary Museum of Photography and Film included my photography on their walls in exhibitions of Charlotte–area artists taking place in 2006 and 2007.

In 2006, Maxim Magazine selected 3 models, on the basis of my photographs, as finalists in their nationwide 2006 “Hometown Hotties” contest. The photos were featured on the magazine’s website.

My work as a photo-retoucher/historic photograph restoration artist (2000-2006) appeared in Newsweek Magazine, AARP Magazine, and over thirty museum exhibitions—including one in South Africa.

Ryan "Fenix" Sumner
Creative Director
Fenix Fotography

Meet the Photographer: Amanda Prince

Amanda is the first photographer to join Sheri in Forward Focus. She is a photographer in Western, NC. Brevard, to be exact.

You can see examples of her work at www.amandaprince.zenfolio.com and her blog will be up and running soon at www.aprincephoto.com