Taking pictures is savoring life intensely, every hundredth of a second.

Marc Riboud

Russell Giroux of russell captures

Originally from the Boston area, I moved to Raleigh in 2012 with my wife, Lindsay, and our son, Eric, who’s now in middle school. Lindsay and I met back in Boston but both attended Vanderbilt University for graduate school—her in Special Education and me pursuing an MBA. Before settling in the Triangle, I lived in San Francisco and Nashville, experiences that deepened my love for exploring new places.


With an undergraduate degree in Computer Science, I spent 18 years in the software industry before following my passion for photography full-time. My journey began in high school and was reignited eight years ago when my mother gifted me a DSLR camera. Since then, I’ve found immense joy in capturing portraits, landscapes, and travel scenes.


At Russell Captures Photography, I combine my love for storytelling, a “seize the moment” outlook shaped by overcoming Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at 18, and my technical expertise to deliver images that are vibrant, personal, and unforgettable. Let’s create something amazing together!

Professional headshot of a person wearing glasses and orange sweater against dark background smiling.
Professional Photographers of America Color Logo
A figure stands victoriously on a rocky mountain summit against a vast desert landscape.
A colorful family portrait taken outdoors with a decorative fountain and garden in the background.
A grid of portrait photos showing different poses and expressions against white backgrounds.

4 Fun Facts about me

  1. Hockey Champ & World Traveler: I played hockey growing up and even made it to the Massachusetts State Championship. I also spent two weeks living with a French-Canadian family in Canada during an exchange program—an unforgettable experience!
  2. State Hopper: I’ve lived in six states—Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, California, Tennessee, and now North Carolina—each one adding to my love of exploring new places.
  3. Subaru Lover: My first car was a 1986 Subaru GL that my dad and I rebuilt together with lots of bodywork. While that car is long gone, my loyalty to Subaru remains strong!
  4. Plant & Cooking Enthusiast: I’m a proud plant parent with a house full of greenery, and I love experimenting in the kitchen, especially with creative low-carb recipes.

My work & Photography style

My photography style is bold, modern, and true to life, embracing vibrant colors and rich contrast to create striking, authentic images. I steer away from the light and airy aesthetic, instead focusing on capturing genuine moments infused with creativity and playfulness. Photographing families is a joy because of the natural sense of fun and connection they bring, while working with teens allows me to highlight their individuality and help them feel confident in front of the camera. I love photographing couples to capture their unique bond and those candid moments that reflect their love. Headshots let me draw out authenticity—even from those who might feel a bit camera-shy—and collaborating with creatives allows me to bring shared visions to life. I approach every project with a “Yes, and” philosophy, building on ideas to create something truly unique. My goal is always to blend authenticity with artistry, creating photos that feel alive and meaningful.

Moody portrait of a person in black dress posing by window with golden light.
Family of four walking together through tall grass during golden hour.
Child walking on wooden boardwalk covered in autumn leaves on sunny day.
Two people posing playfully by a lake during autumn season.
Three friends posing energetically on stone steps with succulent garden background.
Playful moment of adult lifting child in air among evergreen trees.
Child in brown sweater sits on plaid blanket with lantern in outdoor setting at twilight.
Group poses together among evergreen trees at festive outdoor holiday photoshoot.
Child with arms spread wide standing in fallen autumn leaves expresses pure joy.
Young person in black polo sits on concrete steps against red wall background.
Person holds small white dog while posing with sunflowers in summer garden.
Child in cat print dress poses excitedly in front of pink flowering bush.
Two children smile together in front of tall blooming sunflower field.
Child in blue shirt poses joyfully among tall yellow sunflowers.
Two people wearing floral crowns pose together among blooming pink azalea bushes.
Person in black top poses on garden path surrounded by colorful flowers and greenery.
White balloons decorate a twilight garden scene with figures playing and jumping near a covered structure.
Three people posing together at sunset by a lake with golden light creating silhouettes.
Family golfing together at sunset on a golf course with long shadows and golden light.
Portrait against weathered red brick wall wearing cream crop top and distressed jeans.

See more of my portfolio