What’s Your Story?
Your ISE story didn’t end at graduation. We want to know where life has taken you, what you’re doing today and what matters to you.
Last Updated: 09/18/2026 | All information is accurate and still up-to-date
Your story could inspire students, reconnect classmates and appear on our website or even in a future issue of inGear.Just tell us what you’re doing and why it matters to you. Send us a few sentences and a photo. We’ll reach out and learn more.
What’s your Story?
ISE Alumni Stories
Finding Focus Beyond the Day Job
For Matt and Amelia, photography offered something their day jobs could not. It gave them a creative outlet and a chance to capture meaningful moments for others.
The turning point came when they photographed a maternity session for Amelia’s friend. Matt had long taken photography seriously as a hobby, but this experience felt different.
“We had so much fun doing that session, and when we saw how much joy those photos brought her, capturing a moment in her life she’d never get back, we realized this was about more than just taking pictures.”
After she shared the photos on Instagram, friends began requesting sessions. In October 2025, the couple launched Amelia and Matt Photo in Cary.
Today, they photograph maternity and newborn sessions, engagements, families and graduations throughout the Triangle. They shoot every session together and favor relaxed, candid images over stiff poses.
However, building the business requires much more than photography. Matt’s NC State ISE education has helped him improve everything from customer inquiries to gallery delivery.
“ISE taught me to break down my own process and look for where the hurdles and wasted time actually are.”
Matt streamlined workflows, standardized routine messages and even created tools to reduce repetitive work. Consequently, the couple can spend more time on the personal and creative parts of their business.
“My ISE degree is really what pushed me to keep questioning the process instead of just accepting how things were.”
Still, Amelia and Matt measure success by something less technical.
“For us, success is the pride we feel after delivering a gallery, and the happiness of sending clients their photos and hearing their reactions.”
Nearly one year later, their creative outlet has become something more. Amelia and Matt now help families preserve moments they can revisit for years.
You can find out more at ameliaandmattphoto.com or follow along on Instagram @ameliaandmattphoto