Night sky with stars and faint colorful auroras above silhouette of trees.

HELLO! I’M CARISSA

The Heart Behind the Lens at Photopoulos Family Photography!

A person smiling with outstretched arms standing in front of a pink background, surrounded by colorful paper honeycomb decorations and falling confetti.

Family Photographer Based in Wausau, WI

Let’s Be Friends!

I’m the kind of person who gets way too excited over a good thrift find (yes, I will be in the Wausau Restore parking lot at 10am on Wednesday if their sneak peek was good!), I will happily wander the shores of Lake Superior and Lake Michigan for hours, and I never leave without a pocket full of pretty rocks.

I go all in for my kids’ birthdays (think themed decorations that take over the house, and of course, a giant piñata), and I believe rainstorms are meant to be danced in. I love crafting—even when it turns into a hilarious mess—and I’m a homebody with a traveler's heart, always dreaming of my next adventure.

Life has taken me down some unexpected paths—from serving as a medic in the Army to homeschooling my two boys to turning a love for photography into a business. Over the years, I’ve captured everything from silly, joy-filled family moments to breathtaking landscapes, each photo telling a story of connection, adventure, and everyday magic.

A white and blue Toadstool hat sits on top of a pinata shaped like a Mario Question Box. Mario Stars are scattered on the table for a Mario themed birthday party.

A man and young children celebrating outside in a backyard on a sunny day. The man is holding a yellow piñata, and the children are gathered around, some reaching for the candy falling from the piñata.

Colorful sign with the message 'HERE WE GO!' in rainbow colors, surrounded by yellow star-shaped plush toys and scattered small Super Mario-themed confetti.

Beyond the Camera

When we’re not chasing our kids around, my husband, Allen, and I love heading to Las Vegas. I’m not a gambler, but I am the kind of person who will wake up before sunrise to hike through Death Valley, Valley of Fire State Park, or Red Rock Canyon.

Closer to home, we spend our time exploring Sunnyvale Park, the Dells of Eau Claire, and Rib Mountain~ soaking in whatever wild weather Wisconsin throws our way. I love a good adventure, but also find just as much joy in the quiet moments—thrifting for hidden treasures, tackling (sometimes chaotic) craft projects, or making my kids' birthdays an event.

At the end of the day, I’m just someone who loves laughter, late-night conversations, and soaking in the sweet moments whenever I can.

Two smiling women, one with short brown hair glasses and a brown sweater, and one with a bald head and a dark jacket, standing outdoors during autumn with orange and yellow trees in the background.

A young boy with light brown hair wearing a light blue long-sleeve shirt and dark pants squatting on a sandy beach, reaching his hands into the shallow water.

A person standing on a rocky hill in a desert landscape with distant mountains under a clear blue sky.

Why I Do What I Do

Honestly? I do this because I know how fast life changes. One minute you’re rocking a newborn, and the next, they’re cracking jokes, building LEGOs faster than you can keep up, and racing their go-kart through the yard.

I’ve been there~ trying to hold on to every little moment before it all slips away. That’s why I treat every session like I’m photographing my own family. When you look back at your gallery, I want you to feel the moment again~ hear the little belly laughs in the way their nose scrunches, feel their arms hugging you tight when they’re feeling shy, or laugh at that playful eyeroll your teenager gives when they think you’re being ridiculous.

It’s not about perfect poses. It’s about freezing the little things~ the ones you’ll miss most when they’re all grown up.

Read more about My Why and My Heart for Photography on the blog!

A woman smiling and holding her pregnant belly while standing barefoot on sandy ground at sunset, with trees and greenery in the background.

A woman lifting a young child in a wooded area during autumn, with trees and fallen leaves visible.

Child wearing a colorful helmet driving a motorized wheelchair outdoors on a paved path with blurred greenery in the background.

A pregnant woman standing at the edge of a beach, with her hand on her belly, smiling at the camera as the sun sets behind her, with clouds in the sky and water in the background.

Two children, a boy and a toddler, sitting face to face on a white blanket outdoors in a green wooded area, touching foreheads and looking into each other's eyes.

Because Family Sessions should feel like Family Time.

As a mom, I understand the challenge of capturing those perfect, wall-worthy moments while still letting personalities shine. My goal is to create a fun, relaxed experience where your family can be yourselves- so your photos reflect not just how you look, but who you are.

If you’re looking for stiff, serious portraits, I might not be your girl. But if you’re ready to embrace the joy and capture beautifully imperfect moments~ let’s capture the chaos together!

Just for Fun~ A Few Random Facts About Me:

~Cold Brew is basically my fuel.

~Travel Lover/Homebody at Heart~ I love exploring, but home in Rib Mountain, WI is where my heart is.

~Pet Chaos Enthusiast~ Two dogs, two cats, two boys; life is loud and full of love.

~Lilacs are my favorite flower~ They remind me of my childhood home and the rejuvenation of springtime.

~Thrifting and Antiques~ Nothing beats a vintage find with a story.

~Outdoor Enthusiast~ Sitting outside, soaking in nature is my reset button.

~The sky is one my favorite landscapes to photograph ~ the clouds, the moon, sunsets, Northern Lights; I love it all!

~I hate driving, but I LOVE photographing monster trucks~ the bigger, the muddier, the better!

~My style? Bold, fun, and playful~ because life’s too short for boring photos.

~

A woman with short dark hair, wearing an olive green shirt and carrying a camera with a long lens, standing outdoors near a body of water with a blurred natural background.

Night sky with the Northern Lights, stars, and silhouettes of trees in the foreground.

Close-up of pink and purple lilac flowers in bloom.

Close-up of a robotic vehicle designed to look like a shark, with detailed metallic teeth and mechanical parts, set against a blue sky.

The Timeline of How I Got Here:

A man and woman walking hand in hand in a wooded park during autumn, with sunlight filtering through the trees and fallen leaves on the ground.

2010: Joined the Army~ where I learned resilience, dedication, and how to keep going even when things seem impossible.
2012: Started dating Allen~ now my husband, biggest supporter, and the guy who still makes me laugh every day.
2016: The year everything changed~ we got married and Everett was born, filling our lives with love and laughter.
2017: Got my first camera~ and fell head over heels for photography.
2019: Turned my passion into a business~ because I wanted other families to have the kind of photos I treasure.
2021: Move to Wausau, WI~ and found our place in this incredible community.
2023: Liam, the final addition to our family, was born.
2025: Opened my very own photography studio~ a dream that started with one camera and a whole lot of love.

Read about how I live my life based on intuition and following my instincts on the blog.

Ready to Capture the Moments that Matter Most?

Whether you’re celebrating a new chapter, gathering generations together, or just want to freeze this season of life before it slips away~ I’m here for it all. Let’s create something real, fun, and authentically you.

Let’s chat and make it happen!

Or, better yet, stop by my studio in Wausau~ I’d love to meet you!

We’re located at 215 Stewart Ave, Wausau, WI.

Meet the Photopoulos Family

A man standing outdoors on grass, holding a camera with a large lens, in a park with trees displaying autumn leaves.

Allen

This is my husband, Allen! He is a Realtor with Jones Real Estate Group, but when he’s not helping people find their dream home, you’ll find him completing projects around the Studio, wrangling our two kids, or even hauling equipment for me on a session.

Occasionally, he also helps out with extended family sessions and events.

Husband, Second Shooter, Assistant

A young person with shoulder-length hair wearing sunglasses, a dark blazer, and jeans, sits cross-legged on a white furry rug. They are in front of a backdrop decorated with red paper hearts. Cherry pom-poms are scattered around and a small cup with red and pink candies is nearby.

Everett

This is our son, Everett!

He’s a self-proclaimed car-guy, especially after inheriting his Grandpa Steve’s 1968 Chevy C10!

He’s working on his own business, Everett’s Woodworks, where he’s learning to build and design with wood, and how to run a business. He will soon have his own section of items for sale in our Studio!

Son, Adventurer, Inspiring Entrepreneur

A young boy with blonde hair wears red heart-shaped glasses, standing against a white background decorated with red glittery heart shapes.

Liam

This is our son, Liam!

He’s our final addition to the family.

He’s all energy all the time! He loves to help Dad and Everett work on projects, and help Mom clean the Studio. He loves the pets (even though they don’t always love him back), and is in the super sweet but oh so frustrating stage of toddlerhood.

Son, Model, Chaos-Causer

Ready to Capture Your Own Family?

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