• Welcome!

    Luster Studios is my personal portfolio where I share weddings, special events, engagement sessions and portraits. My origins stem from a fine arts degree in photography and computer graphics. My "style" is a perfect blend of creative ideas driven by a relaxed attitude and a fun yet thoughtful personality.

    Through a combination of posing and photojournalism I strive to capture planned and spontaneous moments that will later help you relive how you were feeling at that exact moment. I'm based in North Carolina and often travel to destination locations. I look forward to getting to know what inspires you both creatively and personally.

    - Craig Carpenter

NC State Fair / Pig Races at the Raleigh North Carolina Fairgrounds

I really enjoyed visiting the N.C. State Fair this past October and have finally had a chance to catch up on a few of the photographs I took. I was originally there to photograph an engagement session with Bridget and Thomas but decided to hang around afterward to watch the final pig race of the day. I had never attended a pig race before and must say that it was quite entertaining to watch! I kept hearing from everyone… “You haven’t lived until you’ve seen a pig race.” so I now feel I can check that off of my bucket list. It’s wasn’t quite as dynamic as the time I went to a Nascar Subway 500 short track race at the Martinsville Speedway but it was just as fun. :) Just not quite as LOUD!

The North Carolina State Fair is also known for many items of intrigue such as giant turkey legs, deep fried food, tractor pulls and the fore mentioned pig races. They also host a lot of talented acts at The Dorton Arena each year. Demolition derby and bmx entertainment is a big hit too.

If you’re feeling really adventurous you can even milk cows which is hosted by the NCSU Animal Science club in the exhibition center. This is also where all the prize winning produce are displayed.

If you want something great to eat you should check out the NC Cattlemen’s Steak Sandwich Booth located between Dorton arena and the Jim Graham building… It’s a little white building with a white sign with red lettering and it’s basically a ribeye steak on a bun but they are delicious! Next door is the “corn on the cob” place. If you save your milk from the milking booth and you’ve got yourself a wholesome meal!

There is no doubt that the NC State Farigrounds are an educational and entertaining time for the whole family. I highly recommend that you check it out each year. “You haven’t lived until you do!” Right?

pig races state fair
animal races state fair
north carolina state fairgrounds

This announcer was from Circle C Petting Farm in Newton, NC. He was really fun and really got the crowd fired up for the races!

pig races state fairgrounds
pig racing state fair

Faces only a mother could love.

children farigrounds rides

This little girl was very eager to pet the baby pig that the announcer brought out.

baby pig fairgrounds petting zoo

There was a collective “Awwwww…” from the crowd when they caught a first glimpse of this baby pig.

duke races state fair

The final event of the evening were some really fun duck races. As I was leaving the fairgrounds I caught a few more photographs on the way out.

north carolina state fair pigs

Here’s some hopeful athletes of tomorrow! You need to eat and stay strong to compete although I think they were just competing for food in this shot.

pet animals fairgrounds

Thanks for warning me…

giant turkey legs fair

It’s giant turkey legs as far as the eye can see. These are a must have staple food as far as the NC State fair goes.

roasted peanuts state farigrounds

My wife’s last name is “Blanchard”… and we found this random peanut stand that shared her moniker.

home made ice cream fair

I can’t remember if he was cutting up samples of taffy or making home made ice cream cubes… Anyone know what this machine is?

pumpkin growing contest

Giant pumpkins from a pumpkin grwoing contest. I think the winner was over 600 lbs.

rooster hen carousel ride

These decorated animals were part of a local design competition that area schools and businesses participated in.

decorated horse competition
pony rides state fair girl

This adorable little girl was really enjoying the pony rides. She looked super cute with her cowgirl hat on.

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