Lifestyle and Fine Art Portraits – Page 5 – Chantal Lavine Photography

waiting for baby

There was a time when I came home from work each day feeling unfulfilled and restless. I felt disconnected and uninspired, and I wondered how my educational journey — which had molded and sustained me — had led me to a string of nine-to-fives that left me feeling so blasé about my role in the world. It was aggravating, on good days; on bad, simply demoralizing.

Now, my every morning presents an entirely different scenario. I have rediscovered my fondness for storytelling, and find great joy in presenting the beauty in others’ lives through my unique and imperfect perspective. What a privilege, really, to gain that kind of access: to share tender moments and witness others’ humanity at such a close distance.

expecting mamas everywhere…

It’s been a long winter, and despite the lingering snow on the ground, signs of spring are everywhere: elementary schools are hosting car washes, joggers have cast off their extra layers, and cafés are offering outdoor seating.

But the telltale sign of an enduring winter — we all know it, and it just happens to be my favorite — are all the sweet little baby bumps that emerge from unbuttoned trench coats and light cotton sweaters on the first day that pea coats and parkas are discarded for the season. Bellies of all shapes and sizes, donning corals and whites and lavenders, blossoming beautifully toward the warmth of the spring sun. And this year, expecting mamas seem to be e v e r y . w h e r e .

sea gulls & snuggles: an Annapolis engagement

I get it now. There’s a reason why everyone loves Annapolis. And, having grown up on the sea, I understand why people flock to harbor towns during the summer. But for the same reason, I also know why these charming little towns are such hidden gems in the winter: they are peaceful — deserted, except for the sea gulls — and they are breathtaking.

Annapolis is no different. It sparkles under the late afternoon winter sun. The water near the pier is a deep green-blue beneath the frosty glass that covers it. Boats are moored amidst cracking ice, and people say hello to each other from behind their scarves.

say ‘cheese!’

Admit it: your child is more adept at operating your many digital devices than you are. It’s okay, really: if you look around you any day of the week, you’ll know you’re not alone. The way children absorb information is uncanny, and their ability to understand the role of technology in their little bitty lives is nothing short of astounding. So, I guess I shouldn’t have been terribly surprised when 20-month-old Oliver took one look at my fancy camera gear the morning of our session and knowingly chimed out, “cheeeeeeese!” (He then promptly darted away.)

forgotten apples

Some days, life serves you an extra helping of happy. Such was the case on this hazy fall afternoon, which brought with it the perfect recipe of close friends, ethereal light, a rustic apple orchard, and (more than my fair share of) apple cider donuts.

I slung my camera over my shoulder that morning thinking it might be a nice opportunity to shoot a bit for myself. Just one lens; nothing fancy. But much to my delight, in between the forgotten apples and the savory donuts, a little love session emerged. Tanaz and Carlo live in South Sudan and Italy, respectively, so I don’t have the good fortune of seeing them very often — nor do they see each other as much as they’d like. So when I saw how the light danced around them that day (and through Tanaz’s gorgeous curls), I was relieved I didn’t leave my camera at home.