Lifestyle and Fine Art Portraits – Page 6 – Chantal Lavine Photography

finding your edge

In photography, as in many fields, there is always something more to learn — some new way to advance your art form. If you think you’ve got it all figured out, well, congratulations…but it’s more likely than not you’ve reached a point of complacency, not expertise.

In yoga, we’re encouraged daily to find our “edge”, to identify our mental and physical limits, and ride out the discomfort of real and perceived challenges. It’s a beautiful life practice, really: to stay sharp, cultivate ourselves, and finesse our skill sets continually.

ten fingers, ten toes

Ashton and I go way back. I’ve been photographing his family since he was tucked away in his momma’s belly, waaaaaaay back in August (you can see those photos here if you’d like). At the time, his parents were full of anticipation for the arrival of their little guy, and Teresa was positively radiant – basketball belly and all. When I returned after Ashton’s birth to do his newborn photos, I suppose I expected to be greeted by a set of exhausted beginner parents (that’s how I would imagine I would be, after all). Instead, I was welcomed by Alex’s big smile and a sense of calm from Teresa that was even more becoming than a glowing pregnancy. It was as though they’d discovered the way life should be in the two weeks since Ashton’s birth.

mornings with Amelia

There are times, when I’m photographing, that I get so wrapped up in the moment I go into overdrive: I see an interaction, a glance, a giggle I want to capture and I act with haste to ensure I get it. Sometimes, this yields exactly the result I seek; other times, it’s clear I acted on impulse.

I keep a small, white, porcelain snail atop my desk as a gentle reminder to slow. the heck. down. Inhale. Exhale. Enjoy your clients. Study the light. Frame your subject. And THEN press the shutter. Full stop.

growing lentil

Did you know that at seven weeks, a fetus is approximately the size of a blueberry? The week before that, it’s akin to a lentil.

The first time I “met” little Amelia, she was much larger than a lentil in her momma’s beautiful belly — she was probably closer to an orange, or even a cantaloupe at that point — but sometimes, a nickname just sticks. Her parents spoke affectionately about the little Lentil they were growing, and as I captured their tender interactions, I remember thinking how lucky she was to be surrounded by so much warmth and love. Lentil is now three months old, and not surprisingly, Nealin and Alex are the sweetest, most adoring parents I’ve encountered.

gratitude

Pause. Forget, for a moment, that this is the time of year during which there are all sorts of built-in reminders to reflect on your good fortune. Pretend, for the afternoon, that your refrigerator is not full of Thanksgiving leftovers, your calendar is not full of festive celebrations, and your shopping list is not full of holiday gifts.