lifestyle – Page 3 – 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.

new seasons of growth

I feel no shame in admitting it: I envy the ability of West Coast photographers to create sun-filled, dreamy images of 70-degree weddings and family sessions during what for us is the obnoxiously frigid dead of winter. It’s not that I don’t appreciate the winter light on the East Coast — it is gorgeous and unparalleled — I just find it hard to forget that in order to capture it, we come dangerously close to freezing off our extremities, every time.

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.)