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Tag: maryland engagement photographer

A GUY AND A GIRL AND A LITTLE POLKA DOT DRESS

A GUY AND A GIRL AND A LITTLE POLKA DOT DRESS

Her laugh. His smile. And that darling polka dotted dress. Are you kidding me? They had me at hello.

No, really. See the second photo down on the left? That was a TEST SHOT. These two made my job easy. And it’s not because they are gorgeous (which — side note — they obviously are); it’s because they are so palpably head over heels for each other. Excited by the prospect of forever together. Invigorated by the very presence of their affianced. On this bright, refreshing autumn day, everything paled in comparison to their glow. I stood behind my camera in awe of their connection. What a true honor to capture it. xo

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NOT SO AWKWARD AFTER ALL

NOT SO AWKWARD AFTER ALL

These two. See how snuggly they are? And how beautifully it translates on camera? When we first started Liz & Tom’s engagement session, they didn’t believe they could make that happen. I remember smiling to myself as they nervously complied with my direction from behind the camera — a nuzzle here, a tender look there. They were convinced that they looked incurably awkward, but of course, that wasn’t at all the case.

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SIT BACK and stay a while

Hello! I'm Chantal, a part-time photographer / full-time creative with a passion for telling stories through sweet, timeless imagery. When I'm not chasing light / dreams, I'm chasing my (adorable) little boys, whose photos you'll see sprinkled throughout these pages. I'm so flattered you're here, exploring my little space on the web for musings on this and that. Enjoy!

Parents, don’t stress!​​​​​​​​
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I know you want the portrait of everyone smiling at the camera—you know, the one grandma wants for her mantle—but I promise you what you’ll cherish most are the images like these that really show your family’s personality. The in-between moments. The giggles and snuggles, even the pouts. They’re what make you YOU. ​​​​​​​​
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When you look back through your memories months and years later, it’ll be the emotion-filled frames that get you every time. So, yes, we’ll be sure to snap a few cheeses for the camera, the requisite holiday card. But the rest of the time, just breathe in your babies, relax, and let the magic unfold around you. Because don’t worry…it will ✨.
I FINALLY GOT OVER MY FEAR OF SELF PORTRAITS.​​​​​​​​
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I own a tripod. Maybe two? I even have a remote trigger. But I have this little problem.​​​​​​​​
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I am both a creative AND a perfectionist.​​​​​​​​
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It causes paralysis. A yearning to document my sweet little family, and also a heavy set of expectations that everything turn out just so.​​​​​​​​
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BUT THEN I REALIZED. I’m letting so much sweetness slip away that someday I’ll wish I had preserved. My littles are not so little anymore. They wear tees with weird characters and wild print on them and laugh in my face when I suggest pants without a drawstring waist. ​​​​​​​​
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But they’re my heart. And their beautiful faces are all I want and need to fill every frame I create. It doesn’t matter if we’ve planned the perfect outfits or found the best location or even if I’ve hired someone else to photograph us. ​​​​​​​​
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So, I pulled out the tripod today. I didn’t always nail focus. In some frames my kid made a super silly face. In some frames I don’t love how I look. ​​​​​​​​
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And yet my heart couldn’t feel more full. ​​​​​​​​
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Get in front of the camera, mamas. Don't wait for the perfect circumstances. Your kids will treasure the photographs in which you show up with them, in all your imperfection.​​​​​​​​
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And you know what? You will, too.
a precious / precocious tangle​​​​​​​​
of limbs + curls + dimples ​​​​​​​​
to melt your heart ​​​​​​​​
(you’re welcome)
I did, in fact, promise you more tutus in my feed, I did, in fact, promise you more tutus in my feed, and I never go back on my word where sparkle is concerned 😉. You’re welcome. And happy Friday! xo
Copyright © 2022 Chantal Lavine Photography
Portrait Photographer Serving Maryland, Washington DC, and Virginia
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