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WHEN IN THE SOUTH OF FRANCE…

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…share an engagement session worthy of the south of France: French macaroons, soft lavenders and pinks, dreamy evening light, and a couple swept up in the arms of their affianced. But what I love most of all as I look back on this session is that all of this pretty emerged from an evening of re-envisioned plans, with many of these hidden gems of locations discovered on the fly. 

Their stunning wedding day, which took place just three weeks later, is the only work I brought with me on this dream of a vacation. And somehow, it doesn’t feel at all like an imposition to stare at these beautiful images during our time away, with warm baguettes and freshly brewed café next to my computer, my sweet boys reading and playing in the shade nearby. The sea breeze is gentle and cool on my skin, the pace of life is luxuriously slow, and I’m surrounded by the sweet cacophony of french voices, clanging spoons, and my baby’s laughter. I have not a complaint in the world. xo

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Previous: FINDING BEAUTY IN OUR IMPERFECTIONS
Next: HOW I SEE (THE REST OF THE TIME)
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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