As a little bitty child (living in Camden County, Georgia at the time) I spent a large portion of my childhood in a dance studio. From an early age, creativity was on the forefront of my mind and I knew that, no matter what I did as an adult, it had to allow me some form of creativity. Having a mother who had her Canon SLR with her almost always meant I was exposed to the world of photography from a very young age.
But as life happens, you grow older and forget a lot of those little things you thought about as a child. My family moved to Connecticut when I was nearly 12 and I turned my focus towards more academic pursuits. I graduated high school in 2013 with plans to be a Child Psychologist, then pivoted towards Education when I transferred schools. That turned into a History degree (with no Education degree attached) when I finally graduated in 2018. But something new had bloomed in my head and my heart through all those years...
I attended the wedding of my now in-laws (Ryan's sister) way back in 2014 and something sparked in my brain. There were people there photographing the wedding...who made a career out of photography without being stuck doing school pictures or dance recital photos. It makes sense but until that moment I had only ever experience photography as something "normal" people do as a hobby.
That one experience was all I needed to set me on this path towards this business. My first paid session was back in 2015 and I've been slowly building and growing this business of mine into that of my dreams. I've met the most amazing people and get to share some of the most exciting moments of their lives with them!!
About Me
Newport, Rhode Island
Distractible
Strawberry Refresher
Anywhere in Europe
my family
Ninja
Own a Dance Studio
Mythical Kitchen
Target...for sure
Ayla's Bagel
The Cozy Corner (IYKYK)
2000's "Dad Rock"
my journey
I grew up in the competitive dance world where my mother would capture every special moment. This was my first introduction into the world of photography!
Thanks to the US Navy, we packed all our things and moved to Connecticut! I didn't at the time, but I grew to absolutely adore living in New England.
After meeting and chatting online, I had my first date with this cute guy named Ryan. We met in Mystic and instantly felt I could talk to him forever.
Ryan's sister got married and I saw, first hand, people making a living doing photography. I mean, besides those doing school and dance photos...
While on an annual vacation with his family in Maine, Ryan got down on one knee and asked me the easiest YES of my life!!
The idea of pursuing photography had been weighing on my heart a lot. I finally took the leap and captured my first ever clients (a wedding if you can believe it)!!
After reaching out to a fellow photographer's post, we rehoused the sweetest little kitty named Feather!!
After 3 years engaged and nearly 5 years together, Ryan and I finally had the wedding of our dreams! It was the most magical day!!
This business became official and legally legit! Ryan and I shot our first wedding together and started a new chapter of this journey!
A year of fertility struggles, financial struggles, surgery, and a lot of stresses. A very scary year that I didn't know if I, or my business, would survive...
2023 was a hardest year but also strangely the best because...I"M OFFICIALLY FULL TIME!! This was the craziest decision but one that I'm so proud of and so ready for!!
In addition to being the best husband ever and my trusted second shooter, he wears all of the hats. His full-time job is a 2nd Grade Bilingual teacher (he's fluent in Spanish!) as well as working part-time with me at Windsor Ninja Academy! While I am the one who handles all things creative, he is the one who handles all things logistic. I'm so thankful for him handling all the nitty gritty to keep this business legal and legit. I also appreciate that he ensures I am hydrated on busy wedding days and that I don't talk too much (because I talk a lot sometimes...)!
Team
Lead photographer, client coordinator, creative visionary, and total Enneagram 4! Also a coffee addict, explorer of small town New England, and a stationery designer.
Second shooter, logistics genius, occasional pack-mule, and total Enneagram 3. Also a runner, ninja warrior, 2nd grade bilingual teacher, and lover of all pizza.
Cutest kitty in the universe, professional snuggler, and total homebody. Also a lover of zoomies, fresh air on the patio, and distracting the family during work times.
Full time photographer, part time ninja coach. Explorer of New England and lover of coffee. Add in some crochet, the cutest kitty, and an amazing husband. Basically my life in a nutshell!
Follow Along: @ChelseaLavalleePhoto
Follow Along:
@ChelseaLavalleePhoto