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Welcome to my blog!

This blog is a snapshot into what I am currently
doing in both my personal and professional life.  My hope is that you will get a better idea of both my photographic style and of who I am as a wife and mother in my every day life.

You will see that I LOVE my clients and the fact that I get to be creative every day.  I see my job as so much more than the art of photography, it is an opportunity to get to know my clients and share life with them.  I am inspired and challenged every day by the couples and families I get to photograph. It is such a unique privilege to capture such momentous occasions in people's lives.  Because I build a relationship with my clients, I often feel more like a friend and guest rather than a vendor.  I love having the chance to celebrate along side the people I get to work with and to give them images that will help them remember and honor these precious moments for years to come.

For those of you who are nostalgic for my old blog or would like to see my 2008 work, you can check it out here.

Thanks for celebrating these moments with me!

SEEDS Ebay Auction {Durham Portrait Photography}

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Give  a Lashelle Chappell Photography Portrait Session as Valentines Day gift while supporting SEEDS

You can bid on a portrait session at the SEEDS Ebay Auction here
Now until February 8th
(some items will have an extended bidding period)

We’ve donated 2 portrait sessions including 1 1/2 – 2 hrs of shooting, an online gallery and CD of images
Sessions are valued at $300 a piece

We’re even going to extend our support by offering a 10%  discount on a LCP Portrait Session
to anyone who purchases something from the auction and graciously donates to SEEDS.
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SEEDS is a local organization in Durham whose mission is to
“educate youth and adults through gardening and growing food while cultivating respect for life, for earth and for each other.”
They strive to fulfill this mission with the help of neighbors in the community and through programs at their Southside Garden and Market Garden located in Northeast Central Durham.
To find out more about SEEDS visit them at the Durham Farmer’s Market and check their website out here.

This is an awesome opportunity to spoil a special someone while supporting an awesome organization!

Love That Boy…

This is a little belated, but in the midst of celebrating him, I didn’t have the time to blog but…Hayston turned 1 last week.  So, I wanted to wish Hayston a HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY!!  It was a wonderful day, just the three of us spending some quiet time together, doing Hayston’s favorite things (like going to Foster’s and the science museum) and of course eating cupcakes!

Words can’t express how much I feel about that little guy and the fact that he is a part of, and has ultimately completed our family.  I am so proud of the little boy he is now and the man I can see him becoming.  I love being a mother and a parent side-by-side with John.  It has been such an unbelievable year…not without many sleepless nights and tears of course…but full of so much joy and love as well.

So this is for my little guy…I know you can’t read this yet, but thank you, Hayston for coming into our lives and just being you.  It is an honor to be your mother, to see you for who you really are, to be a part of your growth and get to watch first-hand as you become an amazing person of your own.

I love you so much, baby boy!

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LOVE THAT BOY
Walter Dean Myers

Love that boy,
like a rabbit loves to run
I said I love that boy
like a rabbit loves to run
Love to call him in the morning
love to call him
“Hey there, son!”

He walk like his Grandpa,
Grins like his Uncle Ben.
I said he walk like his Grandpa,
And grins like his Uncle Ben.
Grins when he’s happy,
When he sad, he grins again.

His mama like to hold him,
Like to feed him cherry pie.
I said his mama like to hold him.
Like to feed him that cherry pie.
She can have him now,
I’ll get him by and by

He got long roads to walk down
Before the setting sun.
I said he got a long, long road to walk down
Before the setting sun.
He’ll be a long stride walker,
And a good man before he done.

Snowy Morning…

IMG_3000Yesterday we got about 5 inches of snow here in Durham, NC.  This is a very rare thing for us and something that literally shuts down the city.  John and I’s street has yet to be plowed, so we are happily snuggled up in our snow kissed house this morning enjoying how beauitful everything looks when covered in fluffy white snow.  We are currently drinking our morning coffee and enjoying a piece of Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips and Crystallized Ginger that I made yesterday.  We are going to let Hayston enjoy his first snow a little later this afternoon, but until then we are going to stay warm and enjoy some yummy food.   Love a good snow day!!IMG_3004

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YUM!!

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Here is the recipe for the Banana Bread if you are interested…I made a few little changes but I highly recommend it…

Banana Bread with Chocolate and Crystallized Ginger
Makes 1 loaf or 1 8-inch round cake

Ingredients:
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar (I used brown sugar)
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/3 cup finely chopped crystallized ginger (I didn’t have that much ginger so I only used about 1/4 c but still got plenty of flavor)
2 large eggs
3 large ripe bananas, mashed
1/4 cup well-stirred whole-milk plain yogurt (not low or nonfat)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
(I also added about 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, an extra 1/4 teaspoon of powdered ginger and 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg to give it a warmer flavor)

Directions:
1. Set a rack in the center of the oven, and preheat to 350F. Grease a 9- by 5-inch loaf pan or an 8-inch round cake pan with cooking spray or butter.

2. Melt the butter on the stove or in a microwave and set aside to cool slightly.

3. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt. Add the chocolate chips and crystallized ginger and whisk well to combine. Set aside.

4. In a medium bowl, lightly beat the eggs with a fork. Add the mashed banana, yogurt, melted butter, and vanilla and stir to mix well. Pour the banana mixture into the dry ingredients, and stir gently with a rubber spatula, scraping down the sides as needed, until just combined. Do not overmix. The batter with be thick and somewhat lumpy, just make sure all the flour has been incorporated. Scrape the batter into the loaf pan and smooth the top.

5. Bake into the loaf is a deep shade of golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 50 mins to an hour. If the loaf seems to be browning too quickly, tent with foil. (Don’t be afraid of the browning, it makes an awesome crust with a little bit of a crunch…I love it!)

6. Cool the loaf in the pan on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Then tip out onto the rack, and let it cool completely before slicing. The loaf freezes well wrapped in plastic wrap and again in foil to protect from freezer burn.

ENJOY!!!

The Knot’s Best of Weddings 2010

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As many photographers know, this time of year is busy, but not usually because of shoots.  The winter months are when we work on all of our small business-”behind the scenes”-admin stuff.  It isn’t the fun and showy stuff of the business, but it has to get done.  I’ve been working to finish up my season and year doing a lot of stuff that isn’t very blog worthy.  But, I  do have something I haven’t had time to blog about that I’ve been really excited to share…

I am so excited to announce that I was voted one of the Knot’s top 25 NC photographers and will be featured in their Best of Weddings 2010.  It is an honor that I am absolutely thrilled about.  What really sent me over the top about this is that it is completely based on client post-wedding-day reviews.  I really believe that there are many great photographers in NC and especially in the Triangle, but the thing that sets me apart is the experience I give my clients during our time working together.  It is so exciting to know that my clients agree.  I love photography, but for me it is all about the people I get to work with and the fact that I am celebrating along side them and capturing memories for them that will last a lifetime.  That is the real reason I love what I do.  It is a privilege and honor to be a part of such important moments in people’s lives.  So, thanks again to all my clients for your sweet words and giving me this amazing gift.  So, in honor of my amazing wedding clients, here are a few of my “best of 2009″ wedding images…

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best of getting ready moments…

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best of ceremony moments…

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best of portrait moments…

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best of reception moments…

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A very special thanks to all of my amazing 2009 clients who made this season such a wonderful one!  I had such a great time at all of my weddings and shoots this year.  In the midst of the transition into becoming a new mom, it was such a joy to share life with all of you.

Thank you, thank you! I absolutely adore every one of you.

Happy Day!

Yesterday was such a happy day.  It was John and I’s 6 year wedding anniversary, so our good friends came over to babysit and we headed out for an afternoon by ourselves.  Sometimes I feel overwhelmed about our anniversary being right in the middle of the holidays, but have really come to enjoy having a reason to stop and make the time to connect with John in the midst of the hustle and bustle of this time of year.  We had such a great time together.  First, we headed to Piedmont in downtown Durham for an AMAZING brunch.  If you have never been there, you must check this awesome little place out.    0001we indulged in brioche french toast with roasted apples…

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and poached eggs with spinach and tomato hollandaise…YUM!

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Piedmont even had some really fun live music…0004

then we headed north of the city for a beautiful snow-covered-rolling-hills drive out to Rock of Ages Winery for a little wine tasting…

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our footprints in the snow…

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John’s documenting of the fact that I was wearing a cute skirt (I told him to keep this picture during the other 90% of the year when he just sees me wearing my pjs, workout clothes or if I’m feeling fancy…my jeans…as a reminder that I can dress up)

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on to wine tasting…

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love that guy…

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our attempts at looking like we know what we are doing…(no connoisseurs here, but at least we are enjoying ourselves!)

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love the color of this wine…

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to 6 amazing years together, cheers!

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a few more from our wanderings outside the winery…

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love the winter vines…

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and a couple “self portraits”

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I love you, John.  Thank you for such an amazing day and for building such an amazing life with me.  I am overwhelmed by all that we have walked through together over these years and the joy and strength that we have gained through it all.  I just adore the husband, father and best friend that you are to Hayston and I.  There are no words to express how grateful I am for you and our marriage.

It just keeps getting better and better.

10 1/2 months and counting…

0001I can’t believe that Hayston is only a month and a half from turning 1!  In some ways this year has flown by, but in other ways I can’t remember a time without him in our lives.  I aspired to take portraits of him every 3 months his first year, but month 9 somehow slipped away from me, so we settled for month 10.  While we were at John’s parent’s house over Thanksgiving, I was able to do a little 10 minute session of him.  I love him in his fall sweaters and hat!  He is crawling, cruising and trying to walk now.  He has such a little personality and is really discovering his independence (although that has also come with the very scary realization that momma can leave him).  The more he becomes his own little person, the more fun I have just spending time with him.  He is definitely my little buddy.  So here are a few recent pictures of our little man…

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we broke out John’s old Radio Flyer wagon for a few shots, I just LOVE how they turned out…

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love these eyes…

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and love these next two faces…he cracks me up!

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cruising like a big boy…

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this is Hayston’s “enough with the camera” face…

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one with “dada”

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and “momma”

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too cute!

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Susan and Rich {Chapel Hill Wedding Photographer}

0001A couple of weekends ago Jon and I got to photograph Susan and Rich’s gorgeous wedding at the Barn at Valhalla.  We had such a great time with them.  It was a beautiful fall day, the lighting was spectacular and Susan and Rich were adorable together.  A perfect day for a wedding photographer!  Susan and Rich really wanted their wedding day to be a celebration of their friends and family, as well as, their relationship.  They really thought through the little things that would allow everyone to have a good time, from awesome food, a DJ playlist for Brian that even kept the kids entertained, to Smore roasting in the Barn’s beautiful outdoor fireplace.  Reta and Meredith from French 75 really brought all the details together and I loved watching how Susan and Rich’s thoughtfulness really made everyone feel welcome and have a great time.  Here are a few of my many favorites from this lovely day…

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Susan was just radiant all day, even before she put her dress on…

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love this gorgeous hallway!

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the beaming groom…

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the GORGEOUS bride…

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check out those fabulous green eyes!

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love the flowers from Flowers by Design

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Susan and Rich had this amazing idea to have all of their guests write prayers and notes onto pieces of fabric then attach them to the prayer flags hanging on the tree they got married under.  Such a beautiful symbol of their marriage being surrounded by the love of their community.

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this may be my favorite image from the day…

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married!

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so romantic…

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adorable…

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love this field!

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on to the reception! Rich and Susan showed off their awesome lindy-hop dance moves during their first dance…

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some fun in the photo booth by Carolina Photo Booths

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some sweet toasts…

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a surprise birthday cake for Rich…

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and nothing ends a perfect night like sparklers! LOVE this last one…

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Thanks again, Susan and Rich for letting me be a part of you amazing day.  I loved every minute of it!

So fun! {Chapel Hill Wedding Photographer}

Last weekend I photographed Susan and Rich’s gorgeous outdoor fall wedding at the Barn at Valhalla.  I have more photos to come, but I just came across these portraits I took during their reception and after it got dark.  Susan and Rich did an amazing job filling the Barn with romantic light and I wanted to utilize some of it.  I love the way these came out!  Just something a little extra and fun…IMG_0628bw

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the Barn has this gorgeous outdoor fireplace where Susan and Rich set up a Smore’s station. We took this last photo in front of it and  I love how romantic it turned out….

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More photos from Susan and Rich’s wedding to come!

the Glushik Family {Durham Portrait Photographer}

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I love it when I get to photograph families year after year!  It is so fun to watch the kids change and grow.  I photographed Evan and his parents this time last year when he was only 8 weeks old, so it was such a blast to get to see this little guy walking talking.  With three days of nasty rain and wind, it’s hard to believe it was this beautiful last weekend, but it was the perfect fall day and we got some great images from our time together.  Evan is such a cutie and was such a trooper through our session.  It’s tough being photographed when you are a 14 months!  LOVE his big brown eyes with the gorgeous fall lighting and color!  Here are a few of my favs…

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the big guy working on standing and walking…

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LOVE the sweet little feet!

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some snuggles from mom and dad…

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a couple with mom…

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Evan, mom and future sibling!  Can’t wait to meet her…

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and couple with dad…(what did I tell you about those eyes?)

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where is daddy’s nose?

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a few playing in the leaves…

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this face cracks me up!

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LOVE!

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Evan’s concentration while trying to walk is too cute…

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Thanks again guys!  It was so much fun to see you again.  Can’t wait to meet the baby!

Cutest Little Mickey

We’re back from our Orlando adventure!  We had a great time with John’s family at Disney World.  Hayston loved “It’s a Small World,” and hanging out at the parks, but his favorite part of the trip was this little sprinkler play area at our hotel.  He jumped up and down every time we approached it.  The bus rides to and from the parks were pretty exciting as well.  Apparently a ride on the Durham City bus and a hose would have been just as exciting for our 9-month-old!  I will post a few more photos from the trip later, but until then…

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