Chalais Randle Photography

So you just had a baby 5 days ago and now you have to plan for a photo shoot.🥱😵‍💫
Too exhausted to think about what to wear? No worries, I got you!😁

If you only remember one thing from this post let it be this:
Timeless & Simple NEVER disappoints.

Take a look at this sweet family— that dreamy look you’re seeing isn’t just magic I created on my own. Your clothes can make the difference between good photos and ✨great✨ ones.
This sweet family nailed it by choosing soft, neutral tones that kept the focus on their love and connection.💕

Here’s my top 3 tips for dressing for your newborn session:
1. Go for neutrals - Soft grays, whites, and earthy tones create a calm, timeless vibe.
2. Avoid bold patterns - Solid colors or subtle textures help keep the focus on your baby.
3. Comfort is key - Choose outfits that allow you to move and cuddle naturally.

I loved capturing these moments with little Wren and her beautiful family! Swipe for some of my favorite shots. (Which I had a very hard time narrowing down as you can see.🤗)

Midweek magic with this beautiful family who return year after year to capture these priceless moments. They know how important it is to hold onto memories like these! ✨ Looking for the perfect holiday gift? Give the gift of memories with a photography gift certificate! 🎁 ”

A little bump and a big announcement—baby #2 is on the way for this sweet family. 🥰 Exciting times ahead for & 💕 What a joy it was to capture this moment before their trio upgrades to a family of 4!

Here’s a little dose of joy to help you shake off those Sunday scaries!🤗💕 Oh, to be a toddler again—pure giggles, no stress, just living in the moment!

When you book your mini session right after your best friend’s and get the best golden light of the day—how could we not celebrate with a great photo?!✨ Okay, okay—usually minis are only for your own family, but sometimes rules are meant to be broken.😏 So glad we did, because I absolutely love these two families who come back year after year, filling my heart with gratitude every time. Perfect light, perfect company, perfect memories—captured by yours truly.🤗📸 Here’s to many more moments like these!👏🏼

Family sessions have been stealing the spotlight lately, but I’m also working on some stunning wedding galleries in between & I couldn’t keep these photos to myself any longer.😍 It’s still busy season over here, and while the editing grind is real, I’m doing my best to get these galleries out as quickly as possible. 🙌🏼 This season might be exhausting, but it’s also a reminder to be incredibly thankful for how far I’ve come—and how much this little business of mine has grown. 2017 Chal would be so proud.

Here’s some midweek magic for ya.✨ So proud of how these mini session galleries are turning out! From posed family portraits to candid moments, every gallery is looking amazing.👏🏼😍 Thank you to all the families who participated and trusted me to document your special moments. Forever grateful for each and every one of you.😘🙏

Still smiling after this one!🥰🥰 Hands down, this was one of the best times I’ve ever had photographing a wedding. From the laughter to the unforgettable moments, these two know how to throw a party! 💃🕺 Not only was there tons of dancing, but just as many sentimental moments that made this day feel extra special to be a part of. I’m so lucky to have been there to capture it all.💕

A huge shoutout to my amazing assistant/second shooter .pierson — who just so happens to have been one of my students when I was a school counselor! Watching her transition from a middle schooler with big dreams to a young adult following her passion for photography has been such a full-circle moment for me. It was truly special to have her by my side, capturing these memories together. ✨ Go check out her page and give her a follow! 📸

✨Once upon a time the planets and the fates, and all the stars aligned— and we ended up in the 13th row at the eras show!🎶💕🎉🪩
Core memories were made & it was absolutely magical. ✨🥰
Also check out my beautiful niece in this handmade jacket made by ! She’ll never go out of style in that beauty!😉💃 Thanks again !😘

What if I told you all of these photos came from a 10-minute mini session? And then I told you this isn’t even all of them? It’s amazing how many giggles, snuggles, and playful moments we can capture in such a short time—especially when the day flows perfectly! The weather was a dream this year (no cold or windy surprises!), and West park’s tall grass and lush greenery made for the perfect backdrop. If you’ve been on the fence, let this be your sign—mini sessions are quick, fun, and full of memories.✨Don’t miss out next year! 👏🏼👏🏼

One of the top questions I get from clients is “Where should we do our photo session?”🤔 Location is one of the most important things to think about because it sets the entire vibe of your session!

Here are a few tips to help you pick the perfect spot:

📍 Think about the vibe: Do you want urban and edgy, natural and serene, or cozy and intimate?
🌿 Personal connection: Do you want to choose a place with meaning? Places like your family farm, favorite park, or even your home can add a personal touch to your photos.
💡 Consider variety: Some larger parks offer multiple backdrops (bridges, water, greenery, and open fields) while others are more limited. Urban locations often offer a variety of textures and scenery—think brick walls, staircases, murals, and oftentimes greenery as well. If you want a range of looks, choosing a spot with versatility can give you more to work with.
👗 Plan with outfits in mind: Your wardrobe and the scenery should complement each other to create a cohesive look.
🫵🏻 Consider Your Personality: If you’re introverted or get easily overwhelmed , a bustling city setting may feel like a lot with people passing by or watching. If that sounds stressful, a quiet park or cozy neighborhood might be a better fit!
💥Practicalities Matter: City shoots can mean dealing with noise, people, and sometimes less flexibility with parking. Urban locations & large parks often mean a good amount of walking will be apart of your session— make sure you feel comfortable with the logistics, too!

At the end of the day, it’s about finding a place where you can feel comfortable and be yourself. When you’re relaxed, it shows — and that’s when the magic happens ✨
Need some ideas? I’ve got plenty—just ask! 🤍📸😁

Fun fact: On average 70% of a photographer’s work is done in post-production. 👩🏼‍💻

Let’s talk behind the scenes work & busy season turn around times— ⏰

There’s so much more to photography than what happens in front of the camera. Once your session is done, that’s when the real work for us begins— and that work takes time. There’s alot of love and care put into sorting, editing, color correction, cropping, retouching, and other adjustments to refine the final image after the shoot is completed. Perfecting every image in order to ensure your gallery beautifully reflects the special moments we captured isn’t only our job but also our art, a reflection of our creativity— something that’s very personal to us.

During busy season (hello, fall!)👋🏻🍂— things ramp up with back-to-back sessions and hours of editing. And as a full-time mom, I’m also balancing family life and making sure I’m present for my own little moments, which is just as important to me as the work I do for you.💕

I’m so grateful for your trust and patience as I juggle both roles. Each gallery is carefully curated with love, and though it takes a little time, I promise the wait will be worth it!

Thank you for your kindness and support this season — it truly means the world to me. 🧡

Xo,

Chalais

Big family, big laughs, and even bigger love!❤️ My cousin Trina’s crew knows that the family that plays together stays together.👏🏼🤗 I love that the boys always have their own ideas of what they want to do in their photos with mom & dad embracing that chaos rather than trying to tame it. Makes for great photos that truly show their personalities, which is exactly what you want as a photographer. And how sweet it is to get to photograph Lexie now as a momma herself to queen Harper— who has everyone wrapped around her cute little fingers. Just as they should be!👑😆 I love capturing the joy, chaos, and connection that make families like this so special. I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again, I have the best job. So thankful.☺️☺️

How is this sweet boy already ONE?! 🎉 I can’t believe a whole year has flown by since I captured his newborn moments.💙
And just when he thought he was getting the hang of being the baby of the family… surprise! He’s got a little sibling arriving next month.🎉🤗 I absolutely can’t wait to see this beautiful family grow even more.🥰 Happy (belated) birthday to this future big brother—enjoy your last moments of being the baby while you can!😆

Ok— I loved this session so much, I just had to share more!😁Watching the big sisters play with Dad while baby Madden slept peacefully in momma’s arms was everything.😍I always love working with this family—capturing their candid moments over the posed ones is where the real magic happens.✨These genuine connections are what make family sessions so special. So lucky to have a job where I can be a firsthand witness to the love you have within your family!❤️ ☺️

“Four young gals in the family means nonstop giggles, hair
bows🎀, a lot of opinions— and just a few tears. 😆😝
Swipe to see the full range of emotions—from sweet smiles to some serious sass. 👑💕 Raising queens is no joke, but capturing the magic in the madness? That’s what I’m here for! Let’s embrace the beautiful chaos together—book your session and let’s tell your family’s story, real moments and all. ☺️

Welcome to the world Leighton Belle, it was a pleasure working with you. 🤗🥰💕

Gavin Walters | 2025 Senior | Clinton Central High School ⛳️🏌️