Photography by Chanda

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Portsmouth, VA
Photography by Chanda

Check out my Website ... www.photographybychanda.com

Embracing a childhood passion, a camera became a chronic appendage at an early age. Capturing each event, moment and memory fueled my young love of the art. Since then, my passion has grown exponentially allowing for the expansion and success of this happy profession. And of course I have a team that helps make this happen... Photography by Chanda Cares is here to help anyone that needs to capture a love for free...:)

07/16/2026

Italy... I’m already counting down until we meet again. 🇮🇹🤍

Now that I’m finally home, from traveling here and there… I can officially share Part 2 of Mr. And Mrs. and I don’t think I’ll ever be over it.

Truthfully, so much of my work stays behind the scenes, so whenever I get the opportunity to share a story like this, it feels extra special.

These moments were documented at Spiaggia Urbani below the charming town of Sirolo 🤍 known as the Pearl of the Adriatic. And let me tell you... no photo could ever fully capture how breathtaking it is. Every turn looked like a postcard, and then the sunset arrived, painting the sky with the dreamiest shades of pink from like a rainbow as we all stood there soaking it in.

And these two? They didn’t stop at sunset portraits. Oh no... Mr. & Mrs. ran straight into the sea, 🌊🤍 Those spontaneous, joy-filled moments are always the ones you’ll treasure forever.

Being trusted to document love stories in places like this will never feel normal to me. It still feels like the biggest honor.

Already dreaming of my next flight back to Italy... because I definitely left a little piece of my heart there. ✈️🇮🇹

xoxo,
Chanda ❤️

07/02/2026

It’s 100° on Lake Norman... and the only acceptable plan is to find the water. 🌊☀️
Some summers aren’t measured in days... they’re measured in sunburns, surfboards, lake jumps, and chasing the next adventure.
When it’s pushing 100° here on Lake Norman, you’ll find exactly where he wants to be 🏄‍♂️ catching waves, hanging by the golf course, soaking up every second before another school year begins.
These are the moments that deserve to be remembered. Not just the milestones... but the in-between days that end up meaning everything.
Wishing everyone a fun, safe holiday weekend filled with sunshine, laughter, and the people who make summer feel like summer. ❤️🤍💙
Happy Birthday, America! 🇺🇸

SurfLife

06/22/2026

Some places aren’t just where you live… they’re where your best memories live. 🌅🐾
Golden sunsets. Bare feet in the grass. A dog that thinks every family photo should include a game of chase. And a backyard that has witnessed years of laughter, adventures, and growing up.
For this sweet family, there was no better place for their session than right here on Lake Norman❤️where evenings are spent running through the garden, soaking in the lake views, and making memories together.
One of my favorite parts of this session was that we truly captured the sunset from every angle of their beautiful property. From the gardens to the lakefront views, every corner offered a new perspective and another reminder of just how special this place is to their family.
This year is extra special as these two incredible parents celebrate 20 years of marriage. ❤️ Twenty years of building a life together, raising an amazing family, creating traditions, and collecting stories that will be told for generations.
And trust me, there are a LOT of stories. From surfing adventures and epic travels to all the cool things this family has experienced together, I honestly wish I had room to tell them all. The kind of memories that fill photo albums, dinner conversations, and hearts forever.
I always tell families that the most meaningful photos happen where life actually happens. Not perfectly posed. Not rushed. Just real moments with the people (and pups!) you love most.
Watching these two teens laugh with their parents, seeing Lani steal the spotlight every chance she got, and capturing the joy that fills this family was such a gift.
Because one day these kids will be grown, life will look a little different, and these images will bring them right back to these sunset evenings on the lake… celebrating 20 years of love, adventure, and a family that truly knows how to live life to the fullest.
And honestly, that’s what family photography is all about. 🤍
Happy 20th Anniversary to two pretty amazing humans. Here’s to the next chapter and many more sunsets, surf days, adventures, and memories ahead.
xoxo,�Chanda

05/19/2026

Alter’d State called… they want their models back 😌✨

Because HOW do three best friends show up looking like this for a cap & gown session?!

White dresses, blue caps, golden light, and not a single forced smile in sight—just pure joy, laughter, and a whole lot of “we’ve been through everything together” energy.

This is what it looks like when friendship grows up.

And while I’m so excited for everything ahead of them… I’d be lying if I said it didn’t make me a little emotional watching them step into their next chapters.

I’ve known one of these girls since she was born… so yeah, I’m not okay 🥹

To every grad who invited me to celebrate and I couldn’t make it or cannot please know I love you, I’m cheering you on, and I’m so glad I got to hug your neck and get your gift to you 🤍

Gelato dates are coming, I promise 🍨 xoxo

Love from Italy ❤️ 🇮🇹 ❤️

Yes still working here and my team still working hard back in the Carolina’s xoxo

05/15/2026

She fell off… and got right back on like it was part of the plan 😏

This was supposed to be a cap & gown session… but if you know me, you already know how that goes when water is near 🤍 😝

Give me a fallen tree, a glowing sunset, and a gorgeous senior who says “I’m down” 🥳 and we’re about to create something real.

She climbed up, skipped it like it was nothing, slipped off (yes, with shoes on 😅)… and before I could even react, she was right back up there 👀 graceful, fearless, unfazed. Just like her gymnastics.

But that’s her.
Strong, light, full of joy and natural beauty… the kind of soul you feel the second you’re around her.

I’ve known her since she was 7 years old, and watching this moment ❤️ this season ❤️ this full circle with this class of 2026 it hits different.

Graduating with honors, glowing in every way, twirling in that white dress with the sun setting behind her like it was made just for her.

And if you know her (or her mama)… you already know❤️
you’d follow them anywhere. Even straight into the water without thinking twice. Now now I need you and Laura both on that tree log 🥳

This wasn’t just a session… this was her. ✨

Love and so proud of you

05/13/2026

Senior guys bringing their girlfriends to sessions = my favorite plot twist 😍

Because this right here? This is the kind of energy I’ll never say no to.
Boots on, denim, music playing and Maylie right there beside him 💛 matching his steps, matching his smile, and cheering him on every second. She’s got that fun, carefree spirit, and he’s got that strong, steady presence… and somehow it just works.
Manny might be all football at App State, but around her? He’s laughing more, softer, lighter… just happy. And Maylie? She’s right there keeping up, hyping him up, and making it all look easy.
They’re stepping into what’s next together 💛 and if this is any glimpse into their story, it’s going to be a good one.
Walking, dancing, just doing life side by side… the kind of moments that don’t need posing, they just need each other.

Cannot wait to capture you on the App field and your fav cheerleaders 📣 or cowgirls 🥰

gallery is landing TODAY and I already know… you’re about to love every single second of this 🖤✨

05/10/2026

We caught this moment right in time 🩵

Two weeks before graduation, Grant met me on the campus of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 🩵 cap, gown, and that quiet confidence and somehow even more grounded…that says he’s ready.

Four years ago, it was high school senior photos.
Now, it’s a college degree.

The wind, the Carolina blue, the excitement… it all showed up.

And this weekend, he officially graduated.

So proud to capture this chapter right before it turned the page.

Grant your future is so bright and an honor to capture this amazing accomplishment you have earned 🩵 and yes the restaurant you suggested was 🔥!!!

Love us xoxo

05/08/2026

Some people send flowers…
Ashley Manning built a whole movement of love around them. 🤍
Yesterday we documented the heart behind hundreds of deliveries heading out today through
Volunteers spent the day wrapping flowers, filling baskets with gifts, writing heartfelt notes to complete strangers, and reminding grieving moms they are not forgotten this Mother’s Day weekend.
What makes this even more beautiful is how it all started.
Back during the pandemic, began with a simple Valentine’s outreach project for widows. Just love showing up where grief lived. And now… adding Mother’s Day …it has grown state to state and into something so much bigger than anyone could have imagined.
Watching all of these incredible women come together was pure inspiration. Proof that kindness still exists. Proof that people still show up for each other. And you never know what someone else might be going through 🤍.
One of my favorite parts was having Pax beside me helping document it all. A pretty special thing to witness together. Yes was sooo good!!!
To every mom carrying love, loss, memories, or heartbreak this weekend… we see you and we hear you. 🤍
And if you’ve ever wanted to be part of something meaningful… come be part of what Ashley is building.
xoxo
Photography by Chanda
Huge big thanks to all these places and more for donating:

Chanda Pope

05/05/2026

He said, “Can I bring my girlfriend to my car session?”�I said… only if she’s part of the story. ❤️�And just like that… it turned into one of those sessions you feel more than you shoot.
Windows down.�Sunglasses on.�Her dress catching the breeze.�His hand finding hers like it always does.
The sky showed off…�but honestly, it didn’t stand a chance.
Because the real glow?�It was the laughter.�The way they look at each other.�The kind of love that makes everything else go quiet for a second.
They made hearts at sunset… because why not? 🥰 kill me 😂 �When it’s this real, you don’t overthink it… you just hold on a little tighter.
These are the moments I live for.�Not just how it looked… but how it felt. And still we found yellow and black for
xoxo love me, �Photography by Chanda
☀️

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Portsmouth, VA

Website

http://www.photographybychanda.com/

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