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...:)

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
☀️

05/02/2026

This wasn’t just a prom dress… this was the moment. 🦚✨
I see a lot of prom dresses… like A LOT.
But every once in a while, one stops me in my tracks… and this one? I will never forget.
Peacock colors woven into every inch… bold, vibrant, impossible to ignore. If you know you know 🦚 ❤️
But let’s be real 🦚 .shup is what made this dress stunning.
She’s always been that girl.
Model-ready without even trying… and honestly, she has been since she was a tot.
Some things just don’t change.
Prom season is in full swing and moments like this are exactly why I love what I do—
watching these girls step into a night they’ll remember forever, feeling like the very best version of themselves.
To everyone heading to prom this year…
make the memories, take the photos, soak it all in. It goes by faster than you think. 💫
Love me always
xoxo
Photography by Chanda.
👗

04/30/2026

Not your average senior session… not even close 🌊🔥
Austin casually surfed into the sunset on Lake Norman in a blazer and shorts like it’s a normal Tuesday.
His dad right behind the wheel the whole time… steady, proud, right there in the background of it all 💛

This guy? .weaver07 Next level cool. The kind of human you instantly know you’d have a blast with… easy, fun, unforgettable. The kind you don’t mind showing up for… even again tonight. 🔥

We get round two with him because he’s just that guy 🥳and honestly, I wouldn’t miss it.

Missing his party, but I already know my team is about to have the best time celebrating him. 🤍

Senior year looks real good on you, Austin. We adore you!!!

04/27/2026

He said it at 8 years old… “I’m going to prom in that car.”�And me, being a mom, probably said… “ok baby, let’s focus on homework first.” 😅 and let’s say the car was on a lift and did not run! �Last prom. Same dream. And somehow… he was right.
�Pierce, all in black with those deep purple details…�(Isabella understood the assignment without even trying 😌)�long gorgeous hair, sweet as ever, just absolutely stunning she always is.
Then… the car.�A ‘68 Lincoln with su***de doors 🔥 from my childhood back in upstate NY…�and somehow now my baby Pierce is stepping into it like this was always the plan.
And because this is a Kelley crew thing lol �my cuz Patrick pulled up with his friend “the one that helped get the car road ready” driving them like it was a full production 😂 �blue suit, orange suit… full Dumb and Dumber moment.�Patrick in the orange suit driving like this was his red carpet debut (honestly… it was 😂).
Pierce told me when he was 8…�“I’m going to prom in that car.”�And I’m over here like… when did 8 turn into last prom??
Masquerade theme ✔️�Dream car ✔️�Beautiful girl ✔️�Mom trying not to cry but also laughing the whole time ✔️
Just truly an honor to capture this…�even if I’m still trying to figure out how we got here so fast. 💜 xoxo

04/22/2026

Some seniors chase the spotlight…�Fallon is the light 💫 you just have to catch her in it. ✨
�Fallon.
A quiet kind of magic. The kind you don’t have to force… it just shows up.
We documented where she feels most like herself besides the gym bc yes we already documented this decorated champion a couple of months ago … yet now �in the fields, surrounded by flowers, wind doing its thing,�her in a simple white two-piece set and cowboy boots…�like she just belongs there. No posing, no overthinking…just Fallon.
She’s the kind of senior who doesn’t need the noise.�She is the calm.�Humble, soft, steady… but don’t let that fool you 🌟 �this girl flies.
Because when the sun dipped and the lights came on…�everything shifted.�The same girl who melts into nature�lit up like a music venue at night bc she loves concerts she was �glowy, free, a little wild in the best way.�Like she could be front row or center stage and feel right at home either way.
Music, movement, air beneath her feet 🌟 �TN is getting something special.�A flying star headed into her next chapter with grace and grit.
And me… just over here feeling lucky I got to witness all sides of her.
Fallon, I cannot wait to watch you continue to rise. ✨ and what an amazing accomplishment not only graduating from HS yet graduating with an associates degree too awhile competing, working, and staying so humble and true… Beautiful you
If you’ve been thinking about your senior session…�you know where to find me.�Travel photographer life… on the road again this weekend and always ready to meet you where your story lives or right in our beautiful city ❤️
xoxo

❤️ me �Photography by Chanda

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Portsmouth, VA

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http://www.photographybychanda.com/

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