My Journey as a Photographer in South Bend

If you’ve been searching for a photographer in South Bend who values capturing real moments over perfect poses….. welcome!! I am so so glad you’re here. 💖

Hi, I’m Chaeney, the face behind Chaeney Layne Photography. I’m a lifestyle and studio photographer in South Bend, Indiana. I specialize in documenting the beautiful, crazy, wild, emotional, and joy filled seasons of life. Whether you’re maybe celebrating a growing family, planning an engagement session, or searching for a child photographer who understands kids, or looking for a cake smash photographer to capture your baby’s first birthday, my goal is always the same. I want your photos to feel like YOU.

Not stiff, overly posed, or forced.

Just genuine memories you can feel every time you look back at them.

How Working with Children Shaped My Photography Style

My photography journey actually started all the way back in 2014. At the time, photography was simply something I loved doing for fun. I was only 17 and quickly became the girl constantly carrying a camera around, begging friends and family to let me take “just one more photo.” I started offering sessions on the side while working as an aide in a special education classroom in LaPorte, Indiana for two years. Even back then, while I was working with children and I loved it, I also just knew there was something special about preserving people’s memories and I couldn’t put down the camera.

In 2018, I moved to South Bend and began working at Lighthouse Autism Center as an ABA therapist, providing one on one therapy for children on the autism spectrum starting as young as 18 months old. That season of my life really shaped me in more ways than I can explain.

It taught me patience, creativity, and it taught me how to slow down and truly meet children where they are. 🩵

To this day, that experience impacts every single session I photograph.

Why I Love Photographing Families and Childhood

As a child photographer in South Bend, one of the things parents tell me most often is how comfortable their kids feel around me. Honestly, that means more to me than anything. I never expect children to sit perfectly still or smile on command for an hour straight. I embrace the chaos a little. The giggles, the snack breaks, the running, the cuddles with mom, the tiny personalities shining through. Those are usually the moments families end up loving most anyway.

In 2021, I married my best friend and biggest supporter. Truly, I could not have built this business without him cheering me on through every late night editing session, every creative idea, every busy season, and every moment I doubted myself.

Motherhood

Then came the biggest inspiration behind my photography.

Motherhood.

In 2022, we welcomed our first daughter, Amelia. In 2023, Lucy made us a family of four. Then at the end of 2025, we completed our family with our sweet baby boy, Oliver.

Becoming a mom completely changed the way I photograph people.

I understand now, more than ever, why photos matter so deeply. Childhood moves so unbelievably fast. One day your baby is smashing cake with frosting all over their face during a cake smash session, and the next they’re asking for the car keys. The little moments become the big moments before you even realize it.

That’s why I photograph the in between moments just as intentionally as the smiling at the camera ones.

The way your toddler reaches for your hand.
Or the way your baby fits perfectly on your chest.
The way your partner looks at you when you aren’t paying attention.
The chaos.
And just the realness of it all.

When people think about hiring a photographer in South Bend, they often picture family photos or maybe engagement sessions. But photography is so much more than that to me. I photograph growing families, motherhood, newborns, couples, milestones, cake smashes, seniors, and everything in between. I also offer studio photography sessions for families wanting a cozy, timeless indoor setting year round.

As a studio photographer, I absolutely love creating a space where families can relax and just exist together naturally. My studio sessions are simple, warm, and focused on connection. No stress. No pressure. Just authentic moments and beautiful light.

Outside of photography, I’m probably thrift shopping for vintage home decor I definitely do not need, wandering antique stores with an iced coffee in hand, listening to Taylor Swift on repeat, or cuddling one of our four cats. I love anything nostalgic, cozy, and full of personality, which honestly describes my photography style pretty perfectly too.

If you’ve made it this far into this post, first of all… thank you.

Looking for a Photographer in South Bend?

There are so many talented photographers out there, and it truly means the world that you’re spending time getting to know me and my story! Building genuine connections with my clients is one of my favorite parts of this job of mine. I NEVER want your session to feel transactional. I want it to feel comfortable, fun, and meaningful from start to finish.

So whether you’re looking for an engagement photographer in South Bend, a studio photographer for your growing family, a child photographer who understands your energetic little ones, or maybe simply someone to document your life exactly as it is right now, I would absolutely love to be part of your story.

If you’re ready to book a session or simply want to chat about ideas, you can reach out through my contact page on Chaeney Layne Photography. I cannot wait to meet you, hear your story, and create something beautiful together.