

About Me
Hi Friend! Thank you for visiting my page, I’m happy you’re here. I am Rachel, the face behind Rachel Cantong Photography. Born and raised in California, I have a deep seeded need for adventure and appreciation for strong coffee and good food. I am happiest outdoors or cuddled up with my babes. I moved from California to North Carolina in 2013 in pursuit of my Social Work degree; after working in the field for seven years I began to really itch for a career change. I wanted to fuel my artistic fire again and be more intentional with my life. My business unfolded before my eyes and I can still hardly believe this is what I get to do every day.
I have had a camera in hand for as long as I can remember. I have always drawn inspiration from the beauty of everyday moments; perhaps the joy on someone’s face, a dewdrop on a flower petal, or the light hitting just right. I bring that same vision to our sessions as I capture your uniqueness.
My lifestyle photography approach creates space for me to capture you as you are at this moment in time in all of the beauty and chaos. I am intentional with our time together to ensure we create moments that are authentic and honest. We exist in relation to other things–people, our environment–and that is how I photograph you. When I am out in nature myself or observing my children interact with their world, I am brought back to the simple joys in life and the importance of connection and presence. I look for those moments of curiosity, connection, and peace during our time together.
To me, photographs are not just a still image; they are memories, feelings, and even glimpses into our souls. I want to take photographs that make you feel something. I want them to evoke emotions of love and belonging, and fill you with nostalgia and connectedness. Of course I want to capture beautiful images that showcase your joy and love. And I also want to capture the breath of the human experience. I want our session to help slow time down and honor the stage you are in. My goal for our sessions is for you to have a good time and laugh. No really! I totally understand that preparing for a photoshoot is stressful (especially with children); I am here to help guide you from start to finish. Plus, I’m usually laughing and cracking silly jokes during our time together and that tends to rub off on people 🙂 I can’t wait to meet you and show you your beauty. With love, Rachel. I welcome all individuals and families. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions!
-Joy Prouty