2013 Wayside Wedding Professionals Holiday Party

Every Christmas, the Event Professionals of Wayside Village Shoppes ring in the holiday season with all the bells and whistles. With a chance to showcase new products, yummy treats, and new neighbors and offices and of course, to celebrate the year's wedding season, the Wayside Wedding Village gets jolly and bright, and this year, with masks! You all know I'm a total sucker for themes and definitely had visions of Phantom dancing in my head. :)

Thanks to Antonia Christianson Events, Boardwalk Photo Booths, Isha Foss Events, Kristal and Rev. Ken Lane, RSVP Stationery, and Sweetwater Cuisine for bringing the community together with a fab shindig! (DJ Taylor Haycox, Ice Art, Patti Cakes, Stage Right Lighting, and Terebinth also made tasty and beautiful contributions!)

Hollydazzle 2010 | Newport News Event Photography

When I was asked, "Can you climb onto the roof of the Marriott?" firecrackers were going off in my head. Firecrackers of EXCITEMENT! Best seat in the house to take photos?! Sign me up. Stat.

Hollydazzle is seriously Hampton Roads' best kept holiday secret. Here on the Southside a lot of people don't even know about it, and I sadly acknowledge I was one of them until I was contacted by Newport News Parks and Rec to be the photographer.

Like a good little photographer, I did my research to make sure I knew what was getting myself into. And holy moly! What an event! And it's only gotten grander and better with each year. Movies, crafts, games, performers, food, and fireworks.

This is truly a tradition one has to make a tradition.

I may be biased, but the fireworks are really the crowning jewel of the event. Spectacular light and a really cool soundtrack... just stunning. It TOTALLY beats 4th of July. Then again... any event not in 90 degree weather is tops. ;)

I was so humbled I was hired to do this because really, the whole thing couldn't have been better. Great people, great event, and some great experiences.




























Merry Christmas!
- Chelsea :)

What does Holly + Dazzle Equal? | Hampton Roads Event Photography

It's the Kevin Bacon theory. You always know someone through someone and it ends up networking somehow. It's how this happened.

A current bride of mine emailed me, asking about if I did events. I LOOOVE events. There are so many details, you're never bored, the joy on people's faces, AND I don't have to talk much! It's all candid! It's the most freedom I can get in photography!

I actually have to end up turning away some events because I reserve most of my weekend dates for weddings (which is where my passion is)... so it's really exciting when one just "happens."

Well, it just so happened that this one date was open, and the director emailed me after my bride gave her my contact info. So I did my research and whoa. F-U-N! The City of Newport News is hiring me as the photographer for their big Christmas tree lighting, fireworks, family activities, shopping event put on by the Department of Parks and Rec called Hollydazzle on Friday, December 3rd! (Check out more Hollydazzle information here!)

Over the years, Hollydazzle has grown to awesome proportions and is a huge family pleaser. Basically, I'm inviting everyone to go! I'll be milling about the crowds, getting in people's faces, and capturing some exciting things.

AND... I get to climb up on awesome buildings to get awesome shots during the fireworks with the awesome 70-200mm (alas, it is a mere rental lens for now, but I was dying to have the opportunity to test it out! And now I get to!). Now if only I can bribe my husband to be my bag/tripod boy... ;)


(Just because every post needs a photo. Here are some flowers Rusty gave me for my birthday!)


- Chelsea :)

Angels, bugs, and mice, oh my!

Yesterday, I volunteered as a photographer for my church's big fall community event (Hallelujah Harvest). It was absolutely adorable! There were so many different costumes-- homemade, store-bought, and put together. It reminds me of what it was like to be a kid again. The joy on their faces were too precious; they were so proud of their outfits.

Up next... wedding on Wednesday. :)
-- Chelsea :)

Limitations and achievements.

It's one of those weekends where I am cooped up inside due to being sick. I get a bit of cabin fever after awhile... I'm always on the go or doing something. I have to continually remind myself that when I do get sick, it's my body's way of telling me to slow down and rest.

On a photographic note, it also reminded me that I didn't post the Rock-and-Roll Half Marathon pictures from a few weeks ago. Rusty and I went to cheer our Mrs. S and her sister across the finish line... and so of course, I had my camera with me.

Marathons are interesting events. Each one is so filled with energy, encouragement, and accomplishment. It reminds me that our bodies aren't designed to do such intensive aerobics-- and that's the precise lure for marathoners. They want to push their bodies to achieve the "impossible." I've always admired those who love to run for running's sake... because I definitely am not a runner nor do I even enjoy running. I do mini-sprints when I play tennis... and that's enough running to last me forever. However, give me a bike, and that's a different story. I can bike until my legs fall off. :)

So, happy-belated congratulations, Runners!

-- Chelsea :)