Looking Back on 2010... in Stories.

So I had this grand idea for a Looking Back on 2010 series of posts... gathering images from all year. A post for each type of session. A little cute story for each.

Then I realized.

It's not what I really wanted to do. Sure, we love the pretty photos and we see personalities in the photos. But what about the peoples' STORIES behind those pretty photos?

My childhood consisted of my nose being stuck in a book... anything from Socks to Goosebumps.

I'm a story collector. I feel alive when hearing engagement stories and little inside jokes exchanged in hidden glances. Life is thriving and abundant.

"A birth certificate shows we were born, a death certificate shows we died, but photographs show we lived." - Unknown

In 2010, I learned...

- A Dad can get just as excited about his family portraits as the Mom.
- To never underestimate the power of awesome ideas of a fashion teacher bride.
- That the military may separate brides from their grooms, but it won't stop them from having a special REAL wedding day.
- That a bride may have discovered many food allergies, but it will NOT stop her from having a cake and eating it, too! Nothing gets her down, and her jumping proves it.
- That photos bring siblings together. (That post is coming soon now that Christmas is over!)
- A bride's venue may have changed, but her wedding vision is still ON and painted in the colors of teal blue, lime green, and white.
- Even after many years, a groom will forever be known in sneakers and the bride in glasses.
- It can be an arduous task to "go green" for a wedding, but a bride would have it no other way.
- A mom is forever beautiful.
- That women have many reasons why it's difficult to remember why we are beautiful, and sometimes a simple photo can shatter years of self-doubt.

And even though there are MANY MANY more stories to tell... I especially learned that...

A photographer can ask for no greater blessing than those brought into her life who believe in her.

Thank you, friends, for a wonderful year, your love, your support, and most of all, your encouragement.



Here's to a wonderful 2011! I continue to look forward to the weddings coming up and the people I have yet to meet.

Love,
Chelsea :)
P.S. It was difficult choosing favorites for this collage... VERY difficult. Seriously, each photo is like my child! ;)

Robyn + Greg | Norfolk Engagement Photography

Let me first preface by saying that Robyn will probably kill me for posting this. But I'm posting it anyway. 1) She loves me. 2) We have history. 3) She already signed the wedding contract. hahaha



Yes, this was at our high school prom in 2001. Yes, we and our dates went to every formal dance together. Yes, we haven't changed one bit.

A few months ago, Rusty and I went on a double-date with Robyn and Greg (at PF Changs's!), and so instantly, the bells of "This is TOTALLY the guy!" went off. So I'd like to say I totally knew an engagement was nigh. Okay, maybe I'm not a psychic genius, but it was pretty obvious the connection. ;)

When I got the text message that she and Greg wanted me to be their wedding photog, Rusty and I were driving up to New York. I squealed in the car and startled my dear husband the driver. And then the rapid text messaging back and forth commenced. This girl has it GOING. She had already booked her ceremony place and her DJ within a matter of days of returning from Jamaica (the place of proposal!)!

Robyn's enthusiasm and love are just so contagious-- it's no wonder why Greg was drawn to her! I just know every person in attendance at their May wedding is going to be blessed.


















- Chelsea :)

Kelli + Eric | Virginia Beach Sandbridge Engagement Photography

Originally, we weren't going to have an engagement session. But then one fateful day, I received an email from Kelli saying, "We decided we want one!!"

From day one, this girl won my artist's heart with her creative ideas (and I think we're Etsy-kindred spirits... seriously, I think we both could live in their database of beautiful knickknacks and be happy. haha). Their Coney Island-beach-inspired wedding is going to be stunning and full of color, I just know it! With her scrapbooking sister and supportive mom, Kelli has a solid team of DIYers behind her to make sure her day is super detail-oriented and original!

Let's add Eric into mix, and you've got a winning combination. These two complement each other so well in personality and humor, and you could see how they were meant for each other. Bonus, they had me laughing the entire session at Sandbridge, but what was more awesome was that they trusted me! Trusted me with my silly ideas of symmetry and framing... and because they did, we got some AMAZING shots.

Kelli, you have the most beautiful laughing expression ever! And Eric, you did a FAB job on those jumps and the water shots for your bride-to-be!

Watch out, Sandbridge, a "fair" wedding is coming to town in May!

















- Chelsea :)

Becky + Jason | Virginia Beach Engagement Photography

I don't even know where to begin with Becky and Jason. We go way back, you see. In the times of baggy zip-ups and socks with sandals. Jason is the twin brother of my good friend, Erin. Becky is the drama/high school theatre friend of Elaine. Becky met Jason at high school youth group through Elaine... So we're all connected and have been ever since.

You know the feeling when you put on a favorite comfy sweater that you've had forever and know it will always be around in one form or another? You feel relaxed and are yourself in that sweater. Well, that's like knowing these two. Of course, I'm not comparing them to a hole-y, worn-in garment.... but you get the picture! :)

So for their engagement session, we wanted something unique and not traditional in terms of location. What better shout out to local history than the Adam Thoroughgood House for Part I of the e-session? [Side note- We were rebels. ;)]

For Part II, we hopped on over to City Center in Newport News for the gorgeous fountain scenery. Loved it!

I can't wait for their January wedding! After all, I will forever be biased for winter weddings. :)















- Chelsea :)

Ashley and Joe | Virginia Beach Engagement Photography

When Ashley first contacted me a few months ago, and I found out she was a fashion teacher/marketing director for a local high school, I was thrilled! It's always great to meet other educators, but an educator with a stylish vision for her dream day... well, can we say my little artist's heart went pitter-patter?

I have been so blessed to meet some amazing people on my photography journey, and Ashley and Joe were no exception. They met in high school and have been pretty inseparable since reuniting after college. When I first met Joe, I asked him when he thought Ashley was the one, and he just gave me the most straight-forward (and the totally unintentional "duh, Chelsea" look... all out of love, right, Joe?! :D) response... "There was never any question."

Gosh, if I keep meeting people with these heart-melting love stories, there's not going to be much left of me! Come on, people! ;)

Well, back to "the vision"... think vintage. Think garden. Think the most Jane Austen-like house you've ever seen in Hampton Roads. You have the future Mr. and Mrs. B's engagement and wedding location. Since it's a private residence, I cannot divulge the exact whereabouts in Virginia Beach, but let's just say: perfect location.

I'm absolutely beside myself for June 25, 2011. :) Great people, great family, great location. Let's go!
















- Chelsea :)

Michelle and Wes | Fort Monroe Engagement Photography

From the first moment that Michelle and I met, I knew I found a kindred spirit of sorts! We kept joking how similiar we were in personality, and I'm so glad that hadn't changed over the summer when we met up again for the engagement session. I really try hard to get to know my clients, and so it's doubly wonderful when it's vice versa. Michelle picked up that I am realllllyy into framing when I take a photo, and all throughout our session, she went to town pointing out different framing opportunities at Fort Monroe! :)

The session was my first time meeting the groom, Wes, since he just returned on an Army mid-tour R&R from Iraq. And boy, did that guy have me laughing! ... and the way he doted on Michelle pretty much had me melting the entire session. Oh, and bonus? While we were at Fort Monroe, we got ourselves some history fun facts from the Army man! Jefferson Davis? Yeah, he was imprisoned at Fort Monroe. The moooore you know. ;)

This is a pretty special couple, and it breaks my heart that Michelle will have to have another three months away from her beau now that he has traveled back to Iraq. (So keep him in your thoughts and prayers!)

BUT on an awesome happy note, they are going to have one awesome wedding next March at Fort Eustis! Military sabers will be involved. And I'm pretty enthusiastic about the framing potential there! ;)














Until next time!
- Chelsea :)

Morgan and Bruce - An Olde Towne Portsmouth Engagement

This is a special session to my heart since Morgan is one of my great friends. Morgan and I met in a Boston elementary school library while we were doing our practicums in grad school. After we graduated, we actually moved down to Virginia Beach together and were housemates for a few months until we found our own places. Bruce, Morgan, and I also taught together at the same school for two years... so there's a little bit of a history. ;)

I was so friendly that day in the Boston library because as I told her, she had a good light about her. Morgie is just one of those women who is laid-back and goes with the flow. A good balance for Bruce (and even me!)... ;) But really, her heart of gold shines through and she is always there when you need her.

And I can't forget the other half! Bruce is a thinker and always good for a theoretical conversation. I would also like to mention that he is a crazy driver and has shaved months off my life. Hey, I carpooled with him for an extended period of time, so I can say that! Lovingly, of course. ;) He adores Morgan, and it shows... and that's what's important.

So you can imagine my excitement when I got the call of "Guess what?" I'm so happy for these two! And I was even more stoked when Morgan asked me to become her wedding photographer. Hey, I never assume anything with my friends because I want no pressure, but I can't lie I was secretly hoping... :) It's going to be a BEAUTIFUL beach wedding next April. (And their Save-the-Dates are going to be bookmarks! Because she's a librarian! Love it!)






- Chelsea :)

Dreama and David - A Fort Monroe Engagement.

When I met Dreama and David last October to talk about their engagement and 2011 wedding, I was really excited especially since the dynamic between those two are much like mine and my husband's (e.g., organized, artsy girl and go-with-the-flow guy).

It was no different when we met this past week for their official engagement session at Fort Monroe... and this time, they brought their hilariously lovable dog, Duke. When animals come on the scene, it's really a hit-or-miss ordeal. However, Duke had a one-track mind and that was "Frisbee." And because of this one track mind, we were able to get some great shots with Dreama and David's furry boy.

What I loved most about these photos was how trusting they were with what I wanted to do with them. Trust is important with any type of relationship, and they trusted my professional opinion and experience. <3 Thank you, you guys!

And now take a peek at the really funny photos below (and on Facebook)... because this was definitely NOT a dull session. Besides that, Dreama has gorgeous blonde hair that makes a girl envious (at least to someone who normally throws her hair into a ponytail! haha). And what's up with all these photogenic clients?! They make my job way easy! ;)















... and we'll meet these two again for their 2011 Fort Monroe wedding at the lovely gazebo you just saw!

- Chelsea :)

Jasmine and Rick: A Yorktown, Virginia Engagement

The first time I met Jasmine actually was not in regards to photography. She was our leasing agent for my and Rusty's first apartment together. She found out I was a photographer, and when she got engaged... voila! The rest is history!

It's been so wonderful getting to know Jasmine over the past few months through her whole wedding planning process. Her friendly and warm personality instantly draws people to her (the community residents are always dropping by, including me!). She is gorgeous, inside and out. And to finally meet her fiance at the shoot completed the picture! Rick was just as nice and completely smitten with his wife-to-be. :) The photos really speak for themselves.

Rick proposed to Jasmine at Yorktown Beach, and so we got some memorable shots of them and their "children" all around the historic place. Lola and Miss Preslee were all pretty with their ivory bows. Unfortunately, they got quite excited, and the bows didn't last long!




















Cannot wait for their November wedding! We're praying for beautiful weather for this outdoor extravaganza!
- Chelsea :)