Alicia and Josh | A Colonial Williamsburg Engagement

He had plans to propose on the top of a lighthouse at sunset. But then the cops stopped him. Or rather the military base police who saw an expired military ID, and he was hoping for all hope that they would only search the car and not his pocket where a certain engagement ring hid. :)

But the proposal still happened! After years and years of being best friends since high school, one little speedbump wasn't going to stop them. Alicia and Josh first met in 10th grade in biology class. The funniest part? They were lab partners for a genetics project. Where they had to mix their genes together. Now if that wasn't foreshadowing for the future, then I don't know what is! ;)

Before the words "we love history" and "vintage maps" rolled off their tongues, I was already smitten to know they have a super crazy-smart furbaby named Kaylee. This dog seriously has a bag of tricks, and at Alicia and Josh's engagement session, she was learning the Figure 8 around their legs... and by the next day, with the joys of Facebook, I saw proof that she had already gotten that trick down! With Alicia's professional teacher-ness and Josh's adorable dog dad-ness, who knows what Kaylee will learn next. Maybe by their wedding next July, we might be looking at the world's first dog wedding entertainer?! :)

Stefani + Jason : The Couple Who Also Were Marlins

For the first time ever, I broke out my Bayside High School yearbook during a first "meet-and-greet" with a couple. (This was in my pre-office days. All of 5 months ago. lol)

But get this.

Halfway through our meeting, I'm staring at the groom with an eerie sense of "Dang, he looks so familiar..."

So we keep chatting, and Stefani and I are laughing it up over ridiculous stuff. Then Jason chimed in with, "Were you into drawing and art classes in high school?"

"Yessss," I replied and then bursted out, "OH MY GOSH! MONCAPOO!"

"YES!" he yelled back and chuckled about the inside joke of a mutual friend's "swear it exists" creature. And then the connection was made. Except the Jason I knew and was friends with had long hair tied back in a ponytail, trench coat, and a mustache (which is very memorable in high school since not many guys sported a 'stache.) The Jason who sat in front of me that day had NO facial hair and VERY short hair. You can understand my visual confusion.

All the while, Stefani is laughing it up because she had also met Jason in high school, but we personally never crossed paths since she was a year or two ahead of me.

And that's the story of how it's a small world after all. :)

I'm so unbelievably happy for these two and so thrilled that our paths crossed once more and that they chose me for their special day in October. It's going to be absolutely magical with their foresty wonderland of a wedding.

Always presenting... Lifestyle Engagement and Couples Sessions.

I had an epiphany this morning. I stared at the ceiling and realized, "I love it when my clients are themselves." I don't know why that particular phrasing rolled across my brain... but it did.

To have my photo-fam come alive in photos has always been my dream. To see a woman light up all because her husband-to-be kissed her forehead. To see a mutual love for an activity sparkle because the two involved are comfortable and in love.

It's already been shown and people have seen it, but I knew I needed to be vocal about it.

My engagement sessions are lifestyle. All couples are "required" to select an activity that they love and mutually enjoy. Together, we choose the best location for the activity and make it happen with a wardrobe and accessories chat. Because there is nothing ordinary about a special time in your life; it should be a "sparkly" version of your everyday life. I want to tell the story of your relationship. A few months ago, I even created a Pinterest board to showcase unique ideas to help inspire couples.

You know I have a B.A. in English Literature and am thoroughly obsessed with the characters in the stories I read... but those characters are flat if the story doesn't come alive.

It's the same way with photography. No more static posing. No contrived "prom poses." During the sessions, I do guide positions through lots of actions (because let's be real; it's not easy being in front of a camera!), and I always talk about the proverbial "in-between shots." Because I WANT LIFE!

Again, this is nothing new. But I wanted to verbalize what's going on behind the scenes. :) I love my photo-fam, and they bring me into their lives. That trust isn't going to be taken lightly. The story will be told. The magic of comfy love will thrum and thrive.

I promise. :)














- Chelsea :)

Ashley + Ryan : An Ice Skating and Lifestyle Engagement

Let's REALLY go back to when it all began. January 2011.

Ashley saw me at the Uniquely Yours Bridal Showcase, and throughout the year, she kept seeing my name in random places. Then she found out I shot a mutual friend's wedding, Robyn and Greg. THEN she moved into the same apartment community I live (we learned this after the fact). THEN she finally contacted me. ;) We both realized after several other encounters that we were just meant to be.

No joke, she was even a server with Sweetwater Cuisine for Meghan and Preston's wedding. She STILL pops up everywhere and now even encounters Rusty on his clinical visits to hospitals. So we've affectionately dubbed her the "LaVere stalker." haha! We love it. Little does she know after she gets married, I will continue to feed her wedding industry love by bringing her into the photo-world. ;)

So when she said she wanted a different kind of engagement session, I was pumped. It was to be at Chilled Ponds ice skating rink in Chesapeake (because of their love for the Boston Bruins... I KNOW! BOSTON!! Even more confirmation of soulmate-ness!) and then afterwards, a lifestyle session with their furry kid, Bella (a sassy, smug kitty that definitely rules the roost).

Ryan may not be part of the stalker club, but he has a keen artistic eye, a penchant for watercolor, amazing ice skater, and loves to work with his hands. I'm mega-jealous of all of his international travels-- including Germany! It was great getting to know him since I interacted with Ashley so much more before the session. And just seeing them together made my heart go all mushy. :)

I'm sooo excited for their amazing wedding (that TOTALLY has silhouettes and Bella incorporated!!) at the end of April!





















[I crack up EVERY time I see this photo! I definitely did a meme that defines Bella as "Epic Cat." No shame.]






[Won't lie. Felt kinda surreal like I was in my own apartment... as our places are similar in structure.]














[How cool is Ryan's collection?! It's housed in an old printer's letter tray! LOVE.]


- Chelsea :)

P.S. Okay, I'm posting this because I know how much Ryan and Ashley loved the meme I made... it basically fits Bella to a T. This is why I couldn't get to sleep that evening because I kept laughing too hard! :D