When the 80's meets an eager bunch.

No matter what industry you work in, everyone desires community. The biggest thing I miss most about the teaching world is... working with coworkers. Just having someone to vent to, someone to share a laugh, or someone to make plans with after school. While I love being my own boss, it can get lonely.

Thankfully, I'm obsessed with getting people together, and we're not lonely for long. ;) Wednesday night was no exception. It was a Global SHARE meetup where local photogs who use Showit get together for community, education, and just plain fun via a simulcast accessible everywhere around the world! Well, we found out we were being Skyped into the simulcast, so we knew what we had to do.

80's-a-fy it UP.

Everyone came early to my place to get dressed up, get makeup-ed by Sarah, eat dinner, and chitchat. Basically Melody and Valerie provided all of the neon clothing... ;) LOVED it. By the end of the evening, a grand plan was cooked up, and we have some pretty exciting news to share in the next few weeks... but in the meantime, these ladies are some pretty kick-tail photogs! We're out to revolutionize some things. ;)

I couldn't stop laughing the entire night over these photos (and apparently everyone else to that saw us in the simulcast! hahaha). I love these ladies' passion for community, sharing, creativity, and supporting each other. It's an honor to be the "leader" for our local group. :)



[Screenshot from the simulcast!]







[From left to right - back row: CS Photography, Valerie Demo Photography, Sarah Mariel Photography, JL7 Photography. Front row: Kathryn Blevins Photography, ME!!, Melody Gillikin Photography.]


- Chelsea :)

Vintage Valentine, Showiteer Style.

It's no secret that I'm obsessed with Showit and the warm and friendly community that comes with the website program. Hands down, it's the best investment I've made in my business in the past two years. It's how I can make all these cool websites within a short period of time AND get to do really rad (yes, I just said that) things with other Showiteers.

Depending on the month, Showit encourages local SHARE groups to host a: Share, Shootout, and Hangout. Well, February was the Shootout month, and since I'm the Sherpa (aka leader) for Hampton Roads, we immediately got to planning what we should do... ideas went around... but most all agreed... What do you do when you have ladies who are obsessed with details, stylized shoots, and portraits? Plan a stylized shoot Shootout, of course!

Last weekend, the Hampton Roads SHARE group executed a Vintage Valentine shoot that was led by Sarah. We had Melody practically supply the entire vintage theme (no joke, her house had all the props... haha), Somer baked and crafted all of the gorgeous edibles, Christene created a vintage valentine garland, and Valerie provided the majority of the models.

We. Were. Set.

I didn't get a whole lot of shots with the models because I was focused on capturing the behind the scenes and the photogs shooting, but it was still a ton of fun regardless.


























[I told Ash and Tianna that every BFF couple needs their own portraits... and so here we have epicly and hilariously fierce. ;) ]




[hahaha This came from my friends being upset I wasn't in any of the photos... so I said, "Okay, I'll jump right into the photo!!" The mini-me is courtesy of Valerie when she took my and Rusty's portraits in November! Ah, Photoshop.]


Other Awesome Showiteers and the models who participated:
* April Campbell
* Katy Blevins
* Ash & Aric
* Megan & Tennant
* Tianna & Andrew
* Jake & Laura

- Chelsea :)