TIMELINE TIP #1 - GO WITH THE FLOW Even if you have everything scheduled down to the final seconds, something (or someone) may happen that shifts the balance. Life sometimes just has a funny way of doing that. But you can’t always let the fear or the reef stop you from surfing. For example, the morning of Liz and Max’s wedding had gorgeous weather. Until the rain came in 10 minutes before the ceremony was supposed to start. Liz and Max went with the flow. The key to getting everything you want on your wedding day, including tons of epic photos and plenty of time to celebrate with loved ones, is to go with the flow. Dive in knowing that the water is pretty calm, but there might be a few fast currents ahead and maybe some rocks blocking the way. But no matter, you’ll keep paddling and look fabulous doing it. Because in the end you know that it’s not all about creating a perfect day or impressing your guests. It’s about celebrating love, cherishing every minute together, and making memories for the newest chapter in your life. Venue: @papakonaevents Florist: @graceflowershawaii Photo: @chelseasmithphoto DJ: @hawaiisav Dress: @thewhitedresscouture Bridesmaids dress: @lulus Hair: @hair.makeup.hawaii Makeup: @beautyluxsalonhawaii #weddingtiptuesday #ocengagementphotographer #ocweddingphotographer #orangecountyphotographer #ocwedding #southerncaliforniabride #orangecountywedding #southerncaliforniawedding #ocphotographer #ocelopement #ocelopementphotographer #microwedding #ocmicrowedding #microweddingphotographer #ocmicroweddingpghotographer #southerncaliforniaphotographer #southerncaliforniawedding #weddingphotographyideas #dreamweddingshots #socalwedding #socalweddingphotographer #scbmember 
Your wedding day is your day to sit back, relax and be in the moment. To not worry about the timeline. But instead, just let loose on the dance floor, singing your heart out, alongside your squad🎉 So throw those hands in the air and soak up the time with your family and friends. And just know that with me by your side, you're going to get an awesome gallery full of the real, the raw, and everything in between💕 
You don’t need a destination location that requires a permit to take amazing photos. Sure you can take breathtaking photos in Yosemite or sunset cliffs, but with the right photographer - you can also take them right in your backyard. Went for a walk with Alli + Kellie a couple months ago, met a dog, took cute photos. Best. Night. Ever. 💕 
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️NEW REVIEW!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I’m so thankful I was able to photograph Nicole and Ryan’s Micro-wedding back in august since their wedding big Temecula wedding got postponed! How sweet is this photo of her dad walking her down the aisle?! 😍 “Wow- where do I even start?! Chelsea is the most incredible photographer, friend, and person you will ever meet!! From the moment I met Chelsea, I’ve admired her dedication to her work, her positive attitude, and genuine love for her clients and her photography. When Chelsea and I met, Ryan and I were already midway through planning our August 2020 wedding, and had chosen a photographer already. However, plans quickly changed once Covid hit, and we ended up postponing our big wedding until 2021. Still wanting to get married, we quickly had to pivot and decided to continue with a small ceremony with our closest family in August. I immediately knew we had to have Chelsea as our photographer. I honestly cannot say enough good things about Chelsea and her photography. Hiring her for our ‘micro wedding’ this year was the best decision we could have made. She was SO easy to work with- extremely responsive, down to earth, and understanding. With everything going on and there being older grandparents at the ceremony, Chelsea was so respectful and accommodating to still get the absolute best shots while being safe and understanding with Covid health concerns. She is such a professional - all of our family members were so impressed with how she carried herself throughout the ceremony. And best of all, she makes you feel SO comfortable and it’s like your best friend is just hanging out with you for the day. Now...how can I forget..the PICTURES! Wow, were we blown away when we received the photo album from Chelsea. She caught every single moment...even expressions and interactions we did not catch the day of! We will be forever grateful to have our special day captured so perfectly. I promise you will not be disappointed hiring Chelsea for your wedding photographer. She will go above and beyond to make your day so special, and will leave you with the most beautiful photos to forever remember your day! We love you Chelsea!” 
One of the most common questions I get asked from brides is if I have photographed at their venue before, and it's a totally valid concern!! However, if you are trying to choose between two photographers, I don't think it should be the deciding factor... 3 REASONS WHY IT’S GOOD YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER HASN’T WORKED AT YOUR VENUE 1. IT FORCES CREATIVITY When someone photographs the same places multiple times, it becomes repetitive. Sure, working in a venue many times over means I know all the nooks and crannies of that space. And that I can guide you with my eyes closed. But photographing the same places and the same poses can also lead to burn out and creative ruts. 2. PREVENTS US FROM GETTING LAZY It’s super easy for photographers to get burned out from venues they’ve photographed a lot. Although some would rather stick with what’s familiar, I love working at new venues. And I do it all the time! So even though I may not have experience working at your venue before, I do have experience photographing the unknown. 3. SEEING THE SPACE IN A WHOLE NEW WAY Whether I’m working at a familiar venue or a new one, I like to look at the space with a fresh perspective. Instead of taking the same ole pictures in the same ole places, I prefer to use some imagination and look at things differently. This is much easier to do at a new venue where everything is different from what I know. IF YOU HIRE A BOMB PHOTOGRAPHER, YOU’LL GET BOMB PHOTOGRAPHS NO MATTER YOUR VENUE Full blog post link in bio! @simplysweetweddings @bagoftricksbeauty @bvtvisuals @franciscangardens @elevatedpulse @thesweetestblooms @24carrotscatering @donnabs_bygdbc @groomsgrotto @mahhcee @greglloydre @maggiesotterodesigns @lulusweddings 
Did you know I have another photographer on my team?! Megan is my amazing associate photographer. She captures amazing photos like these when I am unavailable! Megan and I met at CSUF in our Studio Photography class. We’ve been working together for the last 4 years and have photographed over 50 weddings together as lead photographer and second photographer. Megan and I share the same work ethic, value for outstanding customer service and vision when it comes to photographing your wedding day. It was a no brainer for me to ask her to join the team officially in 2018. With almost 7 years of wedding photography experience she brings the perfect blend of perfectionism and a good time when it comes to capturing your wedding photos. Fun facts about Megan: * She’s been riding dirt bikes since I was three years old * Professional breakfast burrito chef * Played baseball with the boys till she was eleven * LOVES the show Schitt’s Creek “Megan was on time, organized and ready to corral our crazy families. Megan was also just so fun to work with!” 
✨BENEFITS OF AN ENGAGEMENT SESSION✨ #1 – It’s a great way to get to know your photographer, to feel comfortable communicating and working alongside them, and to build trust between the three of us. #2 – An engagement session can help loosen your camera jitters by getting you comfortable doing moving and flowing in front of the lens. #3 – You’ll have some super sweet, professional photos of just the two of you, not in wedding attire, that you can display in your home and office. #4 – Because you will have already gotten comfy talking with your photographer and being in front of the camera, you’ll be even more prepared to ace your wedding-day photos. 
I’m excited for 2021... But not because I’m ready for 2020 to be over... 2020 brought me clarity. I learned that I clearly prefer red wine to white wine😂 On a more serious note, in 2020 I severed friendships and relationships that were no longer serving me. I opened myself up to new friends and to an amazing relationship 💕 I quit my full time corporate sales job in the middle of a pandemic to pursue my photography business full time. Even though 2020 didn’t bring us exactly what we were planning for, I’m so thankful for everything that it did bring me 💕 Cheers to my friends, my family, my fellow creative colleagues and my clients. I hope you spend today thinking about the great things that happened to you in 2020 😌