Out of the Box...

I miss my incredible husband - who is doing Ranger School at the moment - so I have been digging up some of our wedding photos and playing with them :)

Chai Tea Recipe

I woke up this morning and decided it has been too long since I have made homemade brewed Chai Tea...and then looking into the pot I though, "It's too pretty not to take a picture, & too good not to share"... I love this recipe, it's gentle, lovely, & good for you :) I got it from my Aussie friend - Pheobe - while staying with her family for a while on the Sunshine Coast of Australia back in 2005.

Try it hot or cold, & as sweet as you like :)

Money Matters

I was blog browsing some of my favourite Photographer's this afternoon and came across this response to the following question and thought I should post it because it is so true and very informative! Feel free to post comments and share what you think :)


Here is a response posted on the Digital Wedding Forum on an explanation of why we (professional photographers) charge what we charge:


Why are Professional Photographers so expensive?

(This article has been very well received by the photography community, and is now referred to by many Photography websites across the country)

In this digital age where everyone has digital cameras, scanners and home "photo printers", when people upload their photos to a local drug store website and pick them up a few hours later, we hear this all the time - How in the world do Professional Photographers charge $55 for an 8x10 when they cost just $1.50 at the drug store?

Here's why.

Simply put, you're not just paying for the actual photograph, you're paying for time and expertise. First, let's look at the actual time involved. If you don't read this entire page, at least read this first part.

For a two hour portrait session:

- one hour of travel to and from the session
- two hours of shooting
- 30 minutes of setup, preparation, talking to the client etc.
- 30 minutes to load the photos onto a computer (2 - 4 Gb of data)
- 30 minutes to back up the files on an external drive
- 3 - 4 hours of Photoshop time including cropping, contrast, color, sharpening, saving a copy for print and a copy for the internet and backing up the edited photographs
- 2 - 3 hours to talk to the client, answer questions, receive their order and payment, order their prints, receive and verify prints, package prints, schedule shipment and drop package off at Fed Ex.
- For local customers, we also print a set of all of their photos, and meet them at our studio to review the photos and place their order. Meeting and travel time averages 2 hours.

You can see how one two hour session easily turns into more than ten hours of work from start to finish. So when you see a Photographer charging a $200 session fee for a two hour photo shoot, you are not paying them $100 / hour.

For an eight hour wedding:

- I won't bore you with the details, but an eight hour wedding typically amounts to at least two to three full 40 hour work weeks worth of time. Again, if they are charging you $4,000 for an eight hour wedding, you are not paying them $500 / hour.

Now for the expertise.

Shooting professional photography is a skill, acquired through years of experience. Even though a quality camera now costs under $2,000 taking professional portraits involves much more than a nice camera.

Most Professional Photographers take years to go from buying their first decent camera to making money with their photography. In addition to learning how to use the camera itself, there is a mountain of other equipment involved, as well as numerous software programs used to edit and print photographs, run a website etc.

And let's not forget that you actually have to have people skills, be able to communicate, make people comfortable in front of the camera - and posing people to make them look their best in a photograph is a skill all by itself.

Think of it this way - the next time you pay $X to get your hair done, a pair of scissors only costs $1.50. But you gladly pay a lot more to hire a Professional.

What about the cheap studios at the mall?

Please don't compare us to the chain store studios. But if you must, consider all of the time and work that we put into our photographs, compared to what they do. Good luck getting a two hour photo shoot at a chain store. Not to mention they won't come to the beach! And of course, look at our work compared to theirs. You get what you pay for.

The truth is, most of the mall and chain store studios lose money. In fact, in 2007 Wal-Mart closed 500 of their portrait studios because of the financial drain they were putting on the company. What the chain stores bet on is that you'll come in for some quick and cheap photos, and while you're there, you'll also spend $200 on other things. They don't have to make money, they are just there to get you in the door.

Conclusion

We hope that those who have taken the time to read this page will have a better understanding of why professional photographs cost so much more than the ones that you get from your local drug store.

A Homecoming Moment...

If a reunion of this sort isn't a sacred moment in life, than i don't know what is. Remember i took photos of Ashley & their beautiful children for Wes when he was serving oversees? Well he is finally home and they asked me to document their homecoming reunion - what an honor to be there! After 15 months of separation, like a lot of Military wives, Ashley had been waiting for weeks to find out the exact day of Wes' arrival knowing that it could be in two days or in weeks! She stayed strong, and it was so great when she called me on a Monday and said he was going to be in at 3am that Wednesday! After all their sacrifice she was so sweet and said she would understand if i didn't want to show up so late...but seriously Wes & Ashley, it was the least i could do - You are such a beautiful couple, and it is so good to finally see your family all together! What a great family!

How About this Weather?!

Don't you just feel like love is in the air at this time of year? It just makes me happy...this spring thing! And to celebrate, well, I decided that the blog could use some spring cleaning to just feel FRESH... I think it's feelin the love!

A Rainy, Late Night Reunion to Remember...

These photos are too small to see, just click on them to view them larger!



I had to include this photo of this adorable little guy waiting to see his daddy!

Remember Rachel & Moira? Well last night I had the privilege of documenting their long awaited reunion with Dave. I'm sure she would tell you that the hours spent waiting - not knowing the exact time of his Unit's arrival - in the Airforce hanger was well worth every second. Unless you've experienced it yourself, you can't even begin to describe all of the emotions that make up the atmosphere at a homecoming. Tears are a mixture of the joy of reuniting and of the unbearable months of separation finally coming to a close... Again I have to say, it was a privilege just to be there among all of these soldiers and families.

Rachel & Dave, you are an incredible couple. I pray these photos bless you, and tell a powerful piece of your story for years to come :)

Chelsa

Who's Behind the Camera?!!

So we have a portrait session tomorrow at the Cape Fear Botanical Gardens and we thought we'd go there this lovely afternoon to check out the location since we have never been! Ben brought along one of our cameras and was playing around with different settings....leaving me to be the "model". I love the simplistic beauty of his compositions! And the way he used the lighting is so soft and sweet...he must have a REALLY good teacher!

For Jerry...

How great is this shot of Violette that Ben captured! I love it!!

This week Ben and I had a photo session with Danielle & Violette. Danielle wanted to do this shoot for her husband, who is currently serving overseas. I love the look of downtown for their shoot! I was so glad that Ben was there to run around with Violette (more like run after her!) - she is definitely a sweetie and a bundle of energy! But when he wasn't chasing her he got some great shots of her adorable expressions - I need to take him on shoots more often :)
Danielle, we hope that you and Jerry are blessed by these photos. We are so blessed by your service for our country, pray that God strengthens you both through this time, and pours out His protection, provision and love all over you!

Hope to see you again soon!

Chelsa

Cruising, Family, & Wilmington

How cool is this carved watermelon?



My models - Rachelle and Taylor - are back for me!


Wilmington is wonderful! Ooooh how I hope I shoot a wedding there one day! Around every corner I could just imagine a bride in white against the historic brick....but until then....

We'll strike a few poses of our own! I am told this is the new fad (instead of the peace sign)!



For 10 days in March I had the opportunity to enjoy time with friends and family on a Caribbean Cruise, thanks to good family friends celebrating a destination wedding! We definitely enjoyed the ocean, beaches, & sun, but I am glad to be home and seeing my man (he wasn't able to come). And I am also looking forward to more photography sessions coming up this month!

My entire immediate family was able to spend a day here with us - including my good friend Rachelle - and see this new place we call "home". We all drove down to Wilmington for a day, and I loved it! I am already looking forward to going back there again!

For Wes...

I had the privilege of doing a photo session with another wonderful Army wife on Saturday. I love spending time with these women and their children! I am just so touched by all that they do, and all of their sacrifices - supporting men who serve - for our country. Ashley you and your children are gorgeous...your husband is a lucky guy! I loved how Connor was holding my hand right away and jumped on my lap and grabbed the steering wheel to "drive" my car before I left....even if he wouldn't look at the camera for me during the shoot! I'm already looking forward to our next session - with your man this time!

Bless you so much, and thank you and Wes for your sacrifices,
Chelsa

02.14.2008

I have to say that I married the most amazing guy! ... I'm missing him like crazy right now, but even though he's away right now he still pursues me and loves on me! He didn't have to but he had roses delivered to me today, and has been sending me a love note each day this week to bless me. What makes his thoughtfulness so special is that he doesn't wait for Valentines day, he is constantly blessing me with his love and through him I often see just how much God loves me!

I hope that your Valentines day is special in that you are reminded of how cherished and loved you are by the One Who Created you and loves you with a love that surpasses all understanding!

"As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love" ~ Jesus (john 15:9)

XOXOXO!

Our Kiss Wedding Albums....

We love our wedding books! This is our sample wedding album (conveniently Ben and my wedding - photographed by the talented Danya Kirby)!! We think that the photography for your wedding day is one of the best investments, and because it is the album should reflect that. Getting married is a sacred moment, there are so many vows spoken on that day that will come alive in the years of marriage to come.

My hope & prayer is that your wedding story album will remind you - in good times and harder times - why it is that you are together, of the truth of who you are.

We've chosen Kiss Wedding Books because they are great at what they do, great to work with, and great people! And brides & grooms - you deserve the best all around :) We know you'll love them to0!

XOXO!!!

Chelsa

Brian & Kate

While we were home for the holidays, our good friends Brian and Kate tied the knot! It was such a lovely winter wedding! The Ceremony was sacred, special, and beautiful...and after they threw an amazing party! Brian and Kate we love you guys, and were both honored to be a part of your special day. We had such a fantastic time, and you two are amazing to be around! We know you put SO many long hours into planning your day, and after all of that planning it was obvious you were still able to relax and have an amazing time at your own wedding! We can't wait to see you two again!