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True Religion Photography bio picture

Hi, it's me, Chelsea

Thanks for stopping by my blog!  As many of you know - I'm not much of a blogger however the necessity for a blog is two fold:

1. It seems to be a cardinal rule of professional photographers - that if you are one, you need one.

and

2. My friends and family who don't live in Durango would really like to keep up with what our family is up to.

Thus, I embark on my adventure of semi professional writing whilst trying to display my truest me. Hope you like it!

For those of you who have no idea who I am...

If you are here to check out some of my newest work, Welcome, and bless your soul! I really appreciate you taking the time to consider me for your next photographer-needed-situation.

The drive behind my work is simple - I love to take photographs and create art. The mission behind my work is maybe not as simple. Here's the story:

I've always loved art - I used to paint (oil and watercolor primarily) but ran out of time for that about 2 and a half years ago when I had a child (our precious son Josiah - love him to death). My creative flow naturally transferred to photography and I found it was a welcomed artistic outlet for me which also allowed me to document Josiah's life. But there was still something missing in it for me.

I wanted God to be pleased with the talent or gift he had given me - I wanted to use it for him. I asked him for a year how I could do this. On February 25th, 2009 he gave me this idea:

True Religion Photography. James 1:27 says that True Religion is to take care of the orphan and the widow. I knew that God wanted me to start doing photography as a business (hmm scary) and to donate 50% of my profits toward taking care of those who were in need. I was so excited but I figured that since I had just quit my real estate career to be a full time mom it must be for another time.

However a few days later I got a call to do my first photo shoot (a commercial one for a new product) with no soliciting or advertising on my part. Then more inquiries and requests came in for photo shoots and I was convinced that the time was now.

So here I am, and here you are. If you like my work but not quite sure if you like me yet - read on :). Or if you just want to dive straight in and hire me for your next event, feel free to contact me through the contact form. If you're somewhere in the middle and just want to ask a few questions, feel free - I'd love to chat.

Thanks again for stopping by!

♥ C

meggin & kevin – durango wedding photographer

I’ve been working away – and am so excited to bring you part II of Meggin and Kevin’s wedding out at Blue Lake Ranch. You will recall their first sight photos from a few weeks ago. That was such a sweet moment too. When Kevin saw his bride he was just breath taken, clearly a romantic! So while I should wax poetic here, I’m going to let the photos tell the story…

The green tulle was so spunky and doubled as a dress protector as Meggin tromped through a bit of rain soaked earth throughout the day.

The flowers were gorgeous and ubiquitous!- Meggin’s aunt did all the arrangements for her as a special gift. Stunning.

Love the antique glass jars that Meggin bought up wherever she could – they made for perfect centerpieces to showcase … more beautiful flowers…

This little guy was so cute – he was the ring bearer and walked down the isle, unassisted, with his fishing pole, carrying two rings on the line – so amazingly cute. What might have been even cuter though was him having story time during the reception dinner.

These last two are of the best man (Kevin’s brother) preparing for his speech – I think public speaking could make just about anyone want a cigarette!

I honestly couldn’t stop putting photos together for this post – it was such a gorgeous wedding – I realized I had to edit it down when I pretty much had 10 photos inserted for each hour I was there. Lovely people, lovely day!

a little sweetness – durango newborn photographer

Lately my babes have been on the exact opposite schedule – meaning as soon as J goes down for his nap A is up from hers. It’s working well for having special time with each of them but it isn’t workin’ so great for me getting any sort of break – but what’s that anyway when you’re a mom ;) . So today while brovey was sleepin’ me and A were shakin’ up the apple tree. She’s my little-bit-a-sweet under our tart apple tree.

kevin & nate – durango wedding photographer – fort collins wedding photographer

When I first met Kevin and Nate there were so cute and giddy together, and I knew instantly that I would love working with them. So it was no surprise that I loved every minute of capturing this day (minus the part where I leave my backup camera in the park and have to run back for it). Kevin was so calm and sooo excited and I loved how she promised herself she wouldn’t cry and then started crying the very minute she saw Nate. I loved how Nate was grinning from ear to ear almost the entire day. I also love the jewelry that Kevin made for her bridesmaids, her mom and herself. She spent months before the wedding scavaging vintage broaches, clips, and pins to recycle into handmade earings and bracelets. I told her she must start an Etsy shop and I will be her first and best customer (still mean that Kevin!). Then there was the sweet old judge who officiated their intimate courtroom ceremony and a romantic walk in the rain with friends, to their reception venue at The Armory Event Hall. Each piece of the day was so memorable and I feel so honored that I was there to capture it for them.

Many blessings you two – you are just awesome!

meggin & kevin’s first sight – durango wedding photographer

What a sweet first moment for these two – can’t wait to show you more…What a sweet first moment for these two – can’t wait to show you more…

kevin & nate sneak peek – durango and ft. collins wedding photographer

ok so I’m having so much fun editing these photos of Kevin and Nate because they are so stinkin’ cute together. I mean I loved them on our e session and I knew they would be totally fun to work with but they’re killin’ me in their photos. For one, Kevin has this totally classic look that I just can’t get over. I just wanted to call her in the middle of editing and tell her she is so gorgeous that I’m having a blast editing her photos. And for two, they so clearly adore each other (you all won’t get to see that til the next post ;) ) that how can I not just smile as I work.

So even though I don’t have enough done for my typical sneak peek I couldn’t wait to post just these few.Mucho more to come!

the gorgeous corinne – durango and ft. collins senior photographer

wow – I’m on a role – busting out not one, but THREE blog posts in one week – yay!

This senior session with Corinne was especially fun because we got to go into a huge sunflower field, which I’ve been just dying to shoot in. After visiting Ft Collins last year around this time I noticed the ubiquitous sunflower fields in the area and I determined that this year I would have some sort of session in one of them. Seeing as how Corinne was almost as excited as I was about the idea we just had to make it work – which meant driving out there in the pouring rain to get permission and then driving back out later in the day when the weather was a bit better. Corinne is just gorgeous, which made my job easy!

I love that last one of her looking back at me on the road. If she was a musician this could be her CD cover.

Congratulations Corinne on your upcoming graduation – you were fabulous to work with! May the Lord bless you and keep you and make His face to shine upon you!

jonna & erik – durango engagement photographer

Ooo this was so fun – Jonna and Erik were here visiting from AZ looking for a spot to get married next year, so I had the pleasure of capturing some engagement photos. Fortunately both the weather and the dog cooperated so that we could get some fabulous photos. Jonna and Erik have to be one of the cutest couples ever don’t ya think…

J&E – you guys are just gorgeous and were so fun to work with – I look forward to your wedding next year! A special thanks to Chloe from MOCHIE-ROO for staying with sweet Honey and keeping her out of the way for well, most photos ;) (she was too cute with her little purple flower collar, sinking so deep in the corn flower – I just couldn’t resist).

just because I’m so behind – durango wedding photographer

This has been a crazy summer adding in a newborn to a full work schedule. I’m managing to stay afloat in real life but in blogland, well I’m just way behind. So to celebrate my freedom in allowing myself to not post every. single. shoot. I’m posting this triptych – because it makes me smile.More to come from Jonna and Erik’s fabulous e session. And, if you just don’t want to wait, you can see more on my Facebook page .

michele and andy – dunton hot springs wedding sneak peek – durango wedding photographer

I can’t tell you how excited I am to let you see a little bit of Michele and Andy’s fabulous Dunton Hot Springs Wedding. Being in creative industries themselves I had an instant connection with these guys, and once I heard about all the wonderful details that Michele and Andy were creating for their special day I was even more excited to be apart of it. But I can’t get too carried away just yet, even though I think I probably have – so here’s a not so little sneaker…

Sabrina from SAB photo accompanied me to help me get all the fabulous details I knew would need to be captured – I’m lovin’ this last one she took…

romantic rainy day I do – durango wedding photographer

For Sam and Jimmy it was building – a broody, dark and dramatic setting – a wedding at Durango Mountain Resort – in a wonderfully romantic storm. Sam, spunky as she is had decided rain or shine, she was getting married outside – and so she did – in the pouring rain! It was one of the beautiful, memorable moments in life – sharing a first kiss as a married couple in the pouring rain – absolutely beautiful…

I love that in all the rain Jimmy was sweet enough to wipe away a tear…

You two are so perfect together – may you be blessed always in the love you shared this day!