Without A Doubt: Daniel + Anna

This couple made me smile the moment I met them. They had the spark, the energy and most of all, the interaction of two lovebirds who are meant to be.

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These are the couples who make my time behind the camera so memorable, so enjoyable and without a doubt, they are the type of couple who allow me to live the dream.

Because of you, Daniel and Anna, I get to fall in love with my job over and over again.

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Thank you!

The Last Frontier Made New

Lifesong Photography & Designs had the pleasure of traveling to Alaska last summer.

Although some time has passed, I have finally found the time to share with you some of the images which were captured in an effort to always remember what I saw and how my breath was taken away.

Ending the long days with stunning moments such as the one below …

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and starting the days with equally lovely colors will never fade from my memory.

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While I traveled, my eyes were opened. The snow-capped mountains in the distance paired with the wildflowers blooming amongst me made such an impact. The idea of something having fertile enough ground to blossom while in a climate like the one Alaska is known for took me by surprise.

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Such a perfect opposite of the mountains in Hawaii, we enjoyed wearing some layers and doing a cooler-climate hike to Exit Glacier.

Congratulations to Kylie, the senior I photographed there! She has recently graduated and is one her way to making her place in this world.

I feel so blessed to be a part of these cherished moments. Thank you, Brock family!

Watching & Waiting: A Stanchfield Moment Captured In Time.

I always enjoy watching and capturing a family who allows their family-time to happen as if I wasn’t watching.

Themes of sessions sometimes seem to reveal themselves without provocation. For this family, that was certainly the case. The theme? Watching & waiting.

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The four of them watched one another at various times and waited for reactions. Together, they allowed their laughter to fill the air around us.

Walking, relaxing, parenting and playing; now that is a good combination. Mix that with this evening sky at one of the clearest teal water beaches I have ever seen, that is THE combination.

You never would have known that just moments before the session began and as we were leaving the parking lot, rain clouds filled the evening sky. I stuck to my gut knowing they’d clear and an impressive sunset revealed itself.

I am still coping with the idea that I may never again be able to capture this stunning family, due to distance and military duty stations, but I feel blessed beyond belief to have had the chance when I did.

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Livin’ The Dream: A Hike With Destiny

When someone hires me to do a lifestyle session, I literally do a happy dance. When Destiny suggested that her lifestyle session be at the beach followed by a hike to the Lanikai Pillboxes, my excitement went through the roof. An afternoon starting at the beach and ending at sunset overlooking the Pacific, and I get to call it my job?

I am SURELY livin’ the dream.

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Destiny is a fit and fierce woman who can take on anything.

I urged her to hike the hardest portions of the hike for “that shot”…

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…and she certainly took that challenge head on.

Enjoy the little video below of our adventure to the second Lanikai Pillbox at sunset.

Enjoy your ALO][A Friday and thank you for stopping by! Be sure to “share” and comment if you like what you see!

Email me at Chelsea@Lifesongdesigns.com for your Lifestyle session!

Corey + Alyssa: Capturing JOY

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THIS is a couple which exudes happiness and love for the life that they share.

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Corey & Alyssa’s smiles are never forced or fake. The hands never had to be told to be held. The lips never had to be begged to be kissed.

 

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They are the real deal.

 

“Joyous” is the best way I can describe their session. They are a couple which everyone would love to have as a leading example in their own lives.

 

I wish this couple the best as their journey continues. I pray our paths will one day cross again!

 

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Senior Sessions: The Styled. The Solo.

Senior sessions are notorious for being ‘over-thought’ and ‘over-worked’. I aim to grab those stunning shots for everyone to hang on to: grandma, grandpa, mom, dad, the boyfriend and the best friend. In doing so, I also focus on not letting too much get in the way.

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How to get the best session? Only focus on the parts that are vital. This allows a little extra time to play and nab the unconventional shots because you aren’t worried too much about the additional things which can create stress and unnecessary work.

1. A simple theme.

2. Fresh makeup.

3. Surroundings which are symbolic to the senior.

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4. A relaxed style look with a maximum of two other looks.

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5. A background which needs very few props — if any at all.

A Contest To Remember!

412,379 Photos.

115,097 Voters.

127 Different Countries.

These are the details of the recent photography competition I entered into.

It was my first competition and I had no idea how I’d come out. I am astonished with how well Lifesong Photography & Designs compared with the AMAZING talent from around the globe! 

In this particular competition, you have no idea who’s images are who’s.  In addition to it all, you have no idea if your own images are still in the race to the top of the heap unless you or someone you know well sees your work! However, it is fun when you recognize fellow ‘togs work and let them know their image was still in the competition! I even found an INCREDIBLE photographer from my hometown who is AMAZING and reached the top 100 of ALL entered images!! These are the moments I KNOW God is at work in my life. These feelings of purpose and inspiration drive me to do more and be more for my family. 

The images I entered are in this video (made for all contestants by ViVi)!

 

Well, as for the results of Lifesong Photography & Designs… here they are!

One FINALIST image

Two images in the top 10%

Two images in the top 20%

TEN images in the top 30%

Four images in the top 40%

That is 15 images in the top 30% and it makes for a total of 26 images in the top 50% of the competition out of the total 50 images I entered!! Let’s not forget, if it were not for YOU, I would be nowhere. THANK YOU, my dear clients and friends!!

I am humbled to see where I have landed this year and am so excited to see how I can grow in this industry. The images which made the most impact on the competition (the top 40% or better) are below but EACH of the 50 images I entered I am PROUD to claim as mine. 

A competition such as this allows me to grow, be inspired AND seek out other photographers to chat with. Thank you to the Shoot & Share competition team for making these successes possible.

THE FINALIST IMAGE

THE TOP 10%

THE TOP 20%

THE TOP 30%

THE TOP 40%

(This one, my Alaskan moon hit the 30.1 percentile: SO close to the top 30%!!)

Hernandez Family: A Peek Into A Family’s First Session

I am always so thankful when a family chooses Lifesong to capture their moments in time. However, when a family makes that leap to have their family portraits and lifestyle moments frozen through MY lens for the FIRST time ever, it is something very humbling.

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I look around and am aware that I am surrounded by some of the most incredibly gifted photographers. Having that knowledge can be intimidating but the support I have consistently given is really a breath of fresh air.

Thank you to the Hernandez family for your willingness to “take a chance” with me.

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THANK YOU FRIENDS!!

HELLO 2018! Happy New Year to all!

Thank you all for allowing me to be your storyteller. Whether you allowed me into your most exciting, most emotional, most vulnerable or even most private of moments I thank you! 2017 was really a wonderful year from start to finish.

In 2018 I have a plethora of new things added to my bucket lists…personal AND professional. All of them will be much more fun with some smiling faces!

I plan to travel to surrounding areas and states to fulfill some of these exciting challenges! Keep in touch on Facebook, Instagram or email me about some of the dates where I might be in YOUR area!

Do you have a session you’d like to book, but fear I am too far away? I NOW DO BLOCK BOOKING! One of the best parts about living in this area, the light stays perfect longer! Contact me at Chelsea@LifesongDesigns.com to ask about the perks of booking your session, your friend’s session, your neighbors session or your co workers session within the same day! Rates are discounted and travel fees are (often) waived!

Enjoy this short video in thanks to all who asked me to be a part of their Lifesong in 2017. (I apologize for it being a tad small and will work on that in the coming videos! View on a computer, in HD with sound for best enjoyment!)

The De St Aubins: Keepin’ The Spirit

One of my favorite family sessions is a favorite not only because of the wonderful family who hired me, but because of the ideas they had to carry it out.

This family took “spirited” to a whole new level and I LOVED it.

Everything from playing football in a marsh to the expressions of love, happiness and joy on their faces made this session memorable. It is one to showcase also to give others an idea what a true lifestyle session can bring.

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We were amongst some of the most stunning mountains I have ever seen. However, I knew we nailed the session when we looked at the images and the family’s connection to one another stood out equally beautiful as the backdrop.

I would be honored to enjoy the last bit of the football season with you and your family in this way! Who says a family session has to take place before Christmas or even in certain attire? There are no rules in the game of photography! Book now and make your next session with me all about YOUR family’s style, traditions and influenced by your energy. Not sure what to do? I will gladly help you brainstorm. With my background in event planning and design, I am sure to help you land on a “theme” everyone in your family will enjoy!

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