XO Chels. Photography

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Introduction: What many people fail to recognize is that photography is not all about the end product. Yes, it is important to get a great photo from your photographer, but the experience is often overlooked. Too many times I've heard people tell me about their awkward and miserable photography experience. What I offer is a fun and relaxed experience. I'm not going to ask you to do poses that are strange or uncomfortable. I'm not going to be weird and antisocial and overly artistic in your event. I'm a human being who has a business that works with other human beings. Communication! I'm going to pay attention to you and make sure your hair is in the right place, and that your veil is placed perfectly and that the booger hanging out of your nose is taken care of. These are things we need to consider. I'm flexible, fun, and real. I have a sense of humor. Photography is not a life or death thing. It's a luxury and an experience that should be enjoyed and cherished forever. Photography is an investment because photos become more valuable over time. I want you to look at your pictures and say "oh yeah. That was a great day. What a fun time." I love working with people who have all these different visions for the story they want to tell through their photographs. I love it when people say "I have this idea, but it's kind of weird... what do you think?" Being creative is at the heart of my photography, and I LOVE to run with it. I also love challenges. "you're having an event that's pretty much in the dark? Challenge ACCEPTED."

Overview

Hired 30 times

3 employees

17 years in business

Payment methods

This pro accepts payments via Cash, PayPal, and Venmo.

Social media

Facebook

Featured Projects

90 photos

Specialties

Event type

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Reviews

Customers rated this pro highly for responsiveness, work quality, and professionalism.

Exceptional 5.0

15 reviews

5

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Claire S.

Jun 3, 2015

I worked with Chelsea Gaya for my wedding photography a year ago. From start to finish, the interactions were professional, straight-forward, and friendly. Her rates are extremely competitive and the return on investment is truly extraordinary. We received our digital copies promptly and were blown away by the creativity, skill, and quality of the product she delivered. We have continued to use her services for major events in our lives and will highly recommend her to any photography job you may need.

Sarah G.

Jun 3, 2015

Chelsea did family photos for us one day and a special princess photo shoot with my daughter another time. She does phenomenal work. There is no stress, no rush. She talks while she's working and is done before you know it. The photos were the BEST I have ever had done. She captured the spirit of our family perfectly and nailed it with my daughter. I have booked her again.

Jami H.

Jun 5, 2015

Chelsea is amazing to work with. She was creative and had great ideas for photos, but she was also open to input from my fiancé and me. She also does a great job of making you feel comfortable in front of a camera, and will go to great lengths to get a great shot. She offers just the right amount of direction. I'm super happy with my decision to hire her.

Kathleen F.

Jun 8, 2015

I did a pin-up shoot back in 2013. It was done in a home studio. Chelsea did my hair and make-up. She was able to achieve exactly the look I was going for. Chelsea was personable and put me at ease. She transformed me. The only thing that could have made my experience better would be if I could have her style me every day!

Samantha G.

Jun 8, 2015

Chelsea was our photographer for our engagement photos. She really made the session so special. One of the best parts was that she was very attentive to the details that make a picture perfect. Not only that, she was a blast to work with. She gets you to laugh and smile, and as a results she captures the best pictures! The final product was amazing. We have got so many compliments on the photos, and have great memories from the session. I can't wait to see the photos she captures on our wedding day.

FAQs

What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I am constantly learning new techniques, testing/reviewing new products, and providing feedback within the photography community. I host and organize educational workshops with local photographers and teachers, as well to keep my industry peers in the know. Photography, however, is a lot of the same. It all comes down to light. I have a degree in Applied Physics, so I'm comfortable with light, right down to an atomic level.
How did you get started doing this type of work?
I've been shooting photography since I was eleven. I developed my own film all the way through college. I don't think it was a decision. I think it chose me.
What types of customers have you worked with?
The most common types of photography I do are events, weddings, and portraits. While I really love and enjoy doing fashion photography and commercial and product photography, its just the landscape of the industry right now. Portrait, wedding, and event photographers are in demand. I specialize in ambient lighting anyway, which is the tougher style of photography, so my work lies in the candid arena.

XO Chels. Photography

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