Introducing Chelsea Dier Photography Albums

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Let it be known that I actually LOVE designing albums. Putting together the whole story of your wedding day, adding in all the elements and moments of your day that you may have missed, because there is so much happening, brings me great joy.

Having a tangible collection of your BEST photos that you can look back on time after time has to be the best thing. With my albums, you are getting your photographs off your computer and created into a work of art. You'll be able to pick up your album at any moment you have a yearning to (which would be all the time for me) and re-live your freakin' WEDDING DAY! <3

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I am requiring, okay highly recommending, all my clients to order albums because I want to design them for you! With your album, you may enjoy your photographs for years and years, along with passing the album down to your lil' ones if that's in the cards for you.

Ilan + Lauren // Wedding // Oakland, CA

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Oh Ilan and Lauren, the couple who had permanent smiles on their face the whole day. These two are so rad, so themselves and focused on having FUN alllll wedding day! I mean, their first dance started classically, and then transitioned into a choreographed dance set to THE Bieber (as in Justin Beiber). I definitely said multiple times to their guests, "you have the best friends!" Thank you so much for having me along to capture your day! And Happy Birthday Lauren :)Cater + Florals: Culinary Excellence // DJ: Berkeley Squares // HMUA: Hair by Simone at Vine Street Salon // Men's Suits: Menguin // Lauren's Dress: Novella Bridal // Bridesmaids Dresses: J.Crew // Photographer: Chelsea Dier Photography // Second Photographer: 43rd Ave Photography

Lake Merritt, Oakland, CA Wedding Photographer // Shauna + Manuel

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Shauna and Manuel got married at the Oakland Courthouse in the morning, and then I met up with them and their daughter for their portraits. I have visited the lake many times, but never shot a session here so I was a little nervous for how they would turn out. But, turns out the lake during golden hour is beautiful!! And it was so fun to hear all the "congratulations!" from people running and walking by them. These two also crushed their portraits and I am so happy with how they turned out! Congratulations you two, and cheers to many happy, love filled years ahead!(Manuel's first love, his restored car, so of course we needed to get some portraits with it as well)

HMUA: Girl with a Curling Iron // Photographer: Chelsea Dier Photography

Michael + Catie // Forest Elopement // Fort Bragg, CA

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Catie and Michael had the most rad forest elopement up in Fort Bragg (about 3.5 hours north of the Bay) with their closest friends, family and two dogs in tow. Catie created her "bouquet" from bird feathers she has found while hiking and it was so her. She needed a bouquet that she could also use for their weekend celebration with friends (which by the way costumes were required for their reception -- how fun!). Also check out her totally unique ring, wowza! Thank you times a million for having me along. I LOVED it and to future couples of CDP, I want to shoot this type of intimate ceremonies all the time!

Daniel + Lauren // Intimate Wedding // Sutter, CA

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Daniel and Lauren, the wedding in an old almond orchard with the goofiest groomsmen (and an honorary cat-groomsmen -- you'll see his appearances throughout) with the yummiest light and their closest friends and family. This wedding was a dream to shoot! They are the sweetest couple and fully enjoyed their day and have some of the best friends who made sure they were fed and hydrated throughout their day. Thank you so much for including me in your day. It was amazingly special <3

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(I had to conclude this post with another cat photo... I can't even, HAHA)

Planner + center pieces + cake: Cynthia Struckmeyer // Cater: Bacio // DJ: TSPdj // HMUA for bridesmaids: Hello Glam // HMUA for Lauren: Robert Savard // Florist: Yuba City Florist // Lauren's Dress: Always Elegant Bridal // Photographer: Chelsea Dier Photography

San Francisco Golden Hour Portraits // Sutro Baths

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OH MY GOSH! My dear friends Joey and Jane modeled for me this past Sunday and I have about died and gone to golden hour heaven. I really wanted to have some classic San Francisco shots in my portfolio, and the Golden Gate Bridge decided to show off and be amazing. Also, Karl the Fog was no where to be seen. We first went to Marshall's Beach, which is just north of Baker Beach (and I believe the nude section of the beach) but we lucked out and only saw fully clothed people. We ended at Sutro Baths chasing the light and it created a moodier, contrasting feel to finish out the shoot with. So in love! And these two are so in love as well!!

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 Yep, a shoot that dreams are made of <3

I would love to do another shoot or three here and explore more, so send me a "let's do this!" to: hi [at] chelseadier [dot] com

Trail Mavens Point Reyes Kayaking // Tomales Bay, CA

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I have been following Trail Mavens on Instagram for a while and Sasha recently posted that she was looking for photographers to join on their trips and take non-iphone photos of the trip, with the goal of capturing the feelings of the trip. I jumped right on this opportunity the moment I saw it! I have wanted to kayak across Tomales Bay and camp so this was a no-brainer. I also really love what Sasha (the fab founder) is doing with Trail Mavens in creating outdoor adventures for urban women and teaching all the skills you would need to feel comfortable going camping! The outdoors are so healing and beautiful that you shouldn't be intimidated by them. Also women led adventures rock! Definitely check out Trail Mavens... there are trips in some spectacular places all over the Bay Area and beyond!   (ending the trip with the most delicious sandwich and Sofia)  

Yosemite National Park // On Film

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Lindsey and I did 3 days of hiking in this beautiful National Park and it was amazing. She's a fellow film shooter so it's always great to explore with her because she understands the want for taking photos... and lends me an extra roll of film when I run out! Who's up for an #adventureelopement or wedding here?! I'm your gal to photograph it :)((oatmeal and coffee=camping musts))

shot on my canon ae-1 with fujifilm and portra

Ilan + Lauren // Codornices Park Engagement // Berkeley, CA

Ilan and Lauren's story starts with them meeting when they were both teaching at the Berkeley JCC, so we definitely had to get a few photos of them there. In the above photo they are actually standing between their respective classroom windows. Cue the "awwwww". Ilan and Lauren were so fun to shoot! They kept me laughing the whole time and they had too much fun. You'll see a few funny, but so them, shots below :)  (no cute dogies were harmed for this shot. Serious was just so over his photoshoot ;)) (PROS!)

#notaselfieheadshots // SJ Kincaid // Emeryville, CA

I had the honor of taking SJ Kincaid's head shots for her upcoming book! She crushed this session and was a pro. I love how her blue eyes just pop in each picture! There's a fun photo comparison at the end too! And for a fun addition, I wanted to show the comparison between using a reflector and not. I love "behind the scenes" looks and such, and this isn't so much a behind the scenes, but definitely a peek into how I work. I don't use my reflector on each shoot, but I wanted to for these head shots because I wanted to make sure her eyes look alive and bring some POP to her face! Use of the reflector fills in the light around her neck and face and gets rid of the shadows. Fun! 

PS- hey look, here's one of her head shots in use! :)

Daniel + Lauren // Redwoods Engagament Session // Oakland, CA

Daniel and Lauren also lucked out with their engagment session weather! The drive up to Skyline Gate was super foggy and I was sure we would be socked in, but the moment we started walking, the sun started shining. Woo! It must of known ;)

It was so great to explore new trails up in Redwood Regional Park with these two and they were such troopers with the hills and still looked this good!

See you two in August (and I hope we don't melt)!  ((I love Daniel's hand expression in this one ^^ Such a guy thing, being like "whaaaat??" In a good way, of course ;)))

George +Julieta // Berkeley, CA Wedding Photographer

George and Julieta's wedding kicked off my 2016 Wedding season!! Their wedding day was the only sunny day in the surrounding weeks, as it was meant to be. I kept watching the weather hoping for the best, and viola, the day was amazing! They were married in Berkeley at Saint Ambrose Church and then had their reception at the Mira Vista Golf & Country Club in El Cerrito (which has amazing view of the Bay!) After their ceremony they had a receiving line that I thought was such a sweet way to be able to say hi to all their guests and give them their love for being in attendance. Then their reception was where the party started! Starting with their first dance beginning with a classic song to transitioning into an upbeat choreographed dance, they started if off right. From their it was all about having a great time and letting loose. I believe their dance party lasted AT LEAST 3 hours! So many dancing photos!

Thank you so much for having me along G+J! <3

photographer: Chelsea Dier Photography // Venue+Caterer: Mira Vista Golf & Country Club // DJ: Denon & Doyle // Florist: Katharina Stuart // Baker: True Confections // Dresses+Suits: David's Bridal // MUH: Alisha, Vine Street Salon // Second Shooter: Emily Jean Images (thank you so much for rocking this wedding with me!)

Cassidy + Brian + Baby Eli // Maternity Photographer // Seattle, WA

Ahhhh, my beautiful friend Cassidy and her husband (and fur baby Stella) are welcoming their first baby this April and I was able to take their maternity photos. I was able to convince them to take the ferry to Vashon for their photos, because I always love taking the ferry.  We lucked out with shooting these on the only sunny/ non-rainy day of the surrounding weeks. I cannot wait to meet baby Eli! <3 (I loooove the two photos above. So beautiful and simple ^)

Candice + Nico // Adventure Session // Mt. Tam

These two modeled for me all around Mt. Tam and they were pros! Candice has the best laugh and Nico is just the sweetest in the way he looks at her. I met these two through the coffee shop I work at, so it was rad to get to know them better and chat! Also, Candice MADE her and Nico's shirts! What a talented lady! Now just imagine them in wedding attire and here's a preview of an #adventureelopement

Adventure Elopement Photographer

I am putting this call to action out there! As I was looking for a second shooter for a wedding I have coming up, I realized I was clicking on their blogs to get a sense of who the photographer was and to see their current work. I really need to be better about this. How does this connect with adventure elopements? Well, one of my goals for 2016 is to shoot at least one adventure elopement and if you're here reading my blog, to see my current happenings, you'll see this call to action and maybe it will be just what you're looking for! I have always said that I want to take photos and travel as I grow up. I am doing both, but I would love to combine them professionally.  In this case, travel can be in California, it's doesn't have to be a destination (but I am always up for that as well)! Let's hike, let's explore, let's find the secret nooks and crannies of the mountains and make some photos that your kids and grand-kids can look back on, and be like, "they were badass!"

Being outdoors is such an important part of my life and I always want to explore and find new hiking places. I would hike every day I am off it I could (and I definitely need to get over my fear of going by myself...). Since I moved to California from Washington, I had felt a lack of getting outside and exploring the mountains around me. It took me a little while to find my groove, but I am learning that the Bay Area has some great hikes and I just need to be open to the fact that it will be different than Washington, but a close second none the less!

So, if this sounds like what you're looking for and want to connect, shoot me an e-mail!

hi [at] chelseadier.com

George + Julieta // Berkeley Engagement Photographer

George and Julieta are my first wedding of 2016! Whoop whoop! We did their engagement photos at Berkeley for multiple reasons. They both went to Berkeley, the campus is beautiful, and it's an East Bay staple. George and his daughters scouted some spots the day before, so we had a great time find all the good nooks and open spots of the campus. There are endless possibilities for photos! See you two in a month!

Baby Luke // San Francisco, CA Family Photographer

I was invited to hang out with the Landau family and take photos of this cutie. Big sister has lots of photos of her, so it was time to give Luke some photo love too. Not quite a newborn shoot, but a 7 month old shoot :) So scrumptious and cute! We were going to take family photos too, but SF decided to be freezing, and now super rainy. Once the weather warms up we'll get together for the whole family shoot. 

Ingrid + Julian // Stinson Beach, CA Wedding Photographer

Ingrid and Julian walked to their wedding venue holding hands, they walked down the aisle together holding hands, they listened to their toasts with arms intertwined, and they danced holding hands.

I+J wed at Stinson Beach, a place that has been special to them their whole lives. Their day was so them, with such a relaxed vibe. They had their guests do the wave before their ceremony, they picnicked on the grass with their friends and family, and they did contra dancing with a proper caller and live band. It was such a laid back day with all the most important people of their lives! The backdrop wasn't too bad either ;)

Location: Dipsea Gardens // Catering: Lunch Box Catering // Dress: Erica Waddell //Band: Emily Bonn and the Vivants // Caller: Susan Petrick // HMU: Bara // Photographer: Chelsea Dier Photography

Ingrid + Julian // Sneak peek // Stinson Beach, CA

Just a few frames from their wedding last Saturday! So much dancing and laid back fun! 

Mel + Ti // Healdsburg, CA Wedding Photographer

These two. Celebrating from Brooklyn on their friend's winery property was so much fun! The day started very casual and un-stressed with their close friends getting ready by showering outside and then getting dressed in the vineyard or even from their car trunk. Their ceremony was held in a rose garden, with their friends and family standing and surrounding them. After that, it was all about celebrating them and their friends and family, with lots of toasts and dancing!

I wanted to share every portrait I took of them, because HELLO, these two are gorgeous and Mel's dress was amazing. She had it cut to make it into its two-piece, and she sure rocked it!

Mel and Ti, thank you for letting me capture your day!! It was beautiful and so special!

(I couldn't not end the post with a doggy photo - Woody's ranch dogs were SO cute)

Caterer: Culinary Eye DJ: Julian McQueen Dress: The Williamsburg Seamster - Nayantara Banerjee Photographer: Chelsea Dier Photography (with many thanks to Michele Shore for 2nd shooting with me!)