Hi, Chelsea here! I will be sharing some of my personal film images that we recently got scanned. Andrew is a talented film photographer and he has been patiently teaching me how to use our 35mm camera the past few years. I am hoping soon he would pop on here and share some of his personal work. But, if you are interested in seeing his, check out his personal instagram: instagram.com/andrewmichaelmontgomery
I have so enjoyed carrying a camera around for fun.  Since high school, I have loved photography. I dipped my toes into photography in the tenth grade, found myself on photo adventures with friends, and then in college in turned into an unexpected career. I have missed carrying my camera around, snapping photos of friends, and unexpected beauty around. You wouldn't think a professional photographer wouldn't be doing that, but with any job, we find ourselves busy, and not having much room for creativity. That is one of the many take aways I have from this time of COVID-19. Finding beauty in the ashes. Finding joy in the morning. Picking up a paint brush, grabbing my camera and going for a walk, putting my fingers in the dirt and watching beauty unfold. 
I hope and pray you are all well, thank you for coming to this little site that so desperately needs updating.. but we will get there soon enough.
Much love,
​Chelsea 

photo walk series: winter 2o2o // Richmond, va 

home : winter 2o2o
​our dog bonnie and her sister piper 

places: winter 2o2o

people: winter 2o2o

lynchburg winter 2o2o

stylized session with @caitcreative 

eloise's due date get away: crozet, va 

the weather reflected how we felt on the inside. in turmoil. total pain. without our girl. but, even though our arms are and were empty.. she was there with us. and she met us in nature and we felt her love. she has helped us get out of bed every morning. we miss you, eloise.

outer banks trip late autumn 2o17 or 2o18

more winter 2o2o

alec & jenna's wedding march 2o2o

Once upon a time before the pandemic...
This past winter we got an email basically saying that these two above were getting married the following wedding and wondering if we were available. We met for coffee right away. We always ask our clients how they met and how the proposal went. Erika started describing the evening they got engaged and said, ".. and I asked Quincy to marry me." I remember the smile I had when those words came out of her mouth, because I knew, this lady was awesome. Quincy is a smily guy, but the smile he gives Erika is something special. These two are twin flames. When you are with them, you can feel the love they have for each other, it feels so rare and special. We felt so lucky to capture their freezing cold sunny wedding. And I cannot believe it's taken me this long to share these images with you all!
Many congrats to these two!
Chelsea & Andrew 

here are some 35 mm shots I took from their day: 

Since April 2019, we have been through a lot. It is hard to really put into words all that we've been through. We are still here. Still standing. Still fighting. Making our marriage and mental health number one priority. Though this season is nothing what we pictured last summer when I was newly pregnant with Eloise. I'm holding onto home that the biggest, brightest rainbow is awaiting us.

Photos by Rachel Gierlach @rachelgierlach

 Like many late spring and early summer weddings, Jhasmine & Patrick's wedding got pushed to the fall. But, they weren't going to let the pandemic stop them from getting married on their promised day. On a warm, bright, May evening, Jhasmine and Patrick said their vows in front of their families, and friends in person & with the magic of the internet. They said their vows over the city that brought them together. 
We cannot wait to capture their love again this fall. Oh, what a celebration that will be. They deserve every ounce of celebrating and happiness. Thank you for having us on your special day!
​
Also, Andrew and I had the opportunity to shoot film and digital for their elopement! So you may notice a difference in texture and color. You will be able to tell which ones are the magical film photographs! We absolutely love shooting film. This is something we don't offer all the time because it is expensive to buy the film, process, and develop, but when we get to it's such a treat!

In these uncertain times, the one thing I am certain about is love. I am a Christ follower. And there is scripture that talks about what we can do in love. It talks about how patient and kind love is. But the part that has always stuck out to me is this: " Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres. Love never fails." (1 cor. 13:6-7)
When going into our first session since the pandemic happened, Andrew and I were nervous. We didn't know what to expect. Do we wear a mask? Will it be weird staying 6ft apart? What about hugging?! I am a Texan and hugging is a way of life. Thankfully our fist session was with Chelsea & Sam. I have known Chelsea for years. Sam, Chelsea, and I all went to the same small college but oddly enough didn't really meet until after school. Chelsea and I bonded a few years ago based on our love for peter pan collared tops, books, knitting, and photography. The one takeaway I took from this session was this: love perseveres.
Though the world felt like it was crumbling around us. Things were being brought to light. So much uncertainty around our own industry, and Chelsea + Sam's wedding. I witnessed before me the power of love. Their love felt unshakeable. I could see it. I could see their love always trusting, hoping, and not failing. I know this is quite a statement, but it is true. I walked away from their session exhilarated, hopeful, and having so much peace. The not knowing is hard. But we must persevere. 

Right before the pandemic hit us in the USA we got the taste of our last bit of normalcy in March when we shot Jenna and Alec's wedding at The Barns of Kanak. Everything about their day was perfect. And it was honestly a blessing when we look back at that day. We all gathered together, friends and family to celebrate their love. The weather was a beautiful unseasonably warm day, you could feel hints of spring all around. I first met Jenna when I shot her sister Kaelyn's wedding, seven, eight years ago? I honestly cannot remember what year their wedding was. But, I have been lucky enough to continue to be apart of Kaelyn's life and that has flowed over to her families. Being apart of Jenna's wedding felt like I was apart of a family members wedding. Andrew and I felt so lucky to be there.  Looking at these photos fill me with joy and hope. Joy that we got to have one last big wedding before we had to close down shop, and hope that one day soon we will gather together again around the table and celebrate.

Congrats again to Jenna + Alec!
Chelsea & Andrew

Vendors 
Venue - The Barns of Kanak 
Lettering- Kylie - The Barns of Kanak
Hair- @flawlessonsite_danielle
makeup - @blushtones
Floral design- @Katefiorefloral

Nothing is more exciting when a client is willing to take a chance to shoot when the weather is not looking pretty. We had so much fun on an oddly warm February day capturing Garrett and Emily's engagement session. Andrew and I used to live in Norfolk, and it was so fun roaming the streets capturing E+G's love, and reminiscing of our own love story that took place on the same streets.
We met Emily and Garrett at a wedding in November. Even though we had only met each other once, when we got together to shoot their engagement session, it felt like we were with old friends. The afternoon was easy and light. I spent most of the session trying to get Garrett to crack a smile, and guess what.. I did! We are so excited for their future together because it is bright. 
Scroll down to see more from their rainy-warm-wintery engagement session.
​xo chelsea & andrew 

 Since losing Eloise in October, the days and weeks have felt so long and slow. We are about to embark on her due date next week (2/26). A day I have been dreading. It feels like we've been inching towards this day for so long. And yet, it's here. 
 I have been thinking a lot about what these months would have looked like if things would have gone our way. We would have had her baby shower, her room would be packed with dresses & wooden toys, and we would be anxiously wondering when she would arrive. I think of those hopeful people, and I miss them. The past four months have been really hard.
 The early days of losing the baby were such a whirlwind. When I think about those first two months, I think of us sitting inside of a tornado. Chaos all around, and we could barely hold onto each other for safety. We shot weddings, family sessions, in between losing Eloise, healing from her birth, hemorrhaging in DC, and a surgery. We faced the hardest season yet in the middle of the most thriving season of our business. Four months later, I am still facing chaos in a slower pace.
 Lately, I have been seeing glimmers of our child. I see her in the sky when the sun is setting. When the soft glow of the horizon is hitting the clouds. Do you see me, Eloise? I see her in the birds in my yard, who flutter and fly around. Are you flying Eloise? I feel her still, kicking every now and then, her telling us, "my love is unconditional." Do you  know we love you, Eloise? When I pray, I picture the Father holding my sweet girl. Telling her about her parents and how deeply they love her, because our pain runs so deep. 
Here I will leave you some of the words from the song that Eloise was born to on October 15, 2019 at 5:48pm.
"Endless Alleluia" by  Bethel Music
 
In the morning when I rise to meet You
In the morning when I lift my eyes
You're the gentle light that falls around me
You're the first thought on my mind

In the evening when I lay my head down
In the evening when I close my eyes
You're still the only One I wanna cling to
You're the last thought on my mind

Brooke was one of the first friends when I moved to Norfolk, Va in 2012. She was then and now such a gift to me. The years before Andrew became my business partner, Brooke would come and second shoot weddings with me. Some of my most cherished memories with her is our long road trips and late night heart talks. We would always "dance out" our problems and always find something fun to do. She is a fellow Texan, when I hear her voice I hear home. I was so honored to capture her and Tom's engagement session last month. Nothing is sweeter than see a dear friend fall in love. 

​love ya Brookie, xo Chelsea 

A few weeks back we got to spend time with Patricia & Ben in their element: the mountains. They met while they were on the JMU snowboarding team in their college years. They fell in love on the slops and found it fitting to do their engagement session on the very hills where their love story started. Patricia was so excited about their engagement session, she even was willing to walk in the snow in a sleeveless dress. Her joy was contagious and made the session so easy. We cannot wait to shoot their wedding this fall! 

​xo chelsea