Outfits | Fall 2019 | Saint Charles Photographer
Fall 2019 Online Stores for Outfit shopping!
Outfits | Fall 2019 | Saint Charles Photographer
Finding the perfect outfits for your session can be hard. It’s one of the most asked questions. I wanted to send some store ideas, these stores are ones I’ve shopped at and had clients shop at. So if you’re session is in a beautiful park in Saint Charles or down on the gorgeous main street of Saint Charles, we will find the perfect outfits.
1. Joyfolie They have beautiful dresses for women and girls. A lot of my clients order from them and they always have holiday sales!
2. Shein This is a cheaper site, so read about the products you’re ordering, but they have so many options and great deals!
3. Baileys Blossums for little girls dresses
4. Little to Big for kids, I found this one on google, and love some of their simple dresses!
5. Untuckit Every color imaginable for the man in the family to match the family, tons of options for a casual look all the way to dressed up!
Keep in mind shipping times.
When picking outfits, keep patterns to a minimum, and try to go with complimenting colors instead of all the same color.
Finally, if you aren’t sure send me a message and I can help you plan your wardrobe.
Sam's Headshots | Business Sessions | St.Charles Missouri
Small business head shots, city view, lifestyle, fun head shots
Business Sessions | St.Charles Missouri
These kind of sessions have always been a lot of fun for me. It’s probably because I’m an entrepreneur and I love connecting with people.
A few years ago I met this amazing woman. I saw a post in a photo group looking for a photographer because the one she hired could no longer photograph their homecoming. I’ not entirely sure why I reached out because I have a love/hate for photographing them (love the emotion, hate that they can take forever). So I told her I would stop by about 10 minutes before to grab a few shots of them getting ready to leave. I walked in and Izzy instantly chatted me up. Since then we’ve been good friends.So many adventures and photo sessions.
Sam is still in Hawaii, so if you need a photographer, reach out to her, shes amazing and been doing photography for over 5 years.
One day we met up to do these photos and it’s one of my favorite business head shot sessions I’ve done. I love the more giggly fun photos and how they show off Sam’s personality.
If you run a small business and need some fresh new head shots or business photos for your website, send me an email! Hello@ChelsieThompsonPhotography.com
Moving Time Zones | Oahu to Missouri
Moving time zones, life as a Saint Charles Photographer
Moving Time Zones | Oahu to Missouri
Moving my family from the beautiful island of Oahu was difficult, not only because of the whole moving part, but because over the last few years my business has truly flourished into what I love. Adventure, families, women, small businesses, connecting and having fun with people. So moving and starting all over in a community is difficult, plus the water here isn’t salty.
But, like all things in life… well in mine at least, I hold my head high and trek forward. We will be moving into a cute house with an actual yard in St.Charles here in a few weeks. Before that I move into my first LEGIT office, yes I’ve had my own spacious home office for years, but a place that I don’t have to quickly vacuum up gold fish crumbs and throw all the kids toys in their room, holy crap the excitement is UNREAL! Not only that but its a co-working space in Cottleville, it is GORGEOUS. I knew the second I walked in that this was right, from the warm friendly front desk gal to the other friendly people co-working, I felt right at home and hadn’t even signed my lease.
Next I worked on locations, I was able to find a few beautiful green spaces in St.Charles that are perfect for lifestyle family sessions, couples, and women’s sessions. Then down on Main street St.Charles there is beautiful old buildings, brick, cobble stone roads, and this charm that I can’t describe but will show you when I photograph there! It’s perfect for lifestyle families, couples, and small businesses!
I’ve been super lucky and found amazing people to model for location scouting and can’t wait to check out some more spots around St.Charles, St.peters, and Cottleville!
So if you’re looking for a photographer in the area, contact me, I would love to meet and chat about your photo session!
Here’s a slideshow from a recent session with a very amazing dog named Charles!
Professional Head Shots | Saint Charles Photographer | Chelsie Trendley Photography
Professional Head Shots | Saint Charles Photographer |
Chelsie Trendley Photography
Do you run a business, online or in person? Having professional head shots vs. a selfie can really show your clients you’re running a professional business.
While a selfie is obviously a cheap and easy solution it may not look the best to prospective clients. Not having a head shot can be just as bad, you’re clients want to know who they are hiring or purchasing from, having a professional photo can help build trust in your brand and puts real person they can connect with behind the business
.
A few things to consider when hiring a professional photographer to take your head shots.
-Do they specialize in head shots?
Just because they are a photographer does not mean they specialize in what you’re looking for. You can usually find out by looking on their website, or email them.
-Do they offer what you need?
You’re going to want a commercial license to use your head shots on your websites, social media, and marketing material (example: business cards, brochures)
-Can they accommodate to your brand?
If your brand is an outdoorsy business, you may want outdoors photos vs a studio. If you work in an office you may want a studio session, and if you work with clients one on one and meet in local coffee shops you may want a lifestyle head shot session in local coffee shop and would want a lifestyle photographer who specializes in head shots.
-How to pick based off their photos.
Look at the photographers website and decide if you like the look of their photos, every photographers have their own editing style and usually stick with it, its Important to look at the photos and make sure they work with your brand and the look you’re going for.
-Budget!
This is important, a good professional photographer may charge anything from $200-$2000 for head shots. Depending on where you’re located and what exactly you’re looking for.
-How to tell if they are professional vs. just have a camera and looking to make a quick buck.
-Website typically is their business name . com
-Has you sign a contract
-Will have a professional email not a gmail or yahoo or some other free email address.
-How to write a facebook post looking for a photographer:
Make sure you list the following:
-Studio | outdoor | lifestyle
-Commercial license for digital
-Type of edit: Light & Airy | Dark & Moody | Colorful & Vibrant | Not sure and want to see websites to find what you like
-Budget
I always recommend you go with someone you connect with and love their work over just price shopping, you want to love the photos and you want potential clients to see you for you. Often time when people just price shop they don’t end up with photos they love. This is a investment in your business, so treat it like one and do your research.
If you’re in the Saint Charles area and looking for head shots, check out my work and let me know if you’d like more info. I specialize in lifestyle and outdoor head shots! I would love to create amazing photos of you to help connect your customers with you.
Dreams Come True | Surfer Family Kualoa Beach Park | Chelsie Trendley Photography
Dreams Come True | Surfer Family Kualoa Beach Park | Chelsie Trendley Photography
It’s been about 5 years that I’ve been getting into the water more and more during sessions. It started with my husband and oldest daughter playing at the beach. About 2 years ago I had an amazing session that took my creativity to a whole new level. After that I started getting more people in the water, every chance I got. Now it’s “my thing” I am always pushing people in the water (not physically) but suggesting it. It always ends well and the images I get are some of my favorites.
From time to time I get these creative bursts, my dreams go wild and I will make a list of things to shoot. This last list consisted of my completely in the water photographing a couple surfing and family surfing. I had these images in my head that I dreamed off. So, I did what any excited person does and I put that thought on paper and spoke it into the universe, and it happened. I got an email from a client and she asked to do just what I was imagining all week.
Any creative entrepreneur knows that when your idea comes to life this easy, it was meant to be. Like oreos and milk, my dreams were coming to life.
I showed up to the session and met with Mandy and her family, it was just as I envisioned, they had a van, a couple of boys, and their smiles were from ear to ear.
Of course, I had to put my own spin on things and add in some “classic” poses but while they were on surf boards in the water. It was perfect. Not only that, they were so easy going and fun. It truly was the perfect shoot for this family. It shows their active lifestyle and love for adventure and each other. Just the kind of shoot that I know in 20-30-50 years they will look back on these and remember their time in Hawaii and all the fun times they had.
Looking forward to doing more sessions like this.
Oh, the changes... New Year.
2018 was fun now let’s get 2019 started!!!
I took a ton of time and went through every session and every order from the year. Most of my clients ordered albums, 52 albums made this year! That’s out of 77 sessions that would order an album! So I decided to make a collection!
I will still have the option of a session fee and order al-a-carte, but I will also have the option to purchase a collection that includes an album, matching digital, and your session fee with a small savings for bundling it together! I even came up with some cute names for the sessions! Here is a sneak of my new titles.
The new title of my children’s sessions!
With that… I’m doing a small giveaway!
I’m giving away $250 credit to a small handful of people, take my survey here and get some more info:
book your session! (I’m only on Oahu for 6 more months!)
2018 Review
2018 Review
2018 was a blast. I photographed 56 family sessions, 11 couples, 3 children sessions, 2 adventure sessions, 4 business sessions, 2 homecomings, and 3 boudoir sessions. Countless other photos of my own adventures and children.
57,745 images later.
My heart is warm. I love thinking back at all I’ve accomplished. My business grew so much I hired an assistant! I started selling my landscapes, I taught 3 workshops! I opened an online store. 2018 was a dream. I can’t wait for next year.
I hope everyone looks back and thinks about the positive, good things that happened in your life. Think about the people you impacted and the good things you’ve done.
My goal is to make a slideshow with a photo from every session I did this year. Once i do I’ll update this. CHEERS to a great year and another great one to come!
Mothers Day 2018 | Oahu Family Photographer | Chelsie Trendley Photography
Mothers Day 2018 | Oahu Family Photographer | Chelsie Trendley Photography
Back in 2016 I wanted to do something special for Mothers Day. I wanted to do a project that set my soul on fire. Something that made me happy cry. I thought long and hard and one day while in the commisary, it came to me. It’s weird when you dream up amazing ideas, how you can remember what you were doing when that happened. I saw a woman in uniform pushing a cart and when she turned I saw a little boy in the child seat. She was shopping and playing with him. I have no idea who she was but that moment my heart exploded and I knew what I wanted to do.
I wanted to photograph active duty women who have children. Like seriously hands down and a million hugs to those, not only for the sacrifice they make for our country but also to their family and children.
I photographed three Mothers and their children in 2016 for this project. It was incredibly special and a project I truly loved doing. In 2017 I was way too tired and pregnant and unable to do the project, so in 2018 I photographed 6, it was amazing, I went bigger and it truly was amazing. I already have so many ideas for the 2019 sessions.
Here was my last from that day of Mothers Day sessions.
This is Heather and Melanie. They are amazing. I loved being able to photograph them and watch them ineract and play.
Projects; Starving For Creativity | Chelsie Trendley Photography | Oahu Hawaii
Projects; Starving For Creativity
I’ve been an artist for as long as I can remember, but not in the traditional paint to canvas type, although I enjoy painting my skill level is about the same as my 6 year old. I have always had a huge colorful imagination and a dreamer mind to create more and continuously. I am always starving for creative time. Always dreaming and thinking of the next project or idea.
This idea has been in the back of my mind for years but I only started putting real time into it a few months ago. Once I started it was a snow ball of creative energy and ideas. But I need some balance and help. My best friend Brooke is also a photographer but also has some other amazing skills; like keeping me on track and is more of a researcher and good at some back end stuff for this new business.
Like all my logo’s they have a lot of backstory and key elements that have meaning. making it personal. The main mermaid is a mix of myself and Brooke, and the kids are our tribe of children. The brown haired mermaid is Haidyn and the merboy Ryker. The baby is Elinore, pink haired mermaid is Amelia, and the blonde Sassy mermaid is Adeline. We went with a mermaid theme mostly because my love for mermaids, ocean, and living in Hawaii.
This is a clothing and home goods online store geared towards Moms and children! Check it out: www.mermaidsandminis.com
Some of the clothing options we have are leggings (my FAV!) They are a little thicker because they double as yoga pants/capri and have the thicker waist band (perfect to help with shape! I’ve had 3 babies and need a little extra tummy support, so I LOVE this feature). T-shirts, tanks, and hoodies. We also have a line of matching sports bras, so if you use the leggins as active wear you can match the tops and bottoms. You can also coordinate, most of our Aloha line coordinates with the colors! Same with the mermaid and scales lines.
Here is the Surf Board Line! Also available in a matching tote, kids leggings, and SHOWER curtain!
Kids Leggings!!
Cool thing about these, they are a tad thicker which is so useful if your kids are accident prone like mine. They hold up a lot better then some other brands Ive gotten over the years, plus they are cute, plus I can coordinate and match with them.
Kids leggings, OMG. For real, my kids are going NUTS over these.
Home Goods. I want cool stuff for my house, but sometimes it’s hard to find unique stuff that not everyone has. When designing a lot of this stuff I would sit on my couch or in the bathroom and think about what items I wanted and what I would actually use, because lets face it; I shop online a lot and I don’t use at least 10% of the stuff I buy. So I created shower curtains, bags (tote bags, duffel bags and coming soon beach bags!!), towels both beach size and regular, pillows/pillow cases, and tumblers because I love reusable cups of all types. I constantly have my water/tea with me and I need lids because #momlife.
We also have a photographer line, because we wanted some awesome shirts but couldn’t find them anywhere!
My fav is “what the F stop”
Check it out, if you want a custom item, send us an email info@mermaidsandminis.com
Outfits, OMG becky what do I wear! | Oahu Photographer | Chelsie Trendley Photography
Outfits, OMG becky what do I wear! | Oahu Photographer | Chelsie Trendley Photography
Outfits, OMG Becky what do I wear! My hair! HOLY SHIRT! Drop them socks.
This is not going to be your usual outfit guide.
Jokes aside, this is important. I want you to look like you. Sure, the cover of that magazine looks nice but is it you? No. I mean unless you only buy the latest trends, then sure, go for it. My regular outfits are one of two things. Shorts and a tank top, or leggings and a tunic. I accidently match. Yes, you read that right. I have a few favorite colors/things, so I just match and don’t even try. Nice for me but how do I match my kids to me to my husband to the location. OMG BECKY, please help does my butt look good in these, or that, or maybe I should wear a yellow sun hat?! Hair down, or braided, I saw a thing on Pinterest last week... let me find… oh man marshmallow ghosts… what am I do shopping for lamps!
Okay, so the easiest way to find your outfits, we live in Hawaii. So, let’s go for warm weather wear. Shorts/dresses/bikini, you rock that bikini girl! So, let’s start with the easy ones, kids. OMG they are the easiest to dress. Baby in a onesie, a romper, or a dress. Little boy? Shorts and a solid tee shirt or t shirt with a pocket, because pockets are awesome. Got a daughter? Sundress for the win. Mom, you look great in that dress, shorts and fav shirt, Dad.. hmm let’s roll with button up rolled up sleeves, shorts, and a belt. Hair clip in daughter’s hair, surfer dude up your son’s hair. Man, that was easy. Oh, but colors, patterns, stripes…. Green eggs and ham OH MY!
Okay, so pick your color and find ones that compliment.
I have pinned a few easy ideas. BUT for real, grab your favorite things lay them out and send me a photo. I will tell you honestly what if anything needs changed.
Most importantly, stay away from these things:
1. Logos across shorts or on them.
2. Characters, cool your kid loves barney, but let’s leave the barney t-shirt at home
3. and I know your husband loves hockey but no jerseys please...
4. Stripes, oh my they do not photograph well. So, hang that back up
5. If you think “she can Photoshop that out”, I can for a fee so maybe put that back.
Here is a link to my Pinterest board, don’t get distracted ;) LINK