2014 Wedding Collection

Something is wrong with my blog and it's not allowing me to upload any photos, but I did want to share the link to where my curated collection of wedding photos I took last summer while second shooting with Ken Kienow are. And really, I want to show them off :) I am shooting a wedding on Pie Day this year (3.14.15) and I could not be more excited! I am hoping to book some more this year so if you know of anyone getting engaged or are engaged, please pass me along! Eloping or not, adventurous, fun, and loving couples please reach out!

Smooches.

(and cheers to getting the blog fixed asap!)

2014 Holiday Sessions

A small collection of the mini and family sessions I did at the end of this year. Many, many thanks to all the families that had me along :) You rock!  

Rob and Cody // Wedding // Oakland & Napa, CA

These two got married and had me along to document it. Rob and Cody had a Courthouse wedding on Wednesday and then a friends and family party up in Napa on Saturday to celebrate their love!

Being this was my first solo wedding, a small courthouse ceremony was just alright with me. Then the light was amazing on Saturday and all I really want to post are the portraits I took of them during the golden hour :)

Thanks for getting married you two, and thank you for trusting me! 

Updates

Yikes, I kind of neglected this space. Exciting things have and are happening though! I have been working with a wedding photographer and have assisted him on four weddings so far, with four more to go. I will be building my wedding portfolio soon so y'all can take a look. I will also be shooting my first SOLO wedding in two weekends... woah! It's going to be awesome. I came here to post a few pictures from Guatemala and our Seattle trip, which are from Deception Pass. I'm not too good with words, so I'll let the photos do the talking...

(Guatemala photos taken on a GoPro -- what a great travel camera -- compact, unsuspecting, and fun fisheye!)

 Semuc Champey -- beautiful, magical jungle doesn't those last two pictures remind you of a waterfall? 

#notaselfieheadshots

Pretty self explanatory :) Contact me if you would like to update your headshots or you would like one for your professional social media accounts, etc. Meet Jeff --

Windels Family // Maternity Shoot // Ocean Beach, CA

I cannot think of a better way to celebrate Sarah and her family, than having photos taken of their family and second child on Mother's Day. It may have been windy, but it made the wind-blown effect easy and we may have had only a little sand in our eyes. Enjoy!

Palm Springs

This past Tuesday-Friday I was in Palm Springs with my mom and sister. I hadn't seen them since New Years Eve, so I was definitely looking forward to seeing them. I didn't take many photos, except some selfies with the family and the following photos from our search for the mountain goats. Enjoy the desert colors and feel the warmth from the desert radiate into your bones and warm them up! (I even succeeded in getting a tan, but NOT burnt!)

Ben // Bar Mitzvah // Palo Alto, CA

For this Bar Mitzvah, I assisted Heather at the party portion of Ben's Bar Mitzvah. I haven't been to many weddings yet, but I know Mitzvah's give weddings a run for their money! It's basically a dance party for hours with some food thrown in the mix, and fun things to do, like airbrush painting onto shirts and hats. Here's my take on the event (sans flash)!

Karl + Jillian // Engagement // Alamo Square Park, San Francisco

For this shoot, I had the opportunity to assist Heather. This couple used to live in SF, but now resides in New York, but will be getting married in San Francisco, so the iconic Painted Ladies and Alamo Square couldn't have been a better backdrop for their engagement photos. We had a perfect Spring day with amazing light, and a couple that worked it!

(PS - as I am in the process of updating my website and blog, this travel blog will transition to a more everything blog, including posts of my photography... woo!!)

Seattle // Family Visit

Over New Years Eve I went up to Seattle for a few days. The main reason for this trip was to see my brother, Marcus, before he graduated from US ARMY boot camp and headed out for his deployment. While there, I also had the pleasure of taking the engagement photos of my great friend and her fiance!!

Seattle, you will always have a piece of my heart.

Family Visit // San Francisco

This past December my Dad, his wife Barb, and her mom, made a pit stop in Oakland on their way down driving to Texas. They would rather drive many, many hours and be able to stop and see the sights and countryside instead of flying. It isn't something I would enjoy, but they do. We went into San Francisco and explored around the piers along Embarcadero and the different Golden Gate Bridge vista points. The weather was perfect - clear and sunny.

Chelsea Dier Photography

In the beginning of November, I decided to finally take action and make my step towards becoming a professional photographer. It has been awesome!! What took me so long, I'll never know (well, actually I do know - it's scary taking the first step, but once you do, it's SO worth it). I reached out to some of the customer's from Highwire (day job) and starting taking their family and engagement photos. I am actually really enjoying the family photo shoots.  Having younger siblings has definitely helped me in approaching these photo shoots. I instantly feel comfortable around the kids and love the challenge of capturing their busy bodies.

Here is a small collection of my current portfolio, and if you know anyone who needs professional family, engagement or lifestyle photos, I would love to take them! Send them my way chelseadier [at] gmail dot com or find me on Facebook.

Local Visit // de Young Museum

Last week Sean and I were meeting my aunt for dinner in San Francisco. We decided to make more out of the trip to the city by visiting the de Young viewing tower. It's free and offers 360 degree views of the city (on clear days). Plus, it was a beautiful day and you have to take advantage of the weather when you can!

Austin, TX from the iPhone

I joined my friend in Austin, TX a few weeks back. She was visiting her family for two weeks, so I decided to tag along for four days. This was my first time visiting Texas. I know Austin is such a different city compared to other Texan cities, but I thoroughly enjoyed myself. The hipster vibe brought me right back home (craft coffee, suspenders and so much flannel). This was such a whirlwind trip. We were always on the go and constantly eating - true Austin experience. I think I covered all the bases in my Texan adventure.

-BBQ at the Salt Lick -Food trucks -Amy's Ice Cream -Shopping along South Congress -Seeing 6th Street - Live Music -Taco Xpress + Hippie Church -Topo Chico -Cowboy Boot trying on -And most fittingly, visiting different coffee shops

I want to take Sean back with me, so I am sure a visit will happen in the future.

Burning Man 2013

This year was great. About half way through the week in Black Rock City, I stated this would be my last Burning Man. But as I look back on the week, I only have positive thoughts and know I need to go back at least one more year. The only real kicker for me is the heat during the day, but we succeeded quite well in being gifted with cold beverages and even popsicles!

Through our morning coffee delivery of cold-brew, we met some awesome folks and a few that live in Oakland and were familiar with my work place. In a community of 60,000+ it is still a small world.

These past two years I have brought disposable cameras and my simple point and shoot camera. I definitely prefer the disposable over the digital. The first two pictures are from one disposable camera. The feel of the photos, what gets captured on film and knowing I can't see the pictures until development makes it much more exciting and enjoyable for me. My favorite photos are the ones from the disposable cameras. Film is awesome!

Until next year Black Rock City... Stay dusty :)

En Route to Black Rock City

And we're off! Sean and I, along with two friends leave in the morning for Burning Man !!! The boys have been working around the clock on the geodesic dome, so I'm stoked to see it in completion. I have only seen it assembled and when the cover was being worked on.

So much more packing and cleaning to do, but I can sleep when I'm dead, right?! Be back Tuesday!

Brother's Going Away Party

My younger brother just started ARMY boot camp on Monday and we had a going away party for him up in Washington. I can't believe he's off growing up. I still think of him being about 4 years old... not 18! But, I am extremely proud of him for following the dream he's had for MANY years! He is ready for this experience and I think he will gain so much from it. I'm proud of you Marcus and I love you SO much!

(mom and siblings)

(all but second to last picture taken at party site)

Mexico 2013

In late May, Sean and I went to Cancun, Mexico for a week. The trip can be summed up in three "r" words: reading, relaxing, refreshments.

Aside from a day trip to the Tulum Ruins, we stayed within the resort and made ourselves comfortable on the beach or by the pool.

When we visited the Tulum Ruins, it was very hot and humid and a little uncomfortable. But, we were able to dip our toes into the Caribbean as it's the only ruins along the ocean.

Some pictures from the resort grounds below...

I took all these images on an old Canon AE-1 film camera with Fujifilm Superia X-TRA 400. ((Loving the film!!))

Local hike // Oakland Redwoods

This past weekend Sean and I went on a local hike/ picnic in our "backyard," the Redwood Regional Park. A short 10 minute drive from our house and we were hiking among the Redwoods. He's really not that short It's my face!

Seattle + Bellingham

Home Sweet Home.

I went up to Seattle (well Normandy park, if we're being specific) for a long weekend to visit my best friend who had just moved back. I also took this as a chance to see some other friends I have been missing and an excuse to get up to Bellingham.

Aly and Travis just happened to get engaged a few months earlier AND got a new puppy so I knew a visit was a must. I went to college up in Bellingham, so it holds a dear place in my heart. The last time I visited Bellingham, it wasn't quite personally satisfying, so I wanted a re-do.

Low and behold, it was a success! I came back home to Oakland (wait, what? this is where I'm calling home now?) feeling refreshed and filled with love. Now if I could just convince them all the move down here, I'd be set!

PS- my Washington ID expires in one month!! Uhhhh... meaning I will become a Cali resident? Don't know if I am ready for that yet! :)