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!)

#notaselfieheadshots // Melissa

Ingrid + Julian // Berkeley Engagement Photographer

I cannot wait for their wedding in October! Here's a few photos from their engagement session at Cesar Chavez Park in Berkeley, CA. Cheers to the sweetest, most beautiful, loving couple!

#notaselfieheadshots // Boo Boo

This guy. He has the best infectious smile and laugh! And is an amazing graphic designer and illustrator.

#franceonfilm

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This past November we traveled to France for about two weeks and it was so great. This was my first trip to Europe so it was all new to me. I met Sean in Paris, then we went in a circle around the country - Toulouse, Lyon, Strasbourg, Paris. We will be going to Germany in September, so I can't wait to see other countries!

Images taken with my Canon AE-1 on Fuji film. There pictures are so special to me and NOTHING compares to having film photos of your travel. Love 'em!!

Tara + Javier // Canyon, CA // Pi Day

My first solo wedding, ahhhhhh!! Tara and Javier could have not been more of the perfect couple for me to officially kick off Chelsea Dier Photography Weddings. Their love for each other and their community is infectious and they made my job easy. I love every photo of them and they are all my favorite!  The last two I posted may be my extra favorites... Models for sure. SO much love to you Tavie, thank you for trusting me!! 

Tara + Javier Sneak

 

YES! Just sent these lovelies their photos and I cannot wait to share more. I am going to have a hard time choosing. So much love in all their photos!