Maybe you're craving an intimate day, hiking at sunrise in the Scottish highlands. It's just the two of you, your officiant + photographer. Or perhaps, ever since you were a child, you've envisioned a big, traditional wedding with all your closest friends and family. Every wedding day is different; there is no wrong way to do it. No matter what you decide, it's your day.
What is most important is that you plan the day exactly the way you crave and envision it to be. Years and years from now, you'll be cuddled up on couch reminiscing over fond memories of your special day. Make sure you choose the photographer who will portray your story the way you want to remember it by.
Maybe you're craving an intimate day, hiking at sunrise in the Scottish highlands. It's just the two of you, your officiant + photographer. Or perhaps, ever since you were a child, you've envisioned a big, traditional wedding with all your closest friends and family. Every wedding day is different; there is no wrong way to do it. No matter what you decide, it's your day.
What is most important is that you plan the day exactly the way you crave and envision it to be. Years and years from now, you'll be cuddled up on couch reminiscing over fond memories of your special day. Make sure you choose the photographer who will portray your story the way you want to remember it by.
I'm Chel, a 29 year old mama to two wild + beautiful boys. I've been married to my handsome pilot for 7 years now. We have a pretty rad Bernedoodle named Theodore (I am definitely his favorite. Don't let them tell you any different). I was born and raised in Traverse City, Michigan, but moved downstate about two years ago. However, I continue to serve all of Michigan, as well as Travel around the world to capture my favorite love stories.
I'm Chel, a 29 year old mama to two wild + beautiful boys. I've been married to my handsome pilot for 7 years now. We have a pretty rad Bernedoodle named Theodore (I am definitely his favorite. Don't let them tell you any different). I was born and raised in Traverse City, Michigan, but moved downstate about two years ago. However, I continue to serve all of Michigan, as well as Travel around the world to capture my favorite love stories.
"Cheleana was amazing to work with! Went above and beyond, listened to concerns we had, and even better, was able to control the family photo chaos on our wedding day. She stayed in constant contact with photo updates, and checking in about the wedding planning process. The actual wedding day, she battled the windy weather with grace, and got the most amazing photos. We look at them almost every day. Highly recommend her for shooting your wedding, it was well worth it, we are so grateful to have met and worked with her."
-Josh + Rachel Roberts
+ On your wedding day, I will show up deeply
+ On your wedding day, I will show up deeply
+ I will disarm + ease any nerves
+ I will disarm + ease any nerves
+ I will capture your story with intention
+ I will capture your story with intention
+ We will form a bond & trust
+ We will form a kinship & trust
- Emma + Zack Hampton
Cheleana is not only a talented and hard working photographer, she is an amazing person. She makes you feel so confident throughout the entire process, and goes above and beyond to make her clients happy. Of all the booking choices I made for my wedding day, this was the best one! We adore her and her work."
Cheleana is not only a talented and hard working photographer, she is an amazing person. She makes you feel so confident throughout the entire process, and goes above and beyond to make her clients happy. Of all the booking choices I made for my wedding day, this was the best one! We adore her and her work."
Following our consultation, if you decide we're a good fit, I will send out your booking link. This is where you will fill out a questionnaire, contract + pay your retainer fee. Then, we can get to planning! You will be provided with a full bridal guide, as well!
Let's setup a time to chat! This helps us get to know one another a little bit more in depth, and also allows me to help you choose the best package, based on your day.
You will be provided with a full engagement guide, walking you step by step on how to prepare + what to expect from the engagement session. The engagement session is so special to me because it really helps us to bond as couple + photographer!
I plan to stay in touch all the months leading up to your big day! I want to hear all about the planning process. The ups + downs, and all the in-betweens. I also want to hear how life is going, and if there are any other big changes happening. I am always here to help in any and all ways that I can.
1-2 months before your wedding takes place, I'll request that we get together for a little coffee date (on me!) to go over final details, the family list, etc. I want you to be able to relax the last couple weeks before your big day.
The day we have all been waiting for! I will be your biggest hype gal, as well as someone you can trust to lead the day efficiently, in the most fun + quirky way! My goal is for you to genuinely enjoy your day. I don't want it to feel like some big photoshoot. Instead, I want to capture gorgeous portraits while you soak in your day in the most authentic way.
The week following your wedding date, you will receive some gorgeous sneak peeks. Within 6-8 weeks, you will open your inbox to your complete gallery.
Full wedding galleries take 6-8 weeks, with sneak peeks delivered one week following the wedding date! About 75 photos per hour is typical.
Oh absolutely! If for whatever reason I am unable to make the wedding, due to some un-forseen circumstance, a trusted associate photographer will be sent in place of me. If there is enough time leading up to the wedding, a list will be provided for the couple to choose from. But if I do have to choose, I can ensure that the associate I select will match my expertise, personality, and style of shooting! I will NEVER leave my couples with anything outside of the best, even if that means paying out of pocket to make it happen!
All full day wedding packages require a non-refundable retainer fee of $1,500 to hold their date. All micro wedding packages require a non-refundable retainer fee of $950 to hold their date. Payments can be made through debit, credit + paypal. I do accept flexible payment plans!
I have recognized over the years how beneficial it is to have a second photographer on the wedding day. This makes the day much less stressful for couples and myself because it ensures that every important part of the day gets captured, even if moments are happening simultaneously (bridal and groom prep). It also makes for the most efficient day (Bridesmaids portraits + groomsmen portraits happen at the same time, or my second photographer can capture cocktail hour while I am photographing bridal party + couples portraits). This also allows for different perspectives for those once in a lifetime moments (like the first kiss and first dance) that can not ever be recaptured. Each eye is different, and photographers are so creative in different ways, so it's really beautiful seeing your wedding day from different perspectives. Trust me, you want a second photographer. I hire only the best of the best when it comes to my second photographers!
Not only does an engagement session make a couple feel wildly more comfortable going into their wedding day, it also helps build a bond + relationship between the photographer and couple. This provides an opportunity to make any adjustments needed going into the big day. For example, maybe you learn that you don't certain kinds of poses or prompts. Think of it like a test trial to really fine tune exactly what you're wanting for your wedding, because the day can not be redone. It's so important to make sure you have that engagement ahead of time to feel at ease, build that relationship with your photographer, while also figuring out what you may love or not love so much during the process.
The engagement session is honestly so special to me. I really get to know my couples in a way that just can't be done through calls + meetings. My engagement sessions are basically a date that I am guiding and proudly third-wheeling. I truly view this as an essential part of the process. But trust me, I make them f u n!! So, say you have already had them done. Well, let's do a part two (it's complimentary, so why not use it!) Let's spice this one up. If you had them done, and did more of the traditional stuff already, well let's switch it up. Let's create a date that I can photograph. Maybe thats a picnic, or doing something you love together (board games, a day at the beach, playing with a polaroid camera, hiking, etc).
My engagement sessions look like this:
You receive a full engagement guide that will walk you through all the fun steps of engagement session planning! I’ll of course be here every step of the way, as well.
For adventure engagement sessions, we will choose 1-3 locations near one another, + set a date & time. Most likely, it will be either sunrise or the 2-3 hours before sunset. They aren't timed, but typically last up to 3 hours, with a 2 hour average (again, think multiple locations and wardrobes. Imagine more of going on a date that i'll be there photographing versing a stiff 3 hour constant posed session)
For mini engagement sessions, we will choose 1 location + plan for about 45 minutes. Most likely, it will be either sunrise or the hour leading up to sunset.
I create a customized playlist (of your faves, of course!) for us to jam out to while we are capturing your beautiful moments. I have a well guided lifestyle + cinematic approach to my sessions. This means that I give my couples real prompts to create real emotions + scenes that feel like they're straight out of a movie. I do also do a mix of the more posed stationary combos, as well. But I loveeee creating candids! With that being said, couples never have to worry about being directed or feeling awkward. Give it a couple minutes, and you'll be feeling like naturals. It only feels awkward when it feels forced, which is not the way I roll.