Today we’d like to introduce you to Chelsey Dellinger.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Chelsey. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I began a pursuit of photography in college, obtaining a BFA in Art-Photography from the University of Georgia in 2014 as a fifth year. I second shot a few weddings throughout my time in school, and afterward, I dabbled in several areas that photography could be a platform, photographing ministry efforts in Guatemala and shooting product photography for a local natural skincare company for example. All the while I continued to second shoot weddings as a way to make a little extra money here and there. I didn’t take myself too seriously until about a year and a half after graduating college. I had the intentions to “get by” with my skills as a photographer and pursue other opportunities.
I had a sort of “what now?” moment and saw how God had continually presented wedding photography to me, and I’d in turn continually find excuses to put it off. A business built around wedding photography is multifaceted and complex. It is a combination of creativity, organization, and service wrapped into an experience that people look forward to their entire lives. It’s such a unique combination of skills and gifts. I’d seen Anna Shackleford (Anna K Photography at the time) do this so well, setting a high standard for which to strive. She’d shown how to love and serve her clients selflessly and intentionally, all the while giving them an incredibly professional experience.
I understood the importance of having what it takes to do the job well, and I wasn’t going to do it unless I was also able to offer all of myself in a way that made others feel so loved and well taken care of. So with surrender, I finally said out loud at my kitchen table in 2015, “Okay, Lord, if you’re here, I’m here, too. I’ll give it all I’ve got, and you’ve got to make it what you want it to be. This is yours.” And so my professional pursuit began. God was with me every step of the way. He gave me the wisdom to know what direction to take, what path to choose. I’d known of a girl who second shot consistently with a well-established photographer as an internship to learn the business, and I had completed a couple of internships during school for credit, as well, so I immediately went to the Instagram feed of a well-known wedding styling company to see who they often collaborated with.
The goal was to find images I appreciated in style and composition, see who the photographers were, and begin to reach out about second shooting. After scrolling and choosing three images, only to find out they were all taken by the same photographer, it was clear what my next move needed to be. I blindly emailed Lauren Carnes of Lauren Carnes Photography introducing myself and explaining my hopes for growing into a business by learning under an established professional. She responded with praise for prayers answered, because she was looking for a consistent second shooter and was asking that God would help to make it happen. CUE warm and fuzzies.
We skype interviewed, I trial-run second shot a wedding that November with her, and just like that I had a full schedule to the second shoot in 2016 and even booked a wedding under my own business, too, shortly after signing on with her. I also reached out to Noi Tran to meet up for coffee after meeting her briefly at a Rising Tide Tuesdays Together meeting in Atlanta. I found myself right in the middle of a business transition for Noi.
She was considering taking on mentorships the upcoming year and wanted to know if I’d like to walk through the process with her and help her work out all of the kinks. She graciously showed me how to establish myself on the business side, we considered what approach I wanted to take with editing, she took my headshots, and I was a part of two styled shoots she put together.
In the summer of 2016, I entered a giveaway with Kadie Smith of Drop Cap Design and won a branding package. Her team created the logo I still use today and truly helped me figure out what I’m after and how to communicate that with the world. After my time with these women, I felt like I had something to offer and I was ready to offer it. I am forever grateful for the blessing they are to me and the ways they were a part of revealing God’s faithfulness to establish me in this business. I continued to second shoot with Lauren into 2017 as I grew my calendar with weddings of my own and expanded my vision of photography past state lines.
I’ve now photographed engagements, weddings, and lifestyle sessions in not only Georgia but the whole Southeast, as well as in Colorado & Utah, Oregon, California, and even in New Zealand, Spain, and Italy! After those first two years of soul-searching and gut level growth, I can say I have been on a journey of discovery through this business becoming established, I have seen God do what he said he would, and I’m still excited about what’s over the next horizon.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
There was a lot of fear at the start of all of this. If anything, this has been something God has used to break me from fears that I didn’t realize encumbered me. It’s astounding what he’s accomplished in my heart through something like a photography business! I think the hardest part was knowing my value and being confident about what I can offer to others. It’s such a unique business in that you’re on display for the whole world to see.
I don’t see what my friends produce in their work environments. Work and personal life are very separate for most professions, but my work is an expression of myself, and everyone gets to see it. Standing confidently in that was something I had to learn to do.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Chelsey Dellinger Photography – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I am a wedding, elopement, and lifestyle photographer, specializing in capturing the true love and joy a couple has for one another. I really love that I get to be a part of telling the story of a couple’s wedding day or life together. I love entering into my clients’ lives and finding ways that they express their love for each other, documenting important events and capturing things in a way that will make them always remember the emotion of the experience.
A wedding photographer has a really unique role in that we’re SO close to couples on their wedding day. I really love the opportunity to serve couples well and help them to soak up what’s taking place. I extend that to how I photograph every experience, hoping ultimately they leave with beautiful images and also a really intimate experience where they slowed down and were able to appreciate one another in a unique way.
I’m not Olan Mills over here. We don’t do the stiff poses, and perfection is defined by different terms with me. We’re always more interested in the snapshot someone grabbed of someone in our family when we thumb through old photographs because it shares personality and tells a bit more about their life. I aim to give couples that important snapshot in time that will always show who they were together in that moment of time.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I’m excited to say that I’ll be getting married this year, and with that comes a whole new perspective on what I do. I love exploring the far reaches of the potential this business allows, and I also love being home and close to all that is near & dear.
I have one answer for that, “Lord, this is yours. Take it and do what you want with it, and I’ll give it everything I’ve got.”
Pricing:
- Traditional Weddings start at $3700
- Elopements & Intimate Ceremonies start at $1900
- Portrait Sessions start at $550
Contact Info:
- Website: chelseydellinger.com
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