Treeline Photography Blog

I want to dedicate this post to, and sincerely thank the 25 brides and 25 grooms that I had the opportunity to work with in 2008.    I sit here, in my warm little house filled with Christmas lights, reflecting on a unbeliveable year in business, with a heart full of gratitude to the people that made it possible:  The 50 faces in the photos below…  You all trusted me with the most important day in your relationship so far, and that is not a responsibility I take lightly.   I can’t think of a more blessed occupation, than one that lets you attend a marriage ceremony every weekend.  During each ceremony, I never felt like I was working at your wedding.  Rather, I felt as though I was attending. With every song, every glance, every tear and every verse my heart was warmed and a tear was formed in my eye as though I was re-living my own wedding.   But even more than that, I marvel at each couple and silently cheer for them, becasuse THEY HAVE FOUND EACH OTHER.  And in a world with SO MANY PEOPLE…I honestly do consider it a miracle to be able to have sifted through the millions of people in the world, and find THE ONE to whom your heart belongs. 

I get to photograph that?  How lucky am I?

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.  You have blessed me beyond measure.  I am living my dream, because of you.

If you are newly engaged and considering me as your wedding photographer, I would love the opportunity to earn your business.  There will be SO MUCH happening for Treeline Photograpy in 2009.  I am extremely dedicated and very much invested in bringing you the very best.  Everyday I have new IDEAS  and when I  think one is worthy enough, I mold it, nurture it, and present it to my customers with enthusiasm and confidence.  I have a drawer full already, and can’t wait to unveil.

To the couples who have already so graciously invited me to photograph their wedding in 2009 and 2010, THANK YOU.  I am overwhelmed by the idea of getting to know and become friends with a whole new batch of guys and gals.  While I hope to book even more wedding in 2009, when my bed-side alarm sounds on YOUR wedding day, rest assure YOU ARE THE ONLY couple I am working for. My attention is YOURS.  My creativity is YOURS.  My enthusiasm is YOURS.  I can’t think of a place I’d rather be.  I love what I do. that. much.

While in South Dakota over Thanksgivng, I got the opportunity to meet Jack Thomas…a sweet little boy and son of Brooke and Jeff.  I loved photographing their maternity photos on a hot July day in Sioux Falls….Fast forward a few months, and he’s here!   Jack seems to have a fondess for his fingers, and an even bigger fondness for being held.  He was a good sport and let me photograph him for almost an hour…even when we dressed him up for Christmas…scoll down and you’ll see how amused he was by his hat.  Thank you so much, Brooke and Jeff, for having me photograph your new baby!  I’d love to see you again this summer!

Then: 

Now:

Oh I have so much to write about this awesome couple, but I am lyterally running out the door to celebrate my mom’s birthday in Rochester…. More to come…

I’m soon coming to a close on my 2008 wedding season…..two more weddings to post, then it’s on to 2009.  Bridget and James wedding was one I was looking forward to all year.  They were married October 24 at Pax Chrisite in Eden Prairie with a reception at the stunning Nicollet Island Pavillion in Minneapolis.  So fun to photograph the dowtown lights and city skyline again.  Bridget and James are a very loving couple who had the most fun wedding party ever. Everyone was so nice and didn’t complain about photos one bit.  The energy at their reception was unmatched and you could tell that these two have so many people who love them.

Happy Thanksgiving.  My second favorite holiday.  Every year I have so many reasons to give thanks.  Here are a few for 2008….some are meaningful and some are meaningless….but all of them make me stop and be thankful.

•I am thankful for my husband, Sean, who doesn’t let me take myself too seriously even though I want to.  He makes me laugh at least 17 times a day.  He is the reason I have so much to look forward to in this life.

•I am thankful for indoor/outdoor slippers ( remember i said some were meaningless)…they come in handy when your office is on the other side of your yard.

•I am thankful for my husband’s job.  I am happy because he is so happy.

•I am thankful for the little children I used to take care of when I lived in Burnsville.  They filled my life with so much joy and I still think of them almost daily.  They are absolute sunshine and they keep me excited for my own babies someday.

•I am thankful for my home.  My place of rest and comfort from any of life’s storms.  Though I lay in bed and dream of something newer, nicer, bigger and cleaner….I am thankful that these 600 square feet provide the foundation from where so many bigger dreams will launch.  We didn’t buy a dream home, we bought a dream lot and we know the best is yet to come.

•I am thankful that I don’t have the slightest urge to obtain a “door buster” sale item on Friday…I will instead sleep in and wake up in my sister’s home…under the same roof as my mom and siblings.  I would wait in line for hours to have that opportunity, anyday.

•I am thankful that this year I learned that t.v and internet surfing mean I get nothing done, while me and music mix very well.

•I am thankful for my cousins who can relate to me and laugh with me at things no one else would ever think is funny. I love them all so much.

•I am thankful for my mom.  Every. Single. Day.  There is just not enough room to write all the reasons for why I am thankful for her.  She is simply the best.  I can’t even articulate it.

•I am thankful for the Peace Lily in my living room who so willingly lets me raise it.  It’s such a good plant.  So hardy and resilitent, especially when it’s left alone for 10 days.  I so love house plants and this champ is a such a survivor. 

• I am thankful for my dogs, Maggie and Gus.  I admire how they greet every new day with the enthusiasm of a 5 year old on Christmas Morning.  They are my backseat compainions to the post office and bank everyday.  They make me smile and I truly believe Maggie is the sweetest dog in the world and Gus is the biggest clummsiest naughtiest  cutest dog in the world.    •I am thankful for summer nights roasting marshmallows on the beach on Whitefish with my husband’s family. 

•I am thankful for the organization, PPA, Professional Photographers of America.  I am continually educated and inspired by this group.

•I am thankful for my sister’s Annie and Mackenzie, and my brother Josh, who are my best friends in the whole wide world.  A while ago I learned that of all the relationships you have in life, the relationship with your siblings is the longest.  Think about it.  It’s true.  I can’t think of 3 people I would rather call my sisters and brother.  They are quiet supporters of my business and all my life’s goals.  I am proud to be related to each of them. 

•I am thankful for my mother-in-law because of her generosity, love, and interest in our lives.  I am lucky to have a mother-in-law who provides effortless companionship.  Being with her is easy.

•I am thankful for my little reliable plastic saturn that gets me where I need to be…even if the rattle of the muffler his enough to clear the drive through.  You know,  some of the wealthiest people in the world drive the biggest beaters.  I’m not saying, I’m wealthy, I’m just saying I drive a beater….and I guess I’m thankful for it. 

•I am thankful for my dad and for the last 10 months of his life so we could conciously and lovingly care for him.  I look back on the opportunity to witness his triumphs and struggles as one of the greatest honors of my life.   To be close to someone dying and be given the opportunity to care for them with intention and purpose is a humbling and heartwarming experience.  I am thankful for strength and compassion he and my mom had during his illness.  It was as though he was caring for his children even when we were caring for him.  I am thankful for everyday I was able to push his wheelchair, straighten his blanket, hold his hand, kiss his cheek, fill his glass, and see his smile.

•I am thankful for my business…. A “something” that was once A ”nothing”.  A career that fulfills my needs to not punch a time clock.

•I am thankful for my clients.  Though it may seem like I work for myself, the truth is, I work for you.  I am thankful for the opportunity you have given me.   Because of you I am living my dream and I can’t think of anything more satisfying than waking up and going to a job feeling like it’s not even work…. a job where I get to trudge across the yard to a wee little office and be a photographer.  Everyday.  I promise never to loose sight of the fact that I only have a business if I have you.  I am inspired and humbled daily by your faith and trust in me.  I am so thankful for you.

I wish everyone a weekend filled with warm food, family fun, laughter galore and tight hugs. I will be celebrating in Red Wing and South Dakota with the people most dear to me. I will return to all things TREELINE, bright and early Monday morning…. Love and Hugs, Chelsie

October 18 was a perfect fall day…cool and sunny and it just so happened to be Jackie and Ryan’s wedding day.  I absolutely loved working with these two and their awesome families.   They are the kind of people you want to be friends with.  Jackie didn’t stop smiling the entire day, and you could tell how truly in love Ryan was with her.  Their day unfolded perfectly and the laughs, smiles, and hugs were contagious.   Jackie and Ryan, it is my honor to know you.  I think so highly of you two and I wish you the very very best in all your life’s adventures.

I first photographed Kaydence when she was still in her mama’s tummy!  I enjoyed photographing Karen’s maternity photos in August, just days before she gave birth to their first baby.  Newborn photos were our goal, but time slid away, and before we knew it Kaydence was 3 months old!   She is such a sweet, pretty little girl, and I can’t wait to see her grow.

Here are the cutest boys in the world!  I can say that because they are my cousins…Dresdon and Jaxson are little Southern Minnesota farm boys and I took some photos of them on Halloween morning.  Our session lasted only about 30 minutes as tractors and trick or treating were on their minds.  You’ll get to see their sweet costumes at the end of this post.   Thanks for smiling for my camera Dresdon, and Jaxson, thanks for keeping the tears to a minimum.  See you on Thursday for some Turkey!  I love you!