Hey y’all! I hope you’ve had a fabulous weekend! We had a pretty quiet one as we had a sick pup and it was also Guy Fawkes so yep we stuck close to home! It was a good chance to get more sorting done for the move in 5 weeks! Gosh how I LOVE to clean things out and especially throw things out! I’m excited to head back to the new house this morning (I’ve actually only spent about 15 minutes there over 2 visits!) and measure up for a few things, and scope it out a little more. We’re kickstarting the week off with getting to know California Wedding Photographer and all round fabulous Magnoila Rouge Vendor KELSEA HOLDER.
WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO BECOME A WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER? Well, my first job in high school was working for a local photography studio, and I also was involved in the school newspaper as the head photographer. I would work there and then do a lot of personal projects on the side and share. Eventually, people started noticing my work and I began to get inquiries for weddings, portraits, etc. It’s been a process over the years growing and creating my style! But once I began, this sense of motivation and excitement overcame me and I haven’t looked back since.
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOUR PATH TO GET THERE: It wasn’t a super easy decision for me. My photography career took off right as I was transferring universities in college. I’ve always been a by-the-book kind of person and very involved in school. I recall one day in my Colour Theory class (that I had to retake at the new university because it didn’t transfer for some silly reason) my phone constantly buzzing with emails from clients and new inquiries. I had been trying to ignore what I wanted to be doing for so long, and I decided I needed to focus entirely on what I truly wanted, which was photography. This was the first time I did something for myself and not for what others expected of me, and was a defining moment in my life and career.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE? Full of life and light.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT WEDDINGS? The joy that they bring! And for that day you are immersed in such a personal and exciting experience for a couple and their families.
CAN YOU RECALL YOUR FAVOURITE WEDDING EXPERIENCE? Every wedding is so special in it’s own way. Like I mentioned earlier, for that day I’m immersed in such a personal experience! Every wedding has had moments that I’ve felt extremely lucky to witness and capture. More recently, I photographed one of the most emotional first-look’s I’ve witnessed. I always have thought these moments were special, a time for the Bride and Groom to see each other privately before the ceremony. But this time, as soon as the Bride turned the corner down the stairs and was in the Groom’s view, he immediately lost composure and tears welled up in his eyes that soon burst. It was so incredibly sweet. After the First Look, we had the wedding party waiting in the main entrance of the Villa. They started chanting for the Bride and Groom as the two of them sprinted into the room! It was such a beautiful transition from love, warmth, and emotion to energizing excitement and anticipation for the ceremony! Oh yeah, and I cried photographing that first look ;).
ASIDE FROM FAMILY & FRIENDS, THREE THINGS YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT: 1. My Pup! She’s truly my partner in crime. 2. Travel. I thrive on new experiences and places. That is why wedding photography is so perfect for me. But also taking a trip for fun is therapeutic. 3. Stretching. I want to say “Yoga” like I’m a seasoned pro, but I’m not very good at it (yet) haha. With constantly having cameras strung around my neck, doing the awkward “photographer squat” and hauling heavy gear for 10 hour days, my body takes a toll. When I can take time for a class, or simply stretch or do poses at home, it’s helpful for a quick body/mind refresh.
WHERE WOULD WE USUALLY FIND YOU ON A SUNDAY MORNING? Usually I am traveling back home to San Luis Obispo from a wedding. If I had a nearby wedding, I’m relaxing with coffee and an acai bowl! Mmmm!
HOW WOULD YOU SPEND YOUR IDEAL DAY OFF? I love a simple day at the beach with my close friends and our dogs. My friends and I also host a weekly dinner where we all prepare and bring a dish to share, and that’s always a wonderful end to the day!
