Photography / intimate weddings & celebrations

Details on how I support couples in curating a beautiful day alongside capturing an intimate, celebratory occasion!

Hi, I’m Chesley!

I’m a multidisciplinary creative working in photography, styling, and design, with a focus on serving design-discerning clients through thoughtful, curated imagery and experiences. My background in architecture, real estate, and photography has led me across the country and through Europe, developing in me a keen eye for delightful details, careful composition, and spontaneity.

As a partner in your wedding planning process, I bring two things to the table that I view as uniquely complementary: a documentary style approach to photography, as well as an aptitude for creative direction and styling. I am passionate about not just understanding your vision for your wedding day, but supporting you in defining the details that bring that exact vision to life so that when it comes time to capture the photographs, it’s like a story has emerged from the page – a story with a transcendent narrative arc that leaves you and your guests living in a fairytale for just a moment. I have experienced it myself, and I am eager to give this experience to the couples I partner with.

In the details below, you’ll can learn a bit more about my style, the process of working with me, and the types of services I offer as well as the associated investment. After you’ve had some time to review, let’s hop on a call to chat through your questions and to see if I am a good vibe fit for you.

Looking forward to creating together!

Chesley

My Style

Editorial
I am inspired by fashion and design – the way we tell stories through materiality and movement is a motive I am always exploring in my work. I enjoy working with couples who share an appreciation for style, design, and aesthetics.

Architectural
Since formally studying architecture in college and moving to DC, an city bursting at the seams with architectural history, I have found that my style is highly informed by an appreciation for beautiful spaces and places. I love to help my clients find the perfect setting for their sessions and unique, unexpected corners of the city.

Evocative
This won’t feel like a posed or formal session because I’ll only ask you to “look at me and smile” perhaps once, if that; I rely heavily on emotions, physical touch, and movement to capture the true spirit of your story. My style is for couples who are willing to move around quite a bit and to keep things fluid and loose!

Overview of offerings

Simple
photography only

Elevated
photography along with creative direction and styling

Grand
photography, creative direction and styling, and printed materials

Simple

6 hours of photography coverage
1 hour engagement session in the season leading up to your wedding
A digital gallery with full digital and printing rights
1-hour coordination call for sorting wedding day scheduling details

Investment of $5,475

Elevated

6 hours of photography coverage
1 hour engagement session in the season leading up to your wedding
A digital gallery with full digital and printing rights
1-hour coordination call for sorting wedding day scheduling details
10 hours of creative direction and advance styling coordination
Day of stylist support

Investment of $6,825

Grand

6 hours of photography coverage
1 hour engagement session in the season leading up to your wedding
A digital gallery with full digital and printing rights
1-hour coordination call for sorting wedding day scheduling details
10 hours of creative direction and advance styling coordination
Day of stylist support
Hardcover wedding album and 3 framed prints

Investment starting at $7,825

What to Expect

Connect for a call
Once you’ve reviewed these materials, we can hop on a call to chat through any questions you might have.

Confirmation
I’ll ask you to sign a contract and submit a deposit for 50% of the session cost; the remainder is due before delivery of the final gallery.

Brainstorm
If working with me for styling and creative direction, you’ll receive a few materials that will help you and your partner begin to hone your vision for your day.

Set the Vision
Based on your selected images, I will curate a custom vision guide to guide the direction for your wedding day details. This mood board will serve as the foundation for your styling and my creative direction.

Engagement session
At some point before your wedding day, I’ll ask us to meet for a shorter session so that we can all get comfortable with one another in front of and behind the camera. This will help with any wedding day camera nerves!

Wedding Day
When the magic happens! I will guide you through everything you need to do to achieve the vision we’ve established together.

Editing + Delivery
You can expect the final gallery about 8 weeks after your wedding day. You’ll receive full access to the gallery, so you can print and download as many as you’d like! I deliver about 50 photos per hour of shooting.