Gee & Sibo's Wedding Day | Woodstock Ontario Photographer

I had such a great opportunity at the beginning of August to be the second shooter with Carolyn from See Why Photography at Gee & Sibo's wedding.  This was Sibo's big wedding day that she had always dreamed of having.  I was so excited that I got to be a part of it!!  This was a wedding packed with beautiful singing, special ceremonies, including all of the ladies singing beautiful songs when Sibo put her wedding dress on, and while her brother walked her into the limo on her way to the ceremony.  It truly was a special ceremony to photograph!
I hope that I was able to capture the essence of what the wedding was about, and show how truly unique it was!
- Chelsea

Sweet baby Quinn | Woodstock Ontario Newborn Photographer

I was lucky enough to be able to sneak some photo's of baby girl Quinn a few weeks ago when she was in my sisters studio. (Rachael Little Photography)  She was such a cutie and had those big chubby cheeks and smushy lips that are a mothers dream!  She slept so well for the first part of our session and we were able to get so many beautiful shots!  One of my favourite parts of doing newborn photo session's (besides those sweet bundles of joy) is talking to the mom's, hearing their birth stories and just listening to how their first few days are going with their new baby.  This being Mary's 3rd baby, I loved hearing how her new family dynamic was, and how her other children (both older brother and sister) were adjusting to life with Quinn (they are just as in love with her as Mary and her husband Chad are).  I wish them lots of love and happiness in their new family of 5!

- Chelsea

Welcome baby Lyric | Woodstock Ontario Newborn Photographer

This week I had beautiful baby Lyric in my studio!  There is nothing I love more than photographing a baby in those precious first few weeks of life.  They are so tiny, and sleepy, their sounds are so little, and their expressions are so sweet.  Lyric was full of little smiles, yawns and stretches throughout the afternoon and my sister (Rachael Little Photography) and I cooed over each and every one! Of course we couldn't get over that hair! All that soft dark brown hair was gorgeous, and I think left Rachael and I feeling a little envious.
Lindsay & Ray enjoy your baby girl, take the time and watch her grow, before you know it she will be walking and talking and you'll wonder where all that time went!


- Chelsea

Woodstock Street Festival - Mommy & Me Mini's

A few weeks ago I announced that I, along with Rachael from Rachael Little Photography would be holding mini session's at Baby Bumpz for the Woodstock Street Festival.  We are so excited about being apart of the Woodstock Street Festival.  It brings back so many great memories from the Woodstock Sidewalk Sales of my youth.  If you have been thinking about getting a photo of you and your sweet new baby, infant or toddler, now is a great opportunity because you can't beat this price!  While you are at it, you should stop in and see Marjorie at Baby Bumpz. It's so great to have a baby and maternity store right in downtown Woodstock!  She has some really great products for babies and really nice maternity and nursing clothing!  If you haven't been able to make it in to the store yet make sure you do!! 

If you are interested in booking a spot, Visit Marjorie at Baby Bumpz to book, or send me an email at chelsea@chelsealipskeyphoto.ca 

Hope to see you there!

- Chelsea

Waiting for baby | Woodstock Ontario Maternity Photographer

There is nothing like the anticipation of waiting for the arrival of your baby.  By the time I meet up with expectant mothers they are usually ready for that day. They've had the excitement of finding out they are going to have a baby, they've seen the heartbeat for the first time, watched the baby grow from ultrasound to ultrasound, felt the baby kick, found out if they are having a boy or girl, gone to baby showers and decorated the nursery. I get to be one of the last legs of the journey, and see peaceful parent's to be just waiting for their little one to join them.  Lindsay and Ray were no different than most of the couples I meet.  You could see the excitement in their smiles, knowing that soon they would meet the little baby girl that has already stolen their hearts. It was fun seeing Lindsay being so playful with Ray who seemed like such a rock, and watching his smirk slip out with every sweet thing she did.  There really is nothing like seeing a happy couple waiting to become a family, and I'm always so happy people let me in to capture just a little slice of that.
Congratulations Lindsay and Ray, I can't wait to meet your little one when she makes her arrival!

- Chelsea

Baby makes three | Woodstock Ontario Family Photographer

A few weeks ago I had fun doing a family session with a young family. There really is nothing better than seeing mom and dad playing with their little one. Baby Colton is 4 months old and his personality is just shining through. It was amazing watching Amy and Chad playing with him, they knew just what to do to make him smile and laugh. Is there anything better than seeing a baby smile, or hear him laugh?  They were such a great family to photograph, the love for each other was just pouring out.  I don't think I am the only one who can see just how much dad and baby love mom!
 

Take a look and let mom and dad know what a sweet baby they have!

The Newest of Old | Woodstock, ON

When Danielle moved back to Woodstock from England, she had nothing but her suitcase and her husband Pete.  They lived with her parents until they were settled and ready to move to a place of their own.  With nowhere to store her clothes, and a limited budget, Danielle went to the thrift store to find the cheapest solution she could.  She came home with a less than beautiful wood dresser that someone else no longer loved.  It was this piece that inspired Danielle to create her business, The Newest of Old.  After a little paint, and a lot of love, she was left with a beautiful piece of furniture that would easily sell for hundreds in a boutique furniture store. 

Things snowballed from there, Danielle found herself looking everywhere for inexpensive furniture in need of love.  When her and her husband were finally ready to move to their own house, she had collected almost all the furniture she needed to make it a home.  

One of the things that makes Danielle's furniture so unique is that she uses Annie Sloan's Chalk paint.  Chalk paint is not your average latex paint.  It has a smooth velvety feeling, a very old world look, and is great for painting antiques to give them a new life, but distressing them so they still have that antique feeling.  It comes in a variety of colours from Old White to English Yellow, and can be finished with Annie Sloan Soft Wax for a protective finish. Of course there is more to it than just the materials, you need the time, expertise and patience that Danielle has to pull it all together.

Although Danielle still enjoys going out antique picking, most of the work she does now are custom pieces.  If you bring her your old furniture she can give it new life.  One piece that she was working on while I was there, was an old dresser.  When it came to her, it was dark wood and pretty beat up. It even had the person's name etched on it from when she was a child.  It's now a cheerful white with a silky smooth dark stained top, and crystal knobs.  A complete transformation.

Here are some tips that Danielle had for customers looking to acquire  furniture for customization.

• Always buy solid wood, as imperfections can be sanded out, and it can be stained or painted multiple times. Remember that TV's are relatively new, so there is no true antique TV stand and it will probably be made of particle board.
• Look for dovetail joints on drawers, as that is a good sign of quality furniture.  
• Ornate furniture usually looks better painted, than simple clean lines. Although this can depend on personal preference, try not to be put off by something you think is "tacky" because it really will be stunning when painted.  
• Danielle's biggest tip is don't overpay.  Unless it's something one of a kind that you will never see again, and can't live with out, don't pay to much!  Danielle has one piece that was a splurge, and well worth it.  It's a fantastic wine rack, very ornate somethings you don't see everyday, and she has no regrets.  

Recently Danielle moved into a booth at the One of a Kind Antique Market on Wilson Street in Woodstock. It's a great way to check out her furniture, or if you have something in your home that you are looking to restore, refresh and give new life to, contact Danielle at 519-532-6522 or visit her webpage at www.thenewestofold.com or her Facebook page.

Stacy & Madison | Woodstock Ontario Family Photographer

Facebook is a wonderful tool.  Not just for business, although I'm quickly realizing that, but to reconnect with old friends.  I've noticed once or twice an old friend commenting on a friends photo, or status update, and I think "Oh I remember them! I wonder if they remember me!" This brings us to Stacy, and her beautiful baby girl, Madison.  When I was 7 or 8, my grandparents backyard backed onto Stacy's.  My grandpa would lift me over the fence, and Stacy and I would play together for hours.  I remember she had the best toy room.  It had great big cabinets, and lots of toys to play grocery store or cooking with.  I would love visiting my grandparents in hopes that Stacy would be home to play. Now with a baby of her own, I'm sure she will lifting little Madison over the fence to play with the neighbour kids, but until then Madison only has eyes for her mama! 
It was so nice to reconnect with you Stacy! It was really fun catching up, and meeting Madison!
I hope you enjoy the pictures, and thank you for letting me photograph her!

-Chelsea