Orchestrated's The Grand Tour - Venetian Masquerade | September 9-21, 2012

Things have been rolling and pumping to get us ready for the big Grand Tour cruise in September. My proverbial Goliath is being conquered... and it's AWESOME.

We have not only some of the best-kept-secret photographers, but also some amazing conference sponsors such as Kelly Moore Bag, Pixifi, Lemondrop Stop Backdrops, MCP Actions, and a few more "coming on board" soon. All of these sponsors have generously given some wonderful giveaways and treats for all participants.

A few ladies I'd like to thank are... Amanda McGhee of Kimberlin Gray Photography; her extroverted and awesome teacher-personality has been vital in reaching out to vendors. She is muchly appreciated! We also have Lindsey Fratto of Elusive Photo Design as a partner in crime as she helps behind the scenes to make sure this event is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The grand finale stylized shoot in Venice is going to be pretty epic. Just sayin'. ;)




ABOUT THE CRUISE:
We're reinventing the way we stylize, create art, and balance vacationing and business! For 12 days on the big blue Mediterranean Sea, you can have a quality vacation with your loved ones while stretching your creativity in some once-in-a-lifetime stylized shoots. Let's be real. When else can you write off a trip to Santorini?!

We welcome all photographers of all levels and all specialties. Whether you are just beginning to learn your camera or have a well-fluffed out wedding portfolio, you are invited to participate in a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

This floating conference has been set up to vacation with family and loved ones and to do business with colleagues. While there are onboard activities for children under 10, this particular trip is more suitable for older children. So consider making it either a special getaway for you and your spouse or a mini-family reunion of sorts!

Interested in information, schedules, and options or want to read the 411: Our Official Cruise Manual? Please visit our dedicated website! (Or our FAQs page!)

www.orchestratedshoots.com




HOW TO REGISTER:
All non-participants must be connected with a participant of the conference to register. You must book your cruise FIRST with World Class Travel before conference registration in the Fall. Official and complete course registration will begin in June 2012 and offered to registered participants. We want you to settle your travel arrangements first without the mad dash for classes! :) You will be asked for your booking code before you can select seminars and workshops.

World Class Travel
561 Cedar Road, Suite 1
Chesapeake VA, 23322
Phone: 757-546-1010
mike@time4vacation.com
(Ask for Mike or Pam!)

If you have any questions, please contact us at orchestratedshoots@gmail.com! It's going to be a BLAST!

- Chelsea :)

Vignettes: Boudoir (Part 1) | Orchestrated Stylized Shoots

On January 14th, our 5th Orchestrated event came to be! We had three separate stylized Vignettes for photographers to choose from... engagement, bridal, and boudoir. Vignettes wasn't like our regular stylized events; it had more of an emphasis on working with everyday ladies and gentleman (in our e-session vignette), having fun with other photogs, and challenging ourselves to think outside the box.

It was a chilly, but beautiful day, and I can't wait to share the outside images when they're ready. But for now, we have some beautiful boudoir to share with you! (Since each Vignette had its own theme, I'll be doing three separate blog posts. It's just easier that way. :) )

Our Boudoir Vignette took on the theme of "Breakfast in Bed." Meg and I wanted something cozy, chic, and lovely. Church Point Manor was the perfect scene! Nothing but elegance and comfort here, and our lovely model, Katie, helped make this Vignette truly sparkle!


























OUR BELOVED VENDORS:
Venue | Church Point Manor | www.churchpointmanor.com

Concept Design | Meghan Gwaltney | www.orchestratedshoots.com

Photography & Co-Design | Chelsea LaVere | www.bitofivoryphotography.com

Hair and Makeup | Elizabeth Ansel Alfier | www.behindtheveilstudio.com

Jewelry | Premier Designs | www.facebook.com/PremierDesignsJewelryWithRebekahSnider

Bridal Accessories | Sparrow Blu | sparrowblu.etsy.com


So stay tuned in the coming weeks for the other two Vignettes! Board games and a faux-fur trimmed bridal cloak await!

- Chelsea :)

P.S. You can find more of my boudoir work on the Persuasion Boudoir website.

The Bonifants at the Country Villa Bed and Breakfast.

I'm always honored when business/vendor friends ask to have portraits taken, especially since it's a special treat to me to get to see them beyond their businesses! :)

Petie and Phil of the Country Villa Bed and Breakfast in Virginia Beach wanted to have some photos with their grandkids before the kiddos moved across the country. So we had some fun on a beautiful wintry day! The kids were a HOOT and such camera hams... you'll see below. I love it; I admit I have a soft spot for family sessions even though I specialize in weddings and boudoir. :)









[Can we say ADORABLE?!]










[Who doesn't love a good face smoosh?! :)]




Hope you enjoyed! And if you're in Hampton Roads looking for a place to stay, check out the Country Villa! Petie and Phil make a PHENOMENAL breakfast... they go above and beyond for food allergies, too! (Rusty and I stayed there for a daycation last June... that's how I first met Petie!)

- Chelsea :)

Vintage Valentine, Showiteer Style.

It's no secret that I'm obsessed with Showit and the warm and friendly community that comes with the website program. Hands down, it's the best investment I've made in my business in the past two years. It's how I can make all these cool websites within a short period of time AND get to do really rad (yes, I just said that) things with other Showiteers.

Depending on the month, Showit encourages local SHARE groups to host a: Share, Shootout, and Hangout. Well, February was the Shootout month, and since I'm the Sherpa (aka leader) for Hampton Roads, we immediately got to planning what we should do... ideas went around... but most all agreed... What do you do when you have ladies who are obsessed with details, stylized shoots, and portraits? Plan a stylized shoot Shootout, of course!

Last weekend, the Hampton Roads SHARE group executed a Vintage Valentine shoot that was led by Sarah. We had Melody practically supply the entire vintage theme (no joke, her house had all the props... haha), Somer baked and crafted all of the gorgeous edibles, Christene created a vintage valentine garland, and Valerie provided the majority of the models.

We. Were. Set.

I didn't get a whole lot of shots with the models because I was focused on capturing the behind the scenes and the photogs shooting, but it was still a ton of fun regardless.


























[I told Ash and Tianna that every BFF couple needs their own portraits... and so here we have epicly and hilariously fierce. ;) ]




[hahaha This came from my friends being upset I wasn't in any of the photos... so I said, "Okay, I'll jump right into the photo!!" The mini-me is courtesy of Valerie when she took my and Rusty's portraits in November! Ah, Photoshop.]


Other Awesome Showiteers and the models who participated:
* April Campbell
* Katy Blevins
* Ash & Aric
* Megan & Tennant
* Tianna & Andrew
* Jake & Laura

- Chelsea :)

Now presenting... the new Bit of Ivory website!

For most photographers, January is the month to get things taken care of behind the scenes before the busyness of the year explodes. (Hence why you don't see a plethora of sessions being posted this month!) :)

It's been in the plans to...
* Redesign my website
* Redesign my client relationships
* Revamp my own creativity and how I see things (through creative shoots and shoots just for me!)
* Rejuvenate my perspective
* Reconnect with the amazing wedding vendors of my area
* Design my marketing plan for the 2012

It hasn't been an easy month to be honest. Here-and-there things popped up, but all situations have made me proud to know how I run my business with integrity and how much I love my photo-fam. They have been the backbone of why Bit of Ivory is Bit of Ivory Photography. So you, photo-fam reading, please know without your unyielding kindness, unconditional support, and limitless encouragement, I would not be here without you. Thank you for your love and for giving me the opportunity every day to share our lives together... and heck, just being you. :)

Without further ado, it's time to CHECK off "redesign my website" and remove that Post-it from my office! :D

I can't thank Melissa Love, the amazing web/graphic/identity designer and friend (and cohort from our Jane Austen shoot!), enough for her brains and guidance for this website. It first started last summer when she said, "Chelsea. You need to showcase your masterpieces better." I tugged and whined, "But I wanna be different! I want text!!" She replied, "But people need to SEE your images right off the bat." (Note: you should read her responses in a delightful British accent.) She has a way with words, and she won me over. I was overwhelmed at the tasks that lay ahead though...

Well, it all fell into place a few weeks ago. It really all fell into place at the right time because she will be making something very cool available very soon. I was so excited she chose me to be a part of her "secret lab" as it helped me visualize and better showcase what I'm all about! So thanks to Melissa, I have new vision for my website and SHAZAM! a better website for my clients.

Here is the new Bit of Ivory awesomeness thanks to SHOWIT!


BIT OF IVORY PHOTOGRAPHY


[You know I still had to keep this!]


[I wanted images that spoke to my style but also displayed an example of a Bit of Ivory bride. While all my brides are pretty epic and beautiful, this one image spoke with classic and quiet, yet stunning beauty. I like that. :) Thanks, Meghan, for being wonderful!]


[A new feature is the Love Notes... before Facebook did away with Reviews, I saved them because I knew I wanted to use them somewhere...]


[... and to show that I'm not just a photographer who shows up at a wedding. My brides become my family.]


[The main attraction... Newly showcased images! Woo woo!]


So check it out, play around in the new site, let me know what you think!
- Chelsea :)