Meet the Photographer Behind The Freckled Iris Studio
Hi, I’m Chelsea — but most people call me Chels — the lead photographer and owner of The Freckled Iris Studio.
If you’ve followed me for a while, you’ve probably seen glimpses of my world — messy buns, mom life, camera in hand, coffee always nearby. But today, I want to peel back the curtain a little more and truly reintroduce myself. Because behind every camera click and edited gallery, there’s a story — one rooted in love, growth, and purpose.
Photography has changed my life in more ways than I could ever explain. It’s given me a creative voice, an outlet, and a way to freeze time — not just for others, but for my own family too. This is my journey, my why, and the reason I’ll keep doing what I do for as long as I’m blessed to hold a camera in my hands.
🌸 How My Photography Journey Began
Like many creatives, I didn’t start out knowing I’d build a business doing this.
Photography found me during one of the most ordinary yet transformative chapters of my life — motherhood.
When my first baby arrived, I felt an ache I couldn’t describe — that deep pull between wanting to be present and wanting to preserve everything before it slipped away. Those tiny fingers, the sleepy smiles, the morning cuddles that faded into afternoons of laughter. I started documenting it all — at first with my phone, then with a borrowed camera, then with my very first DSLR.
What began as a hobby quickly became an obsession. I’d stay up late learning about light, composition, and storytelling. I’d practice on anyone who would let me — my kids, my friends, even the dog. The more I shot, the more I realized that photography wasn’t just about capturing faces — it was about capturing feeling.
That’s when I knew this wasn’t just something I loved — it was something I was called to do.
☀️ Building The Freckled Iris Studio
The name The Freckled Iris Studio came to me one afternoon, sitting in the sun with my coffee and camera nearby. I wanted something that felt natural, timeless, and full of personality.
“Freckles” represent individuality — the beauty in imperfection, the details that make each person unique.
“Iris” represents both the part of the eye that sees and the flower that blooms. Together, they symbolize what I hope my photography does: see people deeply and help them bloom through imagery that reflects who they are.
When I opened The Freckled Iris Studio, my mission was simple — to create a space where every client feels seen, valued, and celebrated exactly as they are. Over time, that mission became the heartbeat of everything I do — from family portraits and weddings to branding sessions and maternity shoots.
I’ve been fortunate to work with so many incredible clients across Michigan and the Midwest. Every session has taught me something new about connection, storytelling, and trust.
📸 My Experience Behind the Lens
After years of photographing families, couples, and weddings, I’ve learned that photography is 10% camera work and 90% connection.
The most meaningful photos come from laughter, comfort, and trust — not from perfect poses. I approach every session with a calm, guiding presence. I read energy, adapt quickly, and find creative ways to make my clients feel relaxed and natural in front of the camera.
For weddings, that means being both an observer and a storyteller — capturing the raw emotion of the moment without disrupting it.
For families, that means embracing the chaos of toddlers, the patience of parents, and the unfiltered love that unfolds naturally when no one’s forcing a smile.
And for portraits or branding, it means helping people feel confident, radiant, and authentically themselves.
💛 The Heart Behind My Work
I don’t take lightly the privilege of being invited into people’s most intimate moments — weddings, births, family milestones, and sometimes even goodbyes.
Photography, to me, is sacred. It’s storytelling with light, emotion, and empathy.
When I photograph you, I’m not just taking pictures — I’m capturing your laughter when it’s loud, your love when it’s soft, and your connection when it’s unspoken. I’m documenting legacies — moments that your children and grandchildren will hold someday, whispering, “This was us.”
That’s why I pour my heart into every gallery, every edit, every interaction. Because these aren’t just images; they’re memories you’ll revisit for the rest of your life.
🌿 Balancing Motherhood and Business
Running a photography studio while raising three kids isn’t always graceful — but it’s always worth it.
There have been long nights editing after bedtime, weekends spent shooting weddings, and weekdays balancing snacks, naps, and client calls.
But through it all, photography has given me something priceless: purpose beyond the chaos.
It’s allowed me to model creativity, discipline, and passion for my children. They see me chasing dreams, working hard, and finding joy in what I love — and I hope it shows them that they can do the same in their own way someday.
Motherhood grounds me. Photography fuels me. Together, they shape the person and artist I’ve become.
💫 Why I Continue Doing What I Do
People often ask what keeps me going — what drives me after all these years.
It’s this:
When a mom messages me saying, “You captured my family exactly how I see them.”
When a couple tears up seeing their wedding photos for the first time.
When a dad quietly says, “This is the first photo I’ve ever liked of myself.”
Those moments remind me that this isn’t just a business — it’s my way of giving back.
Photography has the power to remind people of who they are, what matters, and how deeply they’re loved. That’s why I’ll never stop doing this.
I’ll keep showing up for the families who trust me, for the couples who choose me, and for the stories waiting to be told.
✨ My Philosophy as an Artist
I believe the best photos happen when you stop trying to be perfect and start being present.
I don’t chase trends — I chase truth.
My editing style is clean, natural, and timeless because I want your photos to feel as beautiful ten years from now as they do today.
I believe laughter matters more than perfect poses, genuine light beats filters, and real emotion always wins.
Every session I photograph is approached with curiosity, creativity, and a little bit of magic. I want you to walk away not just with photos you love — but with an experience you’ll never forget.
🕊️ Lessons I’ve Learned Along the Way
Building this business hasn’t always been easy. It’s taken grit, late nights, trial and error, and a whole lot of faith. But it’s also taught me some of the most valuable lessons of my life:
People remember how you make them feel, not just how their photos look.
There’s beauty in imperfection. A hair out of place or a wrinkle in the dress can be the detail that makes an image real.
Every story matters. Whether it’s a big wedding or a small backyard family session, emotion doesn’t need grandeur — it just needs honesty.
Creativity thrives in gratitude. When I shoot from a place of appreciation instead of pressure, my work always shines brighter.
🌸 Looking Ahead
The Freckled Iris Studio has grown in ways I never imagined — and I’m endlessly thankful. But my heart for it remains the same.
As I look ahead, my goals are simple:
To keep evolving as an artist, to serve more families and couples across the Midwest, and to continue building a business rooted in love, integrity, and connection.
I plan to expand my print collections, create more education for other photographers, and continue offering a client experience that feels personal and effortless from start to finish.
This studio isn’t just a chapter in my life — it’s the story I’ll keep writing, one session at a time.
💬 From My Heart to Yours
If you’re new here — welcome. If you’ve been here since the beginning — thank you for being part of my journey.
Every session, every client, every smile shared in front of my camera reminds me that this is where I’m meant to be.
Your trust allows me to do what I love most: capture authentic, joy-filled moments and turn them into tangible memories that last.
Whether you’re celebrating your engagement, your growing family, or simply another year of love and laughter, I’d be honored to tell your story.
📅 Ready to create something beautiful together?
Click below to learn more about sessions or get in touch to start planning.
👉 [Book Your Session with The Freckled Iris Studio →]
