https://www.thefreckledirisstudio.net/blog daily 0.75 2026-05-19 https://www.thefreckledirisstudio.net/blog/bhyvxelrb9aqzgm0txatbse2o870wt monthly 0.5 2026-05-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6721a3f782ca365982b27c8d/b58622d6-6d62-414b-95d6-8f03fba9653e/1D0A7739.jpg The Blog - How I Choose the Locations I Shoot At The very first thing I think about is light - always light. A location is only as good as the light it offers at the time of day we're shooting. I will choose a "less beautiful" location with gorgeous, soft, directional light over a technically stunning spot that puts harsh shadows on people's faces every single time. Golden hour (that magical window roughly an hour before sunset) is my favorite for a reason: the light is warm, forgiving, and flattering on absolutely everyone. When I'm scouting or recommending a location, I'm always asking myself: what will the light look like here at 6pm in October? Will we be fighting the sun, or working with it? After light, I think about the feeling of the space. Does this location match the vibe of the session? A couple who described their relationship as "outdoor adventurers who hate being too dressed up" needs a completely different setting than a family who just built a farmhouse and wants photos that feel like a page from a lifestyle magazine. A mossy forest trail and an open wheat field can both be stunning - but they tell different stories. Part of my job is matching the emotional tone of the location to the emotional tone of the people in it. I also pay close attention to variety within a single location. My favorite shooting spots aren't just one backdrop - they're worlds. A good location gives me open field light, wooded shade, a water element, and maybe a texture like an old fence or a weathered barn wall, all within a short walk. That variety means I'm not shooting the same composition for an hour straight. It keeps the session fresh, keeps clients moving (which helps them relax and stop feeling like they're "posing"), and gives the final gallery a sense of depth and story. Practicality matters more than people expect. A gorgeous location that requires a mile hike through mud isn't going to work for a maternity client in her third trimester or a family with a two-year-old who just figured out how to run. When I'm recommending spots, I'm thinking about parking, accessibility, how far the walk is, whether there are restrooms nearby for sessions with kids, and whether the location is public or requires a permit. These things sound boring, but they make or break a session experience - and I care deeply about that experience being a good one. https://www.thefreckledirisstudio.net/blog/why-your-business-needs-updated-photos-in-2026 monthly 0.5 2026-05-11 https://www.thefreckledirisstudio.net/blog/why-i-invest-in-education-and-growth-as-a-photographer monthly 0.5 2026-05-04 https://www.thefreckledirisstudio.net/blog/how-to-get-natural-candid-photos-even-if-you-feel-awkward monthly 0.5 2026-04-27 https://www.thefreckledirisstudio.net/blog/how-often-should-you-update-family-photos monthly 0.5 2026-04-20 https://www.thefreckledirisstudio.net/blog/capturing-motherhood-why-these-moments-matter monthly 0.5 2026-04-13 https://www.thefreckledirisstudio.net/blog/the-power-of-documenting-everyday-life monthly 0.5 2026-04-06 https://www.thefreckledirisstudio.net/blog/how-branding-photography-helps-you-show-up-confidently monthly 0.5 2026-03-30 https://www.thefreckledirisstudio.net/blog/why-calm-wedding-photography-changes-the-experience monthly 0.5 2026-03-23 https://www.thefreckledirisstudio.net/blog/what-photography-has-taught-me-about-motherhood monthly 0.5 2026-03-16 https://www.thefreckledirisstudio.net/blog/how-continuing-education-makes-me-a-better-photographer monthly 0.5 2026-02-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6721a3f782ca365982b27c8d/2b33cbf4-1376-431d-9881-4b988b89ae12/View+recent+photos+2.png The Blog - How Continuing Education Makes Me a Better Photographer Photography Is Not a One-Time Skill — It’s a Lifelong Practice Photography doesn’t stay the same. Cameras change. Editing software updates. Lighting trends shift. Client expectations evolve. Even the way people interact with photos — how they share them, print them, and preserve them — changes over time. If a photographer isn’t actively learning, they’re slowly falling behind. Continuing education allows me to stay grounded in the fundamentals while adapting to change. It sharpens my understanding of light, composition, and storytelling, but it also improves how I move through real-world situations — unpredictable weather, tight wedding timelines, energetic children, emotional moments, and unfamiliar environments. Whether I’m photographing a wedding, guiding a branding session, capturing family photos, or documenting an in-home newborn session, education gives me the confidence to adapt calmly instead of reacting under pressure. https://www.thefreckledirisstudio.net/blog/meet-your-goofy-photographer-and-yes-im-serious-about-that monthly 0.5 2026-03-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6721a3f782ca365982b27c8d/c6a93ad8-6d50-4436-af6c-28756d314500/tempImagef77oAV.jpg The Blog - Meet Your Goofy Photographer (And yes, I’m serious about that) If you’re worried about feeling awkward in front of the camera, let me stop you right there — you’re exactly my kind of client. Whether you’re booking family photos, planning a wedding, scheduling professional headshots, or welcoming a newborn into your home, the most common thing I hear before sessions is some version of: “We’re kind of awkward.” “I don’t know how to pose.” “I hope this isn’t stressful.” And honestly? That tells me everything I need to know — because creating calm, comfortable, genuinely enjoyable photography experiences is exactly what I do. Hi, I’m Chelsea, the photographer behind The Freckled Iris Studio — your professional hype woman, calm presence, awkward-moment diffuser, and the person who will absolutely make you laugh (and probably your kids too). I’m not the “stand perfectly still and smile politely” kind of photographer. I’m the “let’s move, breathe, laugh, and forget the camera is even here” kind. That approach works just as well for playful family sessions as it does for branding photos, wedding days, and quiet in-home newborn sessions. 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