Today we’d like to introduce you to Chelsea Krings.
Hi Chelsea, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I’ve always been the girl with a camera in her hand. As a kid I always had disposable cameras with me, taking photos of everything! I remember even from 5 years old I was photographing everyday life but to me, it was magical. We grew up in the country near Winona, Minnesota and I spend much of my time outside, on the river, playing on my grandparent’s farm, and being with my family and friends. I have vivid memories from growing up and always going on the Mississippi River – I can’t count the number of photos I took of lily pads, the water, and turtles sitting on a log from so far away – not realizing when I would develop these photos they would barely show (too bad they didn’t have zoom capabilities!).
My family was always really good about capturing big and small life events so from a young age I saw the importance of capturing life, unfolding every day, right before my eyes. I was never afraid to stop my friends and family and take their pictures or pose my dog for a quick snapshot. I still have hundreds of old photos that I love to look back on. When I do, I’m always brought back to that exact moment – the smell of my grandmother’s perfume, the excitement of the birthday party, how beautiful my sister was at prom, and my parents posing by a tree I found to be beautiful. That’s what I love about photography, it helps us to transcend back to a time we have otherwise forgotten.
When I went to college I studied graphic design and photography and even got to study photojournalism in Rome, Italy for a summer. That opened my eyes to even more ways photography speaks to us. It helps us to tell a story – and they’re all around us. It doesn’t matter who you are or what you’re doing, your story is beautiful, and capturing that can help preserve it all.
After college, I moved to Minneapolis for a year and ended up working at a studio. Again, my eyes were opened to even more possibilities. I learned how to work with professional studio lighting, even more about my camera’s settings and capabilities, and got introduced to wedding photography. At this studio, my mentor Cory taught me so much about creative angles, lighting techniques, and posing for couples and individuals, and from that point on I was hooked. I knew I wanted to incorporate this into my career. He was so kind, patient, and knowledgeable, I know I wouldn’t be where I am today without him.
I worked there for a few years before moving to Winona. Being I was no longer at the studio, I just started to photograph as a hobby and would photograph family or friends of the family. Well one session led to another and after a few years it hit me – I could really do something with this, on my own. That was terrifying but I once heard on a podcast I listen to, “do it scared.” So, I decided to step it up and create my business, Sage River Studios. The name represents a few things. Sage: healing, calming, enhancing positive energy. I want people to feel the energy I bring to every session and leave feeling seen, calm, and like they just met their long-lost friend. River: water is always moving, evolving and that’s how I want my work to be. Unique to each person I come across, in the story is unique as they are and I want to reflect that.
Photography to me is more than taking “Insta-worthy” photos. It’s capturing people where they are in their lives and celebrating it. Whether it’s a business, a couple, a family, or just someone who wants to celebrate themself – I am here to capture life as it is, right now – for you to enjoy today, tomorrow, or years down the road.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not always been a smooth road. At various points in this journey, I’ve definitely dealt with feeling not good enough or struggling to see what I bring to the table in a saturated industry. You look online or on social media and you see all of these other very talented people producing absolutely incredible work, you can’t help but be your own worse critic. But then I remind myself, there is room for all of us. When it boils down to it, we are all beautifully unique humans.
When you take off the photographer hat and are just “you,” that right there is enough. I am beautifully and uniquely made and I am enough. As my yoga teacher/friend/mentor Heather says, “I am enough and so are you.” So when I start to get down on myself or doubt if I’m good enough, I remind myself of this. I bring a zest and talent that is uniquely Chelsea and nobody can do what I personally do. Just like I can’t bring what other individuals do.
We will all learn, grow, and evolve over our years of doing this but if we stick to who we are and our “why” behind what we do, we can overcome those doubts and insecurities.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
One thing that is unique about Sage River Studios is that it’s not my full-time job. For my full-time work, I am a web designer for a digital marketing agency. The beauty in this is that I get to be very intentional about when I photograph and work with my clients. Being I don’t have to rely on it for my income, benefits, etc. I truly get to do it from the heart and stay passionate about it. It’s easy to over-book yourself in this industry and experience major burnout – so I get to be intentional with my time and energy about who I work with and when. Another avenue that’s great about this is that I don’t need to be the most expensive photographer out there. While I know the value and worth of what I do, I don’t have to charge the highest amount. I get to produce high-quality work at an affordable price.
I specialize in a few areas: portrait and wedding photography and branding/small business photography.
When it comes to editing, I would describe my style as bright, true to color, and refined. I value authenticity, and I bring that to my work from the moment we start taking photos all the way through the editing process. The end product will be real, enhanced, and free from over-editing.
-Portrait photography is all about telling your individual story. You don’t always have to have a big occasion to have photos taken. But whether it’s a birthday, couples, engagement, etc. session – there’s a story to tell and I love capturing the beauty of it.
-Wedding photography is where my energy can thrive. I often get asked, “are you super stressed out at weddings, you only get one chance?” My answer is no, I love that I only get one chance at it. Wedding days are all about love and celebrating that love with those closest to you. I love capturing the big and small moments, and all the ones in between. A wedding day is often the biggest day in these two people’s lives and it’s an honor to photograph and be a part of it. It’s heartwarming to think about how many people’s homes my work is in, for them to enjoy their entire lives.
-Branding/small business photography: Often times when I’m doing a branding session, it’s the first photo session this business owner has done. Whether they’re just opening the doors or are ready to start showing their business to the world. I love capturing all the details from headshots to products, to details around their space. These photos help to give their clients (and potential clients) a glimpse into what it’s like to worth with them.
Nobody else is Chelsea Krings of Sage River Studios. It’s only me and that sets me apart. I bring a certain energy and warmth to my work and it radiates to my clients. I love building relationships and getting to know my clients, before even working with them. I want to get to know them, learn their “why,” and what makes them, them. My design background helps to bring a sense of creativity to every session I do and I tailor each session to my client’s needs. I’m also a yoga and barre instructor and my training from those helps me to guide people to a sense of ease, postures that flatter their bodies, and make sure their experience is beneficial to them. I honor and celebrate their uniqueness!
I am most proud, brand-wise of how it’s an extension of me. I designed everything myself and I was very intentional about the colors I chose, my logo design, and the tone of my website (written by my friend Brianna) – it’s all me in a nutshell. It’s professional yet approachable, quirky yet sensible, creative yet logical. When I’m photographing, I strive to document my clients’ special moments with a sense of enthusiasm, comfort, and mindfulness – and I feel like my brand encapsulates all of that.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The most important lesson I’ve learned along my journey is to trust myself. I have the training, knowledge, and talent to be a photographer.
I just have trust and believe in myself when things get tough or when the doubts creep in. If I start to question myself, I need to remember all of the success that I’ve had up to that point and know that I do have what it takes to keep creating beautiful work.
Pricing:
- Branding and Portrait Sessions: $250
- Wedding Photography Coverage starts at $2,00
Contact Info:
- Website: sageriverstudios.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sageriver_studios/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sageriverstudios
