Today we’d like to introduce you to Chelsea Brown.
Hi Chelsea, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I actually got my start in photography long before weddings ever crossed my mind. I grew up in Grass Lake, Michigan and spent most of my teenage years in 4-H and my high school art room, carrying a camera everywhere I went. This was back before digital really took off, so I learned by shooting everything I could and spending hours in the darkroom developing prints. I had incredible teachers who encouraged creativity, and I definitely forced more than a few friends into modeling for me over the years. Looking back, that’s where I learned how much I love documenting people and their relationships, and this is something that still drives my work today as a wedding photographer.
Weddings found me unexpectedly while I was finishing my associate’s degree in photography at Lansing Community College. I needed an internship, and the first photographer I talked to happened to specialize in weddings and took a chance on me. He was incredibly busy and needed help and I was eager and willing to learn. That turned into nearly four years of working for him and other amazing local photographers, which gave me an unusually deep foundation in both the technical and human sides of the job. By the time I transferred to the University of Michigan and finished my bachelor’s in Art History, American Culture, and Museum Studies, I was already booking full wedding seasons on my own. I’ve now photographed eighteen seasons of weddings across Michigan- blending the traditional skills I learned early on with a more modern, documentary-inspired approach that feels natural, timeless, and true-to-life. I aim to create images that hold up over time, so when couples look back years from now, their photos still feel fresh and reflective of their wedding day.
One of the most interesting parts of my journey has been watching the industry evolve. When I started just before 2008, weddings were still pretty traditional with lots of stiff posing. As social media and digital photography took off, couples became more confident in planning days that felt like them, and photography shifted toward candid, personality-filled storytelling. I loved that shift. It pushed me creatively and shaped the style I’m known for today: a blend of classic portraiture and honest, in-the-moment imagery. After nearly two decades, I’m most proud of the longevity of my business and the fact that most of my couples come from referrals. Being asked back to photograph siblings, cousins, and entire families over the years is the best compliment.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Working through COVID was, without a doubt, the hardest stretch of my career. Overnight, the entire wedding industry shut down, and like so many other small business owners, I was suddenly navigating cancellations, postponements, health fears, and the very real question of how to support myself when gathering wasn’t possible. When weddings slowly returned, they came with constantly shifting guidelines, masked portraits, outdoor ceremonies in every season (Michigan is notoriously unreliable with the weather forecast), and a level of emotional intensity none of us had experienced before. It was draining for everyone. Couples were grieving the weddings they’d planned while trying to make the best of the version they could safely have. I felt a huge responsibility to show up for them and not just as a photographer, but as someone helping them feel grounded and cared for during an incredibly uncertain time. Looking back, it taught me resilience, flexibility in uncertain scenarios, and just how meaningful this work is when everything else feels upside down.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a Michigan wedding photographer specializing in timeless, true-to-life images that feel both natural and intentional. After nearly two decades and hundreds of celebrations, I’m known for blending classic portraiture with a documentary, people-first approach. That balance gives couples the polished images they expect, plus the honest, in-between moments they often end up loving most. I’m most proud of the relationships I’ve built over the years and the strong word-of-mouth network that keeps me busy. What sets me apart is the experience I bring from learning traditional foundations early on, paired with the intuition that only comes from photographing weddings season after season. I’m hands-on when needed, stepping in to guide, organize, or gently direct so couples get the portraits they’ve envisioned. All while still keeping the day flowing naturally. My goal is simple: to create images that age well, feel genuine, and let couples relive their day exactly as it was.
What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to me is creating an experience where couples feel genuinely seen and supported on their wedding day. Photography is obviously a huge part of that, but it goes deeper; I want people to feel at ease, to trust that I’ll step in when needed and disappear when the moment calls for it, and to walk away with images that feel honest to who they are. At the heart of my business is connection: building relationships, documenting real emotion, and giving couples photographs that will mean just as much in twenty years as they do today.
Outside of photography, travel is one of the biggest parts of my life. My husband and I love exploring new places- whether it’s a big international trip to scuba dive or a few days hiking somewhere close to home (we recently discovered all the amazing state parks in Indiana and Illinois). When we’re not traveling, we enjoy spending time with friends and family (and our two cats), bake far more than two people should, and are weekly regulars at local trivia nights.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.chelseabrownphotography.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chelseabphoto/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chelseabrownphotography
- Other: https://share.google/uqWqq8FYTMp0PGSwb
