Chelsea Stokes - Photo Editor

14/03/2024

Our recent editing! 😍 we love using kindred! But we are skilled in other presets as well!

15/08/2022

20/05/2022

Hey guys! We are in the middle of "Re-branding" so our website may be down for a little bit. In the meantime feel free to send us a message if you need more info!!

29/08/2021

A little before and after I worked on yesterday!! This wedding gallery is now sent off within 48 hours!!! 😍

29/08/2021

So… we’ve been keeping a secret for awhile now and I guess it’s time to share the news! Russ, my husband has started doing videography for our company not too long ago. Well, it started to pick up a lot more! Meaning he has been working full time almost an hour and a half away from home while helping with the kids once he gets home around 6:00/6:30 so that I’m able to get a few more things done. Yes- I’m a stay at home momma too!! Lol so, when you tell me your stories I relate 100%!! Ha! Anyways, since everything has started to pick up for him we have contemplated on whether or not he was going to leave his day job or not. Well, fast forward to the start of this editing business… and what do you know!? God provided- and when he provided he went all out!!! I literally owe it all to him too! This business has taken off so quickly and is such a high demand that I actually needed help! What!! I just started this business a few months ago and it literally took off so quickly! So with that being said we decided it was time for Russ to leave his day job and not only continue to do videography- but to also become a SECOND editor for this new business!!! 🥰😍 they always say it can be hard working along side your spouse but I swear we’ve never been closer! I am so extremely excited about this new transition in our lives! I cannot wait to watch this business take off even more and I cannot wait to work along side my best friend!! 💕here’s to new adventures!!!

05/08/2021

Hey guys!! Are you following me on Instagram!? To see more recent content be sure to follow on ig!

02/07/2021

My website is officially LIVE! Go check it out at www.chelseastokes-photoeditor.com !

01/07/2021

Just a little before and after for you this afternoon!! 💕 I loveeee a great mommy and me shot!

28/06/2021

I love the light and airy feel of this flat lay set up!! 😍 the creamy tones are to die for!! What color flat lays and ring boxes do you use most? If you were to invest in one color ring box which would you choose!?

28/06/2021

Helloooo mindset! Does anyone else have a hard time getting in the “right” mindset? Like one day you’re pumped and ready for the day and the next you’re just like overwhelmed and stressed thinking Lordy mercy how in the world am I going to get all of this done in a short amount of time!? Your mindset matters!! Those frustrated and overwhelming feelings only start to get better and to feel better when you train your mind to think better!! Don’t think about how stressed you are…. Change it to I CAN get this done by this time and I WILL! Anyone else grow up in school or with parents who always say don’t say you can’t because you can!? 🤪 help your mind out by creating positive influence for yourself! Stop worrying and start believing in yourself! 💕

28/06/2021

This family is absolutely gorgeous!! One of my clients reached out to me to help her with a special edit! This family really wanted a photo with these rocks for their mantle! So, I used another image from a session the photographer had previously and merged them onto this photo of the rocks! Her clients were soooo happy that they were able to get this photo they wanted so badly!! Which means my client had a very happy client which makes me so extremely happy for the photographer herself and for her business!! 💕💕 I love it when things like this work out!!

28/06/2021

Whew I am feeling this quote this morning!! My husband and I have been adjusting to the newborn and 2 life and we have been so exhausted! Our newest little has been pretty fussy on and off and our 3 year old has been having a harder time adjusting lately! Yesterday my husband went for a run and I was at home working while both kids were taking a nap. Literally within seconds BOTH kids were crying wanting to be held and I was just like oh lord here we go who do I hold who do I calm down first!? 🥴 I grabbed my 3 year old and held him to calm him as I’m reaching as far as I can to hold a paci in my newborns mouth and my arm fell asleep 🤦🏼‍♀️ so I’m rocking one and trying to calm the other…. And my 3 year old looks at me and then our new baby and starts crying like mom just hold me and whewwwww it was a roller coaster! But, I have to learn how to adjust because come next week it’s just me and the kiddos and dad will be back at work! 😅 fast forward to this morning… I accidentally slept 40 minutes into my newborns feed time… I jumped up so quickly got a bottle ready and fed him. He would’ve kept sleeping anyways if I let him lol I washed the dishes and did one load of laundry…. I sat down to start working and guess what? Nope. Not happening this morning lol little man is so fussy and wants to be held constantly! So… this quote reached out to me big lol wake up and do all you can!! 💕 it’s ok!! I can find time later to work but this sweet little baby needs me right now and that’s what this morning is all about! Currently… he is finally content!! I just won’t move 🤣

26/06/2021

Let’s talk investment! Whether it’s time, money, equipment, or services! How much do you invest in your business monthly on average? Do you know? Who plans out their time using a schedule? Do you ever scroll through sites that sell ring boxes and think wow! I don’t know if I can pay $50-$80 for a ring box!! Or, do you look at that macro lens or that 85mm lens that you keep eyeing or the nifty 50 that’s calling your name and think ughhh if only!! Or that new canon or Nikon that comes out every year like an iPhone 🤣😅 whew! Lol been there!! Let me tell you… save up for these things!! Even if you have to get an envelope and stash the cash in your closet somewhere! These small things are investments for your business and they work towards the future of your business! They will eventually pay off themselves in the long run!! But, the QUALITY of work they will provide to your clients…. Will be 100% worth it in the end! I struggled for so long with trying to justify not spending that money when I knew what the invested item or service would do for my business. When I finally started to invest… my business started to take off! This doesn’t just go towards equipment either! Think about it… your time is valuable! These editing programs are valuable! There are only so many days in a week and so many hours in a day am I right!? And if you need help with editing to give you back some of your time you know I’m all there!! 🙌🏻 so take that leap and invest in the things that you need for your business to thrive!! You got this!

26/06/2021

This right here!! Whew! If you’re not surrounded by love and support when it comes to your business it can really begin to drag you down! You start feeling like you’re not good enough. You feel like you’re powerless in a situation that you are actually in control of. Managing a business can be challenging! This is why when running a business we try our very best to do the best that we can at managing our time, money, and commitment to it. If you don’t have the right circle around you… of inspiring and empowering people … you can start to feel less than and inadequate and like you just can’t do it! So, find those people who inspire you the most! Make those connections with the ones who fill your cup with encouragement!! I promise you it will go such a long way!! Also- if you see someone who needs this encouragement… reach out! Tell them hey I see you! You’re doing a great job! I’m so proud to see where you have gone with this business. I know it takes a lot of work and dedication and you’re doing amazing!!! 💕💕 sometimes all it takes are those first few words of encouragement to really make someone’s day and helps that person push forward to continue to do the best they can do without giving up!! I hope everyone has a great Saturday today!! What’s your plans!? Anything fun?

26/06/2021

Ok, so how about this cake setup!? It is absolutely gorgeous!! I have a huge appreciation for florists, planners, cake artists, and so many other wedding vendors who make gorgeous things like this happen!! Let’s give it up for these vendors!! Because without them we wouldn’t be able to photograph or edit awesome set ups like these!! 😍😍

Host-
Venue-
Flowers-
Invitations and calligraphy:
Table Setting and Tea Cart-
Cakes- .cakes
Dress-
Menswear-
Hair and makeup-
Embroidery Hoop-
Linens-

26/06/2021

Little by little… we make lists and start marking our to dos off! Don’t give up! Don’t quit! Just keep pushing forward! A little progress doesn’t mean no progress!! So set that frustration aside and get all of the thoughts out of your head about “not being able to do it”! I get so trapped in this thought sometimes! It beats me up and beats me down!! Anyone else? It’s like you have this whole list of to do’s and plans for the day… and then bam! Guess what!? Something comes up and you’re not able to get to the things that are high priority in your mind and then we get so tense and frustrated about it! But guess what!? A little progress is better than NO progress!! So take that deep breath in and remember …. You always have tomorrow. It’s not the end of the world! You got this!!! 💕

24/06/2021

My new website is coming soon!! I have had so many people reach out from all over the country already and I am so excited that creatives and photographers are interested in becoming a client!! When I started this business I was editing for a few photographers based out of Florida and a few from Alabama! Little did I realize that the market for an outsourcing editor was needed!! Especially for those in the wedding industry. I did want to mention that we do outsource for other sessions as well! This includes… newborns, families, maternity, children, lifestyle, you name it! My pricing options will be posted to the website that’s coming soon! I’ll also post FAQs, before and afters, client reviews, and more info on how to get setup and what the process is! Thank you so much for reaching out for quotes and for all of the positive feedback through dms!! I’m so excited to jump start this business!! 💕 ohhhh and yes!!! We are currently taking on new clients!!

24/06/2021

Destination weddings have always been my absolute favorite!! We love to travel and make a mini trip out of it. Whether it’s just 4 hours away or 10 hours away we are like heyyyy mom and dad trip let’s go! 😅🤣 editing weddings that are in a different location than what you’re used to is always nice too! It kind of helps get your creative juices flowing. You start thinking of different ideas… how to pose with a different scenery to make it interesting and beautiful! Whether it’s the ocean or the desert.. or even the mountains! 😍 there is always something new to bring to the table!

Who else loves to travel!? Are you one to just stay home in your comfort zone or you one to run for the door!? 💕

24/06/2021

Small steps every day lead to bigger dreams!! You can do it! Plan, make lists, create content, divide, and conquer!! If you are feeling so overwhelmed with your work load… and nothing feels like it’s going right… and you feel like you can’t catch up or catch a break.. just breathe!! Take in that deep breathe and relax! Take a 15-20 minute break to recoup and to get your mind right! Go for a walk! Listen to music, or make lists if that’s your thing! This too shall pass. You WILL get caught up! You WILL have more time eventually!! You WILL be able to get everything that you need done!! It always works out in the end! You just need to take those small steps every single day. Little by little you will get through the busy season and you will find your sanity again!! Because guess what!? You always do!!! 💕 you got this!!

23/06/2021

Be obsessed with your own potential! Read that again! How many of you scroll through Instagram and look at others work or editing styles or even life goals!?Do you know how overwhelming and consuming that can get? 🥴 social media is such a great platform for small businesses and creatives like us! We literally live on social media because it’s how we share our work and our time with our clients. We show the ins and the outs of what we do day to day. Taking photos… it’s a lot of work! Editing photos… whew! It can literally take days at a time to get what you need done! However, this whole process is soooo much easier when you focus on yourself and your goals for you and your business!! Be obsessed with your own potential! Focus on your business! What makes you happy? How do you spend your time? Do you love sharing your littles? Or before and after photos? Do you like to share that morning coffee with a time stamp saying hey I got up this early!? Well then do it!! This is all just an expression of who you are 💕 and stop looking at others work and life thinking man I need to get my life together! No girl… you got this!! You’re doing what works for you! You have built that business from the ground up and you are going to continue to love on your clients and impress them and inspire them with how you do things and with how you’ve been doing things from the start of that relationship you have already built! 💕

21/06/2021

To do lists… let’s talk about them! Every night before I go to bed I write out everything that I need to do the next day! I time out my day with a start time and a finish time. Then, I plan out my “personal” time so that I’m able to spend it with family or with my little(s). So guess what!? It’s 6:30am and I have a newborn. I was up all night with this sweet baby but he is literally an angel! 💙 once I got him to lay back down I started my day immediately instead of going to “swap shifts” with dad and wake him up. I wanted today to be a little more laid back. I didn’t want my husband having to wake up and worry about every little thing he “has” to do. Because when he gets in that mode he’s so busy he won’t just sit 🤣 so, I went ahead and washed all the dishes. I did 2 loads of laundry. I changed and fed baby boy. I cleaned up both bathrooms including the nasty running gear! Yes, I said it 😬 lol I cleaned and picked up the kitchen and the living room…. And now I have my “me time” before everyone wakes up! Am I tired!? Oh yea duh I literally just had a baby on Thursday and I still found time to do everything this morning lol don’t ask… I just keep telling everyone this is a complete God thing! I don’t know what’s going on I’m just doing it and living it lol but guess what guys!? We get to start this day with a clean house… a free day to relax… more time to work throughout the day without the thought of oh I need to get this done and do this and ugh I’m tired of looking at that and the things I need to do around here… y’all know what I’m talking about! You know working from home but literally seeing everything that needs to be done and fighting with should I do house work or should I just start working and ignore it … 🥴 it happens. Not every day can be this organized trust me… when my husband goes back to work I’ll be on my own again with managing work from home with 2 kiddos by myself. But, it’s all about how you manage your time and how you train your mind to think about it! 🙌🏻 did I mention this post had nothing to do with the gorgeous image or beautiful stationary set that was made by one of our locals for a styled shoot!? Lets not forget to mention that!

21/06/2021

Hey sis! Look, I get it!! You have so much on your plate today! You have over 20 sessions to get out not including weddings… you have your kiddos home… or maybe you have someone watching them today for a short 3 hours today. But, let’s face it…. By time you get to do the laundry that’s staring at you… or wash the dishes that you have been “meaning to get to”… or pick up the toys to feel better in a clean environment before getting to work you just don’t have enough time in the day to get to the things that you really need to do!! Like editing… getting previews out… Sessions out… weddings out… and responding to emails from clients who are asking what the turnaround time is and when their photos will be ready and your mind is like 🥴🥴 I got you girl!! I feel you! We have all been there!! Even if you’re not a momma I feel you! Responsibilities start piling up either way! You’re crammed. Some of you may be in school and have exams. Some of you may have a full time job or a part time job while running this business… look I get it! Let me help you out! This is my job! Let’s get together and make a plan to get you all caught up so that the stress piling on your shoulders become less. Let’s start marking off your to do list together! Don’t hesitate reach out! 🙌🏻

21/06/2021

This little one made me a mother 3 years ago!! It’s so crazy that we now have 2 little boys. Time literally slips away so quickly. My weekends are normally spent out at sessions constantly!! Either that or I’m at 10 hour weddings and having to try to find someone to watch our littles. Sometimes our weddings are out of town meaning we have to spend the night away… my husband who also works as a videographer and second shooter for our business also works a full time job during the week! This means that during the week I get the privilege and honor of keeping my babies at home and spend tons of time with them while also trying to schedule time to work “edit” from home. Some days… I don’t get to edit at all!!! Some days I have to stay up until 2:00/3:00am to get things done! Our “family” time sometimes becomes non existent in a world of trying to make so many schedules work!! Look mommas…. I get it!! It’s hard! When our second little one came into the world I just knew that I wanted to free up some of my time on the weekends so that I am able to have that quality “family” time!! - all 4 of us together!!! This is when I decided that instead of working countless of hours away from home I needed to find a balance and start working from home more especially on the weekends!! Don’t get me wrong I love spending my days photographing weddings! I LOVE it!! But, managing time as a family where you can start to put family first and not miss out on future ball games and birthday parties and vacations… I just knew what I had to do for us!

This is my WHY! Why I wanted to start a business for editing for others! Not only does it allow time for me to take some of my weekends back for family time… but it also allows me to help other mommas or photographers who are in the same boat! Now, I have the privilege of editing for others to help keep them caught up so that they too can have more free & personal time! 💙 so let me know if I can help YOU!! I absolutely love editing! I don’t just click presets and adjust…. I really and truly care about your work as I do my own! I take special care of your photos and I edit to the very best of my ability while providing high quality editing!

21/06/2021

Today only!! Place your request for an outsourced session today and receive 20% off! Message us for details and pricing! This can be for any type of session or wedding! 5-7day turnaround time only for this deal! Help us reach out to more clients by sharing this with your photographer friends! Get on our books today!!

21/06/2021

I have been loving editing for beach photographers lately! It is so different from editing barns and fields lol there is just something about editing water and sunsets that make editing that much more fun!! So many colors and tones to play with depending on the sunset, clouds, apparel, etc. look how gorgeous !! Photo by:

Swipe to see a before photo! The darker you take the photo the more detail you get out of it! 😍 especially when it comes to the beach!!

21/06/2021

Let’s talk consistency!!

How many of you hear all of the time that your photos and your edits need to be consistent! 🤚🏻

The most important thing that comes to mind when trying to find “your editing style” are controlling those greens!! Your greens matter so much when it comes to finding that consistent editing style that defines you as a creative and your work as a photographer!

One of the best tips that I have is to compare two images within a gallery to find that balance between your greens. For instance, when you are editing a full gallery more than likely you will have multiple looks within one full session. Depending on angles within the location… you may have more green in a photo or less green. In Lightroom there is a way to select two images to compare! I always say this is the BEST way to make sure your edits are consistent!! Another way to do this … that may or may not be a little helpful is to create a collage of images from multiple sessions to compare and contrast those greens and your white balance! This is such a great way to make sure your edits are consistent throughout your photos. Now, who else is picky and ocd about their ig feed!? 😬🤚🏻 just me!? Lol I doubt it! Use these tools to help create those beautiful images to show off your style!!! Try it out!!

21/06/2021

Ohhhh the details!! How gorgeous is this ring shot!? Did you know that I not only edit the light and airy style but I also edit for dark and moody as well!? My goal is to match whatever YOUR style is! I can free edit or you can send me your base preset and I’ll apply and adjust every photo for you so that you don’t have too!! Meaning …. You get to save sooo much time sitting at the computer editing weddings for days! How great is that!? We currently have a list going for weddings this fall! If you would like to get on our editing list for fall weddings, send us a message and we will get you all set up in advance!!

21/06/2021

I am such a huge believer in having Faith over Fear! Who is with me? Sometimes you just have to take a minute or two and pray about the things that are troubling you and relax! It’s so much easier said than done sometimes. Especially, when you are super stressed out!! Any photographers out there know what I mean!? For instance… when working a wedding and the forecast says rain… 🥴 we constantly freak out thinking ok… what’s the plan!? Where will we shoot indoors if needed and what area will have the most natural light? Our minds literally spin 90 to nothing while also trying to make sure our brides are staying calm about their special day! Whew!! FAITH over FEAR am I right!? But, guess what you got this!! You do this for living! You’re an amazing wedding photographer and you have the power to control your lighting situations whether it’s before or during post processing! It may not be the “look” you were dreaming of when researching that venue… but God has got this and with the right tools and editing your photos are going to look amazing! Your clients are going to love them!! And you know why!? Because you chose Faith before giving into your Fear!! 💕

21/06/2021

Hey guys!! I wanted to give a little introduction to who I am and what this little business is all about! First off, my name is Chelsea! I am a mother to the most beautiful little boys- Jackson & Sawyer Hayes! Jackson just turned 3 and sweet Sawyer is a newborn 💙 I am also married to one very supportive and sweet husband Russ! We’ve been together for a total of 9 years, married for 4 years!

A little bit about my background… I started a photography business while in my last year of high school 11 years ago! I didn’t officially become a legit business until shortly after that. I photographed my first wedding when I was in college. I went to College for elementary education first and then shortly changed my major to graphic design. My love for photography, design, and editing has grown so much over the years! I have a huge passion for anything creative!! I currently have 2 photography businesses. One is and the other is ! I have slowly started to cut back on photographing weddings to free up some of our Saturday’s to have more family time and that is when it hit me!! I LOVE to edit weddings and I don’t want to let go of all of the pretty things completely. Then… one day the idea of an actual editing business sounded like so much fun to me! This idea gives me this huge opportunity that I just couldn’t refuse! Why not continue to do what I love while substituting some of my free time for a business that would not only help other photographers free up their time but also help free up some of mine as well! Guys, I am so excited about this new business and I cannot wait to see where it goes! As of right now we already have 4 clients !! That’s huge!! I’ll be posting more info as I go about the process and I’ll share a few tips and tricks along the way! Stay tuned for our new website that will be launching soon!!