oliveoil's reviews

Me: Type A personality - very detail-oriented, obsessive, and persistent.
Chelsea: Accomodating, punctual, responsive, efficient, and creative.

She's awesome at what she does. I reviewed nearly 100 photographers' websites, narrowed it down to 15 "semi-finalists" and then met with 5 in person.
Me+Chelsea = good wedding match.

We had 320 guests. I am quite sure that at least 300 of them appeared in at least one of our pictures in some way.
She is a great photojournalist and that's what won us over. However, after seeing our pictures, I am even more in LOVE with our formal portraits. I was afraid that our venue (a hotel) didn't offer enough photo-op spots. However, Chelsea amazed us with what she captured. She takes very basic backdrops and captures it sooo well.
She and her second shooter were very unintrusive and professional.
We had Chelsea design a large 36x24 poster collage of our e-sesssion and our guests loved it. People were taking photographs of our poster!

Here's a copy of her blog on our wedding:
http://blog.chelseaelizabeth.com/2008/06/aaron.html

Feel free to PM with any q's.

I had a makeup trial with Elaine back in Feb 2008 and had my e-session taken the same day in Pasadena, CA. The makeup was great. I wear a moderate amount of makeup everyday but she helped define many of my features. I work in the hospital and had to work an overnight shift that same day. I kept my makeup on (but took off the false lashes) and the makeup lasted through my entire 10 hours shift in the ER!!! :)
On Memorial day weekend, she had 4 weddings on my day!! My best friend who is a stylist did my hair in the morning. We showed up to Elaine's studio and she did my makeup and my MIL. Then, her associates did my bridesmaids' hair and makeup. She spent a lot of time on my eyebrows, which I loved and she did a great job on my lashes. I apply my own lashes when I go out, but Elaine is great with the lashes. I asked for dramatic eyes and she darkened my eyeshadow just enough and applied two sets of lashes. My wedding was an evening one and we finished the session at 1pm. WE took pictures in the afternoon and the wedding ceremony was at 5pm. Quite honestly, the only thing I touched up all day was my lipstick. I didn't even have to re-apply powder on my face!!

Elaine and her staff are punctual, efficient, with quality work for reasonable rates. A friend used her last year and loved her work also.

This was the second shop I visited in San Diego. My MOH and I selected 8 dresses for me to try on. By the 2nd or 3rd dress, our sales person, Greta, said that based on the dresses I picked out, she had one I might like. I loved it!!! It was a sample for the Spring 2008 collection. I got 20% off for paying in full. I was quoted a 5 month waiting period for the dress and the dress came in 2 months EARLY!

Not sure if I'll do my alterations there. But am very satisfied with the service and selection there.