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		<title>LOVE STORY #3 &#8211; cross-cultural love conquers all</title>
		<link>http://chelseahudson.com/2012/02/love-story-3-cross-cultural-love-conquers-all/</link>
		<comments>http://chelseahudson.com/2012/02/love-story-3-cross-cultural-love-conquers-all/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:57:36 +0000</pubDate>
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		<category><![CDATA[cross cultural romance]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[love story]]></category>
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		<description><![CDATA[**EACH UNIQUE COMMENT EQUALS ONE VOTE. Share this story on facebook or other social platforms to get others to vote for the story! ** Submitted by Susan. Today&#8217;s story is a long one&#8230; but a GREAT read!! Its a story of perseverence, faithfulness, patience and reward! I had the privelege of photographing this couple&#8217;s wedding [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>**EACH UNIQUE COMMENT EQUALS ONE VOTE. Share this story on facebook or other social platforms to get others to vote for the story! **</strong></p>
<p>Submitted by <strong><a href="http://susiemey.com/">Susan.</a></strong></p>
<p>Today&#8217;s story is a long one&#8230; but a GREAT read!! Its a story of perseverence, faithfulness, patience and reward! I had the privelege of photographing this couple&#8217;s wedding back in 2007 and can attest to the strength of their bond and love. Truly beautiful! Enjoy!</p>
<div align="center">
<p><strong>“A New Thing”</strong></p>
<p>(based off of Isaiah 43:18-19)</p>
<p><em>“But forget all that — it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.”</em></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>As a first generation American born Indian, I never dreamed of marrying a non-Indian.  It&#8217;s not a common thing.  No one in my family has ever done it.  But with respect to me, the good Lord would have it differently.  It’s so hard to keep this story short and succinct, because I could literally write a book detailing the wonderful miracle of joining Susan Kurikeshu to one Greg Smith.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>***</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Greg and I met in a college ministry group at the University of Maryland in the spring of 2003.  It was the first kick-off meeting of the semester, and I had been invited to attend.  (I was born and raised in a Christian home, but it never occurred to me to join a Christian group on campus until my third year of college!).  After the meeting that evening, Greg, a student leader in the group, walked up to me and we hit it off instantaneously &#8212; him being the gregarious person he is, was able to navigate around my timidity and got me talking like we had been friends for years.  And it truly felt like we were longtime friends.  During that conversation we learned that we lived a mile from each other for 10 years of our lives, went to brother/sister Catholic high schools, and went to the same Baltimore campus for our first semester of college before transferring to the same school which we were currently in.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>He walked away from our meeting that night thinking, &#8220;Wow, I could marry that girl.&#8221;  I walked away from our meeting that night thinking, &#8220;Wow, he&#8217;s like the boy-next-door-friend I never had.&#8221;  You see, it never occurred to me to consider a non-Indian guy –- it wasn’t part of my upbringing or culture, so being “just friends” was as far as my mind would go.  Plus, I had always wanted a “boy-next-door-friend.”  ?</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Over the next 6 months, our friendship blossomed into something really special -– it’s so hard to explain, but the words that come to mind are: pure, childlike, adventurous, and FUN!  We were like kids who loved exploring together.  Our friends thought it pretty amusing.  The whole time we kept our liking for each other a secret.  Although it wasn’t much of a secret to our friends because our faces always lit up whenever we saw each other on group outings, or bumped into each other on campus, or had an occasional lunch together at the campus co-op &#8212; we just loved being in each other&#8217;s company.  But we never talked about our feelings for one another -– I for one would never have said anything due to my family background, and for some reason I was doubtful that he would say anything either.  I guess I thought it would just be a fun season in college to have such a dear friend.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>It was that summer that I received an email from Greg telling me that he had feelings for me, and that he couldn’t go on hiding it from me if we were to be friends.  I was shocked that the truth had finally come out, but realized that it probably had to come out eventually.  The first person I told was my sister -– she started crying and asked, “Why are you doing this to us???”  She knew how hard it would be on my parents if they found out.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>And hard it was.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The next 4 years would be a journey that my family, myself, and Greg never thought we&#8217;d be on.  My parents &#8212; immigrants from India &#8212; never imagined that their daughter would be interested in an American boy.  It was out of the question!  They were already looking for good Indian boys to marry their eldest daughter.  When they found out about Greg they didn&#8217;t even want to discuss the idea.  In all their passion, they just said, “NO!”</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>I never gave up.  Because Greg and I were part of the same ministry and part of the same group of friends, it was hard not to see each other even if my parents didn’t want us to.  Trying to explain to Greg about my family background was also hard because entering into a relationship seemed so simple to him, but it wasn’t.  For me, culture and family play a heavy hand in who I am.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>My parents &#8212; God fearing folk – had some time to think about the “predicament” their daughter was in.  While their minds wanted to say “NO!”, they knew they couldn’t unless God said “no.”  So they ended up saying they would pray about the situation.  They never gave me the “yes” I wanted so badly to hear, but they never again gave me the emphatic “NO!”</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>It was a journey of truly dying to what I wanted most &#8212; to be married to my best friend.  While the world was doing just that –- people marrying their best friends &#8212; I didn&#8217;t and couldn’t go against my parents’ wishes.  In the end, I determined there was no blessing in something my parents didn’t bless.  I needed their blessing with whomever I ended up marrying.  Even Greg eventually realized the importance of honoring my parents in this decision.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>***</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>After graduation, Greg left for a yearlong campus ministry internship in Illinois.  During that year my parents asked that we take a fast from each other and pray for the Lord&#8217;s will.  Greg and I may have spoken 2-3 times over the course of that year he was away.  It was so hard to not talk to the one I had grown so close to.  During that time my parents encouraged me to be open to what the Lord may bring -– they were implying another person.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The summer Greg returned, my parents asked that I take a trip to India to meet a &#8220;proposal&#8221; of sorts.  For those of you who don&#8217;t know, a &#8220;proposal&#8221; is someone to consider for marriage.  My parents had basically found someone of good family background, education, God-fearing, etc. that could possibly be a good fit for my family and I. So as confused as I was at the time, I went to India thinking, &#8220;Well maybe God does have someone different for me.&#8221;  The person I met in India was a great guy – modern, an awesome Christian, and someone who would get along with my family wonderfully.  It was also in India that I received a word from God from Isaiah 43:18-19, <em>“But forget all that — it is nothing compared to what I am going to do.  For I am about to do something new.  See, I have already begun!  Do you not see it?  I will make a pathway through the wilderness.  I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.”</em></p>
<p>I came back home from India knowing God would do something, but I wasn’t sure what and with whom.  When Greg heard about the purpose for my trip to India he was heartbroken.  He did not want me to just get married to any guy for the sake of my family, but there was nothing he could do but pray.  I also prayed for God’s will concerning the guy in India, but the peace never came.  I told my parents that I could not move forward with the proposal.  Thoughts of Greg always came back to me &#8212; the way we looked at each other, the way we spoke to one another, the way we were like kids when we were together &#8212; it was this I wanted in a marriage –- a simple LOVE that makes your heart ache when you aren’t with that person.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>To make a long story short, I told Greg that I couldn&#8217;t move forward with the Indian guy &#8212; that I just didn&#8217;t have peace.  And as the next summer rolled around (Year 3) my parents realized that Susan was not interested in other &#8220;proposals.&#8221;  They came to realize that they either had to get to know this Greg Smith, or they had to answer questions regarding their unmarried daughter.  So they came forward and told me they wanted to get to know Greg.  They liked him, but as hard as they tried, it was still so difficult to come to terms with their daughter marrying a non-Indian.  They just couldn&#8217;t come to grips with it, even if they wanted to.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>So during the summer of 2006, Greg and I met at an Irish pub in downtown Baltimore to end a sweet friendship that had begun 3 years prior.  It was a bittersweet day for us because it was the first time we actually went out to a restaurant alone together –- like a date &#8212; but we knew it would be our last time.  As hard as it was, we both came to the conclusion that no matter how hard we pushed, prayed, and wanted &#8212; God was closing all doors for us to move forward in our relationship.  I left the restaurant that day not sure if I&#8217;d ever see him again.  I wept all the way home thinking that the last 3 years had been a waste.  Once I reached home, I ran straight to my bed and opened my bible.  God gave me Psalms 18 (so powerful!).  After reading it, I knew God was going to do a beautiful work in my life.  I wasn&#8217;t sure how or when or with who, but I knew He would.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Three days later, without me knowing, my parents asked an uncle (specifically a spiritual leader) of mine to meet with Greg to get to know him better.  They met, and my uncle came back and reported to my parents that they would not find another boy as great as Greg for their daughter.  And for some unknown reason other than GOD, they instantly felt the peace they needed to move forward with this American boy!  Don&#8217;t ask me why, when, or how, but God truly brought a peace that passeth all understanding to their hearts.  No longer did they care about what family or friends thought &#8212; they knew that God was at work.  (And folks, this is THREE days after Greg and I called it quits!  Three days after we died to our desires!  Three days after we completely let go and let God.  Talk about resurrection!)  ?</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>On the flip side, Greg was ready to move on.  Don&#8217;t get me wrong, he stayed the past 3 years because he believed in it, but after three years of being tugged here and there with no real answer, he was ready to move on.  He compared the feeling to an engine that ran out of oil.  So while my parents were ready to move forward with a no-turning-back &#8220;YES!&#8221;, Greg was ready to tell us all he couldn&#8217;t do it.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>So a few days later, Greg was ready to stop by my work to give me the unfavorable news, when all FIVE of his spiritual leaders gave him a call at different times during the day without him contacting them –- (to this day, Greg says something like that never happens!) They all felt that he shouldn&#8217;t give up on the dream, and that it wasn’t God’s will for him to give up on the dream.  So instead of stopping at my work that day, he drove right by, and said to God, &#8220;Lord, I&#8217;m ready to do this again if you are in it.&#8221;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>And God surely was in it, because the following year was all about Greg and me becoming best friends again –- and with my parents’ blessing!  Greg proposed in the spring of 2007 after a quaint picnic and prayer walk around campus he got on one knee in front of the campus chapel.  We got married in a beautiful wedding surrounded by family and friends who fully supported us in the fall of that year. And we can truly, wonderfully say we know for a fact that it was all God.  I see my family and extended family and how they love Greg, and it just makes my heart so full to know that waiting patiently upon the Lord only leads to an abundant life.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>When trials and things come our way, we can put our full assurance in Christ knowing that He is the one who let an imaginative American born Indian girl walk into a college ministry that one fateful night, so that she could meet an amazing man of God who waits on the Lord, and who won her over with his childlike faith.  Nine years later, (5 years being friends + 4 years married), with one darling little girl and twin boys on the way, we look back and can&#8217;t believe the journey that God took us on, and that we get to be married to one another.  It’s a gift.  It really was “a new thing,” as God promised!  It all feels like a dream now.  But we know it will only get better!</p>
</div>
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		<title>LOVE STORY #2  &#8211; love trumps rivalry</title>
		<link>http://chelseahudson.com/2012/02/love-story-2-love-trumps-rivalry/</link>
		<comments>http://chelseahudson.com/2012/02/love-story-2-love-trumps-rivalry/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 21 Feb 2012 16:23:45 +0000</pubDate>
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		<description><![CDATA[**EACH UNIQUE COMMENT EQUALS ONE VOTE. Share this story on facebook or other social platforms to get others to vote for the story! ** Submitted by Christine&#8230; her own love story. Enjoy!! The rivalry that brought us together Heading home, weary from exams and papers and all-nighters, Thanksgiving awaited with moms, dads and brothers. As [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div style="text-align: left;">
<p><strong>**EACH UNIQUE COMMENT EQUALS ONE VOTE. Share this story on facebook or other social platforms to get others to vote for the story! **</strong></p>
<p>Submitted by <strong><a href="http://www.peeinpeace.com">Christine</a></strong>&#8230; her own love story. Enjoy!! <img src='http://chelseahudson.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' /> </p>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;"></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><strong>The rivalry that brought us together</strong></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div>Heading home, weary from exams and</div>
<div>papers and all-nighters,</div>
<div>Thanksgiving awaited</div>
<div>with moms, dads and brothers.</div>
</div>
<div></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div>As I walked down that airplane aisle</div>
<div>to deduce where I&#8217;d sit, I thought,</div>
<div>&#8220;Will it be with someone cool?</div>
<div>Will it be a good fit?&#8221;</div>
<div></div>
<div>
<div>I noticed a cute boy, and thought,</div>
<div>&#8220;I hope he goes to UNC.&#8221;</div>
<div>Then I plopped down next to him</div>
<div>and found the opposite to be.</div>
</div>
<div></div>
<div>
<div>He was a Dookie</div>
<div>how sad that made me</div>
<div>but we hit it off anyway</div>
<div>He was quiet and listened to me.</div>
</div>
<div></div>
<div>
<div>As we departed at baggage claim</div>
<div>Greg committed a Duke/UNC foul;</div>
<div>He asked for my number</div>
<div>so we could windsurf while home.</div>
</div>
<div></div>
<div>
<div>I gave him my full name,</div>
<div>and my parents&#8217; phone number.</div>
<div>He called that weekend,</div>
<div>but our plans fell under.</div>
</div>
<div></div>
<div>
<div>We call it God&#8217;s providence;</div>
<div>some would say fate.</div>
<div>Greg found me on UNC&#8217;s Web site</div>
<div>and asked me out for a date.</div>
</div>
<div></div>
<div>
<div>It was an unfathomable request -</div>
<div>to join him for a Duke game.</div>
<div>I thought, &#8220;Why not?&#8221;</div>
<div>I didn&#8217;t know I&#8217;d never be the same.</div>
</div>
<div></div>
<div>
<div>To Cameron Indoor Stadium we went</div>
<div>for our second date, too.</div>
<div>The only difference this time</div>
<div>was we hit a deer en route.</div>
</div>
<div></div>
<div>
<div>Right before Christmas</div>
<div>we had our first kiss.</div>
<div>but I still wouldn&#8217;t commit;</div>
<div>it was a true dating dis.</div>
</div>
<div></div>
<div>
<div>As luck would have it,</div>
<div>Greg didn&#8217;t mind in the end</div>
<div>that I refused to let him</div>
<div>call me his girlfriend.</div>
</div>
<div></div>
<div>
<div>January came, and I realized</div>
<div>there was no use.</div>
<div>I was fighting falling for a Dookie</div>
<div>but I had to give up the muse.</div>
</div>
<div></div>
<div>
<div>Greg the Dookie, and</div>
<div>Christine the Tar Heel,</div>
<div>each others&#8217; hearts</div>
<div>we surely did steal.</div>
</div>
<div></div>
<div>
<div>There was a brief time</div>
<div>later that year</div>
<div>when we slowed things down,</div>
<div>perhaps out of fear.</div>
</div>
<div></div>
<div>
<div>I would head abroad</div>
<div>to study in Spain.</div>
<div>I was worried my</div>
<div>heart would not feel the same.</div>
</div>
<div></div>
<div>
<div>But once apart, we realized</div>
<div>a deep love was growing.</div>
<div>Despite fights over IM and e-mail,</div>
<div>our hearts kept soaring.</div>
</div>
<div></div>
<div>
<div>When the semester ended,</div>
<div>Greg met me in Spain,</div>
<div>and we backpacked through Europe</div>
<div>never to be the same.</div>
</div>
<div></div>
<div>
<div>He proposed on the beach</div>
<div>during senior year Christmas break,</div>
<div>and we wed that next summer</div>
<div>and moved out-of-state.</div>
</div>
<div></div>
<div>
<div>The D.C. suburbs have been</div>
<div>home ever since,</div>
<div>for the Dookie and Tar Heel</div>
<div>that make sports fans wince.</div>
</div>
<div></div>
<div>
<div>Has it been wedded bliss?</div>
<div>Ours is not a movie romance.</div>
<div>It&#8217;s had ups and downs</div>
<div>hardships and times to dance.</div>
</div>
<div></div>
<div>
<div>But it&#8217;s is a deep love;</div>
<div>we challenge each other.</div>
<div>like Mr. Darcy and Miss Bennett</div>
<div>surprised one another.</div>
</div>
<div></div>
<div>
<div>More than ten years have</div>
<div>passed since the Devil Blue</div>
<div>married the UNC Tar Heel</div>
<div>bred, tried and true.</div>
</div>
<div></div>
<div>
<div>Two kids &#8211; the girl a UNC fan,</div>
<div>and a boy, cheers for Duke,</div>
<div>have blessed our love</div>
<div>beyond any rebuke.</div>
</div>
<div></div>
<div>
<div>This unlikely couple</div>
<div>looks forward to more</div>
<div>the Lord&#8217;s not revealed</div>
<div>all He has in store.</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;"></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://chelseahudson.com/2012/02/love-story-2-love-trumps-rivalry/virgin38-2/" rel="attachment wp-att-3570"><img class="size-medium wp-image-3570" title="virgin38" src="http://chelseahudson.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/virgin38-400x600.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="600" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">(one of my favorite pics of the V family&#8230;. real life right here. the 3 year old throwing a tantrum and the almost 2 year old pulling his pants up to his chin, about to wander off on his own. but mom and dad are a team&#8230; rivals and all <img src='http://chelseahudson.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' /> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"></div>
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		<title>LOVE STORY #1 ~ do you believe in fate??!</title>
		<link>http://chelseahudson.com/2012/02/love-story-1-do-you-believe-in-fate/</link>
		<comments>http://chelseahudson.com/2012/02/love-story-1-do-you-believe-in-fate/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 20 Feb 2012 21:13:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[contests]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[giveaways]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[promotions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[love story]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[silver spring portrait photographer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[valentines day giveaway]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[**EACH UNIQUE COMMENT EQUALS ONE VOTE. Share this story on facebook or other social platforms to get others to vote for the story! ** Submitted by Allison&#8230; this is her mom and dad&#8217;s love story, written by her brother a couple of years ago for their 30th anniversary  (wow!!) celebration! Its an awesome one! Dear [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>**EACH UNIQUE COMMENT EQUALS ONE VOTE. Share this story on facebook or other social platforms to get others to vote for the story! **</strong></p>
<p>Submitted by Allison&#8230; this is her mom and dad&#8217;s love story, written by her brother a couple of years ago for their <em><strong>30th anniversary</strong></em>  (wow!!) celebration! Its an awesome one!</p>
<p><em>Dear Family &amp; Friends of Our Loving Parents,</em></p>
<p><em>Nearly forty years ago, a long-haired young man avoided the draft, by way of a dramatic car accident. The young man, a freshly minted graduate of UNC Chapel Hill, fell asleep at the wheel and tucked his British racing green MGB under the belly of a farming truck.   As fate would have it, the young man was not meant to scour the Mekong Delta in search of an elusive man named Charlie, nor was he slated to go out in a star-crossed James Dean flashback.  Instead, the coming year and decades to follow would be shaped by yet another accident with yet another unsuspecting truck driver.     </em></p>
<p><em>Upon his recovery from 2 cracked vertebrae, he found himself in Boston with prospects about as bright as a mud puddle. Not one for discouragement, he used his Chapel Hill English degree to land a trophy career… as an assistant manager at the Ski Market.  Reports are sketchy and unreliable, but supposedly he was to have his own name badge and a key to the back door. </em></p>
<p><em>His first day of duty arrived, and he had no wheels to speak of.  Ever-trusting and courageous, he hitched a ride from a lionhearted trucker finishing a 4 day haul up the eastern seaboard.  In the distance they spotted a lovely young lady walking at a steady clip down the side of the highway. The young man squinted his stone blue eyes, and could not believe what he saw. This vision of beauty was giving the international hitchhikers secret sign! Truck driver Mitch caught the glimmer in his eye, and slowed his 18 wheeler down with the air brake.  As the truck rolled to a stop, the young man (North by birth and 4 years southern by the Grace of the Almighty) leaned over to open the door for the damsel on the side of the road in a characteristic move of chivalry.  With 4 years of the most beautiful poetry the languages of the world had to offer at his disposal, he knew just what he would say. </em></p>
<p><em>As he took a deep breath to speak the most important words he would ever speak, it happened.  A crash, a crunch, and a hollow thump as an old rusty white Scout International slammed into the back of the trailer.  Caught off balance, the young man was thrown from the cab of the truck into a black coated pile of New England slush.  As the young man struggled to his feet while simultaneously checking his rear for sludge residue, the dapper young damsel-now-un-distressed rushed off. “I’m so sorry, I’m already very late,” she called over her shoulder as she continued on her way.  The young man watched her with child-like wonder as she promptly secured another ride and was gone. Clearly, she too had somewhere very important to be.</em></p>
<p><em>Not quite as adept in the art of thumb travel as his would-be damsel, it would be nearly 2 frozen hours before the young man finally made it to the Ski Market.  As he began to relay the strange nay incredible tale of his morning travail  to his less-than-understanding new boss, he looked up to stare fate square in the eye.  There before him stood the lovely, if a bit hasty, woman from the side of the road.  She had a name badge on, and a key around her neck.  Failing to catch the irony, the young man gaped in awe at his luck. It was her first day of work as well.   </em></p>
<p><em>Nearly a decade later he once again kneeled at the feet of that young lady when he asked her to marry him and be his bride.  And all was right in the world.</em></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>** Comment below to cast your vote!**</strong></p>
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		<title>Happy Valentine&#8217;s Day&#8230;. to you? or you? or you.</title>
		<link>http://chelseahudson.com/2012/02/happy-valentines-day-to-you-or-you-or-you/</link>
		<comments>http://chelseahudson.com/2012/02/happy-valentines-day-to-you-or-you-or-you/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 13 Feb 2012 21:26:54 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[giveaways]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://chelseahudson.com/?p=3522</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I am very excited to announce the following CHP giveaway. Maryland, DC and Northern Virginia clients and friends, this one is for YOU! I love me a good love story. I would love to hear yours&#8230;. Or your parents&#8217;. Or your grandparents&#8217; if they live around here. Does your neighbor or sister have a cool [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center;">I am<strong> very</strong> excited to announce the following CHP giveaway. Maryland, DC and Northern Virginia clients and friends, this one is for YOU!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">I love me a good love story. I would love to hear yours&#8230;. Or your parents&#8217;. Or your grandparents&#8217; if they live around here. Does your neighbor or sister have a cool story? Send it in! I remember a comment on my facebook page about a recent engagement session&#8230;. it said something like <em>&#8220;oh, i love these&#8230; i wish i could get engaged all over again to do a session like this.&#8221;</em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Well, <strong>why not?!</strong> What a sweet gift to give to your mate&#8230; to your children or grandchildren. Pictures that say, &#8220;hey! look here&#8230;  this is love. this is committment. this is for-better-or-for-worse. this is bliss. this is the beginning of something amazing. this continues to be amazing.&#8221;  Whether you have been married for 2 years or 20, you can do this. Maybe you just got engaged, or are about to. This is for you, too!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">The catch is that you have to <strong> WOW</strong>  me with your story. <em>Hint:</em> it won&#8217;t take much to wow me. <img src='http://chelseahudson.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' />  Just tell me about it. Inspire me. Inspire us all.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">The session is for two people only and must take place in the DC.MD.VA corridor before November 1, 2012.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Sooooo, please read the rules and email me your story by <strong>Friday</strong> of this week! I can&#8217;t wait to read them. I will pick the winner on Monday, and announce the winning story and couple on Tuesday, a week from Valentine&#8217;s Day.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>OK&#8230;GO! </strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://chelseahudson.com/2012/02/happy-valentines-day-to-you-or-you-or-you/valentinesday2012/" rel="attachment wp-att-3523"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-3523" title="valentinesday2012" src="http://chelseahudson.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/valentinesday2012-791x1024.jpg" alt="" width="791" height="1024" /></a></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		<title>PSA</title>
		<link>http://chelseahudson.com/2012/02/psa/</link>
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		<pubDate>Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:53:48 +0000</pubDate>
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		<title>and the winner(s) is(are)&#8230;&#8230;.</title>
		<link>http://chelseahudson.com/2012/01/and-the-winners-isare/</link>
		<comments>http://chelseahudson.com/2012/01/and-the-winners-isare/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 20 Jan 2012 12:36:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[contests]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[chelsea hudson photography]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[chicken coop decor]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[family portraits]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[first contest of 2012]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://chelseahudson.com/?p=3497</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[First of all, big thanks to the Kay, Birdie, Christi, Grace, Lacey, and Paige for entering the contest. I really do love to see what my clients end up doing with their images. That is a downfall of the digital age, I think&#8230; not knowing what you do with the files once you get them&#8230;. [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>First of all, big thanks to the Kay, Birdie, Christi, Grace, Lacey, and Paige for entering the contest. I really do love to see what my clients end up doing with their images. <img src='http://chelseahudson.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' />  That is a downfall of the digital age, I think&#8230; not knowing what you do with the files once you get them&#8230;.</p>
<p>&#8230;. hmmm, where was I&#8230;..</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Oh right. <strong>WINNER(S)!</strong></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>in first place with the most <em>unique</em> (meaning if someone liked <em>and</em> commented on the photo, I only counted it once <img src='http://chelseahudson.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' />  comments/likes &#8230;. and winner of the grand <em>gallery wrapped canvas</em> award:</p>
<p>Kay&#8217;s pics are truly ART&#8230; and it was with hers and Chip&#8217;s (her husband) forethought into their session that this was possible. We grabbed this chair from their dining table as we walked out the door for the shoot&#8230; and lookee there! what a perfect way to decorate the kitchen with a personal and artistic statement! Love it, guys! Email me your mailing address and we can talk canvas image options! CONGRATS!</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><a href="http://chelseahudson.com/2012/01/and-the-winners-isare/photo/" rel="attachment wp-att-3506"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-3506" title="photo" src="http://chelseahudson.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="478" /></a></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>as much as i enjoyed seeing all of your displays, there were TWO others that really got me. i was originally only going to pick one for my &#8220;fave&#8221; of the bunch, but i just couldn&#8217;t decide between the two. so then i thought, &#8220;well, you are THE chelsea of the CHP business&#8230; you are entitled to pick more than one if you darn well please.&#8221; so i did.</p>
<p>1. this was by far the most creative entry. i mean come on, ya&#8217;ll&#8230;. family pics in the COOP! i love it. and because i sometimes feed these chicks (and since we are on the subject, i am also known around these parts as being an egg-whisperer&#8230;. uh huh), i am a bit partial to their chic (ha ha) environment. so, Grace, you get an 11&#215;14 wall portrait of your choice for the Creativity Award!</p>
<p><a href="http://chelseahudson.com/2012/01/and-the-winners-isare/chp-1/" rel="attachment wp-att-3499"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-3499" title="chp 1" src="http://chelseahudson.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/chp-1-799x600.jpg" alt="" width="799" height="600" /></a></p>
<p>2. this gallery just made me tear up. i am so lucky to meet such cool people that become such sweet friends&#8230;. and it is especially awesome when i get to be THE photog to capture such significant milestones. Lacey has their engagement session, wedding pictures, and then baby and first family photos when they went from 2 to 3 of them all up on the wall. Lacey, you too have an 11&#215;14 wall portrait of your choice for the Make-Me-Cry Award!</p>
<p><a href="http://chelseahudson.com/2012/01/and-the-winners-isare/378842_10150499259283195_17707018194_8752242_572972053_n/" rel="attachment wp-att-3507"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-3507" title="378842_10150499259283195_17707018194_8752242_572972053_n" src="http://chelseahudson.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/378842_10150499259283195_17707018194_8752242_572972053_n-800x600.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="600" /></a></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>and&#8230; because i am a sucker for people that participate in my contests, the rest of you, (Christi, Paige, Birdie) have a little something coming in the mail as a little &#8220;thank you&#8221; for participating.</p>
<p>______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________</p>
<p>i know i posted this in a private note to some of my clients, but i wanted to share on here as well&#8230;.</p>
<p>here is my favorite gallery wall (created by the oh-so-talented <strong><a href="http://gracepaints.com/">Grace</a></strong>, of the Coop fame above) in my own house. and here is a little story of the WHY behind putting up pictures and documenting family life&#8230;.</p>
<p><a href="http://chelseahudson.com/2012/01/and-the-winners-isare/img_2643/" rel="attachment wp-att-3498"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-3498" title="IMG_2643" src="http://chelseahudson.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMG_2643-800x600.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="600" /></a></p>
<p><em>&#8220;just this morning, Adelaide looked at this wall (the one in the picture) and she longingly said, &#8220;mom, when can we go back to that spot, where sydney and i are in the picture [color picture of them in low right side]? i loved going there. it was so much fun. how old are we there? when can we go back?&#8221; i smiled. and was so thankful i grabbed that shot with my point and shoot. its one of my fave pics, too, as it reminds me of a sweet time I had with my girls before #3 was in the picture. <img src='http://chelseahudson.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' />  &#8220;</em></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>THANK YOU AGAIN FOR PARTICIPATING!!!</strong> More fun to come soon&#8230;&#8230;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		<title>CHP first contest of 2012</title>
		<link>http://chelseahudson.com/2012/01/chp-first-contest-of-2012/</link>
		<comments>http://chelseahudson.com/2012/01/chp-first-contest-of-2012/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:53:53 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[contests]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[contest]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[wall art]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://chelseahudson.com/?p=3468</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Yes, first. Which means there will be more&#8230;. so definitely stay tuned. I am really excited about them! First up is a contest I have been dreaming about for awhile. I absolutely love seeing my images as many of your facebook profile pictures and in other various online spaces, but I know there are some closet [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Yes, <em>first</em>. Which means there will be more&#8230;. so definitely stay tuned. I am really excited about them!</p>
<p>First up is a contest I have been dreaming about for awhile. I absolutely love seeing my images as many of your facebook profile pictures and in other various online spaces, but I know there are some closet interior designers out there who have come up with  creative ways to display the images in your homes. I don&#8217;t know about you, but in this digital age (for which there are many virtues) I find it very difficult to get my images <em>off</em> my computer and backup drives and <em>onto the walls</em> in my home or into photobooks and albums. These images aren&#8217;t meant to collect digital dust, folks! The beauty of portraiture is in the moments and milestones and momenteous occasions that are captured. I want my girls to bounce down the stairs each day looking at images that constantly remind them that they are part of a close-knit family that has <em><strong>fun</strong></em> together, that <em><strong>creates adventurous memories</strong></em> together and that<em><strong> love</strong></em> each other dearly. Photographs speak 1000&#8242;s of words, remember?! I want to look at my own walls each day and remember the moments that have flown by so fast&#8230; the moment when my 6 year old was 6 months (<em>wasn&#8217;t that just yesterday??!</em>). Seeing those images helps give me perspective. And lets face it, moms and dads out there&#8230; sometimes we just need to see a picture of that adorable little cherub on the walls, because at the present moment, we are seeing them as little tasmanian devils! <img src='http://chelseahudson.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' />  Perspective. Perspective.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://chelseahudson.com/2012/01/chp-first-contest-of-2012/iconsm/" rel="attachment wp-att-3469"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-3469" title="Iconsm" src="http://chelseahudson.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Iconsm.png" alt="" width="50" height="50" /></a></p>
<p><strong>CONTEST #1 ~<em> Show Me Your Walls! </em></strong></p>
<p><strong>WHO</strong> &#8211; current and previous CHP clients</p>
<p><strong>WHAT</strong> &#8211; i want to see what you have done with any CHP images in your home or work space&#8230;. canvases, gallery walls, framed prints, nursury walls, etc.</p>
<p><strong>HOW TO ENTER</strong> &#8211; take a picture of any CHP pictures in YOUR home or work space. then, email it to me (chelsea at chelseahudson.com). i will submit them to a contest album  (<strong>Show Me Your Walls!</strong>) on my CHP Facebook Page (<strong><a href="http://www.facebook.com/chelseahudsonphotography">HERE</a></strong>). i will give you through the weekend to send me your images. you must have your submissions in by <strong>SUNDAY, January 15</strong>.</p>
<p><strong>HOW LONG</strong> &#8211; starting Monday, January 16th, voters will have 4 days to vote on the images. i will announce the winners on Friday, January 20th!</p>
<p><strong>PRIZE(s)</strong> &#8211; the submission with the most votes will win an 11&#215;14 canvas (either from their own session images, or from my fine art collection). i will also be picking MY favorite display and will be sending the winner a little something special in the mail! <img src='http://chelseahudson.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' />  (gotta keep a sense of surprise and intrigue going!)</p>
<p><em>** note: if you, like me, have been dragging your feet on the whole digital files-to-walls thing,  don&#8217;t worry, there will be another wall art contest later this year. maybe this month&#8217;s contest will give you the inspiration and kick-in-the-pants you need to get those images up and enjoyed by all! </em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://chelseahudson.com/2012/01/chp-first-contest-of-2012/iconsm/" rel="attachment wp-att-3469"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-3469" title="Iconsm" src="http://chelseahudson.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Iconsm.png" alt="" width="50" height="50" /></a></p>
<p><em><strong>Sooooooo, ready, set&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;. GO!</strong></em> Head over to the <strong><a href="http://www.facebook.com/chelseahudsonphotography">CHP Facebook Fan Page</a></strong> and watch for the submissions as they come in! I can&#8217;t wait to see what you are doing with your family, wedding, kids and newborn photos in your home. And, I have to admit, I need some inspiration for my own home decor! <strong>IMPORTANT:</strong> <em><strong>Get your friends and family to &#8220;like&#8221; the CHP Facebook page so they can comment on the  entries. I will only be counting comments for eligibility</strong></em>.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		<title>Fall Session Wrap-up&#8230;.</title>
		<link>http://chelseahudson.com/2012/01/fall-session-wrap-up/</link>
		<comments>http://chelseahudson.com/2012/01/fall-session-wrap-up/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 05 Jan 2012 16:28:45 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[families]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[kiddos]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[lifestyle portraiture]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mini-sessions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[brookside gardens]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fall family portraits]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[silver spring family photographer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[silver spring photographer]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://chelseahudson.com/?p=50</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[What a gorgeous time of year&#8230;. precisely why everyone wants to do their annual family pictures in the FALL! With peak color falling (ha!) around the second week of November, we were deeply buried in moving preparations and posting fall family sessions fell through the cracks! Here is a quick recap of some of my [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>What a gorgeous time of year&#8230;. precisely why everyone wants to do their annual family pictures in the FALL! With peak color falling (ha!) around the second week of November, we were deeply buried in moving preparations and posting fall family sessions fell through the cracks! Here is a quick recap of some of my favorite images for fall 2011:</p>
<p><em>the Virgin Family &#8211; last year they were new neighbor/friends&#8230; this year they are some of our dearest neighbor/friends&#8230; our kids absolutely love each other. the family simply cannot take a bad picture if they tried. holy cow. we caught some amazing light at <a href="http://www.montgomeryparks.org/brookside/">Brookside Gardens</a> and had a lovely time together!! </em></p>
<p><a href="http://chelseahudson.com/2012/01/fall-session-wrap-up/virginblog/" rel="attachment wp-att-3459"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-3459" title="virginblog" src="http://chelseahudson.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/virginblog.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="900" /></a></p>
<p><em>and the Perieck family&#8230;. our original session, down on the beautiful DC tidal basin was a bust because it was soooooooo cold. Poor little Max couldn&#8217;t even dream of smiling. So we met up in my neighborhood and enjoyed some late season color AND Max&#8217;s beautiful smile. <img src='http://chelseahudson.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' />  </em></p>
<p><a href="http://chelseahudson.com/2012/01/fall-session-wrap-up/perieckblog/" rel="attachment wp-att-3458"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-3458" title="perieckblog" src="http://chelseahudson.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/perieckblog.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="899" /></a></p>
<p><em>and then there are the Knowltons&#8230; dear friends and neighbors who are especially cool to me because they have chickens. oh yeah, and not just <strong>any</strong> chickens, chickens with attitude and personality. and their son, Jeremiah, is one of our favorite little friends in the &#8216;hood. I took Adelaide with me on this shoot, as my assistant, and she sang and sang to Jeremiah to get those classic Jeremiah smiles and laughs! My cheeks were hurting after this session, from all the smiling and laughing I was doing behind the camera! </em></p>
<p><a href="http://chelseahudson.com/2012/01/fall-session-wrap-up/knowltonblog/" rel="attachment wp-att-3460"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-3460" title="knowltonblog" src="http://chelseahudson.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/knowltonblog.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="900" /></a></p>
<p><em>and finally, the Fortunato family&#8230;. I had the honor of meeting them and working with them this past summer, and we were able to squeeze in a Fall session before it was all said and done. Ollie is a DOLL&#8230;. his smile and big blue eyes are just to die for. I so enjoy working with clients through the year(s)&#8230; it gives me much joy to help document and see the growth and milestones of these kiddos! </em></p>
<p><a href="http://chelseahudson.com/2012/01/fall-session-wrap-up/fortunatoblog/" rel="attachment wp-att-3461"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-3461" title="fortunatoblog" src="http://chelseahudson.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/fortunatoblog.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="900" /></a></p>
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		<title>Amy &amp; Allan &#124; engagement session in dc (part one)</title>
		<link>http://chelseahudson.com/2012/01/amy-allan-engagement-session-in-dc-part-one/</link>
		<comments>http://chelseahudson.com/2012/01/amy-allan-engagement-session-in-dc-part-one/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 02 Jan 2012 20:42:42 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[engagements]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bicycle engagement session]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[washington dc engagement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[washington DC engagement photographer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[washington dc wedding photography]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://chelseahudson.com/?p=52</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[First session of 2012&#8230;. and I can&#8217;t think of a better couple to be posting than Amy and Allan. Of course, I am slightly biased because Amy is my awesome sister-in-law. We are going to shoot their official engagement session later in the spring, but Amy and Allan wanted to do a &#8220;bike&#8221; theme for [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>First session of 2012&#8230;. and I can&#8217;t think of a better couple to be posting than Amy and Allan. Of course, I am slightly biased because Amy is my awesome sister-in-law. <img src='http://chelseahudson.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' />  We are going to shoot their official engagement session later in the spring, but Amy and Allan wanted to do a &#8220;bike&#8221; theme for some of their upcoming wedding paraphenalia. Biking brought them together and they really got to know each other over many miles of riding, so it was/is a fitting theme.</p>
<p>January 1st here in the DC area was beautiful-then rainy- then cold- then sunny- beautiful again &#8211; then cloudy&#8230;. it was crazy. But the heavens opened up for us and we did get some sweet sunlight  here and there. So looking forward to both the engagement session and wedding coming up this year! Love you guys!!</p>
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<p><a href="http://chelseahudson.com/2012/01/amy-allan-engagement-session-in-dc-part-one/img_8754/" rel="attachment wp-att-72"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-72" title="IMG_8754" src="http://chelseahudson.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMG_8754-898x600.jpg" alt="" width="898" height="600" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://chelseahudson.com/2012/01/amy-allan-engagement-session-in-dc-part-one/img_8809/" rel="attachment wp-att-74"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-74" title="IMG_8809" src="http://chelseahudson.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMG_8809-400x600.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="600" /></a>  <a href="http://chelseahudson.com/2012/01/amy-allan-engagement-session-in-dc-part-one/img_8687/" rel="attachment wp-att-67"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-67" title="IMG_8687" src="http://chelseahudson.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMG_8687-400x600.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="600" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://chelseahudson.com/2012/01/amy-allan-engagement-session-in-dc-part-one/img_8635/" rel="attachment wp-att-66"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-66" title="IMG_8635" src="http://chelseahudson.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMG_8635-898x600.jpg" alt="" width="898" height="600" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://chelseahudson.com/2012/01/amy-allan-engagement-session-in-dc-part-one/img_8572/" rel="attachment wp-att-64"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-64" title="IMG_8572" src="http://chelseahudson.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMG_8572-400x600.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="600" /></a> <a href="http://chelseahudson.com/2012/01/amy-allan-engagement-session-in-dc-part-one/img_8547/" rel="attachment wp-att-63"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-63" title="IMG_8547" src="http://chelseahudson.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMG_8547-400x600.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="600" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://chelseahudson.com/2012/01/amy-allan-engagement-session-in-dc-part-one/img_8413/" rel="attachment wp-att-54"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-54" title="IMG_8413" src="http://chelseahudson.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMG_8413-898x600.jpg" alt="" width="898" height="600" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://chelseahudson.com/2012/01/amy-allan-engagement-session-in-dc-part-one/img_8476/" rel="attachment wp-att-58"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-58" title="IMG_8476" src="http://chelseahudson.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMG_8476-898x600.jpg" alt="" width="898" height="600" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://chelseahudson.com/2012/01/amy-allan-engagement-session-in-dc-part-one/img_8524/" rel="attachment wp-att-61"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-61" title="IMG_8524" src="http://chelseahudson.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMG_8524-400x600.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="600" /></a> <a href="http://chelseahudson.com/2012/01/amy-allan-engagement-session-in-dc-part-one/img_8872/" rel="attachment wp-att-79"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-79" title="IMG_8872" src="http://chelseahudson.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMG_8872-400x600.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="600" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://chelseahudson.com/2012/01/amy-allan-engagement-session-in-dc-part-one/img_8532/" rel="attachment wp-att-62"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-62" title="IMG_8532" src="http://chelseahudson.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMG_8532-898x600.jpg" alt="" width="898" height="600" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://chelseahudson.com/2012/01/amy-allan-engagement-session-in-dc-part-one/img_8848/" rel="attachment wp-att-76"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-76" title="IMG_8848" src="http://chelseahudson.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMG_8848-898x600.jpg" alt="" width="898" height="600" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://chelseahudson.com/2012/01/amy-allan-engagement-session-in-dc-part-one/img_8709/" rel="attachment wp-att-69"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-69" title="IMG_8709" src="http://chelseahudson.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMG_8709-400x600.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="600" /></a> <a href="http://chelseahudson.com/2012/01/amy-allan-engagement-session-in-dc-part-one/img_8626/" rel="attachment wp-att-65"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-65" title="IMG_8626" src="http://chelseahudson.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMG_8626-400x600.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="600" /></a></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		<title>Welcome!!</title>
		<link>http://chelseahudson.com/2011/12/welcome/</link>
		<comments>http://chelseahudson.com/2011/12/welcome/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 20 Dec 2011 15:18:13 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[business]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://chelseahudson.com/?p=34</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Greetings and welcome to the new chelseahudson.com experience! I am blessed with an incredibly talented sister in law here in the area who redesigned my logo and general branding theme this fall. I couldn&#8217;t be more excited about it! You can read a bit of the process that Elisabeth used to create this new look [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center;">Greetings and welcome to the new chelseahudson.com experience!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://chelseahudson.com/2011/12/welcome/blogchp/" rel="attachment wp-att-36"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-36" title="BlogCHP" src="http://chelseahudson.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/BlogCHP.jpg" alt="" width="610" height="260" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">
<p style="text-align: center;">I am blessed with an incredibly talented sister in law here in the area who redesigned my logo and general branding theme this fall. I couldn&#8217;t be more excited about it! You can read a bit of the process that Elisabeth used to create this new look on her (amazing) website &#8211; <strong><a href="http://silkroad-studio.com/studio-updates/chelsea-hudson-photography/">Silk Road Studio.</a></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">This fall was a busy one for me! We ended up having to find another house to rent as our previous landlords put their house on the real estate market. It was a crazy somewhat stressful time, but we did find a house in our neighborhood that fits us to a T. The thought of leaving our neighbor-friends was more than I could handle, so I am uber thankful to have found the new place. We moved in exactly one week before Thanksgiving. And we hosted about 12 people for Thanksgiving dinner. <img src='http://chelseahudson.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' />  *smile* Actually, it worked out wonderfully that way. I was forced (with the help of some super talented and gracious friends) to get the house (at least the common living spaces) set up in record time.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">However, because of this move, many of my fall sessions fell through the cracks, blogging-wise. I aim to remedy that now, as I was thrilled to work with some repeat clients as well as some new clients.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">So please stay tuned for some fall family portrait posts coming up&#8230;.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">&#8230; there are even some chickens that will make it to the blog!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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