Meet Chelsea Reynolds | Photographer & Makeup Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chelsea Reynolds and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chelsea, what role has risk played in your life or career?
The way I look at risk is whatever is going to make you happiest in the long-term is the smarter choice. It’s not just about the paycheck and what you can get out of your job in the short-term. Real happiness and success comes from taking risks and pursuing your passions, no matter how challenging or “out-there” they may seem. I had lots of people telling me how risky it was to start a business without the guarantee of a paycheck. Especially in a society that pushes job security, 401K’s, a 9-5 schedule, etc. I never felt like I fit into the stereotypical full-time job mold and always strived to find a career where I could grow creatively and professionally.

I graduated college with a degree of music business and worked in the LA film music scene and Nashville record business for almost 8 years. What drew me to the music business was the idea of being creative. With each job that I had, I saw how restricted my own creativity really was. Someone else above me was always making the final decisions and telling me what to do on a daily basis. When I discovered my skills in makeup, I realized that I could express myself through art and make a living out of it.

At the age of 25, I quit my career in the music industry and took the risk of starting my own freelance makeup company. I became quite successful in Nashville through my musician and industry connections but still felt stifled. There was something about makeup that just wasn’t enough and I wanted to be able to capture my art and share it with the world. I started educating myself in studio photography and practiced on as many friends and creatives as I could before turning it into a business. When I combined my makeup and photography skills together that’s when I really felt like I found my calling, but knew that Nashville was still holding me back. In the beginning of 2020, I moved to Denver to be in a creative scene that was more diverse and challenging. I knew it would be incredibly risky to move while trying to grow a business (especially during a global pandemic), but saw the potential in new opportunities as well as successful professionals to learn from and be challenged by.

Now my business is busier than ever and I’ve met so many incredible clients here in Denver. Personally, I’ve also thrived and grown from the move and have found my forever home to start a family. Risks are truly essential to growth and personal discovery. Without taking any, my business wouldn’t have grown to where it is today and I wouldn’t be the person that I am now. I challenge everyone I talk to, to take the risk, no matter how scary or unusual it may seem. We take risks every day in life so why not apply that same mentality to your career?

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I feel like what sets me apart is that I’m a one-stop shop. I’m the makeup artist, hair stylist, creative director, photographer, videographer and retoucher. I’m someone who loves to be involved and oversee the entire creative process. I’m so passionate about the work that I do and I want my clients to feel like they get the whole package with me. My art and my work keeps me feeling alive and I love impacting people’s lives through art.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend was visiting Denver, I’d make sure to give her a diverse experience of what Colorado offers. We’d hit up my favorite restaurants in town such as Postinos, Watercourse and Dos Santos. I’d either take her up to the mountains to go skiing at either Breckenridge or Keystone and we’d go on an overnight camping trip somewhere near Silverthorne. There are so many fun outdoor activities to do in Denver if we didn’t feel like driving. We could either go roller blading and picnicking in City Park or paddle boarding on Cherry Creek Lake.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to shout out my husband, who from day one of starting my business has always been my biggest cheerleader. For the past 6 years, he has helped me research photography gear, traveled with me to jobs, and spent countless hours brainstorming marketing plans and business goals. Starting a business by yourself is such a scary thing to do but when you have someone in your corner it really makes all the difference. I couldn’t have done it without him and I’m so grateful for his dedication and interest in my business.

Website: www.chelseareynoldsartistry.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chelseareynoldsphotography
https://www.instagram.com/chelseareynoldsmakeup

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chelseareynoldsartistry