Doe & Arrow Pop-Up, Astoria, Oregon
(Now Syrena, same building, just around the corner!)
Okay I have to be honest: I almost didn't walk in.
I showed up, Chelsea (the owner, yes we're both Chelsea!) was nowhere to be seen, and my brain immediately went to the worst case scenario which was that I was somehow uninvited and nobody had told me. I had met her maybe a week before, in person for the first time after knowing each other from the internet for a while, and I just... panicked.
I texted a bunch. (Not Chelsea, just everyone else lol) Then I did something I only do when I'm really spiraling, I called Rick. Not a text. A call. That's how you know it was a real anxiety day.
I am an older sister and I have that elder sister energy of "figure it out yourself and get over it" but apparently that only applies to other people and not to me standing on a sidewalk in Astoria having a moment. So I did what any reasonable person would do and went to Fort George across the street and had a single beer.
Went back. Chelsea was still not there. I called Rick again.
He reminded me that I know what I'm doing and to just walk in and act confident even if I didn't feel it. Which is such a simple thing to say and also exactly what I needed to hear. So I did. And then I took the photos you're about to look at, because I had one beer and a partner who believes in me even when I don't believe in myself.
Anyway. The pop-up was so fun. Permanent jewelry from Maia at Polished by Maia, flash tattoos from Mark McCormick of Signal Tattoo, new merch from Little Viper Co celebrating the founder's birthday, wine, raffles, mystery goodie bags, a jellybean guessing contest, and a custom tea blend called The Golden Glow from Pat's Pantry. Chelsea poured love into every single detail, including goodie bags for kids, and it showed. The whole room felt like people who were genuinely happy to be there, which as an event photographer is genuinely the best thing you can walk into.
No stiff poses. Just people being their actual selves. My favorite kind of shoot, anxiety spiral and all.
xoxo Chelsea
About Chelsea Moudry
Chelsea Moudry is a hospitality and destination photographer based in Raymond, WA and the owner of Chelsea Moudry Studio. She photographs events, pop-ups, and small businesses along the Washington and Oregon coast. She will always walk in, even when she's nervous. Sometimes it just takes a beer and a phone call first.