Not Your Average Mall Santa

With our Santa photos a few days away on Sunday, I wanted to post some photos from past years. Not only do you get the high quality you've come to expect from us, but you get the best Santa in existance. He is the real thing!

We are doing walk-in sessions from 11-2:00 on Sunday, as well as more extensive sessions from 2:30-5:00 consisting of a 15 minute creative session with Santa and another 15 minute family session in front of our fireplace Christmas set. The afternoon sessions are by appointment.

We will have cider, donuts, coffee and hot chocolate on Sunday along with an open house for anyone who wants to stop in and visit the studio.

We are also doing walk-in sessions in Geneseo at Dunkin Donuts on December 9th from 10-12, followed by walk-in sessions at Letchworth State Park on December 15th. On December 16th we will be at Tim Hortons in Geneseo for walk-in sessions from 10-12 as well.

Words of Comfort

Over the past three weeks, we have received countless dozens of sympathy cards, e-mails and words of encouragement. We can't thank all of you enough. It feels like one big group hug from friends and family across the globe. The support and prayers we have received go a long way in our healing process. I would like to share with you an e-mail I received yesterday from Caitlin McLean, a bride whose wedding I had the honor of photographing this summer. She had some profound insights to share with me on how she dealt with the loss of her brother. Despite all the support we are receiving, sometimes the feeling of being alone, even in a crowded room is overwhelming. Thank you Caitlin. Your experience gives me peace of mind that Sue and I are not on this journey alone.

Dear Steve,

You photographed my June 23rd 2007 wedding at Ventosa
Vineyards. You and your assistant did an incredible job, and I often go to your
website to revisit our wedding photos and the good memories and smiles they
bring.

I visited the site for the first time in a couple of weeks and
your twins piece caught my eye. I read your blog entries about the sudden death
of your sister-in-law Sandi. It's nearing a week to the date of the sudden death
of my younger brother Alex, one year ago...its' still hard to believe.

I know that there are no words that are right...I found a hug was often most
comforting. But I do pray for strength and courage for you and your family as
you move forward...and you are, you're doing it...TOGETHER.

That's become the mantra of my family in this past year: "we're doing it." Sometimes I call my Dad just to hear this reminder. And in this year, my Dad has called me three times to say he feels "normal." None of us can describe what it means, but there are moments when it happens. I suppose we're learning to love Alex in death as we did in life.

I hope your memories bring you peace. Sandi
sounds like an incredible person, and I too believe that the bonds of family
transcend death. Please know that Sandi and your family are in my prayers.

Caitlin McLean
(Belmonte wedding)

Being Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving. This was no doubt a tough Thanksgiving for us. Two weeks ago we canceled our plans to host both sides of our family at our house. It just didn't seem right to be celebrating. After a few days I came to the conclusion that I needed to be surrounded by family, so I requested that my side keep their plans to come here. A few days later Sue's side also came to that same conclusion, so our canceled Thanksgiving ended up being 18 people, a large bird and more pies than should be allowed by law.

It is typically a tradition of ours to go around the table and say what we are thankful for. In light of recent events that was not done. Instead we toasted. At first it was hard to be thankful, but then I realized that yes, we were missing one person, but I was surrounded by 17 others that I cherish. I was also thankful for the time we had with Sandi, as a sister and as a best friend.

After the table was cleared, the left overs stored and the football games ended, it was time to relax and let protruding belly get some rest. I began flipping through the channels and stopped on the Hilary Duff move "Raise Your Voice." The movie ended with a song she performed in honor of her recently deceased brother. I have been numb for the last week or so, but hearing the lyrics to that song brought a rush of emotion I was not expecting. As much as it hurts, it also felt good to feel and let some of the numbness wash away in a flood of tears. Here are some of the lyrics.

So I won't give up No I won't break
down Sooner than it seems life turns around And I will be strong Even if it all
goes wrong When I'm standing in the dark I'll still believe That I won't give up No
I won't break down Sooner than it seems life turns around And I will be strong Even
when it all goes wrong When I'm standing in the dark I'll still believe That
someone's watching over Someone's watching over Someone's watching over
me.

Saturday's Wedding

I did a wedding this past Saturday, which thankfully went very well. I was very apprehensive about the thought of diving into a full days work so soon after the trauma of Sandi's death. The anxiety leading up to the wedding was strong. As part of my healing process, I was determined to successfully get through it though, especially since it was the most important day of Sara and Chris's lives. I had a great support system from my second photographer, Michal-Kathryn, who also captured some amazing images. The wedding was in Rochester and the reception was at Casa Larga Vineyard in Perinton.

For a good Claus...

Click photo for a larger version.

On December 2 we will be doing our traditional Santa photos at the studio from 11:00-2:00. There is no appointment necessary. From 2:30-5:00 we are doing more intimate portraits with Santa that people can sign up for. They will get a 1/2 hour session of which 15 minutes will be a portrait session with Santa to do creative photos instead of the typical lap photos, and the other 15 minutes will be a family session with a fireplace background.

We will also be doing photos with Santa in Geneseo, Arkport and Letchworth State Park with details to follow.

Baby Lee

My sister in law Crystal is 7 1/2 months pregnant, and they came to visit us this weekend from Florida. Quite a climate change for the little bambino.
We snuck away from all of the family and cooking frenzy to the studio on Saturday for some much needed girl time.
Every pregnant women should be pampered and made to feel beautiful-beacaue they are (Not because I've been a pregnant oom-pa-loompa twice:)
So here are a few shots from our sneeky session on Saturday. She is so tiny and cute. Her belly is just this little basketball.
We even grabbed a few shots with daddy at my home on Sunday before their return flight to sunny Florida.
Thank you Crystal and Kevin, we all love seeing you two. We can't wait for Baby Lee!

~Amanda Lee

Twins Wanted

I thought of a way to honor the bond that my wife Sue and her twin sister Sandi had, or I should say have because I feel that bond transcends death. I want to create a book of twins portraits and their associated stories. If you are a twin or know a set of any age or gender and want a free photo session and 8x10 print, e-mail me at steve@cheslerphoto.com. The only stipulation is that you are willing to be published and have a story to tell.

Getting Back to Normal?

What is normal? Normal will never be the same again without Sandi, so how do we know when we've gotten back to it? I have ventured in to the studio the past few days with mixed results. I've done a few photo shoots and also spent a lot of time looking at my computer wondering what I was about to do.

I have been struggling with the concept of announcing upcoming events, like our Santa photos. People are calling the studio inquiring about when we will be doing our Santa shoot, which we have set up, but I don't feel right about making a big deal of it. I know we have to keep moving forward though. Sandi would have wanted us to.

So for now, here are the details. I will create a nice banner for it for the website soon. On December 2 we will be doing our traditional Santa photos at the studio from 11:00-2:00. There is no appointment necessary. From 2:30-5:00 we are doing more intimate portraits with Santa that people can sign up for. They will get a 1/2 hour session of which 15 minutes will be a portrait session with Santa to do creative photos instead of the typical lap photos, and the other 15 minutes will be a family session with a fireplace background.

We will also be doing photos with Santa in Geneseo, Arkport and Letchworth State Park with details to follow.

From Sarah

I was just amazed at how much my DAD'S side of the family cares about my mom's side of the family. I think sometimes because he is a photographer people think he is famous. We are just a normal family. The entire family stuck together like glue through this whole hurting hard time. My Uncle Rich and Grandmother came. I thank you all that you that came to the wake and funeral and so dose my family. I would also like to thank my wonderfull and supporting friend Elizabith Mullen. She has helped me so much in this difficult time. Again me and my family thank ALL of you for soooooo much support. If you would happen to get a chance thank the staff and students of the Possibilities Center Thank You.

- Sarah Chesler

Sandi's Gifts

With the wake and funeral behind us, we all have been exposed to the tremendous impact Sandi had on so many lives. The way she touched the hearts of the students at the Possibilities Center is amazing. I hope they will all remember the gift she left with them of her memory and inspiration. She has also left a gift for my wife and I, one of tolerance, compassion and love as we start the healing process together.

I had a vision while I was talking with my mom about the impact Sandi had on so many lives. I keep picturing that when Todd took her life, instead of it being like blowing out a candle, it was more like the release of a hundred thousand sparks into the air, with each one of those sparks being a gift that rose up into the sky to find it's rightful recipient. I know many of those gifts landed on me, my wife and my kids, but I was touched to see how many landed throughout the community showing the strength Sandi had.

The comforting thought is that there are still many more sparks still floating around and just as many people who are yet to be touched by Sandi's amazing life.

Sandi, thank you for your gifts, your friendship, and your love. You will be in our hearts and thoughts forever.

-Steve

Incomprehensible Loss

As I sit here typing this, I see my fingers moving, but the magnitude of the loss and grief doesn't seem real. As many of you are already painfully aware of, the murder/suicide that has been on the news for the last 24 hours involved my wife's twin sister Sandi. No words can express the void that has been left in our lives. Not only was she the best sister anyone could have ever asked for, she was also a second mother to my kids, which is a loss of unfathomable proportions to them. All of your thoughts and prayers mean more to us than you could know. The outpouring of support coming through the community has touched our hearts, especially from the students and staff in the Canandaigua School District where Sandi was a counselor. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Those who would like to pay their respects can do so at Fuller Funeral Home on Buffalo Street in Canandaigua this Sunday from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. A funeral service will be held at St. Mary's on Main Street in Canandaigua at 10 a.m. on Monday.

New Product

I just received my sample Afghan blanket custom printed with one of my images. These are high quality knit blankets that can be created with any image we photograph during one of our sessions. They make great gifts, especially to wrap yourself with hometeam pride during those cold times in the stands. The blankets are competively priced compared with other local merchants and are created from our copyrighted images. In order to get some of these blankets circulating throughout the community, we are offering a complimentary photo session with the purchase of a 54" x 70" blanket for $99, through November 20. We also have available knit wall hangings, pillows and totes. For more information call the studio at 585-393-9242 or e-mail me at steve@cheslerphoto.com.

Catching Up

I have been a bit under the weather for the past week or so, so I'm a bit behind with the blog. We've done some great weddings the past few weeks. I'm still a bit foggy from the cold medicine, so I will keep this short and get straight to the images.