Every year at Christmas, I like to send a little something to the wonderful people who support my business and my photography.  So when I met Diana Phillips, a crazy mad-scientist-meets-graphic-artist-meets-chocolate-queen, I knew we had to collaborate on a project together.  And when I emailed her, proposing that she make me my own couture collection of truffles and allow me to design the packaging, I thought for sure she would say “thanks, but you’re crazy.” Much to my excitement, Diana was game for working with me and so my 2-month long custom chocolate project was born….

The packaging: homemade papers in cream, ivory, blush and light blue, hand-sewn by Diana herself, and made in to a beautiful box. The chocolate themselves were wrapped in more hand-made paper and topped with a custom made menu/thank-you-card/holiday-card.  The box was wrapped in velvet ribbon, a bit of twine (ya’ll know how much I love my twine!) and topped with one-of-a-kind cabochons and brooches.

The chocolates: dark chocolate truffles in the shape of tiny flowers, filled with amazing flavors like Lilac, Lavender and Violette. Yumm.

It was an amazing project to work on and I had a blast trying my hand at the art of packaging.  And, of course, chocolate-eating ;)

  • cara says:

    Gorgeous! The packaging, the chocolates, the photos — lucky lucky you :) !

  • Victoria says:

    Oh wow! That looks so good! I wouldn’t even want to open it though..it’s too pretty! But then, I definitely would want to inhale those chocolates…what a dilemma!

  • Your Father says:

    And you didn’t send one to your daddy why? Like you, beautiful, elegant and creative. Love, pops.

  • Wow. Just… wow.

  • I love these, totally gorgeous all round. I’m a packaging geek too and you’ve inspired me!

  • anda says:

    THAT is by far the coolest packaging I have seen in my life. And a majorly awesome idea to collaborate like that!!

  • Amanda Rae says:

    You might be a genius. Thanks for raising the bar. I’m going to start thinking about my Christmas gifts NOW!

  • loveeeeed mine!! they were absolutely scrumptious!!! don’t laugh at me, but i actually wore the brooch that came on my box. :) xoxo

  • Joanna says:

    That has got to be one of the best holiday gifts I have ever seen. Terrific job!

  • cindee bae says:

    ahhhh.. How would anyone even open up the gorgeous packaging?! And if they did, how would anyone eat those beautiful chocolate?

  • These are incredible!!! They look almost too beautiful to eat…. ALMOST! lol

  • how lovely! what a chic way to send holiday gifts!

  • jenniferL says:

    love the packaging design and craftiness! i’m a big fan of sewing on paper. i’m laughing at your dad’s comment.

  • just beautiful. each box is a work of art. what an amazing gift.

  • Are you serious?? These are awesome. I am so impressed with the packaging. I love it! How fun and what a different way of showing your creativity through yummy chocolate bites.

  • Nicole says:

    I’m thinking that these would be great to add to my bridal party gift baskets Thanks for the great idea!

  • Anna says:

    So elegant and beautiful and scrumptious! I would love to order a few boxes ;)

  • So gorgeous! And they look delicious :) Such a cool thing to be able to do!

  • DEEE-lish-ious! I love chocolate! and these look so pretty :)

  • diana says:

    Chenin, it was a blast collaborating on the choice of papers and ribbons. I loved putting together the collages and juxtaposing textures, patterns and colors before reving up the sewing machine. The packaging was a lovely complement to the antique custom chocolate molds. I’ll play mad scientist with you ANY day!

  • Wow those are absolutely stunning all around! YUM!

  • Andrea says:

    Gorgeous! I am in love with the designs, what a fabulous idea! Hope none of my clients see this, kind of making me feel like the lousy card they got wasn’t all that…

  • Alissa says:

    The chocolates are beyond beautiful. What I love the very, very most about this post is your dad’s comment. “Like you, beautiful, elegant and creative. Love, pops” You are a lucky, lucky girl.
    I’ve never commented here before. Although I lurk a lot, I want you to know that your work is so lovely! Your images (and the TRA’s you use) are wonderful! Thanks for sharing yourself with the world!

  • that’s the coolest thing ever! i LOVE it!

  • I hope you didn’t eat all the chocolate and didn’t send empty boxes. Just kidding!! This is a fabulous idea!! :) The papers are gorgeous!!

  • kary heimbach- kary h events says:

    i loved my box of chocolates! it was beautiful, the chocolates were amazing and I kept the box! here’s to a “sweet” 2010! Hope we have lots of events together! xoxo

  • Kari S says:

    IThose are gorgeous! I dont know if I could have opened the packaging to get inside!

  • Miranda says:

    wow. beautiful!

  • chenin's mom says:

    hey Chen! I didn’t get any chocolates either….what gives?=P

  • Olivia says:

    Very pretty- the homemade paper, cabochons and brooches really make these stand out (not just your typical box of chocolates!). The chocolate flowers almost look too good to eat :)

  • angie says:

    I thought for a second I was in Heaven! This is the prettiest chocolate and chocolate boxes I have ever seen!

  • Judd says:

    WOW – this packaging design is truly inspirational ! I’m on a horrible Jan diet and those chocs are taking me close to the edge!

  • Beautiful box. Beautiful chocolates. Love this.

  • Bob Monk says:

    When men are looking for that perfect gift for her, a gift of chocolate is the perfect one. Chocolates are perfect mood elevators and are considered to have aphrodisiac properties. A heart shape chocolate says


I am really thrilled to share this next bit of exciting news! Last year, I was approached by Jackie Tobin, one of the editor’s of Photo District News. She was writing a book on wedding photography and wanted to feature my work. This was especially exciting for me because, when I first started shooting wedding, I made it a personal goal to have an image published in PDN, a magazine that doesn’t often take wedding photography seriously. A few years later, I reached that goal, after winning First Place in their Top Knots Competition; but having Jackie consider me for this book really took the cake.

unveiled.jpg

Jackie’s book, “Wedding Photography Unveiled: Inspiration and Insight from 20 Top Photographers,” is really unique because it features modern (not cheesy) images by some of my favorite photographers, organized by the major parts of the wedding day. There is a chapter on photographing bridal preparation, another chapter on shooting the ceremony, etc. My work is featured in the chapter on shooting couples’ portraits, including technical data on all the images that are published. It is really the best book on wedding photography that I have seen so far and I am really honored to be included.

To Jackie: I cannot thank you enough for your hard work on this project and for including my work in your book. It has been an absolute pleasure to work with you for the last year. Thank you!

delightfully,
Chenin


Just thought I’d share our first family portrait session with you all.  Hop on over to Carrie Sandoval’s blog to see how this incredibly talented photographer captured our family. Special thanks to Carrie and Britney for all of their hard work and patience :)

delightfully,
Chenin

  • So gorgeous and amazing!

  • tara Whitney says:

    oh chenin, the one with you and him snuggling with the cord—sigh—so amazing.

  • gracci says:

    Congratulations, Chenin and Doug! Max is divine and the photos are absolutely beautiful!

  • shannon says:

    they are beautiful!! the one of you with your new baby and the one with your husband…just stunning!! what an amazing gift to have! congrats!

  • Wow Chenin, he is perfect! I think the one with all three of you laying down is my favorite, you all so peaceful and wonderful! Congratulations!!

  • emily s says:

    congrats! beautiful baby. beautiful shots!

  • kate says:

    the pics look SO amazing! how lucky you are to work with carrie–and how lucky she is to know you! congrats on the family pictures, you must be so excited :]

  • Heather Owens says:

    Congrats, you guys…he is just beautiful, and Carrie’s images captured it all. Sweet, sweet, sweet!!

  • Michelle O says:

    Totally breath-taking! LOVE them! You are so blessed.

  • These honestly could not be any more perfect. I am blown away by how gorgeous these are. Your family is just beautiful!

  • Christina says:

    I love the shots of Max curled up – they are so incredibly adorable. I especially the one of him on Doug’s shoulder.

  • Audrey says:

    LOVE THE FAMILY PICS!!! THANKS FOR SHARING.
    I don’t see many newborn pics with the cord still attached a bit..very cool.
    I also want to go, “Tickle-Tickle-Tickle” to new daddy’s armpit.

  • Crissy Willis says:

    WOWZA!!! You made another person. Ah-ma-zing!! Congratulations on all the loveliness in your life!!!!!

  • Congratulations Chenin and Doug! You are so blessed! I wish you for continued blessings and as much sleep as you can find time for:)

  • Aly says:

    seriously took my breath away…

  • Jen says:

    I’m at a loss for what to say about these images, except that they make Patrick & I want to have a baby!! I’ve looked at them countless times already, they are really amazing. Congratulations on such a beautiful baby boy!

  • Carrie says:

    I’ve been holding off on phoning you since I didn’t want to interrupt your precious first few days (especially with the time difference, I can only call in the early morning!) but Mom told me about these photos and I went in search of them here. They are amazing and I am so happy to see a few more gorgeous shots of Max. I can’t wait to meet my new nephew and see you guys! I love you so much.

  • bridget says:

    SO happy you guys did it!!! Britt and Carrie are the bomb huh? Hopefully one of these days I will get to meet you guys in person too! Congrats on little Max. He’s beautiful. And it’s a wonderful ride having babies! Enjoy!

  • Oh Chenin!! Max is absolutely magnificent! I met you in New Orleans and took your awesome branding class when Max was still a belly bump. He is just so gorgeous and incredible. I love love love the photos you posted and the ones on Carrie’s blog. Thanks for sharing your lovely family photos with your fans and my heartfelt congratulations to you and Doug…this little baby could not have blessed two cooler and sweeter people! All the best…

  • Julie Lim says:

    Cutest baby! Congratulations you two!

  • Sue says:

    What beautiful portraits! Chenin, I too had my baby boy on the SAME day!!! Congrats to you and Doug. And here’s to those dreadful *every two-hour* night time feedings! ;-)

  • chenin, he’s adorable. congrats on your beautiful, healthy child and his amazing photographs!