Chalkballerina Photography

Charis, while very nice, has produced terrible work and I'm disappointed with what she has offered to me. Her usual m.o. is to take a bunch of random pictures then say "i think i have more than enough pictures to work with". Let's not forget how difficult it is to even get her to commit to an appointment. She does a crap job of cropping and cleaning up the pictures she takes and they're just all around terrible. Look for true reviews of her work on other websites like yelp. If she can't even do a reasonble job on a simple photo shoot, imagine the hell you'll probably have to deal with if you spent loads of money for a big event. Don't waste your time or money on her! more

Hiring a photographer was the best decision we made during our planning process for our wedding. At first we were a little hesitant about it, but now after it is all said and done, it was the best money we spent. Not only was Charis so FUN to be around and work with, she took the most beautiful, original photos I've ever seen. They captured everything about the day that I wanted. And she knew how to make you feel comfortable in front of the camera as well. I feel so lucky to have found her to do our wedding photos. It was a perfect experience and now I have absolutely beautiful photographs to remember my wedding day forever!! I would recommend her to anyone, especially if they appreciate the artistic side of photography. more

Charis took some photos of us with our 3 month old...we loved them! She captured very real and intimate moments between us. Finally we found someone who captured the real us, not staged. These will be photos we will treasure. A real work of art. I am excited to display them in our home. more

Charis' work is one of a kind. It's edgy, enthusiastic, and real. Her photography captures the candidness of moments just waiting to be remembered in the way of personal collections, wall art or on the larger scale. Her style is unique and will rival any other professional in the business. more

The minute I saw Charis's portfolio online, I was floored. Her work is incredible and it embodies the modern-yet-classic, detail-driven feel that I love, the kind of documentary work that borders on pure art. It's almost as if you can read the very character of her subjects through her photos, they come so much to life. When I saw her photos, I knew there was no one else I would want to work with. I couldn't have made a better decision. Charis is professional, flexible, talented and above all, warm and wonderful. I felt such an immediate comfort with her, and I think that shows in her work. As someone who doesn't like having her photo taken, I am amazed by how at ease I was during the session, how much I actually enjoy looking at the photos now and how intimate they all feel. Charis is amazing. I can only hope that she'll be available to capture more important moments in my life in the future. more

I was a bridesmaid in a wedding that Charis photographed this summer. She was wonderful working with all those involved in the wedding and made us feel comfortable in front of the lens. She captured the most exquisite moments of that busy day, tiny moments that would most likely be lost in our memories. Charis brought each moment to light and presented them with utmost sensitivity and expression. Although, what sets Charis apart from the many other photographers is how each photograph has the ability to stand alone as a piece of fine art. Although there may be a specific purpose or audience for each piece, when taken out of context the emotion and essence of each photograph can still be grasped by the viewer. Charis has a sensitive eye for light, framing, and composition and a unique and artistic approach in each situation she encounters. She really is talented beyond words and I would highly recommend her for any job! more

I've always thought that one of the characteristics of genius was being able to look at what is common and ordinary and to see it with new eyes, to be able to see beyond what is seen and to perceive what is felt and sensed, and most of all (and this is where Charis's photography becomes a work of genius) to be able to draw the rest of the world, the world of ordinary seers, into that new perspective. Almost every one of Charis's awesome photos makes me want to preface my oohs and ahs with something like, "But that's just an ordinary...." But the longer I look, the more I realize that the ordinary has been magically transformed into the extraordinary, and I have been magically escorted into a place where I can appreciate the transformation. So hang on tight for a magic carpet ride; check your passport because you're on your way to a new and rarely visited land of imagination and creativity; and take your checkbook, because you're going to want to bring back some postcards!! more

I've never known anyone more able to tell a story from a mere picture. I've tried to analyze what it is she does that makes the difference... I've concluded it must be magic. I have several of Charis' pictures and they are by far the most commented on items in my home. People seem mystified and drawn in to the story the pictures are telling. It's very satisfying to be displaying art that is not only beautiful, but incredibly soulful. more

If you are wanting a wedding photographer who will capture the quick moments that reflect who you are and what happened on your special day then I highly recommend Charis. Every wedding and story is different, and when I look at my pictures I am thrilled to see how the pictures portray who I am and what happened on my wedding day. I am also in awe of the moments she captured while I was so busy. For example, it was so exciting for me to see what others were doing before, during, and after the wedding...seeing the tears, laughter, beautiful faces of those on my wedding day that I was unable to see. It was fun for me to see the whole picture of the event instead of the small lens that I only saw on that day. Charis is someone who will work hard, listen to you, capture beautiful moments, be patient, and she has the passion because she truly loves what she does and she wants to do a good job. I was not disappointed in her work and enjoy showing the pictures off to friends and family--who all say..."wow the photographer did a wonderful job...the pictures are so unique and great." more

Charis is great at catching candid expressions. She captures the moments that others might pass by. Charis is patient and seems in love with the art form of photography. She captured the joy and excitement on my face on my wedding day. I cannot help but smile, laugh, and be taken back to the day of my wedding when I see the pictures she took of me. more

Charis Donough brought out the best in my 2 sons (5 and 2) on film! We absolutely love our photographs and the boys didn't even know they were at a photo shoot. One of the best most creative photographers in Seattle! more

I recently had the joy of working with Charis as my wedding photographer! I chose her because of the undeniable gift she has in capturing details and moments that often go unnoticed. I didn't want stiff posed pictures... I wanted photos that told a story of the incredible celebration in my husband and I joining our lives together. She also has the rare and priceless gift of capturing emotion. You hardly noticed she was in the room with you. She was a fly on the wall capturing moments between bride and groom that seeped with romance and elation. One last thing... she was able to transform a tiny room with horrible lighting (a photographer and brides worst nightmare) into a master's studio. The outcome... some of the most incredible pictures I have ever seen. more

I was a bridesmaid in a wedding that Charis photographed. Her photos truly display the intimate feel off each event. She was able to capture more than just the happenings. Rather, she was able to capture the closeness of family and friends, reactions, humor, and sweetness, each with a unique style that creates an interesting picture that tells a story. You can look at a picture and feel like you've shared in the experience instead of seeing a snapshot of what happened. more

I used Charis Donough last year for my graduation pictures. The whole process was actually fun! She captured my personality, my silliness.. me! Normally i feel awkward and weird infront of a camera.. but with Charis, it all felt natural. The pictures turned out nothing but normal. Mine were unique, different, fun. I have to say my graduation pictures turned out a lot better than any of my friensd.. but that's just me =). I'd recommend her for anything. I've seen her work on babies, weddings, etc.. and it's all amazing. more

We hired Charis several times over the course of the last year to capture our children at different stages of thier development. She successfully captured thier different personalities in a whimsical yet elegant manner. Her compositions are candid and beautiful and she was able to put together a story which documents their personalities in a personal and visually compelling way. more

I consulted with Charis to photograph an apartment complex I manage. I needed some fresh photographs that would differentiate my property from the competition. She came up with angles of my property and new perspective that I didn't think was possible. I was very pleased with the final result and was so disappointed when my company stated we had a national contract with a different photo agency. The pictures they provided were far less creative and sub par compared to what Chalkballerina Photography provided. more

We did a 4-hour toddler photography session with Charis for our son. The pictures are beautiful and completely capture his spirit - far better than anything we have been able to do on our own. Charis picked the most wonderful locations for our shoots. We all had a great time, and it shows in the quality of the final pictures. Charis is also naturally comfortable working with children. For the incredible outcome and sheer number of beautiful shots, as well as a good memory of a day well-spent, the price is very reasonable, as well. Highly recommended for any parent considering professional photography for thieir child. more

We love the photography work of Chalk Ballerina Photography. Her approach is unique, creative, touching and tells a story. For anyone looking for a photographer who will bring emotion and and a unique, fresh approach we highly recommend Chalk Ballerina! more