I didn’t win Best of Dayton 2018, you did.

I’ll repeat that. I didn’t win Best of Dayton 2018, YOU did.

SO, hear me out. I listen to audiobooks and podcasts while I edit. Well, those and Netflix, lots and lots of Netflix. Recently, I started listening to the audiobook “Girl, Stop Apologizing” by Rachel Hollis. You may have heard of her from another book “Girl, Wash Your Face,” either way, I don’t totally agree with everything she says and it definitely has a cis white woman POV, but she always has a few good takeaways.

One tidbit, that sparked this post was her discussing the term self-made and how none of us are truly “self-made” our success is not only made up of our hard work, but of every little helping act from those around us. My mind lit up, it took me back to earlier this year when we took first place in 2018 Best of Dayton Local Photographer. I cried, no, actually I didn’t cry, I sobbed. Maybe my tears were a little bit of the culmination of 6 years of hard work that felt like it finally paid off, but it also was definitely because I felt a HUGE sense of pride for the community around us. The community that made it happen.

Our 2018 win didn’t mean that I was the Best of Dayton, it meant that we, our community, was the Best of Dayton. It meant that every single person that helped us along the way was THE BEST of Dayton. My school photography teacher, my family who came together to buy me my first dslr camera in high school + encouraged me to start a business after college, my first clients who put their faith in me from the very beginning, our clients who continued to help build our business, my friends & partners who helped support my mental health along the way, my incredible team that helps me weekly, my mentors who encourage me daily, every single one of you that comment/like/share/refer us on social media or IRL, YOU, YOU are the Best of Dayton. You are the ones that helped us get here. & damnit, I’m tearing up, but I’m so incredibly thankful for each and every one of you. I’m so proud and honored to call you my community. Thank you. <3

Can you lend a hand this year? We’d love for our community to rally together again for a 2019 win! Will you take a moment to nominate & later on vote Chelsea Hall Photography for Best Local Photographer? You can vote once a day - every day, until the end of the contest!

P.s. I definitely want to take more pictures with each and every one of you this year! If I’m at your wedding, I’m asking for a photo (even if I’m sweaty & gross at the end)! :D