Conversations with Chloe Shelton

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chloe Shelton.

Hi Chloe, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Ive always been drawn to the way people gather- the feeling of a room, the details that make someone feel seen, and the magic that happens when beauty, intention, and connection come together. My path began in Santa Barbara, where I started working in the service industry, on to administration, then on to weddings and events, slowly learning the many layers that go into creating an experience: design, logistics, vendor relationships, timelines, production, and the emotional care that happens behind the scenes.

Over time, that work evolved into Chloe Shelton Studio, where I now offer wedding planning, coordination, event production, creative direction, and photography. What started as a love for helping bring beautiful moments to life has grown into a larger creative practice centered around storytelling, atmosphere, and meaningful experiences. I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside incredible planners, venues, artists, and local businesses, which has shaped the way I approach my work today.

Where I am now feels like a reflection of everything I’ve been building toward. Combining my eye for design, my love of people, and my ability to hold both the creative vision and the practical details. I’m especially interested in the intersection of events, editorial storytelling, hospitality, art, fashion, interiors, and community. I’m still very much evolving, but I feel excited to keep expanding into spaces where I can create, document, and produce experiences that feel thoughtful, beautiful, and alive.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Definitely not a smooth road, and in many ways, I think that’s what has made the work feel more meaningful.

A lot of my path has been self-built, which has been both empowering and challenging. I’ve had to learn by doing, often in real time, and figure out how to trust myself while building a creative career that doesn’t always have a clear roadmap. Creative production requires holding a lot at once. The vision, the logistics, the emotions, the timelines, the clients, the vendors, and all the little details no one sees. Learning how to carry that responsibility while also staying grounded in my own voice has been a big part of my growth.

There have also been personal challenges along the way. Moments of uncertainty, intense financial pressure, comparison, burnout, and questioning whether I was on the right path. I’ve had seasons where I felt behind or unsure of how all my interests would fit together. But over time, I’ve realized that the range of what I care about: events, photography, storytelling, design, fashion, food, interiors, and community is actually the foundation of my creative perspective.

The road hasn’t been perfect, but it has taught me resilience, resourcefulness, and how to keep choosing the work even when it feels uncertain. I’m proud that I’ve continued to build something that feels honest to who I am.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My work lives at the intersection of event production, wedding planning, creative direction, and visual storytelling. Through my studio, I help bring meaningful experiences to life, from weddings and intimate gatherings to creative art shows, styled shoots, and community-driven projects. I specialize in creating spaces that feel thoughtful, beautiful, and emotionally resonant, while also making sure the practical details are handled with care.

I’m especially drawn to the full feeling of an experience: the atmosphere, the flow, the visuals, the music, the food, the lighting, the energy in the room, and the way people remember how they felt. My background in weddings has given me a strong foundation in logistics, timelines, vendor communication, and day-of coordination, while my creative side brings in design, photography, storytelling, and a more editorial eye.

I think I’m known for being someone who can hold both sides of the work, the creative vision and the behind-the-scenes execution. I care deeply about beauty, but I also care about clarity, communication, and making people feel supported. Whether I’m coordinating a wedding, producing an event, assisting on a shoot, or documenting a moment, my goal is always to create something that feels intentional and alive for everyone, not just the clients but vendors too.

What I’m most proud of is that I’ve built my work organically through relationships, trust, and a genuine love for bringing people together. I’m proud of the way I’ve continued to follow my curiosity and allow my creative path to evolve. What sets me apart is that I don’t see events as just logistics or aesthetics, I see them as stories, as worlds, as moments that can shift how people connect with themselves, each other, and a place.

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
What I love most about Santa Barbara is how much of the city is built around small businesses, local artists, family-run restaurants, independent shops, and creative entrepreneurs. There’s a real sense of community here, and I love that so many of the places people remember most are not big chains, but the smaller, more personal spaces that give the city its character.
Santa Barbara’s beauty is obviously a huge part of what makes it special. The ocean, mountains, architecture, gardens, and slower pace of life, but I think the small business community is what gives it soul. So much of the city runs on relationships, word of mouth, collaboration, and people genuinely showing up for each other. That has shaped the way I work and the way I think about community.
What I like least is that Santa Barbara can sometimes feel difficult to break into creatively or professionally. It’s an inspiring place, but it can also be expensive, limited, and a little exclusive at times. I think there’s so much opportunity here to create more accessible and inclusive spaces for young creatives, artists, and people building something meaningful.

Pricing:

• Wedding Coordination: Starting at $2.5k
• Creative Direction & Event Production: $2.5k Starting at Custom pricing based on scope, location, and event needs
• Art Shows, Styled Shoots & Brand Events: Custom packages available
• Portrait Photography Sessions: Starting at $400

Contact Info:

• Website: https://chloesheltonstudio.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eyesofchlo/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chloe-shelton-ba20b6113