City Faces in Different Places
By Julie Perine on March 01, 2020 from City Faces
Meet this week's City Face, Chelsey Rocha.
How long have you lived in Bridgeport? If not a lifelong resident, tell me what brought you here.
I was born and raised in Harrison County. I attended Lincoln High School and then after I got married in 2015, my husband and I moved to Charleston for three years to explore his career opportunities. We recently moved back to Bridgeport and we’re very excited to call this place home and raise our family.
Are you married, have kids? Tell me about your family …
I am married to my husband Ryan. 2020 will make five years. We have a 2-year-old son, Lucas.
What about pets?
We have two dogs, Ryder and Maddy.
Where do you work and what do you do there?
I own Rocha & Co Photography which specialized in engagement & wedding photography. I started the business in 2015 after my own wedding. I am the lead photographer and we take on about 15-20 weddings per year. In 2020, I am branching into photography education and events for other photographers - such as workshops and styled shoots around the Bridgeport/Fairmont/Morgantown areas.
What are your hobbies/favorite past times?
My favorite hobby is traveling. I travel anywhere I can, any chance that I get. Whether for work or pleasure, I love spontaneously picking up and going to new places!
Favorite Bridgeport spot?
Winnies! I love hanging out in their gorgeous, bright space sipping some coffee and getting some work done on my laptop. It’s a great atmosphere, the coffee is great and so is the food!
What do you like about Bridgeport … why is this a good place to live?
I love Bridgeport for all the new businesses and family-friendly activities that there are. We love going to the Farmers Market on Sundays, hanging out at the parks on nice days, and trying all the different restaurants around the area.
One – or more – of your favorite memories of something that took place in Bridgeport ...
My favorite memory of something that took place in Bridgeport might sound strange, but it is car shopping. My dad and I loved to go and look at cars together (and trade them off way too often). It was a hobby we liked to do together, so we always enjoyed driving up and down old Bridgeport Hill looking at cars at all the different car lots.
What is your favorite WV spot outside of Bridgeport?
Charleston. Although it wasn’t our favorite place to live, a lot of memories were made in that city. There was always something going on and lots to do for my son. We bought our first house there, Lucas was born there, we made a lot of friends, and the shopping was real good!
How about your favorite place outside of West Virginia?
My favorite place that I have visited outside of West Virginia has been Arizona. I could most definitely live in the desert!
What are some of your favorite things? Food/restaurant? Favorite color? Music genre/artist?
Some of my favorite things include vanilla lattes, Target dollar spot, cheetah print anything, Marshall’s, stone fired pizza, the color orange, and a little bit of country music mixed with pop!
What is your best childhood memory?
My best childhood memory is spending nearly every weekend on our pontoon boat on Stonewall Jackson Lake. My dad built a cabin near the lake and we would spend every weekend there when I was a kid, so he could continue to work on it.
Interesting fact about you and/or something you would like to add…
My husband and I weight train together and at one point I could squat twice my body weight. I am not as strong as I once was after having our child, but it’s still a hobby we enjoy and something we like to do together!
