Kennedy and Kent – Larch Mountain Maternity Photos – Oregon
We’d originally planned to do maternity photos with Kennedy last Sunday, but on Saturday after looking at the weather report (and seeing massive rain planned) I texted her to see if they’d be up for taking photos right away instead. Lucky for me, she is my neighbor (and also one of my oldest friends) so it wasn’t too crazy for us to all pile in a car last minute. We first headed the Historic Columbia Highway and thought we might take some pictures with the Gorge in the background, but staying close to the edge of cliffs proved to be extremely windy and cold – so we headed up Larch Mountain and found some fun and somewhat sheltered spots for photos. Her baby is due in only a couple short weeks, and Kennedy looks absolutely stunning, she was even willing to climb up a hill (and onto a stump) so we could catch a bit of the coastal range in the background of a few shots. I cannot wait to meet baby Fletcher when he arrives!
Luisa and Aaron – Sauvie Island Engagement Photos – Portland, Oregon
For their engagement session, Luisa and Aaron were courageous enough to brave an October Saturday on Sauvie Island. Not only is Pacific Northwest a bit unpredictable in the fall, but on Sauvie Island, October is prime pumpkin patch season. Lucky for us, traffic wasn’t bad at all, and the weather couldn’t have been better for their engagement photos. The three of us drove around on the island until we found a spot that felt just right for their photos, and began exploring on foot (and on bikes!). I am so happy with how these photos turned out, the light was just right, and these two were absolutely wonderful together, so natural and fun, and willing to play around and take a few risks to try out a pose or two. I am so excited to photograph their wedding next August!
Elida and Derek – Tanner Springs Park and Portland City Grill Wedding – Portland, Oregon
I met with Elida and Derek at Tanner Springs Park in Portland’s Pearl District before their wedding ceremony just as the late afternoon sun was beginning to get lower in the sky. We were able to take lots of pictures in and around the park, including on the boardwalk and near some nice looking architectural features in the neighborhood. I couldn’t keep these two from smiling at each other (but who needs to stop smiling on their wedding day anyhow!), Elida looked just stunning in her white gown with her hair curled and pinned to one side, and Derek looked handsome in his navy suit.  After our quick photo session we headed over to the Portland City Grill – way up on the 30th floor with gorgeous views of the Portland skyline, for their ceremony and reception.  Guests ate and drank and visited with one another as the sun set and the city began to light up against the night sky.  Just as evening really set in, they had their first dance, and afterwards fed each other bites of their gluten-free wedding cake. I was so happy to get to be a small part of Elida and Derek’s wedding day! Some of my favorite wedding photos are below.
Melissa and Mike – Castaway Portland Wedding
Melissa and Mike were married at Castaway in Portland Oregon. This wedding was a bit different for me because not only was I photographing some of it, I was also in the bridal party. Since I couldn’t be in two places at once, I had some awesome help from deena of d. selbak photography to capture the ceremony, the bridal party, and some of the portraits, so that I could do my duties as a bridesmaid. Luckily the wedding was intimate enough that I could just pick my camera back up and photograph bits here and there, and spend some time with the couple doing portraits along the train tracks, in front of that beautiful backdrop of lights, as well as with those incredible giant balloons at the end of the night. I even snapped my first picture ever of a little hummingbird who was having a little snack as the groom waited for his first look at the bride.
This wedding was a wonderful mix of the industrial look of Castaway, and the really rich and beautiful details that the girls all helped Melissa put together. We made the tassels for the balloons and for the decorations, the confetti, her husband Mike helped make the structures to hang the string lights that made up the ceremony backdrop, as well as all the chalk boards, and the centerpieces with the faux mercury glass votives. We also tied together scraps of fabric for the photobooth backdrop – which turned out looking really awesome. The floral arrangements were just gorgeous and really complimented the colors of the girls dresses and the grey suits worn by the groomsmen. The little treasure boxes carried by the ring bearers later served to hold lots of M&Ms from the candy bar, and I loved all the pink and gold confetti that the flower girls (and later everyone else) threw as they went down the aisle. The giant balloons were something Melissa had mentioned early on in the decorating planning process, and they really added a great element to the portraits.
I am so happy to get to share this wedding with you! I was very lucky to get to be in it and to help document it for these two!
Jen and Erik – Engagment Photos in the Rain – Noble Woods Park
Even though it’s been a rainy past few weeks here in Oregon, the photos must go on! And go on they did when I met up with Jen and Erik (and their dog chipper!) for engagement photos at Noble Woods Park in Hillsboro. I thought that Noble Woods Park looked just beautiful with the overcast sky and the mist of rain against the mossy greens in the trees. Erik and Jen are the sort of couple that you can’t help but constantly be smiling and laughing when you are with them – and a little bit of rain did not stop them from from being just as happy and cheerful (and in love) as could be.   I am so excited to photograph them at their wedding this coming summer!
Winter Family Photos – Portland, OR
About a month ago, one one of the coldest days of December, I had the chance to photograph the darling Evelyn and her parents. It was so chilly that we only spent a few minutes outside taking pictures at a time, and went inside to warm up in between our mini photo sessions. I think it was worth it though, because we ended up with some really adorable photographs.
Miles – Baby Portraits – Portland Oregon
I was so excited to get to take pictures of baby Miles with his family last weekend, Miles was sweet and mellow, and took a little nap during our session, but also gave us plenty of awake time to photograph those big brown eyes! Mom and Dad and great danes Blu and Tucker were great sports about hopping in some family photos. I loved the “Made in Oregon” sign that shows up in a few photos (that was Miles’ parents’ idea). Mom and Dad and Grandma were all wonderful helpers keeping Miles happy and helping keep Blu and Tucker occupied with lots of treats (although both pups were very curious about all the photo action).
Gracie – Newborn Photos – Portland
I was very lucky to spend the morning with baby Gracie and her mom and dad. Little Gracie is the baby Emily and Marcus (remember their wedding from a few years back?), and she is just one week old today! She was a great sport during all our moving about in the photo session, and even let us pose her near some of the colorful cranes that were part of her parents’ wedding decor. I’m including a couple pictures of her nursery because I just loved how Emily uses so much color for that cheery room, her uncle even made a really cool narwhale piece or art for her wall (and it isn’t pictured but there is an octopus to match). I also loved the little stuffed animal monsters that were made by her grandma. All in all, a really great way to spend the morning!
Kinzie – Newborn Baby Photos – Portland Oregon
I love getting the chance to photograph newborn babies, and Kinzie was no exception. She was sweet and sleepy for most of our photo shoot, but woke up for a few pictures with her dog Charlie (Charlie was a little harder to get to sit still for the photos – I think she was excited about being a guard dog for the new baby). Everyone got to take turns holding Kinzie throughout the day, and mom and dad were super patient with me as we moved around furniture and snapped photos all over the house. I even took a few of her super cute pink nursery, which her mom and dad were busy decorating in the months leading up to her arrival. What a wonderful family, and what a beautiful new baby!
Christi and Patrick’s Wedding – Leach Botanical Garden Portland
Christi and Patrick got married this weekend at the beautiful Leach Botanical Garden in Portland, OR. Christi and Patrick are from Hawaii, so I actually didn’t get a chance to meet them in person until their wedding day, as soon as I met them I knew I’d be in for a great day – both were so calm and happy and the wedding went off without a hitch! I couldn’t have been happier to get to be a part of their celebration, what an absolutely lovely couple!
See the full wedding gallery here.
