When artists get married, their weddings are always especially beautiful. So it was with Amira and Noah’s lovely Oregon Coast wedding at Camp Magruder last September.
I first met Amira when she was a bridesmaid in Tim and Sylvie’s wedding in Minneapolis several summers ago. We all live in Portland, Oregon, but travelled to Minnesota for the wedding. Since then, I’ve worked with her several times, photographing her beautiful jewelry designs and making some environmental portraits to help promote her business. I was excited to photograph her wedding because I knew that she had great taste and the skills to translate her artist’s eye into very photogenic wedding. And she and her financé Noah didn’t disappoint!
The day started early and went late, but everyone was in amazingly good spirits throughout. It was especially fun for me because I got to cross several things off my bucket list — 1. Though I was was born and raised in NY, I had never before walked the Brooklyn Bridge. It was a gorgeous day for it. 2. This was my first time photographing an elopement, and Chad and Hans generously devoted a large part of their big day to allowing me to photograph them, which was amazing, and 3. Despite a veritable gaggle of gay friends (largely earned through my many years studying and working in theater), this was my first opportunity to photograph a gay wedding. I did my best to make the most of the chance — for Chad and Hans, whom I love, and for added diversity in my portfolio! Through either the courts or the ballot box here in Oregon, I’m optimistic that there will be lots more beautiful weddings on the horizon, and I can’t wait to be a part of them as the wedding photographer. Love is love!
Anne and Adam were married at her family’s Oregon Vineyard late last summer. When we met up the weekend before, it was pouring down rain and Anne was a little nervous about their lack of weather contingency plans. Adam had complete faith, though, and turned out to be right — their wedding day was clear, sunny, and VERY bright.
I love this couple and this wedding. (I love it so much that I just ordered a new sample wedding album for my studio using these photos.) It was the first time I saw rain on an August wedding in Portland Oregon in my photography career (despite our wet reputation, it never rains in August here!) — and with another couple, this might have spelled disaster or at the very least, caused a few tears. Not these two. Neon and John stood in the rain to say their vows with smiles on their faces, and enjoyed every bit of it, as far as I could tell. Really, the drizzle lasted just long enough to break the humidity from earlier in the day and give everything a bit of a glow for the photos, so I enjoyed it immensely. And when it was done there was delicious dinner from ¿Por Que No? Taqueria, heartfelt speeches, homemade pies and lots of dancing. As a wedding photographer, there wasn’t much more I could ask for.
I’m going to lay these cards on the table right here — the photograph above was accomplished with equal parts luck and doggy bribery. Sure, a glowing, photogenic expectant mother and an adorable dog sound like a recipe for automatic success, but if you’ve ever tried to get pictures with your pet, you know that this is not always the case. Certain stars have to align, and I’m sure glad they did.
As for the rest of the shoot, it was hard to go wrong with this amount of cute all in the same room (or yard, as it were). Full disclosure: Brigitte found the idea for the basketball photos on Pinterest and loved them, so we made them happen, with the clever addition of Eric’s old-school Celtics jacket from when he was a kid. Stay tuned for newborn photos (I’m sure there’ll be even more cute to come!)
For Jenny and Alden, this session was about capturing a moment in time just before their lives changed in a big way. I love how these images manage to convey their love and affection for each other, as well as a feeling of excitement and anticipation for baby’s arrival. (I’m especially fond of the last image — standing amidst the clutter of an unfinished nursery, two people solidly together and so clearly in love.) My hope is that over the years, my clients will look back at photos I’ve taken for them and will find clear memories of important parts of their family’s story, and be glad that they took the time to stop and capture those moments.
There’s something truly magical about shooting on the Oregon Coast. Even on a fairly grey day, the skies and textures of the beach come through beautifully on film. That’s why I was so excited when a former client got together with some friends to hire me to travel out to Seaside to take maternity and newborn photos as a baby shower gift for Mandy and Dave.
As promised, Rob and Anna’s beautiful Mt. Tabor wedding ceremony! I’m not sure dear friends Rob and Anna could’ve made this any easier on me — in addition to being one of the most photogenic couples around (I can’t look at these pictures of Anna without thinking of old Hollywood Glamour), they chose to have their ceremony atop Mt Tabor. For those of you who aren’t familiar, Mt. Tabor is a volcano in Southeast Portland with views of the city and beautiful, mottled light. Add in a host of beautiful, thoughtful details, like a simple, classic fabric banner to mark their ceremony site, a hand fasting ceremony using her grandmother’s lace and his family’s tartan, and lovely coils of paper containing their vows, and you have a photographer’s dream wedding. . .
