Recent Adventures at alyson levy PHOTOGRAPHY
My first contact with Amber and Dave was something of a whirlwind: Amber booked me as their wedding photographer on Friday morning, and on Saturday afternoon we were meeting up at Rowena Crest to take their engagement photos! This turned out phenomenally well, since the timing was just right to catch these gorgeous wildflowers in the Columbia River Gorge. (I've done quite a few photo sessions at this very spot, but I've never seen it in bloom before. Such a treat!)
I was so excited to be a part of Amity + John's intimiate springtime wedding at the lovely Elder Hall (Ned Ludd's event space) in N Portland, Oregon. I especially love working with out-of-town brides and grooms as they put together their wedding plans, and as I scoped out their Airbnb and the neighborhood surrounding their venue so that I could make suggestions for photo locations and offer guidance about their schedule, I was already thrilled about the possibilities. As they planned their big day, a sort of bright floral theme appeared, with a gorgeous floral sash on the mantle behind their ceremony, a lovely flower crown headpiece for the bride, amazing acrylic flower earrings, and lots of other pops of springtime color
I am so excited to share Kendra + Mero’s beautiful Silcox Hut Wedding photography. It was such an amazing day, from climbing into the snowcat at Timberline Lodge and ascending Mt. Hood to this amazing little wood and stone hut, to braving the cold and blowing snow to take mountaintop photos of the bridal party, to the gorgeous ceremony and reception.
First wedding of the new year, and it’s a two-parter: yesterday morning I met Kendra and Mero and their families at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral for their wedding ceremony, and tomorrow we head up to the Silcox Hut above Timberline Lodge for their wedding reception! It was a blustery but lovely morning for their church ceremony (which just happened to be in my neighborhood!), and it was great fun to see some new wedding traditions and meet some of the happy couple’s family. Looking forward to their big day tomorrow!
I almost can’t believe how cute this little one is. And I have to say – 6 month baby photos are some of my favorites. Babies are sitting up on their own, and so interactive! Ayla’s parents and grandmother did a stellar job of making her laugh for our photos, and those big cheeks just kill me. All in all, a great day. I hope to see much more of this adorable little family in the future!
Such fun to be back again for Mayda’s 9 month photos with her adorable family. This time we had a rainy day in Eugene, so we spent some time on the floor in the playroom before heading out into the misty daylight. But such pretty daylight! And ponchos and puddles… I can’t wait to complete the set for Mayda’s first birthday!
I knew from my very first contact with Joelle that I was going to be absolutely delighted to photograph her winter wedding at Union/Pine in SE Portland. For one thing, my portfolio was filled with her friends and neighbors – a friend from high school, her former across-the-street neighbors, her godson, and several colleagues – not only is it super fun when that happens (Portland can feel like such a small town at times!), but it’s also always nice to see old photography clients all dressed up for wedding festivities. Also, I was super taken with her story – she told me that she and her fiancé James had been together for many years, but were consciously waiting until all their friends could be legally married before making it official. Once the supreme court’s decision legalized gay marriage earlier this year, they set about tying the knot!
For those of you who may be wondering if I ever do anything other than photograph weddings: behold: proof that I’m a real Oregonian! It’s true, I’m not the biggest fan of beer or coffee (heresy here in Portland!), but I love a beautiful, drippy day and some tasty Pinot Noir in Oregon’s gorgeous wine country. I recently had the chance to visit Willakenzie Estate in the beautiful Willamette Valley with some of the lovely staff from Andina Restaurant. We were treated to a picturesque and educational tour by Mike, the vineyard manager, and a phenomenal tasting with Thibeaud, the winemaker, including a chance to taste from the barrels of as-yet-to-be-bottled vintages. It was fascinating to see the care they put into their vineyards and their wines, and to learn about some of the art and science behind how the wine comes together. And I picked up some delicious wines to enjoy over the upcoming holiday season! Big win. Thanks so much for your hospitality, Willakenzie!
