Gone too soon - RIP, Rachel.

I posted about this on Facebook last month, but wanted to post here as well, as today would have been Rachel & Hao’s third wedding anniversary.

I met Hao about six years ago, when he moved in a few houses down from us (with my son, actually). He was full of energy and personality and talked about Rachel every chance he got. I couldn’t wait to meet her and when I finally did, I could see exactly why he was so smitten’. She has one of the biggest smiles I’ve ever seen and she just radiated kindness.

I was absolutely honored, when they asked if I would be their wedding photographer. We had a great time during their engagement session, so I knew their big day would be fun. And I was right. It was an amazing day, at a beautiful venue, with a couple that was madly in love. The way those two looked at each other…you could FEEL how in love they were.

On February 29th, Rachel was in a fatal car accident, on her way to work as a kindergarten teacher. She and her family moved back to her hometown of Glide, Oregon, a few years ago. So, not only are her husband and family missing her, but there’s also a group of kindergarteners, a school, and an entire community feeling her loss.

This is not the first bride of mine to pass away, but this one is definitely the hardest and seems the most unfair. She was only 27 years old.

Although I shared Rachel and Hao’s wedding photos back in 2021 (you can view that blog post HERE), I thought I’d do something different for this blog post. Instead of sharing the photos that essentially show a summary of the whole day, I wanted to share photos that focused specifically on Rachel and her beautiful smile.

Hao, I am so incredibly sorry for your loss. I cannot even begin to imagine what you have gone through or what you will continue to go through. You and Rachel will forever be on my mind and in my heart.

RIP, Rachel.

Newport Oregon Portrait Photographer - 25th anniversary sneak peek!

My husband and I celebrated our 25th anniversary at the Oregon coast on December 19th, 2023. While we were there, we put on our fancy clothes and did some self-portraits at our airbnb, which was an amazing cabin in the woods, with a view of the ocean.

We did take a trip to Hawaii back in October, as that was when the weather was best and when we could get the time off, but we didn’t do any portraits while we were there. I mostly just took photos of flowers, but will share those (and more from our coastal portraits) one of these days.

Oregon Coast Boudoir Photographer - outdoor session with LGBTQ+ couple!

Hope (she/her) and Asil (they/them) decided to book a couples boudoir session for their 10th wedding anniversary. They had planned a weekend getaway to the Oregon coast and asked if I would be interested in photographing a woodsy outdoor session. I don’t think Asil even finished the question before I blurted out, “OMG, yes!!” Haha.

I took a day trip to the coast ahead of time to do some location scouting and found the PERFECT spot! It was woodsy and mossy, with a Twilight vibe.

We were all mentally prepared for some horrible Winter weather, but we totally lucked out! It was really cold, BUT the sun was shining! With no wind or rain, we didn’t have anything to complain about (and eventually we got used to the cold)

Salem Oregon Senior Portrait Photographer - mini session with Makayla (Class of 2023)

I’m a sucker for a sundress and jean jackets with cowgirl boots, so when Makayla showed up in this adorable outfit, I was thrilled. We shot this mini session at a park near my house, which gave us a little bit of greenery AND a little bit of fall color, plus a variety of backgrounds.

Oregon Newborn Photographer - newborn session at home with baby Ravi

I met Jessica & David at their maternity session in Salem (CLICK HERE TO VIEW THOSE PHOTOS), but for Ravi’s newborn session we opted to shoot at the family’s home in Portland. In fact, we shot in the nursery, which offered some beautifully dramatic window light. Ravi was unexpectedly fussy during the session, but you’d never know by looking at these photos (yay for patience and creativity on my part, haha)!

I also managed to get a couple of photos of Cat Damon, as he was very curious as to what we were doing.

Portland Oregon Newborn Photographer - casual family session at home! (part 1)

I love, love, LOVE watching my clients’ families grow and this adorable family is no exception! I met Ashley & Alina (aka Ashlina) over 8 years ago, when they were newly engaged. Since their engagement session, I’ve photographed a lot of their milestones, including newborn sessions for each of their little ones. With their first baby, I visited them in the hospital, but with their newest bundle we opted for a session in their home. It was definitely the best option with an energetic toddler in the mix!

Salem Oregon Family Photographer - b&w family portraits (studio)

I love shooting outdoors, but sometimes (usually due to weather) shooting in a studio is a necessity! Families, especially those with young children, tend to have more fun when they’re not freezing cold or soaking wet. As you can see, this adorable little family had a great time during their indoor fall mini session!

Side note: I no longer have my own studio, but I still have access to several others (including the one in these photos) that are available as hourly rentals. So, if you like the look of this space, let me know when you book your session!

Salem Oregon Portrait Photographer - curvy & colorful

This was such a fun session! Aly is obviously beautiful on the outside, but she was also an absolute sweetheart to work with! We spent some time, just walking around and chatting in downtown Salem, while also getting some updated shots for her modeling portfolio. It felt like I was catching up with an old friend, even though it was the first time we’d ever met.

Salem Oregon Boudoir Photographer - Dear Cancer, F#ck You! (pre-mastectomy session))

Shortly after “C” was diagnosed with breast cancer, she decided she wanted to book a boudoir session, to document her body. Her wife contacted me, to start the process of a scheduling a pre-mastectomy photo shoot, and then details were finalized with C. I met them both at my studio on the day of the session and even snapped a few shots of them together (C’s wife asked that her photos not be shared), before C’s wife took off for a solo walk around downtown Salem.

I think the cover of her notebook says it everything there is to say about Canceer.

(For those wanting an update…C’s surgery and treatment were successful and she is doing well.)

Salem Oregon Maternity Photographer - books, plants, and an adorable baby bump!

Sometimes it’s just too dang hot outside do do a maternity session. This was one of those days, when we had record highs last August. Rather than try to sweat through the heat, we opted to shoot in the studio, where we could all rejoice about the air conditioning.

The parents-to-be brought some of their favorite baby books, their ultrasound images, a baby blanket, and a name sign. I gathered up all of the plants (fake and real) that I could find, and Jessica’s emerald green lace dress tied it all together perfectly.

Salem Oregon Elopement Photographer - Christmas nuptials at Deepwood Museum & Gardens

As I mentioned last week, I will be re-blogging some of my favorite elopements, now that they’re my main focus (for weddings, that is). This one is a perfect example of what a local elopement can look like…and what I’d love to shoot more of!

If you follow my blog, you’ll probably recognize this couple. I’ve been working with them for about 7 years now and they have quite the love story. I did their engagement session in early 2017, as they planned for their wedding that fall. Only Anna was diagnosed with breast cancer and the wedding was going to be right in the middle of treatment. So, they decided to elope in December of 2017 and then have their “big” wedding celebration in fall of 2018.

Choosing to say their vows in December meant Anna’s out-of-town grandmother would be there AND that the Deepwood Museum (ie. the big house) would be beautifully decorated for the holidays. I had photographed several weddings at this venue and it never disappoints, but this was the first time one of my clients actually got married IN the house, rather than outdoors.

After their “first look” and some portraits, they moved indoors for their ceremony. As the sun went down on that beautiful December day, Kan and Anna exchanged vows in front of their closest family members.

Salem Oregon Boudoir Photographer - cozy cabin + coffee + flannel

This is one of the many blog posts that I lost, when my website crashed a few years ago. With the current weather conditions (snow, freezing rain, ice), it feels fitting to share this kickass session that I did in Canby a few years back. Tiffany is one of my long-time clients, who I’m confident I’ll be friends with for the rest of my life. She’s awesome and I adore her.

West Coast Wedding Photographer - Nupials at Aah Ranch, in Lompoc, CA

I’ve known April for over 20 years, so when she asked if I would fly down to California to photograph her and Chris’s wedding last year, I did not hesitate to answer with a big, “Hell, yeah!” Not only was I excited to document this big day for my friend, but I was admittedly excited about shooting in the California sun. I’ve been fortunate enough to have a few clients in California and there is just nothing like the light you get down there!

Only it wasn’t sunshiny. At all. In fact, their part of the state had the most rain they’d had in decades and everything flooded just days before the wedding, including their venue (Aah Ranch). Even the airport closed! Thankfully, though, the water receded just enough to open most things back up…literally the day before I flew in. It rained most of the time I was there, including on their wedding day, but it was still beautiful and in the end it made for a great story. Plus, how fortunate to have hired a wedding photographer who is VERY versed at shooting in the rain?

Anyway, Christ picked me up from the airport when I arrived. That was my first time meeting him and it honestly just felt like I had known him forever. We chatted the whole drive, from the airport to my hotel, which was great, as it gave me a chance to get to know him prior to their big day.

April and Chris has a beautiful day, celebrating with family and friends. The love from everyone was palpable and I’m so happy I was able to be part of it. They just celebrated their first wedding anniversary (yes, I’m always this behind on blogging, lol), so HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, MR. & MRS. HUCKABEY!!