Hood River Boudoir Photographer - sexy mama, on the other side of the camera

I’ve already posted about this day with my friend, River, but now that it’s a year later, everything looks different. We met up on March 7th, 2020, so not just twelve months ago, but a year of pandemic/quarantine. We went into “lockdown” just a few days after this. At the time, we had NO idea how much things would change.

This was our last “normal” weekend, but we didn’t know it. When I look back at these photos, they just FEEL different than they did a year ago. It’s hard to explain, but I can SEE the carefree look on her face that I just doubt is there right now (for any of us)!

Corvallis Wedding Photographer - Cheryl & Rob's Cristmas Tree Farm Elopement!

With everything being shut down, due to the pandemic, Cheryl & Rob decided to elope this past December. This little Christmas tree farm was such a great little elopement venue and Cheryl’s gold velvet dress could not have been any more perfect! Her unique bouquet, made by Morning Glories Floral, was a beautiful compliment to everything. The only attendants were their children, which was just so sweet and perfect.

Cheryl & Rob are such a cute couple. They remind me a bit of my husband and I…she is outgoing, funny, loud, slightly inappropriate (haha!), and friendly. He was more quiet and reserved, but also so darn nice! Anyway, it seemed perfect that they got married on our wedding anniversary! It’ll be an honor to forever share an anniversary with them!

Salem Portrait Photographer - If you love her, leave her wild.

Tiffany is basically my muse now. She started off as a client about a decade ago and quickly became a friend. At first it was just a few boudoir sessions (she’s sort of addicted to them), but then we started doing family sessions and every now and then she models for me as well. This session, for example, was very spontaneous (i.e. less than 12 hours notice), as I wanted to shoot in this field before my neighbors mowed it. The “flowers” had never been this tall, in the 12 yrs we’ve lived here, so it HAD to be done. I’m so glad I did because they flattened the field (to reduce fire danger) a day or two later.

I knew Tiffany would have just the right outfit for this shoot, as she’s a country girl and loves the outdoors. I also knew she’d be 100% fine with traipsing through a field full of burrs, dirt clods, rocks, and holes. She’s a bit of a wild woman…in the best way possible. She’s been through a lot the last few years and one of the most beautiful things I’ve seen is her fully embracing who she is and letting it shine! Someday, she’ll meet a man who loves her for exactly who she is and he won’t try to tame her. ;)

Hood River Oregon Boudoir Photographer - shooting in my underwear!

My friend, River, and I met up in Hood River last year to take photos of each other (both boudoir and regular portraits). I’m sure it was a hilarious sight to see us photographing each other, as we we were both in our undies and taking turns photographing each other. This was the first (and so far only) time I’ve done a session while not fully dressed, but I have to say… it was SO fun! Anyway, we managed to get ONE shot of each other at the exact same time. Here are the results…

Portland Family Photographer - Bringing Cheerfulness to an Overcast day!

To be clear, I mean the BABY is the one bringing the cheerfulness! I met up with Katie & Miguel (former wedding clients of mine!!) at their home in Vancouver, for a fall mini session. Due to her Addison’s Disease, this Mama a compromised immune system, which means her family has been quarantined for over a year (they were already quarantining, due to her illness, prior to the pandemic)! Their house backs up to a greenbelt, which was perfect for outdoor photos, without having to go out in public. I was able to shoot from a good distance (and a mask, of course), which kept everyone safe. Allistair was a little shy at first, but quickly warmed up to the idea of doing family photos and had us all laughing by the end. His yellow outfit was a perfect match for his bubbly and curious personlity!

Salem Senior Portrait Photographer - Aleena, Class of 2021

As I mentioned on my sneak peek post, this girl is musical! I got to hear her sing, during her session, and her voice is beautiful! Not only is she gorgeous and talented, she’s also smart and drive. Aleena is graduating a year and a half early from high school! What?! Yep, true story.

Salem Senior Portrait Photographer - B&W sneak peek

I had so much fun photographing this senior. She’s plays guitar and sings…both of which I had the privilege of hearing during our shoot! We walked around the downtown Salem area with her parents, who were SO sweet, while laughing, chatting, and snapping photos. More from this session to come very soon!

Salem Oregon Family Photographer - Hangin' out in Omaha.

I have known this family for over a decade and although they live halfway across the country, I love keeping in touch with them and of course, taking their photos any chance I can. I met Amy online about 15yrs ago (before making friends was a thing and everyone thought I was a weirdo, but whatever…who’s laughing now?!) and photographed her family for the first time when their oldest was in Kindergarten. That same kid is in college now! Anyway, we zipped over to a nearby park for a super quick family session and got these great shots! I love how quirky her family is and that it is fully represented in their shoes and socks.

Salem Engagement Photographer - pink & green engagement session at Deepwood Estate

I met up with Jonni & Rubi at Historic Deepwood Estate for their engagement session last summer. Although I’d met Jonny a few times, I’d only spoken to Rubi on the phone prior to doing these photos. It was fun to finally get to interact with them, even if it was from 6+ feet a way and behind a mask, as well as see them together. They’re as cute as can be and their wedding, which was a month later, was beautiful!

Salem Wedding Photographer - Quarantine Elopement!

Jenna and Richard were scheduled to get married in the summer of 2020, but like many other couples, were forced to change their plans, due to COVID-19. A lot of venues and vendors were shut down for months, or at the very least had restrictions that made wedding planning difficult. In addition to the worldwide pandemic, the bride’s father was going through cancer treatment, so they decided to just elope, but still on their original wedding date, with a larger celebration/wedding planned for 2021. Unfortunately, the grooms father passed away unexpectedly about a month before the elopement. :(

Despite the loss and sadness, their families managed to be filled with joy and happiness on this special day. The couple eloped at the Wedding House, which is a small privately owned venue in Salem. Due to COVID restrictions, I did not attend their ceremony, but we met up immediately afterwards at Bush Park. The first thing they did was sign their marriage certificate, with their mothers as their witnesses. We then did a group photo with the whole family, after which everyone headed off to dinner, while the newlyweds stayed behind for a few portraits. I thought Jenna looked adorable in her Granny’s vintage dress (she has another dress that she’ll wear this year for their larger celebration) and Richard in his vest and hat. I first met Jenna a few years ago, when she was a photography student of mine (I still use her final project as an example in my class). She was just the sweetest, kind-hearted person and I was absolutely honored that she would consider me for her wedding photography. I met Richard when we did our in-person consultation and he’s also super nice and just down to earth and easygoing. Anyway, I’m wishing a lifetime of happiness to this beautiful couple and can’t wait to photograph them again this year!

Salem Portrait Photographer - adorable teen, on film

This teenager is artsy and cool and it only seemed right that she be photographed with an analog camera. If you’re not a film photographer, this will probably mean nothing to you, but these were shot on Fuji 400h. I’m so sad that this film stock has been discontinued (and that I didn’t have a stash of it). The skin tones and the greens are so dreamy.

Camera: Canon EOS-3
Film: Fuji 400h
Film Lab: The FIND Lab

Salem Portrait Photographer - Smoochin' in Omaha!

These are my friends, Amy and Tim. I visited them back in 2019, to do their daughter’s senior portraits, as well as some family photos. After the family session, I had Amy change into this super cute dress that I spotted in her closet (it didn’t match for the family photos) for a few photos of just her and Tim, out in the middle of the street. I loved this dress so much that I purchased the exact same one for myself when I returned to Oregon. HA!

Oregon LGBTQIA+ Senior Portrait Photographer - Matt, Class of 2020

In August of 2019, I traveled to Nebraska to do senior portrait’s for my friend’s daughter (you can see some of those photos by CLICKING HERE) . While there, I also met and photographed Matt, who happened to be the aforementioned senior’s best friend. This young adult is well spoken, funny, intelligent (currently at college on an academic scholarship), and really just a nice and easy going person to be around.

Matt is trans, uses he/they pronouns, and is part of the LGBTQIA+ community. Incorporating his rainbow umbrella was totally a given. I mean, an umbrella AND rainbows AND a prism?! Yes, please!