Salem Portrait Photographer - April Self-Portrait

Sooo…. I bought myself a really cool birthday gift this year! I brought Ginger home on March 10th, the day after my 45th birthday. She’s a 1973 VW Bus…(an Adventurewagen, to be exact). Her high top is really cool and a bit unique. It doesn’t open/pop up, but instead has storage compartments over the front and back. The open space in the middle allows people to stand up while inside and OMG, it is SO nice! Well, for those under 6ft tall anyway! HA! The sink and cabinets were removed long ago and for my own reasons, I decided to remove the stove and fridge (which were about where I’m sitting in the photo below).

Let me tell you… Ginger was in need of a LOT of work. I mean, she still is, but not nearly as much as when I first got her. The good news is that she runs really well (shout out to Always V-Dub in Portland) now and we have her pretty stripped down and ready to start re-wiring, re-building, etc. My friend, Ryan, rescued this orange beauty from abandonment in central Oregon, but that’s another store for another time. I recently sold Wanda, my 1969 Vintage Aloha trailer (and she is living her best life, as a mobile boutique!), and am SO excited to keep working on Ginger! Don’t worry, I’ll be posting updates soon!

Neskowin Wedding Photographer - Oregon Coast Elopement

I’m not normally this excited to re-blog something, but here we are. River and Levi eloped three years ago and I love sharing the photos from their wedding day! Although I blogged about it shortly afterwards, my website crashed between then and now, so their anniversary seemed like a good excuse to post them again!

The couple had planned a larger event, at their home in La Grande, but with a baby due that same week, they decided to just elope instead. As a wedding photographer, River LOVES elopements, but it took a little convincing to get Levi on board. Little did he know, River had a few surprises in store for him. She had arranged for Levi’s best friends to surprise him at the cutest little A-frame (she told him to come over and help me unload my stuff…having no idea his friends were actually at the house). She also invited all of their closest family and friends to the ceremony and Levi had no idea, until he walked around the corner, to head to the ceremony spot.

Levi is a cryer and I adore that about him. He cried when he was surprised by his best friends and then again by the guests at the ceremony. He also cried multiple times throughout their vows. River, on the other hand, is a nervous/emotional laugher. So, one of them was crying and the other was laughing and it was the most adorable thing ever.

Levi’s sister read a poem, while River’s sister performed the ceremony. The kids were involved too, of course, as family is so important to them. Their oldest was in charge of the rings and although their middle (youngest at the time) was a little pre-occupied with getting her fruit snacks open (and asked for help in the middle of the ceremony), she made a special point of telling her Mama how beautiful she looked! That baby bump? Yeah, he’s 2.5 years old now!

Pretty much everything was DIY for this elopement, but you’d never know by looking because River is crafty as heck. She made her floral crown, her bouquet, the ribbons, etc. She found her dress, which was absolutely perfect for her vintage style, as well as her baby bump, at a local thrift shop for $60. The only alteration she made was removing the long, puffy, chiffon sleeves that were attached to the short, crocheted sleeves.

Salem Oregon Senior Photographer - Sam, Class of 2021

Sam’s mom contacted me, when she was referred to me by another photographer (shoutout to Rebecca at Noses Tails Paws! Click HERE to get more info about her awesome pet photography!). We communicated through email for a bit before meeting up for the session, so while we didn’t know each other, I don’t think we felt like total strangers, either. Sam was a great kid, who was quiet, but so friendly and respectful. His mom was awesome and I’m afraid we spent a little too much time chit-chatting throughout the session (Sorry, Sam!). Anyway, we took a short walk through Minto Brown Park, on a beautiful fall day, to get these shots.

Salem Senior Photographer - BFF mini session!

In keeping with tradition, a couple of smart Moms decided to book a mini session for these besties. You see, these two had their photos taken professionally in Kindergarten, as well as 8th grade, so it only made sense to do it one last time, as they entered their senior year of high school. We even replicated some of their previous poses, such as the “infinity” shot. Kassie & Ryan are not only beautiful, but they’re cold weather troopers too! We met up on a sunny, but CHILLY morning last summer. Despite the low temps, these two were full of energy and smiles.

Time has been flying by like crazy lately and I just can’t believe that these girls are less than two months away from graduating high school! Kassie and Rian…I hope your senior year has been as magical as it could be, all things considered!!

Oh, hey, it's boudoir photos of ME! (not self-portraits)

My dear friend, River, took these photos of me last year. We met up in Hood River in March of 2020 (literally days before the country shut down, due to Covid-19), to exchange photo sessions. Of course, we spent most of the time catching up and laughing. Anyway, this was only my second time having someone else photograph me in a boudoir setting. The first was about a decade ago, with my awesome friend, Azure. Anyway, it was really good for me to get in front of the camera and I looove the photos River created! She even made a little “watercolor” art for me (see last photo)! Oh, and yes, OF COURSE my wrap is Outlander themed. ;)

Salem Portrait Photographer - Happy Birthday to Me!

As part of my monthly self-portrait project, I did my March photos today, which is my 45th birthday! Green is my favorite color, plus St. Patrick’s Day is this month, so… I went a little overboard with the green…and regret nothing.

At the risk of sounding like a braggart, I’m getting REALLY good at these self-portrait outtakes. HAHA! Check out the shot below. I was trying to do a hair flip, but timed it all wrong (obviously). Anyway, I kind of love it because it looks like I am literally…FIRE!!

Salem Boudoir Photographer - self-portraits of my husband and I!

Last fall I rented an amazing airbnb, which happened to have the most beautiful light for portraits (I rented it for the outdoor space, as I was doing photo shoots with my vintage trailer, so using the inside of the house was a bonus!). I actually thought ahead for once and brought my tripod and then finally learned how to hook my DSLR up to my phone, to shoot wirelessly (without having to run back and forth with the self-timer). It’s still a lot of work, but a lot easier than the old way, that’s for sure! Anyway, this started a new tradition, where I do self-portraits with my husband when we travel. :) I mean, hello…he’s totally hot and we look pretty damn smokin’, if I do say so myself. ;) Anyway, I’m really only comfortable sharing a few for now, but here you go!

Salem Oregon Boudoir Photographer - sexy couple in beautiful light

Seriously…could this couple be any sexier? I couldn’t get enough of this light and they couldn’t get enough of each other! To say the least, I absolutely adored working with these two gorgeous humans!