Salem Oregon Family Photographer - cute little outdoor family session

We did this session on a beautiful Spring evening in Salem, OR. This little family is so easy to work with and photograph, which isn’t always the case when there is a tween involved. ;)

Salem Oregon Headshot Photographer - updated acting headshots for Sam!

Sam was one of my senior portrait clients a few years ago and is currently away at college, pursuing his passion for theater. When he was home for a school break, though, we did a quick session to update his acting headshots! Fun fact: We shot these in his grandmother’s dining room!

Salem Oregon Senior Portrait Photographer - Myrick, Class of 2025

Yes, this is a high school senior (not a 30yr old country music singer). Myrick is a great kid, with a good head on his shoulders, and I’m excited for his future. His Mom, who I have known for over 40 yr, taught him how to hunt and brought him to his session, so it seemed fitting that we do a photo with his rifle .

Good luck in the real world, Myrick, and good job, Katie, for raising such a great kid!

Salem Oregon Branding Photographer - professional headshots with Camryn!

We did Camryn’s branding session as a combination of indoors and outdoors. She wanted something modern, clean, and simple, so we started at Studio 22 and then took a quick walk around downtown Salem for a few more shots.

Salem Boudoir Photographer - sweet studio session with an adorable couple!

This couple is obviously adorable, but what you can’t tell is just how sweet they are! They were both pretty quiet and reserved, but had fun with their session and they were so easy to work with! With couples sessions we usually start by doing a few shots with everyone fully dressed (yes, including me). Not only does this give them time to warm up in front of the camera, but it means you end up with a few shots you can share with friends and family, without making it awkward. HA!

Anyway, we shot this session at Studio 22 in downtown Salem. It’s nice and spacious, with a private changing room in the studio and restrooms down the hall. If you want to book a boudoir session, but you want the “dark and moody” look, let’s chat about location! While this space can be adapted to create images that fit that style, I have other options available (and will soon have a boudoir studio at my house!).

Salem Oregon Boudoir Photographer - black & white studio session, using allll the lights

Earlier this year, I was a guest speaker for one of the advanced photography classes at Chemeketa that another instructor teaches. As part of that presentation, I did some sample shots in our studio at school. I wanted to show our students what they could do in the space that is available to them, using lights that are also available to them. I used natural light, off camera flash, strobe lights, continuous lights, and even a flashlight.

I’ve worked with Ashley many times over the years, so this was a breeze for us, even when I ran into technical/gear challenges.

Thank you for your time and experience, Ashley!

Oregon Boudoir Photographer - celebrating Trevor, part 1

Trevor is an incredibly sweet trans man that I did two boudoir sessions with. The first session (part 1) was prior to his top surgery, while the second session was after surgery. I’ve had several clients do this and I feel so honored to be part of their journey and to be considered safe to them. Thank you, Trevor, for trusting me with these photos!

Salem Oregon Senior Portrait Photographer - congrats, Ember!

Yes, these are from three freaking years ago, but I’m just going to go ahead and congratulate her again! Ember finished high school and cosmetology school the same week, so we incorporated that into her cap & gown session. Her sister (who is married to my son) and her mom joined her for a few shots as well.

Salem Oregon Senior Portrait Photographer - Bo, in black & white

I always try to include at least a few black and white shots when doing senior portraits, as they’re simply timeless. I also thought B&W worked well for Bo, as his expressions tend to lean more towards the serious side.

Salem Oregon Branding Photographer - business headshot for a local therapist!

For some reason, I have a lot of clients that are therapists. Maybe it’s because it’s a career I’ve debated doing off and on for decades. Or maybe it’s the universe’s way of telling me to go to therapy. Either way, I’m glad to be working with such awesome humans and Lara was no exception. Plus, I love her style!

Salem Oregon Elopement Photographer - Marion County Courthouse Spring Nuptials

If this bride looks familiar, it is because the bride (Jessica) looks just like her sister (Monica), who I have photographed countless times. In fact, Monica hired me, as a surprise gift for her sister, to shoot their courthouse elopement. If you look closely, you can see Monica and her husband on a video call during the ceremony (on my phone, haha!), as they were out of town at the time.

Anyway, if you’re wondering what one hour of coverage at the local courthouse looks like, here you go! Actually, I think we got all of these shots (plus more) in more like 30 minutes. And in case you didn’t know, some courthouses (including ours here in Marion County) will allow you to do your ceremony on the front lawn!

Congratulations, Jessica & Michael!!

Salem Oregon Branding Photographer - dating profile portraits!

I took these photos nearly 4 years ago, but I just realized today that I never shared them! I had a blast taking these photos for Darlene’s online dating profile. After some photos at her house, we took her golf cart down to the golf course (so fun!) to get some fun shots of her doing what she loves! We also got some fun shots on a bike trail in her neighborhood.

If you would like some updated (ahem, professional) photos for your online dating profile, let me know! I have done several sessions for this exact purpose and it’s so much fun!

Salem Oregon Senior Portrait Photographer - b&w senior session at the Oregon coast!

River (pronounced like Rye-ver) was so great to work with! He was willing to get up ridiculously early for one of his sessions (we shot these on 2 different days) and actually smiled, which is rare for a senior boy. ;) In fact, we even got some laughing shots and outtakes (towards the end of the post). Anyway, his morning session was at one of his favorite beaches in Gearhart while his evening session was done at his house and a family friend’s house.

I took mostly color shots, but wanted to share some b&w images since I love how they turned out!

Salem Oregon Headshot Photographer - indoor/outdoor session with Les!

Les needed headshots both in the studio and outdoors, as well as with and without his suit jacket, so I booked Studio 22 in downtown Salem. The studio is located near a few little alleyways with some greenery, so it was an easy and quick process.

Salem Senior Portrait Photographer - sneak peek from Ember's cap & gown session

Ember is the sister of my daughter-in-law (India). I don’t think there is a word to describe that relationship, but there should be! Anyway, I adore both of these “kids,” even if they’re full grown adults now. Ember graduated high school in June of 2023 and a very short time later (like a week or two?), she earned her cosmetology license. She’s been a hair stylist for a few years now, specializing in vibrant hair color!

Salem Oregon Senior Portrait Photographer - black & white sneak peek (Teddy)

I am pretty sure this guy is at least halfway finished with college by now (yes, I am pretty sure I will forever be behind on blogging and sharing sessions), but here is a sneak peek from his senior portrait session!