summer wedding

My sister-in-law, Kathi, and I flew to Utah this summer to shoot this couple's wedding and Utah reception. A week later we shot their second reception in Beaverton, Oregon.

We shot another wedding for this family a few years ago (plus my sister-in-law know the family really well) so it was fun to see everyone again.

Here are some of the detail shots from both receptions--one in Layton, Utah and the other in Beaverton, Oregon. The Oregon reception had an Asian theme.

funny Christmas card shoot

This shoot was so funny! I was almost laughing too hard to take pictures. 

The setting was my friend's small home office, and we were trying to take her Christmas card photos. The subjects--my friend, her husband and their grandkids. I was standing in the closet as far back as I could be and all the parents (and other relatives) were squeezed into the room trying to get the kids to both look at the camera and/or smile (or not cry). The adults were a riot!

fall senior photo sessions

I always enjoy shooting senior photos. I had shoots at my favorite park and in downtown Portland. Weather always plays a part in scheduling a shoot. We were pretty lucky this year and had great weather for most of the shoots.
There are several keys to getting a client to relax--have them sit or lean on something, have them hold something or put hands in pockets, or get them to jump or leap in the air. Seniors are great at behaving naturally in front of the camera.
Here are some of my favorite shots from a few of the senior sessions I did last fall...

This location by the side of the road has been one of my favorite "sets". The sun (when it's out) usually provides a great backlight and the weeds are wonderful part of the photo

This was a great leap off the stairs!

Downtown has some great art and graffiti on the sides of buildings

His sister made him pose with these 

How could you not include one of Portland's many bridges in a shoot in downtown?

spring wedding

First the engagement photos and now the wedding. I was glad to shoot both. It was a fun wedding day. 

The groom designed and created the couple's wedding footwear.

Family group photos were taken in a friend's yard. Some of the bride & groom shots were taken on her side porch

The wedding party

The flower girls

Sisters

The little flower girls were so adorable during the wedding pictures downtown

Introducing the new Mr. and Mrs.

One of the flower girls held the bride's train during the first dance

Retrieving the garter

First kiss as husband and wife

Since the bride's mother is one of my best friends, I was also able to help decorate for the wedding. It was fun to be able to help!

Tags were provided for guests to write wedding advice--"keys to success"

Guests got to guess which statement fit the bride or the groom. Pushpins with a picture of the bride or the groom were used to make a vote.

Navy and yellow were this spring wedding's colors

The bride wanted to take photos in a certain location downtown. We started shooting (got this adorable one here) but were kicked out because we weren't customers. Headed to Powell's Books to finish the rest of our shoot