Boudoir doesn’t have to be light and airy and you don’t have to wear pretty lingerie. Sometimes it is dark and moody, with combat boots, funky tights, tattoos and piercings.
Salem Boudoir Photographer - keeping it simple
Boudoir clients are often overwhelmed, when trying to decide what to wear. Sometimes it’s best to just stop overthinking it and keep it simple. Grab a button down shirt from your closet (or your partner’s) and call it good!
Salem Family Photographer - GCU sendoff!
If this family looks familiar to you, it’s probably because I’ve photographed them a lot. I mean, I’ve known Loui (the mom) for 30 years and Travis for nearly as long. Anyway, they have the cutest tradition for their family. Whenever one of their kids goes off to college, they all dress up in that college’s swag and do family portraits. Kyle is the 2nd oldest, but I’m so behind on blogging that he’s almost a junior in college and they sent another off last year!
Anyway, these were the photos we did (at their home) for Kyle’s sendoff to Grand Canyon University!
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.
Salem Oregon Elopement Photographer - surprise proposal and silver falls
I have photographed a few surprise proposals, but this one was the most special, as it was my own son doing the proposing! Karson and India met in high school, through piano lessons, so this was a long time coming. Because India and her sister have modeled for me in the past, it was easy to “trick” her into this.
Karson and I got everyone up to Silver Falls, under the guise of doing a Spring themed photo shoot. We even ordered some vibrant bouquets from Morning Glories Floral! Only, we didn’t realize there would still be snow up there until we arrived! The girls were FREEZING in their spring dresses, so we had to be quick about it. Thankfully, the hike to the spot was short.
Having India’s mom there seemed totally normal, as she’d been to all of the girls’ previous shoots (senior portraits, modeling, etc.). Karson was there to carry everything for me (and I made sure he actually did, of course).
We planned it out so that at one point Karson would walk India’s bouquet over to her, and when he did he gave her a quick kiss and then dropped to one knee. As you can see from her face, she was VERY surprised. Mission accomplished!!
Afterwards, both families met up for dinner and we had a great time celebrating their engagement! I’m so behind on blogging that it has actually been over a year since this happened!
Salem Boudoir Photographer - fun with fairy lights
This session is from a few years ago, but I love it so much that I wanted to share it again!
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)
Portland Oregon Newborn Photographer - casual family session at home! (part 2)
If you missed part 1, you can CLICK HERE to see those photos.
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.
Salem Oregon Portrait Photographer - dramatic b&w portraits of Karina
Karina BROUGHT IT to this session!
Salem Oregon Portrait Photographer - simple b&w portrait of Maisie
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 Portrait Photographer - sweet 16 portraits in b&w
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.)
Vancouver Washington Family Photographer - adorably at-home session with a baby and a toddler!
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.