Salem Maternity Photographer - Ashley & Alina are expecting!

Although the blog post was lost when my website crashed a few years ago, I documented Ashley & Alina’s gorgeous wedding in 2016. They accidentally started a tradition, where Alina wears a flannel shirt for photos with me. She wore one for their engagement session and then for their wedding. At that point, they realized the trend and decided to continue it. I’ve photographed them 7 times total (I think?) and Alina has worn a flannel shirt every time. Needless to say… I love it!! Ashley is a former pageant girl, so wearing this dress was just second nature for her, which is why she looks so comfortable in it!

Historic Deepwood Estates was the backdrop for this gorgeous session. The reds just popped against that green and fall colored background so perfectly! Oh, and since this post is so outdated, I’m happy to say that Ashley gave birth to a healthy little baby on 12/20/19 (fresh-48 photos coming soon)!

Salem Boudoir Photographer - taking it all off...or not?

Clients are sometimes shy about asking whether or not they can do some nude photos, during their boudoir session. The answer is YES, you can absolutely pose nude during your session if you wish. We can also do implied nudes, where it looks as if you’re naked, but nothing “private” actually shows. This is done with careful posing, of course. I’d say about half of my clients end up posing in their birthday suit and I’d say about half of them planned that ahead of time. The other half just decides to throw caution to the wind and go for it, in the moment. I’ve never had a client say they regret posing nude, but I’ve had a few say they wished they would have. So, if you’re thinking about it…I say go for it!

Omaha Senior Portrait Session - Em, Class of 2020 (part 2)

In case you missed it, you can CLICK HERE to see part one of this senior portrait session. I had the privilege of flying out to Nebraska in August of 2019 to not only visit my friend of 15+ years, but to also do her daughter’s senior portraits. I first photographed Emeliann when she was in Kindergarten (and we all lived at the Oregon Coast), so it was an absolute honor to do her portraits for both her first year and her last year of school!

Em is a great kid…okay, she’s not a kid anymore, but I don’t want to call her a woman just yet because it makes me feel old AF, okay?! Anyway, she’s in college, on a scholarship , kicking ass and taking names.

Oh, fun side note: I recently had someone contact me and ask for recommendations in my area for places to stay. I asked if she meant Oregon in general or specifically in Salem. Turns out she was traveling to Omaha and after having seen my photos from Nebraska, she thought I was located there.

So, while I do not live in Omaha, I do travel there every couple of years for various reasons. If you want referrals to photographers in that area, I’m more than happy to give them to you! Just ask. If you want to work with me, while I’m on a scheduled trip to Omaha (or if you want to pay for my travel expenses to get there), let me know and we can arrange something!

Hood River Boudoir Photographer - sexy in the kitchen!

I mean, when you have a kitchen like this at your disposal, you kind of Have to take advantage of it. Yes, even if it means having someone pose in their underwear. ;)

Las Vegas Engagement Photographer - Fashion Forward in Downtown Las Vegas!

This is another oldie, but goodie. I met Hailey when she lived in Portland, but was bummed when she moved to Las Vegas, NV. Suffice it to say, I was excited to connect with her on one of my Vegas trips a few years ago. Her and Adam make the most adorable hipster-ish couple and we had a blast roaming the streets of downtown Las Vegas.

I shot this entire session with 35mm film, which was developed and scanned by The Find Lab. One of these shots even made it to the Huffington Post! They were doing a story about 2-piece wedding dresses and the ensemble Hailey is wearing, which was created by Kate Miles, was lucky number 13! Click HERE to see that story!

Las Vegas Boudoir Photographer - sequins, fairy lights, and a room with a view

Here are a few more shots from the fun boudoir session I did with my friend in Las Vegas, prior to the pandemic. She wanted to play around with fairy lights and I was all for it! I loved how the light reflected on the sequins and how it lit up her fun mermaid hair color.

Oregon Coast Wedding Photographer - Neskowin Elopement

Due to an unexpected military deployment, Tracy & Jordon decided to elope at the Oregon coast in the fall of 2019. They rented a house in Neskowin, which was ideal for getting ready before a short walk to the beach for the ceremony.

Tracy & Jordon opted for a first look on the beach and then walked to their ceremony together. They were surrounded by close friends and family, including Tracy’s daughter, who was excited to help set up, and Jordon’s sister, who did a fabulous job officiating the elopement. Toasts and portraits were done right there on the beach, before everyone went out to dinner (and I headed home)

Salem Oregon Photographer - Happy New Year!

I had so much fun doing the hot cocoa shoot in my camper (see previous blog post), I decided to do a little shoot in my vintage trailer as well. Wanda, my 1969 Aloha camping trailer, boasts a beautiful green velvet couch, which I thought would make the perfect backdrop for my New Year’s Eve cocktails! And by cocktail, I just mean cinnamon whiskey. ;)

Salem Oregon Photographer - Happy (camper) Holidays!

Why yes, I did decorate our camping trailer for the holidays! I mean, it’s 2020…what else am I going to do?! I needed a creative project and we’re in a pandemic, so this was perfect. I turned on the heat, put on some holiday music, and sipped some cinnamon whiskey while I decked out our little glamper.

We got this little 1999 Prowler a few months ago and I am simply in love with it. It was in desperate need of a makeover, which it promptly received (I’ll have to post before and after photos at some point). We were able to go camping several times this year and we can’t wait to go again! It’s very small and cozy, but has heat, A/C, a fridge, a little bathroom, gas stove, oven, and a microwave! It even has a Keurig because, well, I’m extra like that… and so is Miss Patty. That is what we affectionately named the trailer, which was a brilliant suggestion by my best friend, Kate. We love Gilmore Girls and, well, the trailer IS a “prowler” after all. ;)

I purchased the little lantern string lights years ago, but never had the right place for them…until now! I don’t remember where I bought them (probably Ross), but I know they were less than $10! The snowflake and reindeer pillows, as well as the plaid blanket, are from my living room (ha!). The velvet bolster pillow, the trailer pillow, and placemats are from Ross. The black and white throw blankets, on the dinette seats, are from Tuesday Morning. The curtains and Happy Camper mugs were an Amazon purchase and I found the red and black buffalo plaid pillow covers at Shein.com. Target was my source for the mini (36”) pre-lit tree, the hot chocolate bar supplies, and the white twinkle lights. All in all, this shoot was both inexpensive and fun!

Ojai Engagement Photographer - Joey + Emily

This is an older post, from the archives (and by archives, I mean this was one of the many posts that got deleted when my old website crashed), that I just adore! When I traveled to Ojai a few years ago, to photograph my friend and her family, I also did this little engagement session at my VRBO rental! I mean, hello, the places was gorgeous! Not that Joey and Emily needed any kind of special backdrop…they could be standing in front of a pile of rotten potatoes and they’d…A) Be blissfully unaware of said potatoes. -and- B) Still be adorable as all get out.

Salem Oregon Engagement Photographer - urban sunset session

Tracy & Jordon booked a family mini session that also served as a last minute engagement session for their elopement. We walked around in downtown Salem late last summer (2019) for this session. It was warm and the sun was setting, which just made it kind of magical.

This was a fun little thing that the kiddo did during the session. The first photo is one that I took of her, as she was taking photos of the bride-and-groom-to-be. The rest of the photos are the ones that she created with a little toy (film) camera I loaned her for the session. I really had no idea if the camera even worked and I think we used expired film. Suffice it to say, I am in LOVE with how they came out…blurriness and all.

These two shots are my favorite from the whole roll that she shot! One has massive blur and the other has a beautiful light leak. Be still, my film loving heart.

Creswell Oregon Wedding Photographer - Kasha & Kris's Fairytale Inspired Wedding at the Cloverdale Chapel

Welcome to Kasha & Kris’s fairytale inspired wedding!

Because I’m always so behind on posting, this is actually a 2019 wedding, so pre-pandemic (in case anyone wants to try and make any assumptions). Anyway, these lovebirds got married at the coolest little venue in Creswell, Oregon.

Cloverdale Chapel is over 115 years old and it is full of all the charm you’d expect from a building this age. With a passion for literature, the couple had a really adorable book theme for their big day. From the aisle runner and flowers made of book pages, to the ring box, to the books on the reception tables, no detail was missed. The same is true for Cloverdale Chapel…the owners have elegant and charming details everywhere (in the church, in the yard, on the trail to the reception, etc).

Kasha got ready on site, in the little back room of the church, which doubles as a kitchen. Her mother and sisters were there to help her get ready, which was really sweet. Once Kasha was ready, she met Kris out in the churchyard for their first look, but only after the flowers girls got their first look and melted my heart.

I’ll tell you what…this groom ADORES his bride! From the moment he saw her during their first look, he could not take his eyes off of her. I kept catching him just staring at her with these big googly-lovebird-eyes. It was super sweet, to say the least.

The ceremony was held inside the Chapel. The bridesmaids wore pink and blue dresses, while the groom and groomsmen donned light gray suits. Everyone, of course, rocked flowers by Morning Glories Floral, who also made the flower arrangement at the end of the aisle runner.

After the nuptials, everyone made their way to the reception, which was held in what I like to call “the hidden garden.” You can’t see it from the parking lot and you must take a (short) little walk on a trail through a wooded area to get there. Once you’re at the end of the trail, it opens up into a field type area where you can set up tables, a dance floor, etc. After some toasts, dancing, and food, we concluded the evening with some portraits.

Monmouth Engagement Photographer - fall session at WOU

It’s such a small world, I swear. A few years ago I met Justin when he was a student in one of my classes. I noticed one day that he was wearing a baseball hat with my husband’s high school alma mater on it. As soon as I asked him about it, Justin knew who my husband was, based on my last name (very small school back then). Then we figure out that Sandy, Justin’s fiancée, also went to school with my husband (her sister even went to a dance with my hubby!).

Anyway, Justin and Sandy are both graduates of Western Oregon University, so they thought it was fitting to do their engagement session there. How could I argue with a location as beautiful as this?! Oh, and they brought their dog who was hands down the easiest animal I’ve ever worked with.

Las Vegas Boudoir Photographer - fairy lights, polka dots, and lace

Vegas, baby…

Salem Senior Photographer - Hunter, Class of 2020

Okay, so the moms (as in me and this kid’s mom) basically had to force this session, but it was totally worth it! My son and this guy have been best friends since middle school, so of course he had to come along as an assistant (this was pre-Covid). I even got a behind the scenes shot of him assisting with wardrobe. ;) It was a very early morning session and nobody was really awake, but we got a few real smiles! Aside from the early hour, it was quick and painless…and Mom got some senior portraits!

Hood River Portrait Photographer - a hippie girl and her camera

I recently posted some boudoir photos that I did of my friend, River, but we also did some regular portraits that day. We couldn’t resist, seeing as the property was so gorgeous! In case you were wondering, yes, River really is this vibrant in person. She’s full of sunshine and light and she’s just an awesome person to be around. She is also a birth photographer and doula in La Grande, Oregon, so if you’re expecting and you live in her area…look her up (River & Wave is the name of her business)!

Las Vegas Boudoir Photographer - tool belt sexy

This woman is badass and it’s as simple as that. She recently sold her garage door installation company, but still works as a laborer for the new owner. Hence, all the tools. She also owns a neuro-boxing gym, is raising three boys on her own, and manages to squeeze in some time on the trapeze for fun.

Salem Oregon Senior Portrait Photographer - Cameron, WSHS

As usual, I’m always way behind on blogging. To be honest, I think I might have blogged this session on my old website, which crashed about a little over a year ago. Anyway, this is Cameron and he graduated from West Salem High School a while back now, lol. Nice kid, adorable smile, and he obviously plays water polo.

Salem Oregon Teen Photographer - pink smoke

Ember is an aspiring makeup artist and at only 15, I think she’s pretty darn impressive! Anyway, here is a sneak peek from our recent “pink” session. I probably won’t share the rest, though, until closer to Valentine’s Day.

Hood River Boudoir Photographer - My friend, the sexy boudoir photographer, steps in front of the camera!

Back in March (literally days before the pandemic shut everything down here in Oregon), my dear friend and I got together for a day of laughter and portraits. I had rented out a home in Hood River (it’s called the Hood River Guest House, but is no longer available for short term rentals through airbnb) for my birthday weekend. I had a wonderful time relaxing in the gorgeous loft-barn-studio-farmhouse-apartment place, while my husband went over to Washington to ride his dirt bike. I also took advantage of the location and lined up a couple of photo shoots, including this one with River. I took photos of her and she took photos of me!