Salem Wedding Photographer - Quarantine Elopement!

Jenna and Richard were scheduled to get married in the summer of 2020, but like many other couples, were forced to change their plans, due to COVID-19. A lot of venues and vendors were shut down for months, or at the very least had restrictions that made wedding planning difficult. In addition to the worldwide pandemic, the bride’s father was going through cancer treatment, so they decided to just elope, but still on their original wedding date, with a larger celebration/wedding planned for 2021. Unfortunately, the grooms father passed away unexpectedly about a month before the elopement. :(

Despite the loss and sadness, their families managed to be filled with joy and happiness on this special day. The couple eloped at the Wedding House, which is a small privately owned venue in Salem. Due to COVID restrictions, I did not attend their ceremony, but we met up immediately afterwards at Bush Park. The first thing they did was sign their marriage certificate, with their mothers as their witnesses. We then did a group photo with the whole family, after which everyone headed off to dinner, while the newlyweds stayed behind for a few portraits. I thought Jenna looked adorable in her Granny’s vintage dress (she has another dress that she’ll wear this year for their larger celebration) and Richard in his vest and hat. I first met Jenna a few years ago, when she was a photography student of mine (I still use her final project as an example in my class). She was just the sweetest, kind-hearted person and I was absolutely honored that she would consider me for her wedding photography. I met Richard when we did our in-person consultation and he’s also super nice and just down to earth and easygoing. Anyway, I’m wishing a lifetime of happiness to this beautiful couple and can’t wait to photograph them again this year!

Salem Portrait Photographer - adorable teen, on film

This teenager is artsy and cool and it only seemed right that she be photographed with an analog camera. If you’re not a film photographer, this will probably mean nothing to you, but these were shot on Fuji 400h. I’m so sad that this film stock has been discontinued (and that I didn’t have a stash of it). The skin tones and the greens are so dreamy.

Camera: Canon EOS-3
Film: Fuji 400h
Film Lab: The FIND Lab

Salem Portrait Photographer - Smoochin' in Omaha!

These are my friends, Amy and Tim. I visited them back in 2019, to do their daughter’s senior portraits, as well as some family photos. After the family session, I had Amy change into this super cute dress that I spotted in her closet (it didn’t match for the family photos) for a few photos of just her and Tim, out in the middle of the street. I loved this dress so much that I purchased the exact same one for myself when I returned to Oregon. HA!

Oregon LGBTQIA+ Senior Portrait Photographer - Matt, Class of 2020

In August of 2019, I traveled to Nebraska to do senior portrait’s for my friend’s daughter (you can see some of those photos by CLICKING HERE) . While there, I also met and photographed Matt, who happened to be the aforementioned senior’s best friend. This young adult is well spoken, funny, intelligent (currently at college on an academic scholarship), and really just a nice and easy going person to be around.

Matt is trans, uses he/they pronouns, and is part of the LGBTQIA+ community. Incorporating his rainbow umbrella was totally a given. I mean, an umbrella AND rainbows AND a prism?! Yes, please!

Salem Boudoir Photographer - outdoor session with an earth goddess

This gorgeous woman and I have been working together for a few years now and these images are actually from our first session together. As soon as she started describing what she wanted, I was like, “YES! We are SO doing this! I even have some location ideas in mind already!” While “Miss S” was technically a client, I still considered this a collaborative project, as she played a big role in the overall vibe, setting, posing, etc. Mama knew what she wanted and just needed someone to bring it to life for her…and to add some artistic flare (pun totally intended).

Oh, and thank you to two of my generous clients, Tiffany and Kayrene, who shared their properties with us for this shoot in Scotts Mills, OR!

Salem Oregon Headshot Photographer - Adorable Miss Chloe

Here’s a fun little fact about my boudoir sessions…. I almost always try to get one shot that can also serve as a headshot in a pinch (or at least a PG rated pic to share with your conservative Granny). Chloe looked beautiful and I think this simple portrait came out just fabulously!

Salem Oregon Portrait Photographer - monthly self-portrait project, January 2021

I’ve decided to do a 2021 self-portrait project. I’ll be photographing myself once a month for the next 11 months and posting them here. My goal was two-fold: To get myself in front of the camera more and to do something creative. I have no idea what the next 11 self-portrait sessions will hold, but January was a no-brainer.

I don’t really discuss politics within my business (and I’m not really starting now), BUT regardless of one’s political beliefs, having our first female VP is a really big fucking deal! I’ve liked Kamala Harris from the beginning…and even more so during the debates. I hope we start to hear a lot more of things like, “Excuse me, I’m speaking.”

What would self-portraits be without some outtakes? In the first shot, I was dropping my phone and saying, “shit.” The second was an accidental misfire and the last shot is just a totally out of focus shot of me being a dork. LOL!

Salem Oregon Boudoir Photographer - holiday inspired studio session

I met this beautiful woman about 7 yrs ago (I think?), when I did an in-home boudoir session for her best friend. I think it was the following year, when she booked her own session with me at my old studio. Fast forward to December of 2019, when we did another boudoir session, but in my current studio. Since this session, she got engaged, married, and is now pregnant! I usually run a holiday boudoir event each year, so if this is something you’re interested in, keep an eye out for announcements in November!

Hood River Portrait Photographer - Girls' Day In

I’ve shared some photos from this session already (Click HERE to see the color shots), but just wanted to mention (again) how much fun this was! River and I spent a few hours hanging out, talking, laughing, and snapping photos of each other at the most amazing airbnb (yes, I rent through them frequently…what can I say, I love airbnbs!). If you’re asking, “Where are the photos she took of you, Kel?” — Well, that is a really good question and now that you bring it up, I realize that I should probably share the photos she took of me one of these days (they’re SO good!). In the meantime, please enjoy these black and white portraits of my adorable friend, River!

Salem Oregon Product Photographer - Leather Girl Kelley

I had the privilege of visiting Kayrene, of Leather Girl Kelley, at her home-studio in Scotts Mills, Oregon. Next to her house, which backs up to a river, Kayrene’s workspace was built out of an old semi-truck trailer (well, half of one). It’s just plain cool to see all of the equipment, all of the different leathers, and of course her finished products! Oh, and she had just acquired two kittens at the time, which I just HAD to photograph because they were oh-so-adorable and curious!

Kayrene makes all kinds of things, including: leather bags, cast iron handle covers, jewelry, and even shoes! She even has rings, made out of spoons, which do not include any leather…for anyone who is looking for more “vegan friendly” options. ;) If you’re interested, you should check out her website! https://www.leathergirlkelley.com/

Salem Boudoir Photographer - body positive studio session

Dear Clients,

You are beautiful. I don’t care if you’re tall and lean, if you’re a body builder, if you’re short and chubby, if you’re lopsided, if your hair is long or short, or if you have stretch marks. It makes no difference to me if you shave your body hair or let it grow wild and free. It doesn’t matter if you wear fake lashes and red lipstick or if you wear no makeup at all. I am positive that you are beautiful. I know that sounds cheesy, but it’s true. I think every single time I’ve shared client images someone has told me how beautiful that person is. True story. Even more importantly, though, YOU will feel beautiful.

Sincerely,

Your Friendly Neighborhood Boudoir Photographer (wait…does that sound creepy?)

Portland Oregon Newborn Photographer - Fresh 48 Session with baby Everett

I can’t believe this little newborn just turned one! In case you missed the post featuring this couple’s maternity session, CLICK HERE to see it (spoiler alert: they’re gorgeous). As usual, I’m way behind on blogging, so here I am, finally sharing this Fresh-48 session, over a year later. If you are asking what a “fresh-48” session is…Well, that is when I travel to you and photograph your baby within 48 hours of birth. This often takes place at a hospital, but can also be done in a birthing center or in your home. Most hospitals do not offer professional photography, so this is the ideal replacement for that…or simply for those who don’t want (or can’t afford) to have the birth photographed. Many clients who book fresh-48 sessions also book newborn portraits for a few weeks later, as babies really do change that much in that short of time.

Like many babies born in late 2019 or 2020, Everett has spent the majority of her first year at home, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. I don’t think she’s had any complaints, though, seeing as both of her moms have also been home pretty much this whole time.

Salem Boudoir Photographer - Cozy Couple's Session

There really isn’t much to say about this session. I mean, these two are hotties on their own and even hotter together, so I think the photos speak for themselves. This session was held at an amazing Airbnb rental in Scio, Oregon. If you are interested in booking it for yourself, whether it be for a photo session with me or just for a personal vacation, email me and I’d be happy to send you the link! Anyway, I’d like to give a big THANK YOU to Chloe & Ray for allowing me to share these images (most couples do not sign the model release and I absolutely respect that…but I do love when I’m able to share)!

Cannon Beach Wedding Photographer - Sabrina & Brian's Coastal Elopement

If you’ll notice, I made sure to call this a “coast” elopement, rather than a “beach” one. The reason being that this day embraced all that the Oregon coast has to offer: forests, rivers, beaches, big rocks, scenic views, unique homes, and of course some rain.

Sabrina & Brian rented this amazing house through airbnb, which served as their getting ready location, their first look, some portraits, and then their post-wedding stay, before heading off to their honeymoon. Coincidentally, I saw this house when I was watching Alone, a tv show on the History Channel. I was like, “What?! I know that house.! Rewind!” For those wondering…it was just the location where they interviewed one of the show participants (I don’t know if she owns the home or if she was just renting it out to make it seem like she lived somewhere really cool…I suspect the latter, haha) .

As you can see, this was truly an elopement. The only attendees, aside from their dog, were Sabrina and Brian’s younger brothers. One served as the officiant, while the other signed as a witness (I was the second witness). The location for their nuptials was at Ecola State Park and overlooked Indian Beach (aka “La Push Beach” for Twilight fans!).

After the ceremony, the little bros took off and I drove the happy couple to a local restaurant, where they had reservations. That’s right… I will also be your chauffeur, if needed. ;) Of course, prior to leaving the beach, they did a champagne toast in the rain.

Silverton Family Photographer - Mama & Her Boys, at home

My client-turned-friend, Tiffany, asked if I’d be willing to drive out to her home near Silverton to photograph her and her kids. She has an adorable little cabin, with a river in her backyard (literally), so of course I as happy to shoot there! I’d been photographing Tiffany and her family for years already, but this session was unique, in that it was her first post-divorce session.

Anyway, we all had a good time, including the cat (who adopted them) that followed us and even jumped in a few shots. These were taken in 2019 and due to all that was 2020, we didn’t get a chance to do a family session this past year, so I’m looking forward to (hopefully) doing them in 2021!