Hollinshead Barn Wedding: Krista and Martin

Krista and Martin are an amazingly loving and sweet couple. Their friends and family mean everything to them and because of this they decided to have a very intimate ceremony complete with a touching ring warming and then celebrate with a big, laid back party including all their favorite people.

Normally, you choose to have your wedding in Bend instead of Portland because you have a much less likely chance of it raining out there. However, that wasn’t the case for Krista and Martin. The day started with beautiful blue skies and right before dinner was served the clouds joined together and began to pour down rain on everyone. Most people huddled by the bar or headed inside the barn to eat before the dance party begun, but a select few of “Portland” kids remained outside. Toasting, laughing, and enjoying the nice summer rain and celebrating the love and commitment their friends had just made.

Plus, Krista and Martin mixed their two last names to create one new last name totally and completely unique to them. How cool is that?! That seriously shows the great compromise, love, and equality that will no doubt carry their marriage to amazing places<3

Lucy’s Garden Wedding: Myriah + Rob

I almost 98.6% of the time gravitate towards color images. It’s just what I generally prefer, but with Myriah and Rob there was something about the black and whites. They’re such a timeless, classic, and wonderful couple and their wedding was so emotion filled and beautiful that the black and whites just felt right.

They were married last week at Lucy’s Garden in Ridgefield, Washington and the day was absolutely gorgeous. The weather was perfect, the flowers were in bloom, Myriah had her DIY details scattered throughout the entire property it felt like an Easter Egg hunt each time you found a little something else and Myriah and Rob were as happy and awesome as can be. They are seriously one of the most amazing couples. Rob is so relaxed, go with he flow, and not afraid or ashamed of showing some emotion! Myriah has this huge personality that makes you feel warm as soon as you meet her. Not to mention I’m pretty sure she’s the only bride in the world who will trip backwards over her train, fall straight on her butt, and laugh and talk about how epic and amazing it was! Together they’re a power couple making each other laugh, dancing the night away, and even playing football. Plus, you gotta love a good ole’ fashion cake face smash!

Oregon Bride Best Of 2013!

If you follow me on Instagram you may have seen last night that I shared a picture from the Oregon Bride Magazine Best Of 2013 of me accepting an Editor’s Pick award for Best Up-and-Coming Photographer. If not, well…I’m telling you now!

This year’s party was held at The Atrium at Montgomery Park and it was the perfect complement for the “all white” theme! The room was full of beautiful people dressed in all white. Of course, I had to jazz my white up a bit so I DIY ombre dip dyed this white blazer. I absolutely love it and was so happy with the way it turned out. Plus, it made it pretty easy to spot me in a sea of all white [;

Anywho! Make sure you check out the new issue of Oregon Bride Magazine which is currently on stands to see all the AMAZING talent in this state and the rest of the winners. You can see my award and read a sweet little paragraph about me from the editor on page 104.

Me up on stage accepting my sweet award!

The awesome winners of Oregon Bride Best of 2013 Photography Studio in Portland! My two dates for the night! Love these two<333

Here’s our post party dance session after everyone left.

FINALLY! Here’s the Magazine in all it’s glory!

Wednesday Wedding Do: Become A Green Bride!

Green is the new black.
Not green from sickness or green with envy. I mean green as in Mother nature’s friend, of course!

It’s no secret there has been a resurgence of the green eco trend in everyday life and a lot of future technology and innovation is focusing on being environmentally friendly. Restaurants are focusing on serving more sustainable foods and cities are implementing more green practices such as recycling (or recycling AND composting as we do here in Portland). So, it’s only natural for that to slowly start to leak its way into the wedding world.

Your wedding is one of the most important days of your life and is a huge, beautiful event. It’s also an event that can leave a lot of trash, waste, and things you just have no idea what to do with. So, here’s some of my top tips on making your wedding more tree hugger friendly:

>>1. Paper Goods: Let’s start with the invitations! Consider sending invites on recyclable or compostable paper. It’s one of the easiest and more straightforward ways of reducing waste on your wedding day and won’t sacrifice quality at all.

>>2. Wedding Dress: Consider an eco-friendly wedding gown or buying a used gown. You can almost rent fancy schmancy dresses from Rent The Runway for a fraction of the price and go for a look that’s different and unique from the average wedding. Here’s one of my favorites. I know that wedding dresses are an important decision in the wedding making process, an important investment in the wedding planning process, and a lot of girls spend years dreaming about what they will look like in their perfect dress. So, I understand if this is not the perfect tip for every bride. So, that brings us to an easy tip every bride can implement on number 3!

>>3. Bridesmaids: Rent your bridesmaid dresses or let them pick their own dress. Mismatched bridesmaids have been in style for a while and it also has the added benefit that each lovely lady can pick their own dress that they will probably wear again in your color scheme. At the very least renting bridesmaid dresses is an easy solution!

>>4. Flowers: Work with a florist who works with local growers. A lot of florist are starting to get their flowers from local floral markets or local growers and it’s a wonderful trend! A lot of flowers are imported and often sprayed with harmful insecticides and pesticides. It’s not only gross, but really bad for the planet. Work with a florist who will use locally grown flowers that cut down on fuel costs, harmful chemicals, and can often be less costly than using exotic flowers for your wedding. Using in season, locally grown flowers is not only an easy way to lower your wedding footprint, it’s a beautiful way!

>>5. RENTALS!: One of the easiest, cheapest, and smartest way you can lower your wedding budget and environmental impact is by using rentals instead of buying things. Not only the common rentals for table cloths, tableware, chairs, etc. But decor rental is becoming increasingly popular. It’s more affordable than buying all the decorations and there is no waste leftover that either goes in the trash or sits in the your attic/garage. One of my favorite decor rental companies is right here in Portland! Something Borrowed

>>6. Sustainable food: Hiring a caterer who features local, sustainable food is an easy way to green up your wedding. Not only are you providing healthy food that inevitable tastes better I’m sure you are also cutting down on fuel consumption and supporting your local economy.

>>7. Shuttling: Consider hiring a shuttle to carry your guests around on your big day. Have everyone meet at the reception location, load up on the bus and go to the ceremony together. You’re cutting down massively on fuel consumption, emissions, etc, but also pending more quality time with your friends and loved ones. Or, better yet, have the ceremony and reception in the same place!

Well, those are my top tips for you brides to be out there, but it’s nowhere near a complete list. There are literally hundreds of things you can do to cut down your wedding footprint. Luckily there’s a whole website dedicated to being a green bride that you can check out for all kinds of tips, tricks, and resources!
Green Bride Guide

Urban Studio Wedding: Kayla + David

Kayla likes wine, David likes coffee.
They both love italian food and the Timbers Army.
Kayla has the cutest giggles that come out even when you just look at her.
David has eyes that light up every time he sees Kayla.

They were married at Urban Studio this past weekend in a colorful party surrounded by their amazingly close family and friends and it couldn’t have been a more beautiful day. From the touching moment of Kayla’s father seeing his daughter in her wedding dress for the first time (seriously, I teared up. Shout out to all my father/daughter moment softies out there!), to the amazingly cheerful bunting Kayla’s friend handmade, and the awesome dance moves that were busted out at the end of the night. This wedding was full of love. It peeked itself out of every crevice and corner, but mainly flowed out of Kayla and David themselves. When they look at each other they can’t help but smile and snuggle in and when they hug their friends and family it’s evident to the max. These two were made for each other and I’m so happy I was able to document that<3

I don’t usually post just a single vertical photo, but this one was just too beautiful.<3

WWD: Are You Ready For Your Closeup?

Nothing ruins your day more than waking up to a dreaded zit.
Now, imagine waking up to one the morning of your wedding. HORROR! I know.

Right about now I’m sure you’re wanting to slap me silly for even putting that idea in your head, but hear me out first! I have searched high and low for the best advice to make sure you’re camera ready. So, consider these tips to look great from your first glance to your last dance and hopefully when you see me next it’ll be to give me a big hug! [;

1. Drink A LOT of Water
This is obvious. Everyone knows the key to good skin, good feelings, and a rockin’ body is lots and lots of h20. However much you think you’re suppose to drink, drink more! If you have a problem drinking tons and tons of water every day, supplement it with foods with high water content: like watermelon! 

2. Don’t Pick At Your Face!
In fact, don’t touch your face at all. Oily fingers, oily hair, and gross zits clog pores.

3. Brighten Skin With Microdermabrasion
About a month before your wedding you should go get a microdermabrasion or at least use an exfoliation scrub if you suffer from dull skin.

4. Test New Products Early
If you have new products, make up, or self tanner you are going to be using for your wedding make sure to test them early. There is always a chance of having a break out, allergic reaction, or some sort of super power inducing radiation effect when using new products for the first time. Combat this risk by making sure you test them all with plenty of time to spare!

5. Get Plenty Of Sleep
This is a no-brainer and should go without saying, but you have no idea how many brides stay up into the wee hours of the night the last days before their wedding stressing about final details and making sure everything is perfect. There are things you can sacrifice throughout the day and throughout your wedding. Sacrificing your sleep however is not only bad for your skin, it’s bad for your health!

6. Break a Sweat!
Exercise not only gets your blood circulating and helps you look “fresh”, it makes you feel better all around. It pumps endorphins throughout your system and releases “feel good” hormones.

7. Clean, Moisturize, and Keep Clear!
Having clear skin on your wedding day means a daily, faithful date with a quality cleanser, moisturizer, and as mentioned above: exfoliation! It also means taking the last week or so before your wedding easy with make up. It’s hard to walk out of the house bare-faced, I know. I almost never do it, but it really does help clear up your skin. It’s true that often the people with the best skin barely wear make up. Now, whether they don’t wear make up because they have nice skin or they have nice skin because they don’t wear make up, I’m not sure. All I know is they’re not my friends (just kidding!…kind of)

8. Wear Sunscreen
Whether you are planning a wedding or not YOU SHOULD ALWAYS BE WEARING SOME KIND OF SUNSCREEN! Lobster skin isn’t cute on anyone and neither is walking around looking like a leather hand bag. It’s a good look for Marc Jacobs, not so much for you. Wearing sunscreen every day is an important part of skin health. Using a nice moisturizer with SPF is an easy way to make sure you’re protected.

9. Eat Good Foods
If you want your skin to look good on the outside, you have to nourish your insides. Be sure to eat foods high in omega-3, that contain a high water content, and most importantly are clean. Lots of greens, fruits, and veggies!

10. RELAX!
One of the biggest causes of breakouts is stress and unfortunately wedding planning is not a vacation in Hawaii. So, try to remember why you’re getting married in the first place, remember that as important as your wedding day is and as long as you spend planning it that really it’s about committing yourself to the person you love. As long as that part goes right, the entire day is a success.

sources: 1//2//3//4

NW Portland Engagement: Krista and Martin

They’re the type of couple that cannot help but smile and laugh. The kind of couple that you try to take a serious photo and you have to get 5 minutes of giggles out of the way, take a deep breath, say, “okay…now for real.” It’s absolutely contagious.

Krista is sarcastic and witty. The first thing she told me when we started the session was, “just so you know, I do interpretive dance…” Martin is confident and poised. He looks at Krista like she is everything in the world and was definitely eager to kiss her anytime I asked.

They’re having a beautiful wedding this August, but completely stole my heart when they said they wanted to do engagement photos in the NW Industrial district. Seriously, I don’t think they could get anymore perfect and I’m so honored and excited to document their big day this summer<3

xxoo.

Emily and Joe: West End Theater Photographer

XXOO.

Erica and Jessie: Roloff Farm Wedding Photographer

I posted a sneak peek of Erica and Jessie’s wedding at Roloff Farm last night, but now it’s time to sit back, relax, and take in what an absolute majestic beauty this wedding really was!

Erica and Jessie not only met in High School, but also went back to the location where it all began to start the new chapter of their lives! Jessie blindfolded Erica and drove her in circles so she wouldn’t know where they were going. (They live in a very small town) He lured her to the High School stadium where he proposed…if that doesn’t sound like an episode of Friday Night Lights then I don’t know what does. Needless to say, I fell in love with Erica (and her mom!) instantly. They have such vivacious personalities, were extremely excited about their wedding, and put a TON of love and effort into making it everything Erica could have ever dreamed of. They cut all the burlap themselves, hand-made all of the signs that decorated the venue, found reclaimed lumber to use as a runner for their gorgeous tables, and 100% committed to their theme of shabby/country chic.

Even though there were a ton of details all around us, you could tell that each and every one of them meant something. That Erica and her family put effort into it and that it was somehow related or connected to her, Jessie, and their love. They had pictures of them everywhere. Showcasing their lives up to this point and celebrating their new life together. I am SO SO SO SO SO SSOOOOOOOO (is it obvious enough yet?) honored Erica and Jessie chose me to help document their amazing wedding and to the Roloff’s for being so warm and inviting. This new venue is literally a STUNNER and if you are looking for the absolute perfect barn with a perfect view to get married, LOOK NO FURTHER!

I’ll let the pictures do the rest of the talking (by the way…I apologize in advance for posting a TON, I literally could not narrow it down anymore) and a huge thank you again to the amazing vendors involved who helped make this day the success it was.

Coordinator: Sweet Dream Wedding & Events
Cake: White Rose Bakery
Flowers: Country Florals
Catering and S’more Bar: Blackbird Catering
Rentals: Barclay Event Rentals
Venue: Roloff Farms

XXOO.

McMenamin’s Octagonal Barn Wedding: Krystle and Nate – Hello Kitty Galore

This week in lieu of a WWD, I’ll be posting a real wedding I shot a couple weeks ago that definitely stole my heart. I’m not a huge hello kitty fanatic, but I’ve had plenty of friends who are and understandably so. However, I don’t think anyone can compare with Krystle. She is obviously quite fond of Hello Kitty and I quickly caught on to the theme of her wedding. From the beautiful pink bridesmaids dresses, to the hello kitty veil, bags, thermos, and the bouquet (the icing on the cake) her wedding was 100% stylish with a fun touch of youthful whimsy! All topped off with an amazing desert bar by VooDoo Doughnuts and Bliss Cupcakes. Who could ask for a more perfect group of people to be around? However, the real show stopper was Krystle herself. She looked so drop dead beautiful I almost shed a tear as she walked down the aisle!
Okay, who am I kidding?! I most definitely did!

XXOO.