I always encourage couples to bring their pups along, especially if they are ok being off leash. Tori, Kyle, Penny and Maui ran around Rowena Crest until well after sunset and it created such a playful dynamic for their engagement session. When I arrived back at home, I had mud on my jeans from rolling around in the grass and my head hurt from smiling so hard. I love the people this job brings into my life.

Conversation of plants and our favorite books. Lots of waves from sweet baby Pax. Sangria at the top and views of Mt. Rainer the whole trek. All my recent family sessions are breathing fresh air into this business of mine. Love weddings but love my families equally as much.

Karlyn and Jake live in Las Vegas but feel deeply connected to the northwest and decided to get married at Kiana Lodge. I can see why, this is one of my personal favorite venues. The greenery combined with waterfront views breathes a sense of peace and relaxation into a wedding day.

Looking back at all the places I’ve ventured for work since I moved to Portland makes me feel all sorts of things. This state still feels so new but after going through 18 months of work, I’m realizing that I’ve already covered a lot of ground with some pretty amazing couples.

Madi and Kyle eloped at a quaint Airbnb near Mt. Hood, early in the morning, surrounded by their immediate family. It poured outside so we did the majority of their photos cozied up by the fire while guests snacked on french toast and bacon.

A month ago today – oh how time flies! Dani and Tony live in Seattle but drove to the Oregon coast for a weekend getaway. We met for a beer and fries and then drove to Ecola State Park and walked down to Indian Beach. We ran around and played. We laughed and sipped champagne until the sun went down. It was delightful and effortless. I didn’t want to say goodbye.

The day Laura booked me she said, “it was always you,” and as the words came out of her mouth, I grabbed the closest piece of paper and wrote those words down, slanted sideways, over a utility bill statement. I’m a minimalist but you will never see that piece of paper go away.

I’m in awe of how things come together for a wedding day and it’s even better when your couple and the vendors supporting their day are kind and fun to spend time with. I showed up at Paige and Jesse’s airbnb at noon and before I knew it I was packing up and heading home. I didn’t want to leave or step away from the dance floor where you might have found me with my camera still in hand, long after my scheduled coverage was over.

Before I went full time as a wedding photographer I worked for the coolest company – The Gottman Institute. My daily tasks included creating marketing materials in Photoshop and Illustrator, photographing and working Gottman events and too many other fun and exciting projects to list. Started by renowned therapists John and Julie Gottman, this company’s mission is to help couples navigate perpetual issues, conflict and intimacy in their relationship with a research based approach. They offer private couples retreats, public workshops and professional training for therapists and as a perk, Evan and I had the opportunity to attend their infamous workshop – The Art and Science of Love, led by the Gottman’s themselves.