Inspired Photo Blog

Quirky, eccentric, eclectic and fun are all words that come to mind when you step foot into any of the McMenamin’s in Oregon. They buy property and old buildings and turn them into family friendly pubs with their characteristic flair for original art and atmosphere. Andrea and Brett were married on September 24th at McMenamins Grand Lodge in Forest Grove, Oregon. The perfect setting for their wedding celebration.

Fifteen minutes after the wedding was supposed to start, Andrea, her sister and mother were trying to figure out how to get gardenias to stay in hair.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Brett was suffering in the name of beauty at the hands of his brother.

Andrea, having given up for the moment on the flower in her hair, turned her attention to other details.

Brett’s father was a character straight out of a spaghetti western. Quiet, no nonsense kind of guy hanging out with his sons. Everyone kept referencing my comment from Andrea and Brett’s engagement session where I said Brett’s voice reminded me of Nicolas Cage. Now that I have met his father, I understand.

After a late start, Andrea and Brett were married. I especially enjoyed the minister who stopped the ceremony and asked Andrea and Brett to look around at the faces in the crowd. To soak it all up and be in the moment as they stood there in that timeless moment forever.

This could easily be Kristen’s signature image of the summer. She does it so well and I always enjoy the freshness of her viewpoint.

“Let me see your ring”…Andrea was given a beautiful ring by her grandmother just before walking down the aisle to be married. Being the son of a jeweler, you would think that I could readily identify this gemstone, but I stand baffled. It was bluish and very pretty.

Yes, I can hear you laughing my faithful readers. But I kid you not when I talk of my “three degrees of separation” theme this summer. Andrea and Brett are dear friends of Stephanie and Damon who are getting married October 7th.

Simple, classic and elegant. Andrea’s off the shoulder dress was a welcome change, fitting her perfectly and Brett’s suit…classic.

Intimate and simple describe the day perfectly. It was sunny and warm and everyone broke a bead of sweat as they enjoyed the great food and beer that flowed from the tap. Brett’s perfectly shiny jeep was adorned with lovingly placed mud and toilet paper. Everyone enjoyed the ambiance of the unique location and shared laughs and love.

Congratulations to the friends and family of Andrea and Brett. It was nice meeting all of you and torturing you miserably with my camera. Thank you for putting up with my mildly amusing sense of humor and for allowing me to step into your lives and share in the day. Best wishes to the newly married couple as you start your lives together and most of all, thank you for allowing me to be there to capture your story.

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For everyone else, it’s just another day. But for you, it’s wedding day. Wanting everything just right, you find the perfect photographer. One you just click with from the moment you meet them. Hugs all the way around after your first meeting. Grab that list and check off another important detail in the planning of your special day. Then you get a call and find out that your dream photographer is pregnant and will not be able to attend your wedding. This is how I first met Michael and Michelle. Round two of the photographer hunt.

Oh, and did I mention that Michael is an accomplished photographer? No pressure on me! Fast forward to their wedding day on September 23rd at the Gray Gables Estate in Milwaukie, Oregon. Michelle is a tiny thing. Petite is the word that comes to mind. We start our day in the dressing room with Michelle and her bridesmaids.

Michael, just moments before seeing his bride for the first time on their wedding day. Much to his credit, he was wonderful to work with. It would be hard for me to work with another photographer and not try to micro-manage, but he gave me his complete trust and enjoyed being in the moment.

The very serious job of flower girl starts with a beautiful basket of flowers.

These lanterns were strewn all over the grounds from the wedding the day before. Visually, these things are very fun to photograph. This is an image captured by Kristen. If you don’t know who she is, then you need to start catching up on my blog.

Michael’s bonus father (I never liked the phrase step parent) officiated the ceremony. He was wonderful and kept everyone invested in the service. Having a family member preside over the wedding is a wonderful memory.

The rings.

One of the groomsmen was this very large man that I joked reminded me of blues guitarist Popa Chubby. I know he never believed me, but honestly, check it out and you’ll see the resemblance. I thought it was funny to play on his large size in this image. Gabe, the best man and an accomplished classical guitarist, was a true sport to play along.

I’m not sure if this image works or not, but at the time it struck me as being funny.

Tears were shed. The toasts were made and everyone enjoyed a few laughs. The food was served and taken away and the dancing continued into the night until the sparkler exit. Throughout the night Michael and Michelle embraced the warmth of their dear friends who traveled great distances to share in their day. What was evident was the love and affection these two hold for each other. Congratulations to their friends and family, it was a pleasure to meet all of you. To Michael and Michelle, best wishes as you start your journey together. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your wedding day.

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Tucked away in a residential neighborhood in Northwest Portland on the banks of the Willamette River lies Cathedral Park. So named because of the cathedral-esque columns of the St. John’s Bridge that spans the river and the park. Jessica and Paul met me there on a quiet and muggy Sunday afternoon for their engagement session.

Continuing with my theme this summer, “three degrees of separation” (mock me if you will), Jessica is best friends with Shannon. Each has the other as the maid of honor in their weddings, which are just a few weeks apart. Both are good friends with Stacy, who’s wedding I photographed three years ago. Now that we have that cleared up, here are a few images that I hope you enjoy from our session.

Paul, I’m sorry that I kept you from watching the Seahawks, but I think we can both agree that you made the right choice. And, contrary to what you may think, I have worked with more uncomfortable subjects. Thanks for coming out and sharing your afternoon with me, I’ll see you guys a few more times in the near future. Congratulations on your engagement and upcoming wedding.

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It’s hard to belive that Fall is in the air. After a beautiful summer with sunshine filled days stretching late into the evening, there’s a growing chill in the air. This transition marks the beginning of Fall when the leaves start to change color. What better place to have your wedding than at The Oregon Garden, surrounded by a spectacular garden backdrop, marked with Fall colors. This is where Amy and David were married and celebrated with their families and friends on September 16th.

Here are a few of my favorite images from their wedding day at this beautiful garden destination. The weather was perfect. Not too hot and a chance of thunderstorms, which meant giant cumulus clouds floating past all afternoon.

Amy and David enjoying a few moments in the garden before their ceremony. They were very laid back and casual the whole day.

A beautiful image of one of the flower girls, captured by Kristen.

It’s hard work being a flowergirl. There is a lot of responsibility. Having to walk down the aisle at the right time, gently tossing flower petals while keeping your poise…

Then again, you could just ad lib because no matter what you do, you can’t screw up being a flower girl when you’re that darn cute and wearing your princess dress.

The glow of the setting sun adds a warmth to the ceremony as Amy speaks her vows to David.

I’m not sure what the meaning is behind this, but I was told it’s been done for generations. I’m certainly not one to stand in the way of tradition.

The food was served, the cake was cut and the toasts were made. Music pumped late into the night and Amy and David left as husband and wife amidst a shower of lavender petals. Congratulations to both families and friends. The Oregon Garden is a beautiful location, one of my favorite places to photograph a wedding. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your wedding day. Best wishes for a lifetime of happiness!

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Things change, they always do. It’s a part of life. No matter how hard you try to hold onto something. For better or for worse. Some things we don’t want changed in our lives. It’s comforting to know my favorite breakfast restaurant in Seattle, Vera’s in Ballard, will always have that California omelette waiting for me with those crisp, golden hash browns, thick sliced whole wheat toast with marionberry freezer jam and the best coffee in town.

Some changes are inevitable, like growing older or watching your children grow up despite wanting to keep them young forever. Other changes we bring upon ourselves and those changes can alter the paths of our lives. It’s time that you met a member of my team…Kristen. She came into my life through divine intervention, or so I like to think. She’s fond of talking about her life in seasons. Recently, she went through her own season of change. A haircut. Something so simple that has profoundly changed the way she’s perceived and feels about herself.

Meet Kristen, a wonderful addition to my business this summer. Hopefully she’ll be around another season. I’ve been told her mother reads my blog and hasn’t seen her dramatic change. So Mom…what do you think of your little girl now?

Change is good.

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While Portland enjoyed it’s first rain in months, the sand was warm and the sun shining on the Oregon coast. Hilary and Jon were married on the beach at a private residence in Pacific City on September 16th. What a spectacular day for a coastal wedding.

Hilary and Jon spend a lot of time on the Oregon coast and their families own houses there, so it was perfectly natural for them to throw a casual wedding in the crisp salt air next to the ocean. And ironically, fitting in with my three degrees of separation this summer, the best man is the brother of a groom who’s wedding I photographed two years ago.

Hilary and Jon are very laid back and a wonderful couple to photograph. The groomsmen were a riot and always having fun and keeping the mood light. Here are a few of my favorite images from this beautiful day on the coast.

We were walking to a bluff for photographs with the coast as a backdrop and I joked that it would be sweet if the guys were all holding hands as they walked up the trail. True to form, they didn’t miss a beat. They were like this all day long…what a great bunch of guys.

Hilary had her hair and makeup professionally done by makeup artist Diane Johnsen. I could go on about what an amazing difference it makes to invest in a professional makeup artist, but I hope this image will tell the story.

Looking towards the ocean from the ceremony site.

Instead of a guest book, Hilary and Jon asked their guests to sign a rock from the ocean and drop them into a glass vase. This image was captured by Kristen.

This was the ceremony site, surrounded by tall grass, overlooking the ocean with a gentle breeze blowing. Absolutely spectacular backdrop for the wedding ceremony.

A little cliché walking off into the sunset, but beautiful nonetheless. Pacific City is a sleepy little coastal town and a great location for a destination wedding. Kristen and I enjoyed lunch at a wonderful restaurant called Grateful Bread and picked up fresh baked bread, muffins and warm cookies for the drive home. The wedding was perfect and even though the air turned cold as the sun set, every-one’s hearts were warmed by the love between Hilary and Jon.

Congratulations to the families and friends of Hilary and Jon. Thank you for the wonderful day at the beach and all the kindness and warmth you extended towards us, making us feel right at home on your private day. It was a perfect wedding and everyone had a great time celebrating the love between these two. Best wishes to the newly married couple. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your story!

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Attorneys and politicians. Three degrees of separation. This has been a wonderfully bizarre summer of weddings with the best couples. Courtney and Justin live in Washington D.C. but grew up in this area. They were married on September 3rd at The Old Church, another one of the historic churches located on the Park Blocks. Their reception was at the World Trade Center. My first time at this venue, which is a very unique structure with striking architecture.

Recently a bride asked me what makes a great wedding. After working with Courtney and Justin, the definition came easily. Laid back, well planned and having fun, surrounded by your best friends. Justin was the more reserved of the two, but Courtney more than made up for it. They were both so very happy and all I could do was hang on and enjoy the ride. Here are some of my favorite moments from their day.

A great moment captured by Kristen. Courtney was so happy all day long and her enthusiasm was contagious.

There’s a story to this sword. It’s been passed from one wedding to another within the family. I’m not sure how it started or what it means, but it was at the ceremony and has been used to cut the cake at previous weddings. The tradition continues.

Courtney and Justin had friends and family in attendance from all over the world…literally. The toasts were humorous and emotional; from the heart. Courtney’s father introduced the entire wedding party, telling stories about each one. Courtney and Justin have known each other since grade school, high school sweethearts.

My wife, who was helping me that evening later commented that she hopes our own daughters have such friends who journey through life with them. It is an amazing testament to these two wonderful people that they are surrounded by so many friends they’ve known their entire lives. I barely hear from my own family!

Reflecting back over their wedding day, I will always remember Courtney’s smile and her laughter. What a beautiful soul. Justin, you are a lucky man! Best wishes to the newly married couple and congratulations to their families. It was truly an honor to witness the story of your wedding day.

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You might be a lawyer if when your wife says “I love you,” you cross-examine her (insert rim shot). All joking aside, Darcy and Ben were legally married on August 11th at the First Congregational United Church of Christ along the Park Blocks. Their reception venue was at the elegant Portland City Grill at a private dining room on the 30th floor with spectacular views of downtown Portland.

The Park Blocks are a beloved, long promenade park space in the heart of Portland. The First Congregational United Church of Christ, a stone church with a 175 foot high bell tower, is one of many historic churches lining the Park Blocks. The church was dedicated in 1895 and modeled after Boston’s Old South Church.

Darcy and Ben met in law school and have been through a lot together. It’s great to see them smiling, in love on their wedding day.

Kristen captured this unique image. I really enjoy the composition and mystery of this image. Nice twist on an ordinary boutinere detail shot.

I think they’re happy…what do you think?

Ben was really in a hurry to get into that limo, apparently surprising even Darcy from the looks of it.

The story of the day is in the details. Flowers on the guest’s napkins, the cake topper that was hand carved by Darcy’s mother and the setting sun reflected in the wine glasses.

Darcy and Ben showing off their special moves during their first dance.

Darcy and Ben were surrounded by close friends and family as they celebrated their wedding into the night. The music was pumping, restaurant patrons were sticking their heads into the reception to sneak a peak at the newly married couple. Everyone loves a wedding. The toasts were heartfelt and once the disco music started, it was hard to find a spot on the dance floor.

Congratulations to the newly married couple and their families. I know it must be hard having two attorneys in the family, but at least you’re well represented. Best wishes and thank you for allowing me to be a part of your story.

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Who say’s Canadians don’t have a sense of humor, eh? Lisa and David were married over a year ago in Canada, as David is in the Canadian military, but they had their official wedding for family and friends at The Hostess House on August 26th in Vancouver, Washington. Not to be confused with Vancouver, Canada, eh!

We had a great time and the laughs were flying all around. Lisa’s father, Joe, is quite a character himself and was never seen without a huge grin on his face. Here is Lisa just moments before David turns around to see her for the first time on their wedding day.

When David turns around, you can see the love in his face for Lisa.

Lisa showing off her sense of humor. Boxers from Joe’s Crab Shack that say “Bite Me!”

A sense of humor is strongly encouraged, but no lewd conduct.

We photographed all the family and bridal party formals along the Vancouver waterfront. Lisa and David taking a moment for a stroll before heading off to the ceremony site.

Who says we don’t know how to roll out here? A stretch Hummer just like the ones in Los Angeles. This was the guy’s limo, the girls were in a classic Cadillac stretch limo.

Lisa relaxing at The Hostess House before the ceremony.

What more can I say? A picture says it all…

One of the more surreal moments I’ve ever had at a wedding. Lisa and David honored the longest married couple in a special dance. Each couple is asked to leave based on the number of years they’ve been married until one couple is left on the dance floor. With two remaining couples, the DJ stopped the music and asked what year they were married. It ends up that both couples were married on the same date in the same year! I’ve never seen that happen.

Lisa and David…we’ve been planning and emailing for months. It’s hard to believe that your wedding day is over. It was wonderful meeting your friends and your family. The accents were fun to listen to, eh! Tell Glen that I’ve put my camera down for the time being and no, I don’t sleep with it!

Best wishes to the newlyweds (again) and a lifetime of happiness together. Have a safe journey back to Canada and thank you for allowing me to be a part of your wedding story. It was a pleasure.

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