Inspired Photo Blog

It’s hard to believe that the weather can change so much in one week. The past few days have been downright chilly. Yet last weekend, when Karra and Paul were married, everyone was feeling the record-breaking heat. The ceremony and reception venues both lacked air conditioning, but even that could not take away from the celebration of the day.

The ceremony was held at The Old Laurelhurst Church, a beautiful Mission style church in Portland. As the groomsmen took their positions before the ceremony, in passing they gave each other low fives. I’m not sure what that was all about, but I’m sure someone will fill me in shortly. The ceremony was a quick, candlelit service but filled with heartfelt emotion and lots of tears.

The reception was held at McMenamins Crystal Ballroom off Burnside Avenue in downtown Portland. Unfortunately, this was also the location for the annual Portland Rose Festival Starlight Parade. People were lining Burnside for blocks and they were planning to shut down the street as we raced to the reception. I’m surprised that everyone arrived. They must have been putting up the barricades as we drove past. I’ve never seen so many people in downtown Portland.

This wedding is the first of many this summer and I’m proud to showcase the work of my associate Kristen Koester who will be shooting alongside me this summer. I’d like to include at least one of her images from every wedding. Kristen’s work is amazing and while she is learning a great deal by working with me, I can’t take credit for the talent and vision and voice that comes through in her images. She’s inspiring. Her goal this summer is to put together a collection of killer shoe images. This one caught my eye as a favorite.

Karra was radiant on her wedding day. Beautiful, poised, calm and happy. I dare you not to smile when you look at this picture. You’re smiling aren’t you?

Paul anxiously awaits his bride in a stolen moment of solitude.

Their first moments together as a couple on their wedding day. Tearful, passionate and tender are all words that come to mind.

This image illustrates how wonderfully two photographers can work together. In the top image, I was photographing a formal of Mom and Dad. The image below is a storytelling image of Karra and Paul sneaking a kiss that Kristen captured while everyone was distracted.

Having two professional photographers at your wedding is a luxury, but it really helps to capture those elusive and fleeting moments. If you are a couple that’s commissioned my services this summer, you will be treated to a two photographer coverage at no additional cost. I’m training Kristen to be a paid second shooter by the end of this summer. She’s put in two years of training with me. As a side note, if you are a bride looking at photographers, be sure to check out the portfolio of any second shooters and ask lots of questions. Many photographers drag along spouses, neighbors or any able body they can find and call them a photographer.

I’ve only seen one of these stretch Hummers and that was in Los Angeles. This thing was as big as the church. The whole wedding party fit into this monster.

The wedding party was a blast. These guys were a lot of fun and never stopped having fun all night long. Poor Karra…the Crystal Ballroom was going through a seismic upgrade and the whole building was covered in scaffolding draped with black fabric. Our choices for downtown photos of the wedding party came to a screeching halt, especially with the parade about to start. So, like any good rowdy wedding party, they decided to kick off the celebration with a shot at Ringler’s Bar underneath the Crystal Ballroom. I’m not sure what they were drinking, but almost everyone has a sour look on their face.

They lined up on the sidewalk across the street from the Crystal Ballroom and got crazy. Some people walked on by and pretended not to notice. Others honked their horns or shouted congratulations to the couple. One of the bridesmaids even mooned me!

Once they came upstairs into the very hot reception room, the food was served, the cake was cut and the dancing started. By the end of the night, the little ones were just worn out. I’m still amazed that they were sleeping so soundly. The music was really blaring at this point.

Karra and Paul are somewhere in Greece for their honeymoon. Their wedding day was the beginning of a lifetime together and they were surrounded by family and friends. Many of their friends have been photographed by me and it was great seeing familiar faces. It may have been that famous McMenamins beer talking, but Karra and Paul are truly loved by their friends. They were hanging on them and around them all night long. It was everything you’d want a wedding reception to be—a great memory.

Congratulations to Karra and Paul and your families. I wish you a lifetime of happiness together. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your wedding and capturing the story of your day.