Photography is a part of me, and has been in my life for many years. It took me a long time to get the guts to launch my own business but now I could not imagine it any other way.
I am based just outside Portland Oregon. I accept portrait clients within Portland metro, and weddings anywhere from Eugene to Seattle to the Oregon Coast or Bend. I do love to explore, so feel free to try me if you are elsewhere.
I love capturing moments, whether it be your wedding day, or your baby's first year.
Hiking. Reading to my toddler. Walking on the beach. Quiet nights with my hubby. Road trips. Some things I like....
You’ll find recent work, and some personal tidbits on this blog. Browse around, get to know me a little bit, and feel free to send me an email. If you'd like, you can go straight to my portfolio.
Thanks for visiting!
It was very cold on Saturday morning when I met Katie, Andy, and Alton for their family portrait session. I was so bundled Alton who is almost two, and a friend of my little girl, didn’t seem to recognize me. The family braved the cold romping through the muddy Christmas tree farm with me, still managing to smile and have fun.
My dearest friend Kendra called me this afternoon. She wants to take a picture of her son to use on their holiday cards but “he doesn’t stay still”.
I first met Kendra when we were little girls at dancing school, probably around 6 or 7 years old. I met Kendra again as freshmen in high school. We were in the same honors English class. On the second day of school, she brought a photo of our dancing school class in. She was excited to show me that we knew each other back then. I was so embarrassed of the picture of me as a chubby little girl in a tutu!
Kendra’s son Nate was born a day after my daughter. If only they weren’t 3000 miles away in New Jersey I would have just rushed over to take the holiday portraits for her.
So how do you get that great portrait of your toddler?
Don’t try to keep your little one still. Be prepared to chase. Put on your sneakers. Have your camera ready. Take a test shot of the scene first and then have your finger on the button.
Have someone in the portrait with him or her. Your toddler walking holding hands can make a sweet picture and slow them down a bit.
Put your spouse or friend on babysitting detail. You are the photographer and don’t want to be worrying about what goes in your toddler’s mouth or if he is too close to the street. Have someone along that can take all responsibility so you can just take the photos.
Get outside. Little ones loves to explore. If you are at a park, or even in the yard, there is more to distract your toddler from trying to grab the camera.
Get to know your camera. Whether you are shooting with a DSLR, a digicam, or even your cell phone, see what options you have. If you don’t have manual options, try shooting in sports mode. This typically uses a fast shutter speed, which helps with moving subjects.
Catch them busy. My daughter can get really caught up looking at something or playing with a certain toy. Take advantage of these times. Keep the camera handy and pick up up while your toddler is distracted.
Shoot lots. When I do family portraits, I take tons of images. Babies and toddlers move quickly and even with my professional camera I can’t always snap it before they are in motion. I sometimes photograph on rapid fire. I’d rather have excess of images than have missed a moment.
Some of you may know that my hubby, Dan, got his real estate license last spring. Also being a teacher, a dad, and very supportive to my crazy schedule, he is just now really starting to dive in. This coming Sunday he is hosting his first open house in Portland’s up and coming Peidmont neighborhood. Since he is such a supportive hubby, as a little jump start to inspire more people to come to his open house, I am giving him a gift certificate to give away.
So if you want to see a house, meet a great buyer’s agent (specializing in first time homes), or if you just want to win a portrait session with me, stop by 63 NE Baldwin Street on Sunday October 11th, between noon and three. All you have to do is say hi, sign up for his newsletter by providing your name and email address, and you’ll be entered to win a $150 gift certificate towards a portrait session, or even your wedding photography!
Below are a couple favorite candid family portraits of Dan and Mackenzie.
I am starting to get a lot of inquiries for spring portrait sessions. As an incentive to book early, I am including two 8×10 prints (a $40 value) with any portrait session booked in March. These sessions can take place later in the year, and can be for any type of portrait (maternity, baby, family, seniors, or engagement).
Take a look at my portfolio and email me to schedule a session.
My engagement session turned into a family portrait session (due to a sick fiance). These boys are seven and two. We were on the Discovery Trail in west Vancouver, Washington. It was quite the chilly morning but the lighting was just perfect. Overcast days make for such beautiful portraits.
The boys seems not to notice the chill, and were thrilled to be outdoors. We ran, played and got dirty. I always come home from child photography sessions covered in a little mud. (I used to go caving so I certainly don’t mind a bit of mud.) The boys energy was amazing, and their mom, Jenni kept right up with them. I tried to capture the spirit of the outing in the portraits.