Posts Tagged ‘Weddings’

I had coffee (actually a chamomile tea with honey) with Gina Emerson, of Gina Emerson Photography, this morning. I think it is just amazing to be part of a community of photographers in Portland, that are truly supportive of each other. When I was first starting out I had several established wedding photographers offer me advice, and point me to networking groups. Over the years, I’ve become part of a group of Oregon Flickr photographers that are always willing to share ideas, and another group of women photographers in the Portland area.

Brides are often surprised when I tell them that a lot of photographers here are friends, or at least friendly enough to help each other out. Yes we are each others competition but we’re also coworkers in a way. When dates are booked we need to know other photographers to refer brides to for their wedding. When a portrait client contacts me, and they are too far away, it’s great to be able to send them to someone closer. It helps all our clients, and each other. It’s also an absolutely essential resource for a wedding photographer to have in event of an emergency on a wedding day!

Wedding Flowers

February 28, 2010

Earlier this week I had coffee with Dorinda Malsey of Tayadeline Floral. It was really interesting to hear about weddings from her point of view. The amount of thought and time that goes into wedding flowers is so much more than I had imagined. Hearing about the prep a florist goes through the night before made me really glad that as a wedding photographer most of my work comes after the wedding.

I worked with Dorinda at a wedding last summer at The Aerie at Eagle Landing, just southeast of Portland. Her unique flower pom-poms for the little girls in the wedding party, and her sweet mellow attitude really struck me.

Wedding Photography in Portland Oregon at The Aerie

Portland wedding photography at the Aerie at Eagle Landing

Wedding Flowers at The Aerie by Portland Wedding Photographer Jessica Shepard

During our “shoot me” session (using Deanna’s words), we kept talking about how stunning Jenkins Estate would be to have a wedding at. There are so many little nooks and crannies to take beautiful wedding photos. I adore the combination of history and nature.

Deanna, of Deanna Russell Photography, is so much fun to work with. She seems to feel about the same as I do about being in front of the camera. I try to use the experience to imagine what my clients feel like, and to improve my communications skills as a photographer. A gigantic part of my job as a photographer is interacting with my clients and making them feel at ease. When I first started out I thought the end product, the photos, was all it was about. Now I realize the experience is just as important!

Jenkins Estate Portraits by Portland Photographer Jessica Shepard

Portland Professional Photography

Shoot me photo session with Sherwood Photographer Deanna Russell and Portland Photographer Jessica Shepard

One of the weddings I am photographing this coming summer is at Bridal Veil Lakes. It looks like such an amazing place to get married and just so uniquely Oregon. When the bride told me they included canoes as part of the wedding venue, I was astounded. This venue is only 30 minutes outside of downtown Portland, in the heart of the Gorge. It has over 40 acres of land, including a big lake and forest.

Tiffany, the bride, just commented on my Facebook page and got me thinking about her wedding. I thought I’d share it with my readers since it sounds like such a great wedding venue. I am absolutely excited to get a chance to photograph there (and of course to work with Tiffany and Adam)!

Engagement Sessions

February 16, 2010

When I get together with couples who are considering hiring me as their wedding photographer, I get asked often about engagement sessions.

What is an engagement session? It’s really just a chance to hang out together, enjoying each other, laughing, and letting me observe with my camera. Portrait sessions usually take about an hour, maybe a bit more. If you want to do an extended engagement session this lasts up to three hours and we can go much further, like the beach or the gorge.

What can we do with the engagement photos? You can use the photos in a slide show at your wedding reception. You can make a guest book, or have me order a custom designed professional guest book for you. Some brides like to make personalized save-the-date cards for their wedding, or include a photo in their invites.  I give all my brides a dvd with high resolution images and printing rights.

Where and when does the e-session take place? You can do your photos when you first get engaged, or just weeks before your wedding. It depends on how long you are wedding planning for and what you want to use the photos for. There are lots of fun locations in Portland! Downtown can be a blast. We can walk around the Pearl district, hitting Tanner Springs Park and Ecotrust. The SE Industrial area has a great grungy urban feel. If you want something prettier, there is Washington Park, Mt. Tabor, and piles of other green places. Once I know a little about my clients it’s easier to make suggestions to some place that seems just right.

What are the benefits? It gives you a chance to get relaxed in front of the camera. Most people are not used to a camera following them around.  Doing an engagement session is great prep for your wedding.  Another great thing is you and your photographer get to know each other a little better.  You’ve probably spent a lot of time deciding between wedding photographers, and interviewing, before you booked. This gives you a chance to feel what it is like to work together.  It may help you to feel more at ease on your wedding day.

Most importantly an engagement session, gives you a chance to celebrate your love. Wedding planning can be stressful.  Take an hour or two off, go somewhere special and look into each others eyes, laugh, and kiss.  And of course you get great photos to use for whatever you like!

Not everyone chooses to do engagement photos, but I do recommend it and offer it complimentary with most of my wedding packages.  It’s great for me to work with couples before their wedding, but I have had brides that were from out of town and I didn’t meet until I showed up in their hotel room for getting ready photos!

Engagement Session before Wedding Photography

Engagement photos in Cathedral Park in Portland Oregon for Longview Washington Wedding

Portland Downtown Pearl District Engagement Session for Vancouver Washington Wedding

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