I was so lucky to have the opportunity to be shown around this small mountain village way up in Chiang Rai, Thailand. They used raised houses with bamboo flooring to help with ventilation to keep their homes cool. and most of them had only two rooms, the sleeping room and the living room. Most homes only had a few pots to cook with and tools for working in the fields, they carved into the sides of hills by hand on the top of this mountain, and grew Green Beans, Chinese Broccoli, carrots, and other vegetables they use everyday.
Alexis + Jasen
Alexis Armillas
The best thing you can do, is surround yourself with people who love you. From the moment I arrived I could feel the love everyone had for Jasen and Alexis. They came from all over for her special day, Georgia, California, Hawaii, from all walks of life, old and new, from the different schools and jobs and adventures, all were there for her. I have never been to a wedding where the bridal party ended the ceremony in a group hug. This was not a traditional wedding. With the 13 brides maids, her friend preforming the ceremony, 2 flower girls and 4 ring bearers. Nothing about this was normal, but it was perfect.
Black & White at Mount Tabor
I always love the Black&White photos I send out with a wedding set, Its hard sometimes to decide which ones to edit B&W, many photographers I know edit all the photos in color and B&W to send out, but I want the ones I send to be B&W for a reason. I want it to have that timeless feel, to add a little bit of blur of movement, to really catch your attention. These three were my favorite B&W photos from Alexis and Jasen’s wedding up at mount tabor.
Lily + Davis
What started out with possibly the shortest ceremony ended with the longest dance party of my life, say what you want about Spokane but they know how to party. I was so happy when Lily reached out to me to shoot her wedding, I had only met her a year or so before, but she was just the sweetest most down to earth girl, even with her career as a wedding coordinator, she kept reminding me “oh I’m not worried about that.” She only wanted one thing, to marry her love. It was an amazing occasion and I was so happy I could be a part of it.
Portland Gear
My friend sent me this yellow Portland gear hat to match my school bus, and I’m so happy with it. Recently I have been making many lists of things I will bring with me when I’m in the bus full time. Most of the things on them are necessities - things to cook with, storage items, a rad wooden beer caddy - so everything needs to have a place and a purpose. This awesome hat will definitely be among the things I make room for. Everyone needs a rad adventure hat that can go with anything in your closet, and now I have the perfect one.
First bus shoot
Alexis came to visit me while she was in town, we got a chance to talk about her wedding in September, her new Tinyhome with Jasen, and my own little Tinyhome project. She was so excited for me cause she knew this has been a dream of mine for a long time. I wish she didn’t live across the county, but we’ll get more chances to hangout soon, especially with her fiancé next time they’re in town. But here are a few photos from inside the bus - notice they’re all from the same side since it was only about half finished.
Africa
Africa in B&W
I finally got my film from Kenya, and Uganda developed. I was a bit disappointed because a lot of it was either damaged or corrupted (even though I had them hand search it through security) with a few rolls only having 3-4 usable photos. I am hoping it is not my camera, but so far that is my only guess.
Here are a few photos I was able to capture with my Rolleiflex SL35, using Tri-X film I picked up from Hollywood Camera. I love the Depth in each photo, telling part of a bigger story. Many of these photos are things you would never see here in comfy America. It’s not everyday you help the military move a fallen tree out of the road, or see a lamb slaughtered before your eyes.
Many of my film photos were taken on the way to town, usually in to Eldoret, Kenya. Our rides were very eventful, with tons of honking and overtaking, bribing police, purchasing supplies, and occasionally having to find alternate routes or help the Kenyan military move something out of the way.
The easiest part of being over there was that everyone who had gone to school spoke english very well, the hardest part was how we were viewed. Many believed we were there to take advantage of their situation, especially if you have a camera around your neck. More than one time I had someone yelling in my face because of my camera, even if I hadn’t taken a photo.
The children and families in the villages were much nicer and easier to take photos of. Almost all the kids would run up to you asking for “a picture?” sometimes fighting over you yelling “AND ME?” while pushing the other kids. All the little villagers were so excited when they saw us and loved to just walk with us while we were out.
I think thats what I miss most, I’m sure everyone who has been to Africa says that, but its true. They tend to steal your heart over there.
Inka + Igor
Inka + Igor
After running late from traffic and a few wrong turns (which I hardly ever do) I finally met up with these two. We had so much fun running around the field and talking about life in the PNW. Once I get back from Africa we’re going to get coffee and have a chance to really talk and get to know each other. Igor said “I believe every encounter is a gift from God” so I’m happy to have met them and be a little part of their journey.
Christian + Kenzie
Christian + Kenzie
I was so happy to take a break from converting my school bus, to go out and adventure with these two. I met Kenzie a few years ago when she sang at my sisters memorial, and I met Christian downtown Portland, at Tilt. When I learned they were seeing each I was so happy because I knew how awesome they were for each other. Once we got to the beach before I could even start directing them they took over. You can see how much fun they have together and the love they share.
Ben + Maegan
Ben + Maegan
So lovely working with one of my favorite couples, still can’t believe I got the chance to shoot this barn wedding, every part of it was so cute and perfect, from the rustic features to the homemade root beer we drank from mason jars. Can’t wait to finish these photos so I have more to share, comment you’re favorite part if you got the chance to attend!
Andy + Emily
I was so happy I got the chance to shoot with Emily + Andy. After discussing a few looks and styles I showed them some photos from my favorite photographers, and they actually knew quite a few of them just from their photos. One in particular - my friend autumn from SLC - because they booked her for their wedding. They had so much fun climbing on logs dancing in the forest and watching the sunset over Yale Lake up in Washington. Here are a few of my favorite photos from the set.
Bloom&Vessel
@bloomandvessel
@winsdesign
@carsonmckeee
We set out on the hottest day of the year - at least it felt like it- to shoot this magical bridal session along the Oregon coast. When we arrived however, we were very surprised to be able to see our breath. We went from 90 degree weather to hight fifties, and to say the least we were ill prepared. But we toughed it out and created such beautiful photos, we walk along the rippling waves and felt the cool salty air fill our lungs. We kept taking breaks between photos to try and warm up our hands, but it was all worth it. I have heard back from so many people how much they loved these photos, and I’d love to know what you think as well, comment your thoughts below.
Danni + Tyler
Danni + Tyler
I absolutely loved shooting with these two, the energy they share, the precious moments I get to be a part of and capture, its all too much. Danni and Tyler both shoot film, and love being outside, but they aren’t usually the center of attention. So, they were a little nervous when we first started, but warmed up to it very quickly and were so happy with how everything turned out. This was the perfect day to spend at the coast with frends.
Maggie + Kory
Maggie + Kory
I will never forget this night, and the moments I captured between Maggie & Kory. This is why I got into photography. The feelings of love and happiness shared between these two was almost too much to bare. From every glance they shared, to helping each other balance on logs, occasionally falling off and into each others arms laughing hysterically.
Mornings with Emily
Six months is entirely too long to go without seeing this wonderful woman. I started the morning with Emily exploring some of the cute neighborhoods in St. Johns, Oregon, and ended it by getting coffee and catching up on what we have been up to recently. We were originally in search of some flower trees to shoot with, and ended up stumbling on a few classic vehicles that were just too cool to pass up. She taught me how to take a proper boomerang on Instagram, and I showed her a few things on Lightroom. We ended up laughing a little too much at the coffee shop so we got a few looks from the different customers, but we were having too much fun to care. I wish every day started off like this. Thank you dear friend!
Gold Presets
So happy with how my first set of presets have turned out.
These are the perfect touch to any golden hour photo session, whether it be bridals or a grand adventure. These are full of rich milky skin tones and deep contrasting darks. Here are a few before and afters of my favorite photos. Enjoy
Carley + Tyler
Recently I have been changing my main focal point of photography off of single subject portraits and gearing more towards couples. I do still love working one-on-one and creating something beautiful, but I love seeing the chemistry of working with couples. Last weekend I was able to stay at the coast for a few nights with friends, and ended the trip with a lovely couples shoot at Cape Kiwanda. This was the first sunny weekend in about 4 months. We have been so used to rainy days and overcast skies here in Oregon, so needless to say, the beach was very crowded. I've been to this location a number of times, so I was able to show Carly and Tyler a few hidden spots they haven't explored yet. Although it was sunny, it was still very cold and very windy. when we first got to the beach we noticed and ambulance and other search and rescue vehicles from the neighboring towns. They had evacuated all the surfers out of the water, and had two jet skis as well as a helicopter circling the water. We didn't find out until after the shoot, that someone had fallen off of their pontoon boat pretty far off the coast and could not climb back into it. He had been holding onto the side for more than thirty minutes while the coastguard planned a rescue operation and set it into action, towing a floatation device behind their jet ski and bringing him safely back to land.
Bailey + Jhamil
I was privileged to meet Bailey & Jhamil recently, and got to spend time with the two of them together. They have such lovely chemistry that comes across through all their photos, and are now happily engaged and hoping to elope along the Oregon coast in the near future.
My very first blog
I am not a blogger so I will keep this short. After staying up entirely too late last night I finally finished setting up my new website. It is so much easier now to organize my shoots and share specific sets on social media. After months of rain and snow I'm finally getting back at it and pursuing the business side of photography that I always love putting off. Thankfully yesterday I spent with my best friend Davis after we taught a photography class at PCC. So after we taught we went to a cafe to get some work done, and thats when I decided to update my website and ended up switching to squarespace after seeing what it offered.