Megan and Nathan’s engagement in Pacific City was truly one for the books. The stormy sky and slight wind made for legendary colors and stunning looks from Megan and Nathan! We soaked in the ocean views on Cape Kiwanda and snuggled under a Pendelton blanket for some more intimate moments. The two of them ended their day with celebratory beers at Pelican Brewing. I am so looking forward to their elopement at the Hoyt Arboretum Redwood Deck! Cheers to the happy couple!
Lindsey and Kirk are both a kind and gorgeous couple and their northwest Portland engagement session reflected their laid-back, yet elegant style. We started the evening on a quiet trail in Forest Park. Their darling instagram-famous dog, Gordie, made an appearance and the evening glow was pure magic! After a wardrobe change, we headed down to The Pearl District for some sunset photos at Tanner Springs Park, talk about opportunities to play with beautiful colors and reflections! So excited to photograph their wedding this weekend at Gorge Crest Vineyards near Mt. Hood. It’s going to be so dreamy!
Happy one year Katie and Jon! WOW! Can’t believe it’s been only one year since their Leavenworth Washington wedding. As a wedding photographer, we always remember our “last one” the last big wedding before Covid really hit. This was it and boy am I ever thankful for such a off the grid, unique and adventurous wedding on the couple’s own property. Katie and Jon are not your average couple, they live out in the wilderness of Washington in a yurt they built themselves. This incredible and adventurous couple decided host a rad party to celebrate their love in the woods of their 20 acre property in the Cascade mountains. They love spending their time immersed in nature and they’re happiest on the trail. Katie recently launched a wilderness education retreal for women! Naturally, their wedding was scheduled to be part-adventure, part-epic dance party, and part-snowy wonderland. To kick off the day, Katie and Jon skied at sunrise with their nearest and dearest. Then Katie skied down the aisle to meet her forever person. Talented Kate & team with Ivory & Evergreen coordinated this off-the grid wedding and made sure it went smoothly! The couple said “I do” among their 100 closest family and friends beneath an ancient Ponderosa pine. They caught all of their own food for the dinner, including the wild salmon and elk. Songs, toasts and drinks carried on into the evening in their geodesic dome and boy was it a party to remember! They busted into a incredible trance dance for their first dance that surprised everyone! This was one unique and off-the-grid wedding that I will never soon forget. Can’t wait to get back to a sweaty dance floor! A very happy one year to Katie and Jon!
Lisa and Geoff and I met up on a snowy January day deep into the Mt. Hood Wilderness for their snowy wilderness engagement session. Loved learning their love story about how an older neighbor in their condo introduced them at a mingle event for the building. SO very meet cute! We laughed while almost falling on our faces every few minutes (it was slippery!) and had a blast photographing in the snow. The day was chilly and crisp but not too cold and just right for a snowy evening in the woods. The pine trees were heavy with snow and made a wonderful photography backdrop to Lisa and Geoff’s love story. Absolutely loved the Pendelton blanket they brought to keep warm with along with the Argyle bubbles to pop in celebration! We hopped in the back of their truck so we could get some fun sitting pics and not get too freezing sitting in snow! Such a perfect Mt. Hood Oregon engagement session. So happy for these two amazing people and their upcoming wedding this summer. Congrats Lisa & Geoff!
I look back on Lei and Alfonso’s wedding with so much awe and love for how they beautifully crafted a day that represented both of their cultures. I’ve known Alfonso’s wonderful family since photographing his sister’s wedding at the same venue in 2018. The ceremony started with a traditional Western wedding at the University of Portland where the couple originally met while in a study group together (awe!) Lei took our breathe away in her gorgeous dress from Anna’s Bridal and traditional Samoan flower crown from Blum. The ceremony was then followed by a stunning holiday-inspired reception at the Portland Golf Club complete with twinkle lights galore, amazing food and music and mingling. Their gorgeous cake from Dream Cakes was topped with an antique cake topper which has now crowned wedding cakes in their family for over 50 years. After the emotional toasts came the dancing! The couple danced the traditional Samoan dance called “taulagua” with the bride, groom, and bride’s family in cultural attire. The ceremony symbolizes the closing of the event, thanking guests for joining in the celebration. From start to finish their day was filled with endless smiles and unforgettable moments of union between two cultures. Happy one year anniversary Lei and Alfonso!
I am elated to share that one of my images from Kelsey and Tyler’s Sentinel Hotel Wedding won a spot among the Masters of Photography images! It is an honor to be considered among the best of the best. A huge thank you to the amazing crew at Masters of Wedding Photography and of course, Tyler and his entourage of groomsmen! Don’t forget to take a peek at some of the other amazing winners this year!
read more >Julie and Joe are just the sweetest couple! This kind couple were married last winter at the First Presbyterian Church and later held their reception at The Benson. The amazing Catherine, with Bridal Bliss mastered the coordination for their day while Blum created the elegant bouquets. Julie looked beyond elegant in her dress with delicate lace long sleeves, perfect for the season. (which then detached from the dress for the dance floor)! These two lovebirds decided not to see each other until they were walking down the aisle and oh my goodness, there was such magic when their eyes met! Following the ceremony, guests moved to The historic Benson Hotel for a beautiful white and gold reception featuring Christmas trees, twinkling lights and a gorgeous cake from Dream Cakes! From the unforgettable toasts to the lively dance party with music from DJ John Ross Music, their wedding was beyond incredible! Wishing Julie and Joe many more happy anniversaries to come!
2020 might not have been exactly what anyone expected, but for so many it allowed time to slow down and soak in precious moments with our family. Through my Portland Front Porch Portrait series, documented in May 2020, during the mandated quarantine due to the Covid 19 pandemic, I photographed 15 families that wanted to encapsulate this unprecedented time with family portraits. Remembering all the beauty in the chaos and to hold memories of strength at home with our nearest and dearest loves.
I’m so excited to share some highlights from the Portland families I had the pleasure of photographing, making the best of a tough year and creating joy together during the lockdown of 2020. These were all photographed by me, with a mask on, all at a proper social distance using longer and telephoto lenses outside on families porches, and yards.Thank you to all the families who chose me to document these bittersweet memories at home and for sharing your personal thoughts about the experience. I’ve included select quotes along with photographs to share this strength in our homes and our families during this hard time. Hugs to you all and stay safe out there!
“I’m writing to tell you I am SO glad to have your photos. I absolutely love love LOVE #28, Sam looking lovingly at smiling Lily & Henry that you rendered in black & white. I know this will be one of the most cherished images I’ll ever have of my children. I’m going to put it into a big beautiful frame. I told my husband it’s one of the things coming to the nursing home with us some day :)” -Dawn Peck 
“Jessica photographed our wedding 5 years ago, and when she announced she was doing Porch Portraits , I was thrilled to have her surprise my husband when I had a socially distancing birthday with members of his family. It was the first time we had seen each other in months that was not through a screen. I had also booked the Portland Famous Unipiper as another surprise for his party. She took pictures of us with the Unipiper , with our family in masks and around the outside of our newly purchased home. We are so happy to have professional documentation of a strange, emotional and unique time with someone who makes us comfortable like we are chatting with an old friend.” -Nicole Benoit
“In a time when you feel like lots of things are being taken away these photos are a great reminder to appreciate what we do have – a home and our family.” -Patience Deeks
“Jessica’s work is phenomenal. She is able to capture the tiniest sparkles–the love contained in each moment! These months have been a rollercoaster of emotions and uncertainty, but contained within have been cherished weeks of getting to spend time with our children and seeing them grow. I felt every drop of that sentiment in our porch photos. We felt safe and seen. When I look at these images, I will remember the best of times and the magic.” -Katherine Berman
“Grateful to have many wonderful pictures of our family, a beautiful memory from a challenging time. This period will shape us as we move forward, and I hope these photos will be a reminder of the comfort that family provides each of us.” -Kellie Gulden
“We were so happy to have Jessica come by for these photos. The pandemic disrupted our plans for a photoshoot with our baby in his first year, but we were still able to capture the moment in front of our new home, where we are getting to spend so much time together now. Jessica shot our engagement and wedding photos as well, and it was so nice to have her behind the camera again!” -Jesse Neilson and Giorgina Castillo
There’s nothing like celebrating your engagement while dancing on the river and enjoying an ice-cold beer in the grass along the Columbia River Gorge! Stephanie and Adam are getting married this October and it’s easy to see why. These two have such a relaxed and fun energy & our engagement photoshoot at Government Cove near Hood River, Oregon was a total blast! Not only did we enjoy peak summer weather, but the sunset itself was totally incredible. Soon Stephanie and Adam will be saying “I do” at Smith Rock for their elopement and next year for the big party at the Eleanor Ballroom. Excited for this smart and fun and hilarious couple!
“So special! We had recently moved into our home and just got a new puppy so it truly captured this moment in time! The good and the bad.” -Merrin Permut