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!
McKenzie and Paul’s just celebrated one year of marriage and I’m so excited to finally share their absolutely jaw dropping wedding experience at The Sentinel Hotel in Portland Oregon. This historic portland wedding venue is incredibly elegant with a timeless style and architecture that the couple, along with the talents of both Danielle Caldwell Events and Blum Florals, transformed into a luxe garden of magic, complete with English inspired garden details, like hedges and topiaries. McKenzie, an absolutely stunning bride, wore a weddings dress from Portland’s A&bé bridal shop and her father’s first reaction to seeing his daughter all in white was a truly beautiful moment. The couple opted for a “first touch” rather than a first look, which was a powerful and unforgettable moment of union. Paul, a talented pianist, played a song he wrote for his future wife and they shared a silent moment of prayer together. The two walked down the aisle to a full string quartet and onto an impressive garden trellis of live ivy & roses. The reception, held in the Governor ballroom, was gorgeously designed to incorporate elements of nature into the evening. From full trees lit by candlelight, to twinkling stars projected onto the ceiling, it was truly breathtaking. The cake, made by the one and only Dream Cakes, was impressive 5 tier with acrylic dividers to highlight the elegance of the day. To close out their incredible day, McKenzie and Paul danced to the last song of the evening surrounded by their friends and family holding a sea of tealight candles that swayed with the perfect music provided by Event Team Entertainment. Congratulations on one year McKenzie & Paul! Your magical wedding truly represented what a magical couple you two are!
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
I am beyond honored to be Oregon Bride Magazine‘s Best Photographer in Portland for 2020! This is my third year winning (2013 and 2015) and I continue to feel so very humbled and appreciative. I want to thank each and every one of you for your votes and continued support and love. The wedding industry has been completely upended, but your support has allowed me to live out my passion and continue to capture amazing and meaningful moments for Oregon couples. A huge shout out to the other winners and contestants, it is an honor to know & work alongside so many of you! Thank you and Happiest Holidays!
Hannah and Jason are celebrating their one-year anniversary and looking back on their wedding has been such a blast! I’m not exaggerating when I say that Hannah and Jason’s elegant ceremony at Portland’s The Sentinel was one that I’ll remember forever. (I was first introduced to this rad couple over a decade ago at Jill & Nicks wedding at Timberline!) Hannah looked stunning in a BHLDN wedding dress and Jason in a classic tux from the Black Tux, which was complemented by deep blues & black for the groomsmen and burgundy velvet for the bridesmaids. SO chic! The lush florals from Sea of Roses took the elegance to the next level and I am still swooning over the fireplace decor from the library room where the ceremony took place. I love Hannah’s special connection to her Grandma and had asked that she walk her down the aisle, which was a beautiful moment of three generations. Every detail was perfectly thought out and executed by Elizabeth at Spruce Events NW and it felt like you had walked onto the set of a luxe James Bond film. After the ceremony the bride and groom led everyone out onto the dance floor for a night of hilarious laughter and celebration. Congratulations to this smart and stylish couple on one year together! Happy anniversary Hannah & Jason!
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!
This wedding between Kelsey and Geoff was absolutely stunning and every little detail thought out to make the day perfection. The bride and groom prepared for their big day in stunning rooms at Portland’s luxury hotel The Nines. During their first look, Kelsey and Geoff took a moment together to laugh and cry together in such a touching moment. After photos along at the Nines and the Portland waterfront, the ceremony took place at St. Mary’s Cathedral in NW. With gorgeous florals from Geranium Lake, the Leftbank Annex was turned into an elegant yet industrial venue perfect for dinner, toasts and dancing. The remainder of the night was an opulent blur of amazing dancing, laugher, and joy! The couple made their exit under a dazzling tunnel of sparklers. Happy anniversary Kelsey and Geoff and we wish you many many more!
Evan and Aaron are celebrating their one year anniversary this week! I deeply admire this couple for the kind and gentle love they share. They also live a very eco-conscious lifestyle and that was reflected throughout their thoughtful wedding day. Their venue, the Village Ballroom, was specifically chosen because of its focus on charity and green living, and their autumn themed decor was all sustainable harvest fruits and squash that the guests took home with them as favors! Both grooms sang a song to each other with their dads accompanying them on the guitar and piano respectively. Needless to say, there wasn’t a dry eye in the room! After vows, guests were entertained with vegan Mediterranean food from Nicolas and board games, one of the couple’s favorite pastimes. I’m so happy to have recently delivered the couple a beautiful, custom-designed vegan Heirloom Album with photographs from their special day. It was such a sweet way for them to relive their wedding a year later and I wish this kind and intelligent couple the happiest one year anniversary and many many more.
“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