where all the stories are savored
I love when random instagram conversations turn into plans and then into friendships! These two are some of the most kind and genuine humans, and I am SO grateful that I got to hang out and snap pics with them!
Since they were from out of state, we took advantage of the tiny bit of overlap we had - aka 5 am in the morning we drove to the coast!! Worth every bit of that early morning wake up call!
TRUST ME, I know how nerve wrecking it can be to jump in front of the camera (I'm used to staying on this side of the lens myself, haha)! But, my goal is to make it so fun for you two, and basically just a time to be creative, cuddle, be goofy, and run all around with your best friend - plus, we usually hang out somewhere pretty dang cool too!
So, to put your mind at ease, I've put together this little "guide" to get you all excited and to let you know what to expect on our adventure together! Alrighty, let's roll!
I am all about directing the shoot in a way that feels natural, I'm not going to put you in an awkward pose and leave you there for 5 minutes of silence. HECK NO, this will be fun, relaxed, and comfortable. A photographer I know (Ben Sasso) said it best: "Itβs dangerous to show up on set with an inflexible view of what you want to create. If youβre trying to direct a couple into delicate, intimate poses but they only sit there for a few seconds before they start making fart noises and tickling each other, you might need to adapt. If they start getting goofy, play into it. If theyβre quiet and calm, let them sink further into that. Whatever fire they light, throw some wood on it." So, that being said, I'm not going to shove you into a cookie-cutter set of poses, I want these photos to feel so YOU. We'll play around and get creative, and really lean into who you two are.
YOU JUST BE YOU, I'LL DO THE REST!
I know this can be a struggle! I've been there - a million outfits scattered on the bed and trying to decide what looks best together! well, I've made a style guide to help with that! I want to make picking out clothes easy peasy, and I want you to feel confident that you two look so dang good together! So, head over to my Pinterest board to see what outfits, color pallets, and styles look good together! And again, just be you!
Don't worry, I have all the fun little games and ways to get you two loosened up and into it! ;) But, if you wanna sip some wine or swig a beer to get into your groove, totally do it!! I'm game for it all! We can even grab burgers + fries or some donuts if you want! You say the word! And, when the camera comes out though, just fully lean into BEING together! Yes, I'll give you prompts, but it's your job to interact and be yourselves together! YOU GOT THIS.
I gotchu! If you come fully as you are, the trust me to do the rest! Engagement & couple shoots are my absolute favorite because it really does feel like just hanging out + a camera haha. Don't feel stressed at all, I know all the details about making a good photo, so you just need to bring yourselves and the personality!
Just enjoy each other, enjoy the space you're in together - whether that's sitting on a clifftop with a view, running up and down the coast, sippin' coffee at your fave downtown cafe, or spinning around in the desert - soak it up! Make jokes, do a jig, make fart sounds on each others' necks, whisper secrets, laugh hard, and cuddle harder! I just want you to fully enjoy yourselves! We're going to have a blast!
I just love hanging out and getting to know you! I fully believe this is a co-creation, we're making these images together!
Have more questions or want to get this adventure on the road? hit me up!!
Oregon, Columbia River Gorge golden hours never disappoint!
the wind was just perfect and the golden hour JUST right! dylan and arianna snuggled, kissed, frolicked, and soaked up every second of our shoot on the gorge! those views are worth every hour it takes to get there!!
ohhhhh california, your golden clifftops and earthy tones steal my heart every time!!! after spending the afternoon wine tasting in Sonoma, i couldn't have pictured ending the day in a more magical way! running up and down these ocean cliffs was a DREAM. We sprinted down the warm sand beach and they kissed till the sun went down. Now, that's a day well spent!
california coast elopement // Half Moon Bay
These two!! A huge reason I add complimentary engagement sessions to my wedding packages is to make sure we have a chance to HANG OUT and just have fun so we're not strangers on the wedding day! And these two wonderful people are such a prime example - we had soooo much fun running around the tacoma waterfront! Their wedding isn't until September, but I happen to run into them at another wedding they were guests at in Portland, and it was like seeing friends!! That's what I want it to be like!! I want to hear about your wedding, but also JUST ABOUT YOU TWO! I want to hear what you do for fun, learn about what makes you excited, I really do mean it when I say I want to hear your stories! So, definitely take me up on that engagement session, and I promise it'll be super fun!
DANIEL + LIBBY
MAY 5 // 2018
majestic feels like an understatement for this Iceland waterfall. it was absolutely incredible and I could have stayed there all day just watching it and listening to its powerful force.
shooting with these two love bugs at the foot of something so beautiful was pure magic! we were soaked from the spray, but giddy as ever!
Iceland, you are as beautiful as everyone says! these massive, open landscapes take your breath away (both because they are AMAZING, but also because it's windy as heck haha)! I would frolick on an Icelandic black sand beach or an abandon plane wreck any day!
Worth every second of a 10 hour driving day to hang out with these two at this AMAZING location!
Central oregon has so many little gems for eloping! there are just so many spaces with epic locations that it makes me giddy! andddd, blue sheep rock was just one of so many!
Oregon, ya keep blowing me away!!
dress: Lulus
hair + MUA: Sarah Rose
florals: Foraged Blooms
cupcakes: Love+Flour
suit: Men's Wearhouse
From downtown strolls + coffee to exploring hidden parks! These two were some of the most kind and wonderful humans! Thankful for wandering around and good conversations!
this Northern California lake started stealing my heart pretty dang fast, and then these two sealed the deal! ;) To make it even better (HOW?! I know), the golden hour lighting for this engagement session made me swoon!
whiskey town lake, Redding California
gimme allllll those city vibes. i mean, come on, who wouldn't want to roam the city with these two cuties? portland never seems to disappoint when it comes to finding cool little nooks for photos! every block in The Pearl district is just a photographer's dream come true - those old brick walls, window reflections, coffee shops on every corner! you could say I love me some urban couple shoots!
The beautiful PNW backdrops + these two wonderful humans, I'd call it a solid Sunday!
holy smokes! These two and some warm, natural light... magic!! I forgot how much I loved in-home sessions! Especially living in the PNW, where needing creative locations on rainy days is KEY! Just get cozy with your boo, find a cool indoor space, and it's all good!
Burgers, milkshakes, and a WHOLE lotta' love! i've always been in love with all things urban - the textures, the window light, old hardwood floors, harsh shadows. there's so much room for creativity. so, heck yes, an urban wedding is a road straight to my heart! not to mention, the most beautiful portland studio! if you're looking for a good industrial space for an intimate wedding in the pdx area, you have to check it out! this day was just a whole lotta goofy, cuddling love!
VENDORS:
venue: The Portland Studio
florals: Edelweiss Floral
designer + coordinator: Ashley Spence
banner: Seek Paper Co.
make-up + hair: Alyssa Fitchie
dress: BHLD Weddings
Earthy tones + moody Oregon coast days!
Also, how cool is Temika's hair? I feel like it belongs in this place!
THIS STYLED ELOPEMENT SHOOT WAS MAGIC!!
So grateful for the amazing group of people who made this possible! Scroll on down through the day to see the list of these incredible creatives! It felt like we could've been anywhere - Ireland, Yosemite, Iceland - it was the dream!
THE TEAM
Designers: Mod + Maple
Florist: Nature Rules
Couple Model: Dallas & Stephanie (Cedar and Swoon)
Model: Simone Denny
Rentals: Something Borrowed PDX
Mt. Hood + these two + a sunny afternoon, I wouldn't hate more fridays like this one!
Working on creative visions with other artists is something that feels important to my process as a photographer - it challenges the way I see through my lens and overall pushes me to make better images! Not to mention, anything Wes Anderson makes me all excited!
"The point of βCoeur Briseβ was to create art, for ourselves. To evoke emotion through the photos and video, to do something different and out of our comfort zone. Each girl showcased her own interpretation of the vibe we were going for and together it looked incredible. Each day Iβm reminded of how honored and thankful I am to work with so many creatives. Each talented in their own way and kind beyond words." -Alisha (@fortheloveoffloral)
SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE AMAZING, BADASS WOMEN WHO WERE A PART OF THIS! :)
THE LOVELY VENDORS:
florist/designer: / @fortheloveoffloral
Prop Stylist / @eclectic.home.staging
Photography / @corriemahrphoto
Video / @thepairvisuals
Redesigned Furniture / @tabataelisadesign
Wardrobe Styling / @thestyleopal
Makeup / @mallory.dawn
Hair / @hairbyanasoto
Venue / @lightroompdx
Model / @heatherlynncameron
Tyler & Annabelle hung out with me on the most PNW day ever! Rain, fog, forest, ocean... all a check! But for real, how freaking beautiful is Oregon + how adorable are they?!
