Pacific Northwest Engagement Photos // Columbia River Gorge, OR // Mason & Grace

One of my newly discovered favorite locations in the Columbia River Gorge for engagement photos! This beautiful river spot has the most gorgeous views of the mountains reflecting in the water!

The Columbia River Gorge just East of Portland, OR is one of my FAVORITE places to watch sunset! It’s also one of the most beautiful drives — mountains on one side, river on the other. As the sun goes down, the entire gorge is illuminated with light, and the colors change every minute of the sun dipping down!

Spending the evening with these two, exploring a new location, was SO MUCH FUN. We had a blast trailblazing through the long weed-y grass, splashing in the river, watching salmon jump, and spotting sea lions (yep, that’s a thing in the river).

Grateful for amazing humans, stunning views, and deep breaths out in the wilderness!

Cannon Beach, Oregon Coast Elopement // Kaci & Dallin

WE CHASED THE SUN FROM ROCKY COASTLINES, TO COASTAL FORESTS, TO GOLDEN BEACH SUNSETS — THIS OREGON COAST INTIMATE WEDDING WAS PURE MAGIC!

These two travelled across many states to have their intimate wedding elopement day on the Oregon coast! Surrounded by just family (with the Pacific Ocean as their witness), they said their vows and spent the rest of the day frolicking along the beach, exploring lush coastal forests, eating fish tacos, and having cake and donuts as the sun set! My. Kind. Of. Day.

The Oregon Coast — especially Cannon Beach — can get pretty crowded in the summer months! But, these two scouted out the perfect little cove for their wedding ceremony, and had the whole corner just to themselves! I love when ceremonies have a unique aspect to them — in the middle of the ceremony, these two had everyone (including themselves) go and find a rock or pebble to bring to the “alter” and surround them with. A family roundedness for their promises. Then, they kept the rock they had chosen — a pretty special souvenir if you ask me!!

I adore these two — and being a part of their day was so incredibly special. They have such warm hearts, and I immediately felt like I was a part of the family! They truly embraced their day and went with the flow of whatever happened next. Every single second of it was soaked up to the fullest! If you’ve read my blog post on “Why Eloping or Having a Small Wedding is so Special” then you know my thoughts behind these special kinds of days — and Kaci & Dallin REALLY REALLY lived into all of it. It was beautiful.

I’m grateful I got to savor this piece of their story.

xx

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DAY DETAILS —

GETTING READY SPACE // AIRBNB
CEREMONY LOCATION // CANNON BEACH, OR
FLORALS // SOLABEE, FLOWERS & BOTANICALS
DINNER // TOM’S FISH & CHIPS

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Why Eloping or Having a Small Wedding is so Special

ARE YOU ON THE FENCE ABOUT CHOOSING TO ELOPE OR GOING IN THE DIRECTION OF A SMALL, INTIMATE WEDDING? WELL, LET ME SHARE SOME OF MY THOUGHTS ON WHY THESE KIND OF DAYS ARE SO SPECIAL.

I know, this is a BIG decision for some people — even a tricky one at times! Maybe, it’s not even a choice, maybe COVID-19 has made the decision to downsize for you. And, while I still LOVE big wedding days and totally support anyone who does and can choose that, I just wanted to share a few things that I love about small, intimate days and why they are so incredibly special.

I. IT’S MORE INTIMATE.

There is something so sacred about a small group witnessing your special day — or even JUST YOU TWO having saying your vows and celebrating together! With an intimate setting, there is more room to fully be present. With fewer distractions, you’re able to be more intentional during the day and soak up each moment to the fullest!

II. LESS ROOM FOR STRESS.

I believe NO wedding day has to be stressful — regardless of the size — but, on some bigger days with more moving pieces, it can be hard to avoid the little moments here and there that carry stress. Smaller days have much more of a “go with the flow” mentality — there’s room for adaptability if a “planned” piece of the day needs to change a bit.

III. IT’S AN EXPERIENCE.

I always say that eloping is more of an experience than just a wedding day — and the same goes for intimate weddings. You have SO many options to structure your day, and NOTHING is off limits. This kind of day is more about the journey than a strict timeline. If you want to stop on the way to your ceremony spot and get tattoos — you do it! If you want to go bungee jumping after you say your vows — you do it! If you want to hike up to a secret look out point and camp there the night before your elopement — you do it! You call all the shots on this day! You can make it whatever you want — make it an experience to remember.

IV. AMAZING LOCATIONS.

With bigger wedding days, there are some limitations on locations. BUT, with elopements and small weddings, the world is your oyster! There are some AMAZING spaces for elopements where a larger wedding wouldn’t work! You could say your vows in the middle of the desert, on the peak of a mountain, on the mossy floor of a forest, on a cliff overlooking the ocean, on a rooftop in the middle of the city, in a tropical paradise or in front of snow covered mountains — you could travel across the globe or explore somewhere new in your own State. Smaller days allow for some amazing locations!

V. LAST MINUTE PLANNING.

This is a big one. ESPECIALLY with COVID-19 being a part of our current season of life — last minute planning seems like a new way of living at this point. With smaller weddings and elopements, last minute planning is just fine! I’ve had so many elopements and “micro-weddings” book just a month or two out due to the ever changing wedding plans of 2020. And, you know what? THAT’S OK. With a smaller day, it’s easier to do it on a less busy day (aka a weekday). This means, less crowds, more space to yourself, and more chances that your photographer will be available last minute as well. There are less details and moving pieces to these intimate days, making it so much easier to plan!

(Scroll down to check out my Elopement Planning Guide)

This day can really be whatever YOU want and need. There is something so special about these intimate experiences — each one is fully unique and sacred. And, if you have any questions, I am always here to help guide you along with the small bits of planning to piece together a day that feels fully YOU — whatever that may look like!

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A FEW RESOURCES THAT MAY BE HELPFUL —

— YOU CAN ALSO CHECK OUT MY BUCKET LIST FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL IDEAS

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Desert Lake Couple Photos // Bend, OR

A DREAMY EVENING OVERLOOKING A DESERT LAKE FOR THESE COUPLE PHOTOS IN CENTRAL OREGON

Golden hour is always magical — but, when you’re standing on a cliff overlooking a desert lake with mountains in the background, it’s a new level of beauty.

I had a blast exploring the central Oregon lake views with these two on this lovely summer evening. It was impossible not to take some pretty grand images with that background!

Always grateful for new friends, windy + golden evenings, and exploring this beautiful state!

Desert Evening Elopement // Central Oregon

ALL THE GOLDEN HOUR, DESERT ADVENTURE ELOPEMENT VIBES FOR THESE TWO! THE PERFECT SUMMER NIGHT, AMAZING VIEWS, AND INCREDIBLE PEOPLE — SOME OF MY FAVORITE THINGS!

We arrived at the desert butte and grasslands just as the sun was starting to make the canyon glow! Kyra & Michael got ready in the parking lot (with the final touches being lint rolling puppy hair off his suit jacket haha)! They put on their old wedding clothes — almost two years later — and we captured some magic in the desert!

It was such a beautiful evening, running from one amazing view point to the next! Summer exploring is one of my favorite things, and good company makes it even better!

Excited for many more summer evenings to come!

DRESS // A&BÉ BRIDAL SHOP
FLORALS // UFLORA
EARRINGS // AMANDA MICHELLE HANDMADE

Rowena Crest Couple Session // Columbia River Gorge

A SUMMER AFTERNOON SPENT FROLICKING AROUND THE WINDY CLIFFTOPS OF ROWENA CREST OVERLOOKING THE COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE!

The rolling golden hills at Rowena Crest were dancing with the wind when we all arrived at the Columbia river Gorge overlook! It was so fun to prance around and laugh SO MUCH during these photos! It was an absolute blast to hang out and enjoy the summer afternoon together!

THINGS TO DO AROUND ROWENA CREST VIEWPOINT —

// Eat at Eastwind Drive-in

// Coffee at Dog River Coffee Co.

// Stay at The Society Hotel, Bingen

Intimate Portland Wedding at Tendue // Mallory & Robbie

This intimate Portland city wedding chose to embrace joy and presence, even in the midst of COVID-19 chaos and the roller coaster of plan changes! It was a BEAUTIFUL day full of so much love and laughter!

I adore these two!! We’ve been chatting about their wedding since early 2019, and it’s been an honor to both watch and walk alongside them in this journey! They have been absolute CHAMPS as they’ve rolled with the punches of 2020 and plan changes! I’m so grateful to have couples who are so gracious and still choose to experience all the joy a day holds — no matter what it looks like!

This intimate wedding was a small gathering of their close friends and a few family members — joined by a zoom party of other guests (of course)! They truly chose presence, and the whole wedding day was so fun to be a part of! I loved everything about these sweet moments.

So so so thankful that I get to witness some pretty amazing stories!

THE AMAZING VENDORS:

DRESS // BHLDN

SUIT // INDOCHINO

FLORALS // POPPIES & PAISELY

VENUE // TENDUE

PLANNER + STYLING // ROSEDAE EVENTS CO.

CATERER // WHITE PEPPER

My Favorite Pinterest Wedding Inspiration

I WANTED TO SHARE MY TOP PINTEREST BOARDS FOR WEDDING INSPIRATION - WHETHER IT’S FOR THE DETAILS OF YOUR DAY, ENGAGEMENT PHOTO LOCATIONS, OUTFIT IDEAS, OR OTHER RESOURCES YOUR ON THE HUNT FOR - I GOT YOU COVERED!

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I know we all browse Pinterest (sometimes for too long) scrolling for pieces of inspiration! And, I’m sure most of us have boards full of collected ideas for a wedding day, what to wear to an engagement session, or maybe it’s just tips for the whole planning process! Well, I’ve gathered some of my favorite resources and compiled them on Pinterest for you!

I want to give you quick and easy access to all the wedding inspiration - as well as helpful resources - so that you don’t have to spend hours scrolling and scrolling!

So, check out some of my wedding boards for decor ideas, wedding attire, color pallets, amazing locations, and all the steps and details in between!

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I. WEDDING DAY INSPIRATION

I have this board broken down into categories — florals, the details, venue spaces, the gals, the guys, etc. This way, you can simply browse for ideas through each category depending on what you’re looking for!

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II. ELOPEMENT INSPIRATION

This board is full of rad location ideas for eloping! It gives you a glimpse into a space you could choose for your own day. Also — if you was A MILLION MORE IDEAS, check out my “wander” board for a bucket list of so many incredible spots to travel to!

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III. RESOURCES: TIPS + TRICKS

This board is a compilation of ideas for your wedding day — a hodge-podge of helpful blogs and checklists. Sometimes it can be hard to know where to begin or what to even add to your list of “to-dos” - none of these are “musts,” but some you may find helpful!

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IV. WHAT TO WEAR TO ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS

I could do a whole other blog on this (maybe I will someday), but here is a board full of ideas!! When we’re planning your engagement session, I’ll make sure you walk you through the whole process, but here is a space to find some inspiration of outfits and colors that go well together!

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V. COLOR PALLETS

This was such a fun board to put together! I love arranging colors together and watching different ones compliment others so well! This is a mix of so many different options of color pallets, simply to give you ideas of what mixes and matches well as you begin to piece together visuals of your day!

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READY TO START PINNING?

Hood River Cabin Engagement Session // Paige & Brenden

A COZY, IN HOME ENGAGEMENT SESSION IN HOOD RIVER OREGON!

If you live in Oregon or have spent any time here in the winter, then you know it can be pretty rainy during the fall through spring! So, that means that for winter engagement photos (if it’s an extra stormy week), you have to get creative!

AND, let me tell ya, there are LOTS of cool places! Just jump on Airbnb or VRBO and you’ll find a list of places that you can rent to have some cozy in home photos together! I love this idea, because it also is a great excuse to make a fun overnight trip out of it! A little getaway together AND photos savoring that too!

These two found an adorable cabin in the woods near Hood River, Oregon! They had coffee, played their fave music, and got all the cuddling while getting to stay cozy inside! If you think you might want something like this for YOUR engagement photos, shoot me a message! I have a list of amazing Airbnbs you should check out!

Van Life Couple Adventure Session // Joshua Tree, California

THIS ADVENTURE COUPLE SESSION MADE ME WANT TO PACK UP, MOVE INTO A COOL VAN, AND TRAVEL THE DESERT AND CALIFORNIA COASTLINE!

Hello, meet the coolest van life couple EVER! Also, the kindest humans you’ll ever meet! After hanging with Lydia and Philip for that afternoon, we all wanted to just keep chatting for hours! Check out their Instagram to follow along on all their van-lifing adventures together!

Grateful for these sunny, desert adventures together in Joshua Tree National Park!

Adventure Elopement in Joshua Tree National Park // Boho Modern Inspiration

An adventurous evening in Joshua Tree National Park for this styled adventure elopement! Check out all the moments to get ideas for your own special day!

Joshua Tree National Park had my jaw dropping within the first few minutes! I was captivated by the large, unique rock formations, the one-of-a-kind Joshua Trees themselves, and the overall golden desert vibe!

This adventure elopement was styled for our Makers & Movers Workshop, and was so fun to capture! It’s full of boho modern pops to fuel your elopement ideas and planning!

Check out these amazing vendors who played a part in making this creation come to life:

WORKSHOP // Makers & Movers Workshop

COUPLE // Danielle & Rodney

DRESS // A&bé Sacramento

JEWELRY // Serpentine & Fair

FLORALS // With Flourish

HAT // Equal Uprise

TUX // Zara

Enjoy all the pics, and dreaming about your own desert elopement!

A Guide to Traveling Southern Thailand // Tips for the Best Itinerary

A PEAK INTO HOW WE SPENT 2 WEEKS TRAVELING AROUND AND ISLAND HOPPING IN SOUTHERN THAILAND! I WANTED TO SHARE A FEW TIPS, GO INTO THE DETAILS, AND MENTION SOME “BESTS” FROM OUR CRAZY JOURNEY! HOPEFULLY THIS CAN BE A GUIDE TO YOUR OWN FUTURE TROPICAL ADVENTURES!

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Southern Thailand really is a gem — island hopping, crystal clear turquoise water, gorgeous snorkeling, the yummiest food, the coolest places to stay, cheap transportation, the kindest people — it’s the best!

We had planned to spend a month in Thailand (which you can EASILY do + more), but ended up cutting our trip short due to the COVID-19 outbreak. These two weeks were still well spent and full of incredible experiences! We’ll definitely be back!

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PHUKET > 6 DAYS

RAILAY > 3 DAYS

PHI PHI > 2 DAYS

KOH LANTA > 3 DAYS

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I. PHUKET // 6 DAYS

WHERE WE STAYED:

We jumped on Airbnb and found the coolest bungalows in Rawai called the Coco Palace. This was right near Nai Harn beach, which is a gorgeous white sand beach that isn’t as touristy as the beaches up North (Patong, Karon, or Kata Noi). It also came with a fresh, homemade breakfast each morning.

THINGS TO DO + PLACES TO GO:

• Kayak and snorkel off Yanui Beach

• Motorbike around to explore (especially up to some view points - ie Panwa Viewpoint)

• Spend a day at Nai Harn - wave bobbing + sun tanning

• FOOD FOOD FOOD (more tips below)

• Check out the markets! G-Market food stalls and the Sunday Old Town night Market are my faves! You’ll find a bunch of cool things for a great deal and eat the BEST food!

• Walk through Old Town during the day as well, super cool architecture and shops!

• Coffee - our faves were: YES Coffee and Campus Coffee Roasters

• One nice sunset dinner at After Beach Bar (we mostly did budget food options - which are the YUMMIEST - but splurged one night for some epic views while dining).

II. RAILAY // 3 DAYS

WHERE WE STAYED:

Having been to Railay before, we settled with the same place that we stayed last time - Railay Princess Resort. It’s not on the main beach which has some pros and cons. Pros: it’s quiet, feels more private, and is cheaper. Cons: it’s a bit of a walk from where the ferry lets you off (aka the main beach), the east beach isn’t as pretty, and… that’s all actually haha! It’s a gorgeous property with two pools - a jungle-y one and an infinity pool on the roof with a view. The breakfast is included and delicious and all the staff is wonderful!

THINGS TO DO + PLACES TO GO:

• Railay is SMALL - you walk everywhere and can easily explore!

• Walk the main strip - lots of food, fun shops, and fresh fruit shakes! You can also check out ALL the excursions offered here (rock climbing, night kayaking, paddle boarding, boat tours, etc.).

• Grab some kayaks at Sand Sea resort on the main beach front and head out for 2+ hours. We explored all the little limestone islands, paddled through sea caves, and climbed ropes hanging from stalactites jump into the water! SO SO SO fun!

• Explore all the pathways, you’ll find some more secretive beaches and coves! Just watch out for the grabby monkeys… they like to steal your water bottles… and everything else.

• Check out the “food boats” on Phra Nang Cave Beach

• Hike INSIDE Bat Caves on the west side of Phra Nang Beach… it’s a little secretive and tricky to find, ask staff at your hotel to point you in the right direction! Beware, not for people with claustrophobia (that was tough for me, lots of moral support was needed haha). There is a SICK view at the top of the opening!

• Another hike that’s more for the experience (and kinda for the view), is on your left when walking down the pathway to Phra Nang beach. You may see some brave souls using the ropes and vines to make their way up or down… yep, just go straight up!

• For dinner, grab it to go and head to the main west beach. Put some towels down and watch the sunset illuminate the sky with SO many colors! Then, check your left after the sun goes down and watch millions of bats fill the sky way above as they fly out into the jungle!

• Enjoy the night life - whether that’s watching fire dancers on the beach or wandering through the main strip to grab a Chang beer!

III. PHI PHI // 2 DAYS

WHERE WE STAYED:

We stayed at a cute beach front bungalow resort called Paradise Pearl. With our own little beach and restaurant, it was a great place to hang out for the day!

THINGS TO DO + PLACES TO GO:

• SNORKLE SNORKLE SNORKLE - hire a private long tail boat near where you’re staying to boat you out to the different islands. This was an amazing experience! Avoid the tourist trap speed boats - this was cheaper and we could stop wherever we wanted for however long we wanted. It was awesome. Friends, the sea life here is UNBELIEVABLE. So many fish and colors, and we even swam with a small reef shark. Wild, so incredible! We spent 5 hours out snorkeling!

• Enjoy the clearest water, float and cool off between tanning sessions on your white sand beach.

• We walked from our bungalows into downtown Phi Phi for dinner one night - about 20 mins. There are tons of food options and a fun night market to explore as well!

IV. KOH LANTA // 3 DAYS

WHERE WE STAYED:

This might have been my favorite place we stayed - Alama Sea Village Resort - on the south end of Koh Lanta. It has gorgeous modern bungalows that overlook the ocean from the hillside. You can even enjoy the view while floating in the infinity pool!

THINGS TO DO + PLACES TO GO:

Koh Lanta was by far the most chill place to visited! Everyone was incredibly laid back and it seemed a bit less touristy. A hidden gem, for sure!

• We did lots of pool hangs, relaxing and soaking up the sun from our hillside perch.

• Explore the jungle roads by motorbike (watch for monkey crossings)!

• Our favorite beach was Bamboo Beach, it was a peaceful more private cove.

• Head to the East side to explore the cute fishing town - lots of shops and restaurants. Just drive safely over the twisty, old mountain roads!

This is very much a “take it easy” kind of place. It was an awesome place to end our trip, although it ended abruptly, we were glad it was in such a peaceful place!

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A FEW OTHER THINGS —

ALL THINGS FOOD + DRINK

• Lots and lots of Thai Iced Tea ($75 cents)

• Mango and Coconut shakes were my fave

• Try iced Blue Butterfly Pea Tea - UH-MAZING!

• Eat Banana Rhoti - the best kind of “pancake” you’ll ever have

• Get some Mango & Sticky Rice - I could eat this EVERY. FREAKING. DAY.

• Fave Noodles to try: Pad Thai, Pad See Ew, Yum Woon Sen, and “Noodle Soup”

• Fave Curries: Green Curry, Red Curry, and Massaman Curry

• Fave Other Dishes: Pad Krapow (spicy basil chicken), Morning Glory (garlic + greens), and papaya salad (so yummy and fresh)

• Want a quick refresher? Grab a lime Manao Soda from any convenience store!

TRANSPORTATION

• We got motorbikes in the bigger towns: Phuket and Koh Lanta. It’s the best and cheapest way to get around - $8 bucks a day! Just DRIVE SAFELY - it’s an adjustment if you’re not used to that type of traffic OR driving on the left side of the road.

• In places we didn’t get motorbikes, we either walked or used the “GRAB” app (basically Thailand’s version of Uber or Lyft). Most hotels can help you book transport as well!

• Between islands, we took the local ferries. You can book them online ahead of time and just print the tickets out! PRO TIP: load the ferry and sit outside on the deck!! You can hang your feet off the edge, get that cool breeze, and not be cramped inside an overcrowded cabin!

A FEW TIPS

• Buy snorkel gear there - SO cheap and will save you money over renting each time! We bought ours at Decathlon in Phuket for around $10 each.

• Get up early - we woke up several time for sunrise beach walks, and basically had the WHOLE place to ourselves! It’s cooler, quieter, and pure magic!

• Buy big bottles of cold water - not only do you need to stay hydrated, but holding a bottle of ice cold water did wonders in cooling us down during those hot days!

• 7-Eleven is life - Walking the hot streets mid-day? Need a cool break? Pop into a 7-Eleven and be hit with the most refreshing AC you’ve ever felt! I’ve never been into a 7-Eleven so many times!! Take these little pit stops to chill for a sec, grab a cheap cold drink, and hit the heat again!

• Tiger fish swarming - sounds scarier than it is! Just know - when snorkeling, there are schools of striped yellow & black fish that are NOT shy and will swim all up in yo’ face!!! They don’t bite or do anything harmful really, but it definitely took some getting used to (and lots of screaming through my snorkel) to finally be a little more chill swimming with them!

• Find the cheap food - try to avoid tourist traps! Yes, this is hard, and we definitely fell into some! Do your best to look for the local, small business eateries. Clues to finding them: family owned, not much english (if any) on the menus, and 30-50 Baht meals. SO YUMMY. The best food by far!

• For super cheap stays - check out some hostels! We went with more medium priced bungalows and resorts (‘cuz hey, still so cheap)! BUT, there are even cheaper options - check out Hostel World to find some rad overnight places!

• Free breakfasts - everywhere we stayed had breakfast included! Which was SO nice! Most places have fresh fruit, omelet stations, and coffee, along with a variety of other choices! This made starting the day so easy and FREE! Something to think about when choosing a place to stay.

• Planning your day - we always tried to plan our day with thinking about the heat. The mornings are often cooler, so we would go do our adventure first thing: hike, snorkel, drive around, etc. Then, make sure we were near some type of water (beach or pool) for the afternoon so we could constantly be cooling off! Evenings were always good for town walks, avoiding the sun and day heat as much as possible for meandering!

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take a peak at a couple phone pics from along the way! 👇🏻

HERE IS A DETAILED MAP OF EACH LOCATION

PHUKET // RAILAY // PHI PHI // KOH LANTA

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A FEW MORE PHOTOS FROM THE TRIP

Andie and I swapped a few photos along the way so we could have some of Josiah and I and her and Mikal! The perks of traveling with another photographer, photo swaps for life! ;)

Dreamy 70s Retro Vibe Elopement Inspiration // Joshua Tree, California

IF YOU’RE ON THE SEARCH FOR SOME RAD 70s RETRO ELOPEMENT INSPIRATION, THEN YOU’RE IN THE RIGHT PLACE!

The desert vibes of Joshua Tree California paired with some fun 70s styling created this magic for our Makers & Movers Workshop styled shoot!

This amazing shoot could not have been done without the collaboration of these incredible team members! We couldn’t have imagined everything coming together any better!

Excited to share these photos to power your imagination and inspire you with ideas for your own special day! If you’re thinking of eloping in Joshua Tree, check out these vendors to build your vision:

WORKSHOP // Makers & Movers

COORDINATION & DESIGN // Wilder Events Co.

COUPLE // Katie & Joe

DRESS // Lovely Bride LA

JEWELRY // Serpentine & Fair

WEDDING BANDS // Sharon Z Jewelry

CALLIGRAPHER // Summit & Sage

FLORALS // Bluebell Florals

CAKE // Fantasy Frostings

H&MU // Chelsea Nicole

RENTALS // Otis & Pearl

TUX // ASOS

We began with a bit of cozy in home time in our desert airbnb! Joe and Katie spent time getting ready together before we headed out on gorgeous property to hang out with the Joshua Trees.

Northern California Waterfall Couples Session

Spent a sunny day with these two gems exploring this Northern California Waterfall in Lassen National Park!

As you explore Lassen National Forest, you may stumble across this gem of a waterfall in Shasta County. It truly appears out of nowhere, and if you get there at just the right time of day, it’s grandness draws you in with the sun beans bursting through the sprays of water!

Loved getting to explore California’s beauty with these two!

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Why I Love Black & White Photos

FIVE REASONS WHY I LOVE BLACK AND WHITE IMAGES, AND WHY THEY’LL ALWAYS BE ONES THAT CAPTURE MY ATTENTION.

When studying photography in University, my professor (a true photo legend), always challenged me when seeing that I’d edited a photo in black in white — “WHY did you choose that?” The “why” always lingers in my head when I create a black and white image, that question, that invitation to process a visual choice. I appreciate that voice in my head, reminding me to think through the art and purpose behind it all.

So, I wanted to give you a glimpse into a few reasons why I always find myself drawn to black and white images.

I. COLOR IS EASY

The majority of us see the world in some type of color every day — it’s expected. It’s easy. When editing an image, color is an obvious and natural way to work through the post processing list. Choosing black and white is an “unnatural” direction, it goes against what our eyes and the camera see and capture. But, it gives us a fresh perspective on an image, it forces us to see it in a new way and to notice things we may not have in color. It simplifies it in the most beautiful way!

II. TIMELESS

Everyone has their own styles of editing — there are trends and unique visual color representations. The photo community goes in waves through different stylistic eras. Black and white photos remain timeless, they carry something different that lasts through the different seasons of editing choices. They don’t conform to whatever is currently trending, they last and age well. They are so incredibly special that way.

Think of a few of the legends — the Ansel Adams and Vivian Maiers, from certain landmarks or clothing choices, the photos could belong to any era of history. There is something magical about that, almost as if any black and white image could belong to your own memory somehow. There is a connectedness about it.

III. THE LIGHT

Editing in black in white leaves a lot up to the light - it draws the eye to the contrasts. Instead of just noticing the colors alone, b&w images give you a new space to appreciate the way light falls and the shapes it makes. I love playing with the shadows and highlights in an image when it’s in black in white, it’s a whole new way of seeing the subjects and the composition.

IV. THE FEELING

I’m a huge feeler (all about the feelings). I remember during photography class, when I was challenged about my b&w editing decision, I would often end with “…and it just felt right!” Which, doesn’t always fly in an academic world haha. BUT, there is something about the feeling when an image is boiled down to black and white and all color distractions are removed - it’s rich in a different kind of way. In the end, I really just love the FEELING of a black and white photograph.

Wether it’s wanting to challenge myself to steer away from color, or it’s being drawn to the timeless simplicity, or I’m excited about the way the light plays a role, or simply just the FEELING of it all - I absolutely love black and white images and what they carry. Sometimes during a session, I’ll edit multiple in a row of a certain section all in black and white to create a mini “series” of images. Those series are some of my favorites, a little story within a story.

I hope after reading some of my reasons, you can find a new appreciation for black and white imagery as well.

“When you photograph people in colour you photograph their clothes. When you photograph people in black and white, you photograph their souls.”

-Ted Grant

Exploring the Urban Jungle // Scott & Cassie

ANOTHER CITY EXPLORATION - CAPTURING LOVE IN AN URBAN JUNGLE!

As many of you know — I have an equal love for all things adventure in nature AND a love for the creativity a city photo shoot holds! So, exploring down town with these two was so fun. Every corner was a new adventure and challenge to create a meaningful image!

AND, a fun story from this shoot! After chatting a bit, we realized Scott is IN the band that did Josiah and I’s first dance song!!!!! WHAT THE HECK?! Basically, I met a celebrity and had a starstruck moment when I found out hehe. So, everyone should go check out @mybrothersandi and also go listen to the song Fly Away. K, that’s all. I adore these two.

I also found a list of the 50 most beautiful cities in the world, while that may be kind of subjective, I still found myself wanting to go to every single one of them! So, check them out and maybe we can go explore one of them while doing photos! ;)

50 MOST BEAUTIFUL CITIES IN THE WORLD

Winter City Wedding // Portland, OR

THE DREAMIEST WINTER WEDDING IN THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN PORTLAND, OR

This gorgeous city wedding at Castaway in downtown Portland, Oregon was the perfect way to wrap up 2019! A winter wedding in the urban scapes was all sorts of dreamy! And, a little extra snuggly! ;)

Allie and Andrew’s day was SO FUN! From giddy getting ready moments to the biggest dance party every! Their winter wedding was effortless and joy filled the whole day through!

Enjoy these moments from their day and scroll to the bottom to see the amazing team that put all these details together!

ENJOY!!

VENDORS //

VENUE // CASTAWAY, PORTLAND
STYLIST + PLANNER // RACHEL ROSE EVENT PLANNING
FLORIST // NOBLE FLORAL CO
DRESS // ESSENCE OF AUSTRALIA, ANIA BRIDAL
GROOM’S ATTIRE // MEN’S WEARHOUSE
DESSERT + CAKE // NOTHING BUNDT CAKES
DJ + VIDEO // 1859 ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY