Faries might live here, but certainly laughter does!

Words fail me when it comes to speaking of the connection and joy presence with children. There is only now, and when you join them in the now the possibilities are endless. These sweet siblings have been an muse of mine since they were bumps in their mamas belly. Our session, a timeless afternoon wandering ancient botanical trails spoke to all our hearts. Such moments remind me of the constant fluidity of life, passing time, fleeting motherhood, and a reminder to cherish the perfection of imperfection. Children just don't lie, in fact they are brutally honest, and I have never worked with one who was not a little sad to see me go! As important as the session and artistic creative documentation is to me, the relationship with my littlest clients always comes first. I hope to, one session at a time, show children everywhere that "real honest photography" is fun, and requires only one thing.... BE YOURSELF!

Surreal Vaux Swift Migration

One of the most surreal experiences I encountered after moving to Portland was watching the semi annual migration of the Vaux Swifts at Chapman School. Year after year more birds come and more spectators flood to the hillside and lawns to watch these birds circle in a living tornado into the retired Chapman chimney, all before the darkness sets in.

This past friday surrounded by a community of friends we sat perched upon the Chapman hill, picnics spread wide, watching kids of all ages slide down the dry slope atop cardboard, all the while waiting for the grand finale of the Vaux Swifts. Most nights larger birds of prey join in the game. Camera in hand I locked the shutter catching a hawk prey.

It's still as amazing as the first time I witnessed them. Their movement and flight patterns as the dive 20,000, 30,000, 40,000 thick at times makes one feel part of some haunting movie. These photographs showcase the whir and sheer volume like poignantly choreographed performance.

Three Months Later, Baby Marlowe

Any parent will attest to the speed at which babies grow. The days often run together on limited interrupted sleep, bouncing, burping, feeding, and caring for their constantly changing needs. Until the days run into months and the months into a year or even five. This is why it is more important then ever to take the time when our children are young and cherish the moments, captured through professional portraiture it is possible to relive those moments later on for years to come. At just a few months old Marlowe has begun to giggle, smiles abound, as her personality blossoms. It seems that even before one can speak words, so much can be told through body language and expressions. Thanks for cherishing these little changes and for the opportunity to capture "her".

Capturing More Then Just A Smile

So much can be said with a photograph, and so much of that in portraiture comes from expression. As an artistic photographer I analyze the details to uncover expressions beyond smiles. These expressions tell us magnitudes about a person's attitude, outlook, confidence, tenderness, strength, past, present, dreams. So, it's beyond a 'perfect' smile that I find images that intrigue me and that speak honestly of my subjects.

I enjoyed this session to the point my cheeks hurt, and as we progressed through the session I could see more clearly these honest, genuine, and unique aspects. We have so many layers and one is always just hinting of another. Some of my favorite images from our session were during the laughter and honesty, it's always more the just asking for a smile... (which I rarely do). In the process of being with clients we find comfort and dialogue together that allows those 'obligatory smiles' to take the back seat.

It's an extremely opening experience to 'just' have your portrait done for the sake of connecting with YOU. It's a must for each of us to discover yourself, with confidence, beautifully, honestly, and openly. It's putting your best foot forward, don't we all deserve to feel good about ourselves?

Elk In The Sunset Beach Dunes

I had the luxury of spending some time with friends and enjoying Sunset Beach and the Dunes recently. I was taken back to see these Elk wandering past us, in no hurry grazing, the little ones stumbling through the tall thick ocean grasses. In passing we gazed at each other slowly with inquisition.

End of Summer Sale***Two Days Only

Well, it's here, the end of summer, and I am offering for two days only the biggest photo session sale in years! $99 Location Photo Sessions, Saturday and Sunday August 15th & 16th! Let your child's whimsy rule, we'll meet out for an hour at one of Portland's amazing locations, play, explore, and I'll capture your kids as they are naturally, beautifully, and individual. Perhaps barefoot in a park, in the sand, wandering through flowers, along a quiet pond, in the swaying grass. Have you captured your child's summer whimsy?

Call me at 503.880.3720 to reserve your session today. A limited number of sessions are available from sunrise to sunset in the Portland Metro Area and a bit beyond.

My favorite quote from a five year old after the end of our session... "You're leaving already???? When are we going to take photos? This little boy was used to sitting through photo sessions and being coerced to smile... child torture!!! He was wildly amazed when his photo session became running and playing at one of my favorite natural parks!