I’ve been very heavily involved in the wedding planning process for the last year with my best friend Devon.  When Devon got engaged, I knew two things, she would want me to be her  MOH (that’s maid of monor for you civilians) AND her photographer. What’s that? You think I’m crazy? With a little bit of magic skills, and an amazing second shooter by my side who was able to take over when I had my other job to perform, Devon and I rocked the wedding side by side. It was a whirlwind of a weekend, but  I wouldn’t have it any other way. The decor was beautiful, the food ah-mazing, and even though it rained the teeeeeniest little bit, she didn’t let it ruin her day. I have NEVER seen a bride more beautiful, and I mean that. I love you Dev, and I can’t wait to see you when you get back all tan and stuff from your honeymoon.

Dress: Impression Bridal, Simply Grand Bridal Venue: Postlewaite Event Center Floral: Image Floral Catering: OSU Catering

Because Devon and Ryan opted for a first look, we were able to spend ample time on their portraits, we caught this look right as Ryan saw Devon for the first time. Such an awesome moment.

Michelle Headrick of Image Floral and Design did the amazing bouquets and centerpieces! This is how you do red in the summer folks!

I’ll be posting Devon’s wedding and her slideshow on my Facebook page in the next couple of days. Please check the rest out when they debut on my wedding website!

If I had to define my personal style by identifying with a brand it would most definitely be Anthropologie. Classic, eclectic, vintage, colorful, detailed, superb craftsmanship. When I walk into that store I feel like I’m walking in to myself… or something like that. Figuratively of course.

From their website:

“We carefully design and select our products with an eye for craftsmanship, the smallest details, and that certain something special that makes each item you find in our stores and website more than novelty but a personal discovery. Our clothing, jewelry, and objects for home are always changing. So is our world. Our hope at Anthropologie is to share with you in the breathtaking possibility of it all.”

Whoa…. that’s deep! But so true!! I actually prefer to buy my funky clothes and furniture from thrift stores like Goodwill and estate sales (more on that later), but I get down with their style. They’ve bottled it and turned it into a brand. Anyone can appreciate that. Next up you’re going to see a Pemco commercial for the “Thrifty Northwest Shopper”, standing in the rain… waiting for the store to open. You heard it here FIRST folks. I want my cut.

Everyone who has visited the blog in the last week has seen that my friend Renae is stunningly gorgeous in every possible way. What they might not know is that she also has the skills to pay the bills when it comes to her own artform and that takes shape in the most resplendant jewelery I have seen in a long time! I identify with it in the same way that I do with Anthropologie, it’s eclectic, but classic… one of a kind. Some of the charms are found objects that can never be replicated. Her business on Etsy is just blowing up. If you like her style you had better get in on it before her prices go up because they will! Her brand is called Brooklyn Grace, click on the link and check it out. When she first launched, her photography was no bueno, she was doing it with her PHONE people! I immediately called her up let her know we needed to have a sit down.

Lovely Brooklyn Grace:

Leave a comment and tell me which brand best represents your personal style. I’d love to know!

This is a first, I just bought a new software that lets me make killer slideshows. Here are the selects from my shoot with Adam and Renae put to some sassy music.

Check out the show HERE – btw isn’t that an awesome song? I think everything sounds better when you have an accent.

Hello world! Meet Ruby Forbes, a vivacious, sweet, spunky, curious, delicious little one year old! Her mom requested this shoot to document this first of many birthdays. I just love babies, and since I don’t have one yet… (one without fur that is), anytime someone wants me to borrow theirs I am  happy to oblige! Especially because if it cries or gets tired I can give it back.

You can view a slideshow of the rest of her pictures here. Try not to bite your screen… she is so cute I PERSONALLY could just eat her.

I get a few chuckles every time I do this, but it really works! Adding depth to an image on the fly can be difficult in certain situations. I always look for natural ways to create this look, but sometimes the angle I want isn’t quite there. Placing objects in the foreground of an image when you are shooting with a wide aperture creates a beautiful DOF (depth of field). This blurred area is ideal for copy space, and creates a natural way to frame your subject. On my last shoot, hugged up against a fence with beautiful light streaming from behind, I pulled out a tuft of grass and held it in the foreground of my frame. This happens to be one of my favorite images from the shoot, and I’m glad that Jamie Delaine snapped this of me so I can share how I do this with you!

I have to give credit where credit is due, because while I might have thought of doing this on my own, I learned to love it by watching Jonathan Ross of Andersen Ross Photography do it a thousand times on set.

And no, I don’t typically shoot with my sunglasses on… it was a total fluke.