Derek and Stephanie's Engagement Session in Corvallis

Since Derek and Stephanie came all the way from Seattle for the engagement session, I'm so glad that we had a break in the weather! It cleared up just enough for us to get in a great photo shoot at OSU and Bald Hill. This is the first time I've ever posted a purely black and white entry. Of course I shot in digital so they will receive both color and black and white files, but as I was editing I just loved the creaminess of the white tones, and the boldness of the black that I decided to do a slideshow in pure black and white. Also Stephanie and Derek had such beautiful expressions that I really think that seeing them in black and white makes you look more at the happiness in their eyes.

Happy MLK Day!

My father-in-law gave me a book for Christmas and I wanted to share it with you. I'm sure many of you have heard of Randy Pausch's last lecture. For those who haven't Randy, a professor at Carnegie Mellon and father of three, found out he had a few months to live when he decided to give one last lecture at his school. The lecture was videotaped and became a Youtube viral hit. Randy who died last year, wrote a book based on his ideas in the lecture, and my father-in-law gave the book to me for Christmas. If you get a few moments in the next week or so, READ THIS BOOK! As a dreamer, a husband and a father this book really helped me put into perspective the things that are most important in my life. Of course my family is most important to me, but Randy shows also the importance of achieving your childhood dreams in a refreshing down-to-earth way. As I read the book, I couldn't help but think of what a great life I have. I have a beautiful wife, two adorable kids, amazing parents, great siblings, and not one, but two jobs that I am super-excited about. I really am living my childhood dreams. I wanted to be photographer when I grew up. I wanted to have a family when I grew up. I wanted to be in the Olympics when I grew up... ok well I'm still working on that one. Randy's life helped me to see that life is not perfect, but it can still be great.

Yes we can.

I had a football coach who always used to pose the question, "Do great players make great plays, or do great plays make great players?" Coach Schefstrom would then pontificate on how in the decisive moments of a football game, great players would rise up and get the job done. They'd make the tackle on 4th and 2 to stop a drive. They'd convert a 3rd and ten to keep a drive alive. Perhaps they weren't the best players, or the most valuable players, but great players have a knack for coming through when everything is one the line. I still don't know the answer to that question, but I think we are at a moment in American history where a man and a nation can prove their greatness. Five days from now we will have a new president, a chance to start over and to take our country in a new direction. As a nation we're down by 6 with one minute left and it's 3rd and ten. It will be interesting to see if President Obama can stand with Washington, Kennedy, FDR, and others who at dire times rose to greatness. For the sake of all of us I hope so.

Here is the spread for Mi Gente Magazine that was produced from the pictures I shot of Obama on a campaign trip through Eugene. (I hope you've brushed up on your Spanish) Si Se Puede!

On Second Thought...

I like this picture best! Danae commented below that this was her favorite from Cliff and Kelly's engagement, and I have to agree...so I thought I'd post it again.

Cliff and Kelly's Engagement Session

Sometimes you just get lucky. Cliff and Kelly picked about the only day I've seen since the snow started to do their engagement session. We had a beautiful sunset to work with that you really just don't get in Corvallis this time of year. Shooting their engagement session was a blast. They really reminded me of why I include engagement sessions in each wedding package I offer. I love getting to know each couple!

I took a lot of cool silhouette shots in this engagement session but this is my favorite. Cliff and Kelly staring off into the sunset. I was worried when I shot it that you wouldn't be able to see their legs but when I got the picture into the computer I could just make out the outline of their bodies with the highlight coming around them.

Make sure to click the play button on the slideshow to see the rest!

Nic and Alli's Wedding at the LDS Temple in Medford Oregon

Happy New Year! What better way to kick off 2009 than with a wedding? Nic and Alli were married during the last few days of 2008 in the LDS Temple in Medford. This is the 2nd LDS wedding I've shot, and since no cameras are allowed in the temple, you won't see pictures from the ceremony. However we were lucky enough that it didn't rain so we did get some great shots outside of the temple. On the subject of rain, do you know that I still have a perfect record of never being rained out of a wedding? That is quite an accomplishment being based in the Pacific Northwest!

Ok back to pictures.

One of the best moments in an LDS Wedding is when the couple comes out of the temple and the whole family waits to great them. Nic and Alli were just beaming coming out of the doors!


Nic is in love with Alli.




Alli is in love with Nic.


Nic and Alli both come from big families. They have nearly 30 nieces and nephews, and this one loves to pose for pictures.

I love this picture. It is Alli sharing a moment with her mom while her Grandpa gets ready to take their picture. A lot of times I like to set up behind family members who are taking pictures because while they are getting their camera ready the subjects are natural and talking and laughing. It's a great way to capture moments like this one.

The sky wasn't raining, but it was very overcast so I tried to use that to my advantage with this shot and create a very dramatic picture by lighting Nic and Alli from the side and above.


The happy couple, walking in the cold!

After the temple ceremony we headed down to Klamath Falls for a reception at Alli's parent's house. I ran up to the balcony to get this slow shutterspeed shot.

This shot is just in the stairwell but I do like how it turned out. With the highlights just on their hair it kind of leaves the expression on their faces up to your imagination.