Adi and Ingrid: Wedding

Classy. Elegant. Traditional. After months of planning, Adi and Ingrid's big day finally arrived. Friends and family flew in from all over the world for the special event. Both of their parents came all the way from Indonesia. There was love, laughter, and excitement shared by everyone.

A few quiet moments alone. Ingrid patiently waits to be transformed into a bride.


It didn't take long for the silence to be interrupted. Never before have I seen a couple that spent the entire day together - from hair and makeup to prayer and fellowship at the church, Adi couldn't leave Ingrid's side. Their families filled the hotel room as they were all preparing for the big day. I love how Ingrid's mom is proudly admiring her daughter from the doorway.


How can you blame her? She looked ravishing.


Adi and Ingrid were wed at Oregon City Blessing Church. I love this photograph Randy captured of the cross.


Ingrid's sister helped her with the final touches just moments before the ceremony began.


Both Ingrid's mother and father escorted her down the aisle. Another great moment captured by Randy.


I don't think there was one dry eye in the whole church. Even though Adi had been with Ingrid all day, this goes to prove that nothing can take away from the special moment of watching your future wife make her way down the aisle.


Her father giving her away...


There was so much passion, emotion, and excitement during worship.


Who says laughter can't follow the moment everyone is waiting for....the kiss?


After the ceremony, we decided to take a stroll along the Columbia River. Adi leading his bride...


My favorite image of the day...


Waving to their friends and family from the pier...


The reception was at Salty's on the Columbia in Portland.


A few details...




The cupcakes were made by Saint Cupcake and oh were they heavenly!


One last image of the bride....Ingrid looked so amazing, I could have photographed her all day. I absolutely love her veil!


Congratulations Adi and Ingrid! I wish you a lifetime of happiness. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your wedding story.

To view more images from Adi and Ingrid's wedding click here.

There's No Place Like Home

Tomorrow morning I will be packing up my MacBook Pro, my Canon camera, and one very large suitcase to catch a plane to the best vacation spot ever. A place I frequent every summer and winter. It is where I took my first steps, rode my first bicycle, and received my first kiss. The very place I call "HOME".

Departure: Portland, OR
Arrival: Kansas City, MO
Final Destination: Fort Scott, KS

I am so excited to catch up with friends that I have known since elementary school and spend time with my favorite people in the world - my family. Although it may be too early in the year to catch lightning bugs or go for a swim, it is guaranteed I will be dining at my favorite places. I will be hitting Sonic Drive Inn for a Route 44 Vanilla Dr. Pepper and El Charro's for the best chicken fajita salad and of course, their infamous queso. But what I look forward to the most are family barbecues and my mom and dad's fabulous home cooking - comfort food like green bean casserole, crock pot corn, and gooseberry pie. With only a Walmart for shopping, a five minute drive to get to the other side of town, and nothing open late, quiet rest is assured. No rush hour traffic, no crowded lines...time seems to stand still. This is why it is the best place for me to catch up on sleep, be alone in thought, and get my mind off myself. Although time slows down, I am sure it will go by too fast. There is never enough time left when it comes to seeing my family. Good people, good food, good times:)

With just a click of the heels, I'll be home in no time.

A Modern Cup and Saucer

Tall, unfinished ceilings, red brick walls, huge wood-frame windows filling the room with soft, natural light, white chairs that seem to float like giant snowballs above the weathered hardwood floors, ecclectic music humming, and underwater sea animals swimming on the huge LCD screen above the colorful rug where toddlers have their very own space to crawl and play -- sydney's is not your average coffee shop! sydney's is warm and inviting: a friendly community that pours their heart into every cup and saucer. This is why I was so excited when asked to photograph the cafe.

Located at 1800 NW 16th avenue, on the edge of the Pearl, in Portland's alphabet blocks, sydney's has become a haven for business professionals, college students, mothers and their children, artists, musicians, and people of all ages. It is a place people can come to relax, laugh with friends, read a good book, surf the internet, or get away from the office to get some work done.

Here are some of my favorites from the shoot:








Did I mention that sydney's was voted best cupcake in portland?


They also serve delectable breakfast sandwiches.



Aesthetic and conceptual in design, sydney's is also a great venue for local artists to display their work and for musicians to perform.


The cookie jar on the counter is a big hit with everyone!


Making children...


...families


and people of all ages feel right at home.


"Tell me something good!," how Tim Cox, owner of sydney's, begins every conversation and religiously ends it with " What else can I do for you?" A positive, encouraging mild-mannered man, Tim has put thought into every decision made at sydney's to make sure everyone who walks in the door has a positive experience and feels like part of a community. Be sure to tell him "hi" next time you visit!

Ashley and Liam: Wedding

I remember reading as a little girl about Prince Charming, magic castles and secret gardens. As I turned each page I would find myself wandering farther and farther into these imaginary places. Enter the gates to Thornewood Castle and you will find yourself stepping into the pages of the classic fairytale or scenes from The Chronicles of Narnia. Voluptuous sculptures, English statuary and cherubim fountains grace the enchanted gardens. A massive grand staircase and solid oak doors represent only a few of the interior finishes imported to the castle from a 15th century mansion in England. A priceless collection of rare artwork, hand painted onto glass surrounded by panes of crystal, are mounted in windows throughout the 22-bedroom and 22-bath English Gothic Tudor mansion. Built to the specifications of Mr. Chester Thorne for his beautiful bride, Thornewood Castle nestled on American Lake in Lakewood, Washington is known as the "house that love built".

Here are some of my favorites from the day:



Some very important details:

The dress


The rings


The shoes


Liam could hardly retain his excitement as he prepares to see his beautiful bride for the first time.


I couldn't help but share in his excitement. Ashley looked absolutely stunning.


Ashley's father met her at the bottom of the grand staircase in the Great Hall.



The toast


The hors doeuvres



The happy couple



The ringbearer and I ventured past the gates of the secret garden to grab a few pictures.


Conner had these amazing eyes...


I can't help but post one of the flower girl too. With her milky skin, big beautiful eyes, and pure white pearls, Ashlyn, Ashley's niece looked like a fine porcelain doll.


Following the reception, Ashley's prince charming whisked her away on his big, white horse...okay, so it's an antique Rolls Royce - even better!


Thank you Ashley and Liam for letting me be a part of your storybook wedding. The perfect wedding every girl dreams about, but for you, came true. Thornewood Castle is the "house that love built." May your marriage be built on this same love. Congratulations!

View all of Ashley and Liam's Wedding Photos here.
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Portraits in the Park

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Uganda

Ask. Believe. Dream. These three words have been impressed on my heart regarding my travels this summer to Uganda. Yesterday, I spent an hour at the post office applying for my first passport. Yes, I am finally leaving the country! I remember in high school writing my speech on what I wanted to be when I grew up. I delivered it with confidence that I would someday be a missionary. It was during my high school years that God put the nations on my heart.

What I wanted to be has changed over the years. For awhile, I wondered why you had to be anything. For several years I just wanted to be a stay-at-home mom (which still doesn't sound too bad). I went to college not because I knew it would prepare me for a career, but because I never considered not going. I didn't know what to study, so I decided to pick my favorite subject from high school - art. It was the only class I really enjoyed. I always thought I was studying fine art for myself. I didn't think I would ever really use it. Little did I know, God had other plans.

After graduating with my Bachelors of Fine Art, God lured me to Portland, Oregon with the only bait he knew I would swallow. It was here, at Portland Bible College that I fell in love with Jesus all over again. Laying my art, my goals, and all relationships down, I fervently studied Theology and the Bible and just let God work on my heart. It has been a time of healing, preparation, growth, and life change.

Now, after 6 1/2 years of college, God is blending together my passions, gifts, and dreams. God has opened doors for me to be able to do what I love full time taking photographs of people, weddings, and life. What is really cool is how God is beginning to blend my passions - photography and missions. It is a dream of mine to travel all over the world telling other's stories through pictures; using my camera as a tool to convey a message - to be a voice. It is so crazy, because this is what I was doing when I was studying fine art, and now after Bible college, I get to do it again, but this time with more clarity and purpose.

An opportunity has risen for me to go to Kampala, Uganda with a team from my church July 14-30. I am extremely excited to minister to the Ugandan Church and the people. There are so many things we will be doing while in Kampala. We will be dedicating the church there who happens to be led by PBC alumni, Pastor Wilfred, who is a missionary our church supports. We will also be putting on a graduation ceremony for all the pastors who have been in training, conducting a women's conference, a pastor's conference, and what I am most excited about, going to the local orphanages, Dr. Tomale’s hospital, putting on a kid's festival, and doing lots of street evangelism. Needless to say, we will be busy the entire time. I can't wait to minister to the people of Uganda’s hearts bringing healing, hope, and encouragement. I want to cry with them, rejoice with them, and worship with them. I want to teach, to preach, and to serve. I expect to see miracles, signs, and wonders, transformation, life change, confirmation, encouragement, healing, and dreams realized. I hope to bring back photographs documenting their lives, telling their story, and testifying to God's surpassing greatness.

When I was speaking in high school about being a missionary, I didn't really know all it entails, but I was speaking from my heart. Now with the proper tools in hand, a camera in one, and my Bible in the other, I feel like I am prepared, equipped, Spirit-led, and ready to conquer the world. I believe Uganda is just the beginning of the many places God will take me.

Some may ask: What difference can you make in just a few weeks? I can testify that if we are willing, God is able. He is in the business of changing lives. A friend of mine just got back from India, every single person she prayed for received healing. She was preaching to crowds in the market place, praying for the sick in the slums…it was Acts being lived out today. God already knows what He is going to do, we just have to trust Him and report for duty. What is really cool is that God wants to change our lives too. For never having left the country, I know Uganda will be eye-opening, but what I am praying and you can too is that God will begin to open my eyes now so that I can be receptive to what He wants me to say and do.

There are many ways you can get involved. One way to support Uganda is through intercession and prayer. Please commit to praying for the people of Uganda and for our team. This trip cannot happen and will not be successful without it.

Another way to support this mission is by giving financially. The cost for the trip alone is $3000-$3500. This includes airfare, transportation, food, and lodging. $2,500 is needed immediately to purchase airline tickets. The remainder is needed by May 1st. All contributions are tax deductible. In the event my individual expenses are over-supported or for some reason I cannot participate, your gift will be used to help other team members of Uganda Storm. Please consider participating in this mission. If you are interested please contact me and I can send you a form. I would also love to hear from those who will be praying for me over the next few months.

Click here for more information about the country or here to view a map.

I can't wait to share my photographs on here from the trip. Keep posted for updates!