Friday, June 29, 2007

Shelby


I remember taking this picture of my cousin during my first photography class in high school. Shelby and her younger sister, Emily, modeled against weathered barnwood and decrepit buildings, just a few blocks from grandma's house. Now, nine years later, she is once again posing for my camera, this time as a client.

Shelby will be graduating from Pleasanton High School in 2008. During her senior year, she will be involved in the community, acting for high school drama club, and busy making memories with her best friends. My little cousin I once knew has blossomed into a fun, free-spirited, young woman.

Here are some of my favorite images from the shoot:










Watch out mom, she is no longer your little girl! Our session was accompanied by many "hollas" and whistles from admiring teenage boys as they drove by in their loud pick-up trucks! Can you blame them? A beautiful girl inside and out -- it was picture perfect!

To view more images click here.

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

The Perfect Card


It's official. I mean business! My new classic columned, charcoal gray, rounded-edge, blind debossed, metallic silver, press-printed business cards are finally complete. After laboring over the design, the color, and the style, I have created the perfect card to represent my work! It is making its way into the hands of beautiful brides, great business men, accomplished graduates, and happy families all around Portland, OR, Vancouver, WA, and yes, Fort Scott, KS!

...now if only I could get that "coming soon" that seems to have exhausted its welcome on my website to simply vanish:)

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Hope has a Face


Many of you know in less than one month I will be climbing aboard a plane to Africa. What you are about to read is a part of the vision of Run Ministries, whom we will be partnering with while in Kampala, the capitol city of Uganda.

There are more than 2.1 million orphaned children in Uganda, most of whose parents have been ravaged by HIV/AIDS. Many of these children, some as young as three years old, are suffering from the same disease. They live in impossible conditions, foraging for food in landfills.

They're hungry, alone, and sick, struggling to survive in a world that has only shown them death and loss. And every five seconds, one of them dies from hunger-related causes.

These are not merely nameless, faceless victims at the crossroads of the world's most destructive medical, economic, and geographic pandemics. Each of these Ugandan orphans is somebody's child, no different than your own. They have hopes and dreams and unique personalities... and, unfortunately, fears of the inevitable.

For these 2.1 million boys and girls in Uganda, death is a harsh reality.

Just outside the capitol city of Kampala, Uganda sits beautiful Lake Victoria. There on 20 acres is a site designated to bring hope to orphaned children, a local church-sponsored orphanage, grade school, and medical facility called Hope Village.

The centerpiece of Hope Village is its five family-style homes accommodating ten boys and ten girls each, as well as custodial parents who foster a home environment of care and belonging. They play like children are supposed to play. They're provided nutritious meals every day and receive the medical attention they desperately need. They receive a Christian education and they're raised up to be leaders who impact their corner of the world.

How much is it worth to save the life of a child? How important is it to plead the cause of Uganda's 2.1 million orphans? If you could put a price tag on hope, how much would it be?

In order to make Hope Village and Hope Clinic available to Uganda's orphaned children, they need your help. Each of Hope Village's five homes are being built at a cost of $50,000 USD each. When you consider what Hope Village and Hope Clinic will mean to the children of Uganda, hope really is within reach. Your financial contribution will change lives. Please consider making a tax-deductible gift - or sponsoring a complete home - to help make Hope Village a life-saving reality.

During the approximately one minute you've spent reading this blog, twelve children in Uganda have died from hunger related causes. Please don't delay another minute.

To find out how you can help, click here.

Sunday, June 10, 2007

Alaina


Sweet. Inquisitive. Delightful. When you meet Alaina Lynn these three words will come to mind. This intelligent young girl will arrest your attention. She exhibits characteristics one can only admire. She's the kind of girl that knows what she wants. A competitive, strong spirit is concealed beneath her beautiful blue eyes. I can't help to imagine what a bright future she will attain.

Here are some of my favorite images from the shoot:










This amazing girl holds a special place in my heart and today is her special day. My niece, my friend, my "sister", I love you very much and wish you a very happy birthday!

To view more images click here.

Monday, June 04, 2007

Fishin' at the Farm


One of my favorite things to do when I visit home is to go fishing. This year the whole family headed out for the great outdoors. Although the fish were not biting and summer storms were approaching, we found amusement in the company of one another. I only brought along my Dr.Pepper and my point n' shoot, but I came back with another great memory, a few ticks and chiggers, and this timeless image - a young boy's first time fishing with dad.

Monday, May 21, 2007

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.

Sunday, May 20, 2007

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.

Monday, May 14, 2007

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!