Rachel and Simon are so in love it makes your heart sing. They make you realize that people are meant to be together. I had the chance to spend a few hours with them over a week ago at Simon’s family horse ranch in Cloverdale, Oregon right near the Oregon Coast. I had an absolute blast with them. They were so warm-hearted, giggly and couldn’t keep their hands and eyes off each other. They mentioned beforehand that they were uncomfortable in front of the camera. And to that I say, I think not! They were up for anything. I’m uber excited for their wedding in a couple weeks. Here are some of my favorites from the session. And might I add, it was extremely difficult to narrow the photos I’d like to share because they were so ridiculously amazing! Thank you Rachel and Simon!

These two lovebirds met at a popular Halloween party. The Sportsman’s Pub & Grub annual Hooker’s Ball in Pacific City, OR. I know. I giggled when I heard this too. Even cuter is that Miss Rachel dressed up as Swiss Miss. No wonder Mr. Simon was smitten!

What does Simon love about Rachel? “I like Rachel’s sexy self, the way Rachel smiles when she see me, and the way she takes care of me.” I’m in love with Rachel’s smile myself. I loved every picture she was smiling or laughing in!

These two are country. And I think it’s awesomesauce. They rock the cowboy boots and Simon is a champion in lineman rodeo where speed & agility are a must!

These two young’uns are Simon’s little guys and will be the best men in the wedding. They helped me get the happy couple to smile and even gathered little bouquets for Rachel!

The horses on the ranch were amazing. Although they did look at me a few times and wondered what in the world I was doing there and why in the world didn’t I have any snacks with me.

I really enjoyed touring the horse ranch and was even more impressed that Rachel and Simon were willing to sit on the ground right next to horse outings to get beautiful images like these.

The weather was absolutely amazing and Mr. Sun was so cooperative.

As we were walking the umpteen acres of ranch, we happened upon this broken down cute truck that belonged to the family. Pretty rad huh?

What does Rachel love about Simon? “There is no way I can pick just one thing that I love about Simon because I really love everything. He loves me and his family so much. He is a hard worker, smart, outgoing, and hot as hell. He is my best friend and we have so much fun together.”

I just had to include the cute bouquets of flowers from the boys in the session. Adorable!

Right next to the ranch was Simon’s uncle’s property. Pretty landscaping and an adorable mural.

There was also a pretty pond but I hardly noticed it because the two lovebirds overshadowed it.

Seriously, how cute are they?!?!!

Thank you again Rachel and Simon! I hope you love your blog entry as much as I loved photographing you both! I can’t wait to see you guys again! And before I head off, here’s that blog challenge I talked about. If you can get 25 friends/family to comment on this entry, I will gift you an 11×14 mounted print for your new home! And wait there’s more! If you can get 50 to comment, I will upgrade that gift to a custom guest book featuring photos from your engagement session for your wedding day! Have fun! xoxox

We were able to find a small sliver of time to just relax and have fun.  There is a whole lot you can do in just a day and a half.    I was even able to squeeze in an engagement session for work!  Here’s the slide show.  Enjoy!

A huge part of my photography business is giving back.  One of the organizations I helped with this year is the March of Dimes.  I love this organization more so because I have two babies that I delivered a tad bit premature.  I donated a couple family sessions to their annual auction sponsored by United Health Care of Portland.

The lovely Stewart family graciously bid for my services and won!  I am so pleased that they loved my work!  And super duper props to them for giving to the March of Dimes.  Such a wonderful organization!  We decided to do their family session at a nature park near their home and boy was it a blast!  Here are a few from our excursion in the woods. 

Such handsome boys!  They also protected me from snakes.

Lots of fruit snacks + funny dancing from mom & dad = a multitude of smiles!

I always make it a point during family sessions to show the love between the mommy & the daddy.  Aren’t they sweet?

One last one that I just adore.  Thank you so much Stewart family!  You all are gorgeous and amazing!

Oh and before I leave, just a little challenge for the Stewart family, their friends & family and my loyal blog readers.  If you can get 20 people to comment on this post, I’ll gift you an 11×14 print from your session!  Woohoo!

Sixteen years together. Twelve years since we have said our vows.  We have experienced so much together.  Laughter, tears, loss, joy, promise, hope.  I can not imagine my life without him.  He is everything to me.

It feels like springtime in winter
It feels like Christmas in June
It feels like heaven has opened up
its gates for me and you

And every time I close my eyes
I thank the Lord that I’ve got you
And you’ve got me too

And every time I think of it
I pinch myself ’cause I don’t believe it’s true
That someone like you loves me too

I think that you’re truly something
Yes, you are, and you’re every bit of a dream come true
With you baby, it never rains and it’s no wonder
The sun always shines when I’m near you
It’s just a blessing that I have found somebody like you

Happy Anniversary to my Jerry.  In the words of our 3 year old, Jenna, “I love you more than yesterday.  I love you more than chocolate chip pancakes.”

Thank you to most lovely, amazing and good gracious gorgeous Jenny O’Donnell for taking these wonderful photos of me and my love.  For those couples that haven’t had their photos done in FOREVER, what are you waiting for?  Take those photos now.  Those moments are fleeting.  Don’t wait until you lose a few more pounds, until you have enough money, until the weather gets better.  Document your LOVE now.

I know I say this all the time but, where did the time go?

This last weekend, we celebrated Memorial Day & your birthday at the beach.  Your ultimate favorite place to be, well other than playgrounds.

You flashed me your biggest and most adorable smiles before we headed out.

You ran up and down a monstrous sand dune at Cape Kiwanda & splashed in the 50 degree waters while looking for sea anemones & starfish.

You happily watched outside your window as we drove the loopiest & longest way home.  “This is such a fun trip!” you exclaimed.  And I started to see your talent ooze during out venture into the woods.  “I don’t need to be carried and you don’t need to wait for me, I’m a photographer!”

Happy SIXTH Birthday Malia Janelle!  I can’t imagine my life without you.  I adore you and will love you until the end of time.

Oh dear Oregon. Give us a break this Memorial Day weekend pretty please? Look at the Kauai & Guam weather forecasts causing you shame.

Our awesome neighborhood library threw a “Fancy Nancy” party the other day and the girls were so excited about it!  They dressed up, Malia in Little Mermaid of course and Jenna picked a ladybug costume.  We added a ton of accessories like necklaces, bracelets & rings.  But we didn’t forget the stunna shades!  We arrived on time and the room was filled with little girls and boy dressed up in their fanciest!  The girls colored some pictures of Fancy Nancy, got a pretty flower temporary tattoo put on her hand, made a beautiful butterfly with coffee filters and pipe cleaners, created a pencil with a plume (that’s a fancy word for feather) and finally had a parfait (that’s a fancy word for an ice cream sundae) that they ate with their fingertips.  Here’s a photo (taken with the iphone) of the girls in their most fancy iridescent, positively radiant outfits!

They will indeed be looking forward to the next “Fancy Nancy” party next year!

I’m not perfect.  I make mistakes.  I feel guilty.  I am human.  I’ve had a hard life.  I’ve had a great life.  I’ve hurt people’s feelings unintentionally.  I’m sorry for that.  I’ve made people laugh uncontrollably.  I’d love to do that again.  This is my life.

Let me let you in on a secret about me.  I’m real.  Things haven’t been the same for me the past couple years.  It might have been everything leading up to this that has caused it.  Sickness, death, life, pain, sorrow.  All of it.  It’s made me a different person inside.  I used to blog a lot.  I used to laugh a lot.  I used to get up from bed happy and sprightly.  But a lot has changed.  I’m fighting that bad feeling.  Not fighting change because that’s what’s made me, me.  I just need to look forward, be happy with what God gives me.  Even if it is bad, because it teaches me lessons and that life needs lessons.  Good, because it teaches me to live life to the fullest.

If you’re still with me, I thank you.  I thank you for following me on my journey.

Every year, we make it a tradition to go down to the downtown waterfront to take photos at the cherry blossoms.  I thank God for the blossoms, for the beautiful city, for my wonderful family.  Spring is here to tell us that it’s time to grow again.  To spread your wings and fly and make life worth living.

I’m currently making big plans on restructuring my pricing.  You are going to be so blown away.  I will be releasing the new pricing March 30th. Please comment or email me if you’d like to see what I have in store even before then.