I had the great honor to photograph Monica and Jeremy’s wedding last weekend at the Rose Garden and Castaway. I’d like to share a few photos before all of their guests leave town. :-)
Monica and Jeremy at the Rose Garden
Monette (Monica's mom) at the ceremony
Congratulations Monica and Jeremy! I will have a lot more photos to share with you soon!
I’ve been craving to photograph men lately. I feel I could have more liberty to create something beyond a pretty picture when I photograph men. I want to portray characters.
Okke immediately came to my mind when I was looking for male subjects. He has always struck me as an interesting character. What exactly makes him interesting? I can’t pinpoint it but I trust my gut feelings.
So on a rare dry Sunday morning we arrived at an industrial area where there was an old truck, big power plants and a rail track. Then the fun began!
During the shoot I got to know more about Okke. It turns out that he had prior modeling experience when he was younger. His skills certainly showed during our shoot. He never once asked me “Where do I put my hands?”, was very comfortable in front of the camera and often spontaneously put himself into a pose. He knew how to deliver a look that I was looking for and had cool ideas too! He was also very patient when I experimented different lighting effects. I could go on and on about how awesome it was to work with Okke but I’ll let the pictures do the talking!
At one point during our shoot, Okke asked if he could see what I had so far. I handled over my camera. The first thing he said while flipping through the pictures was, “Oh, I have wrinkles now.” That was an ironic moment. I said, “I thought only women care about winkles.” Obviously, I was wrong. 
But that’s not going to stop me from portraying more male characters. Thank you, Okke!
February 25, 2013 - 4:10 pm - Yingzi! You did capture something of the more than meets the eye. I really admire a photographer who can give a window on character, opening us to more of the whole picture. I love the paradox of how a single moment in time, a frame held still in time and space, can open up to more that is there, even then. How fabulous to go with your creative genius and share it. Super work, . . . Have you thought of a second page (of you?). All the best, Mary Anne (from Calgary, Canada).
Hooray! I just finished an important project – updating my website! The new site incorporates more recent work and reflects the direction that I’m heading towards. It’s exciting! Please take a look and let me know what you think!
I’ll also be sharing my work more and making more blog posts to keep you updated on what I’m up to! Stay tuned!
I’ve been photographing a lot of family portraits lately and one leads to another, thanks to my happy clients. Last week I had the opportunity to meet the Craft family: Selma, Graham and their 2.5 years old son Julian. Their idea of family portraits coincides with mine. They like photos that show the family bond in a relaxed and nature way. We always looked for something fun to do in front of the camera, whether it’s jumping on the couch or building blocks.
Julian was a dream to work with. He loves camera and likes to command its attention!
Selma is 32 weeks pregnant expecting their 2nd child…
Julian kept wanting to join us while I was taking photos of Selma alone. When he did join us, he made the photos a lot more tender…
I’ll end this post with the beautiful Selma looking out of the window…
I didn’t meet this lovely couple Jessie Kempfe and Damien Donnelly-Cole in person until two weeks before their wedding. Jessie first contacted me last summer when I was still in Argentina. After a few email exchanges and a video chat over skype, Jessie wanted me to be her wedding photographer. I thought it was very trusting and adventurous of her to hire someone who was still on the other side of the equator!
Jessie made a beautiful bride. She was wearing a red wedding gown by Lena Medoyeff, a very talented local designer. Not only did the red color match the tradition for Chinese brides but also it looked stunning among all the greenery of the garden.
That day the lilies in Chinese Garden were in full bloom. The garden was bathed in gentle sunshine and cool breeze. It’s in this serene and magical place that Jessie and Damien tied the knot.
Jessi and Damien exchanging wedding vows…
After the ceremony we sneaked away from the crowd for a few photos of Jessie and Damien alone.
On the terrace of the Hall of Brocade Clouds continued dinner reception and later dances.
Both fathers were tearing up the dance floor!
Damien was shying away from the dance floor for a while. Even though he insisted that he was not good at it (dancing), I think he looked so natural and blissful when he had Jessie in his arms. Here is the proof.
And did I mention the fantastic dragon dance by Portland Lee’s Association?
Everyone was having a wonderful time. Here is Jessie’s grandpa cracked up by these ladies’ goofy moves.
And I’ll end the post with this favorite image of mine. Congratulations again…
Jessie and Damien's wedding at Portland Classic Chinese Garden
After a year and a half’s absence from Portland’s wedding scene, it was a treat to photograph Jessie Kempfe and Damien Donnelly-Cole’s wedding at Portland Chinese Garden last night. They tied their knots on a perfect summer evening blessed with a gentle breeze, beautiful sunset and loving family and friends. I want to share a sneak peek before Damien returns his tuxedo.
dragons dance at their wedding
Congratulations, Jessie and Damien! I’ll share more photos with you in the coming weeks!
I first met Amy in 2007 when I was photographing her sister Erin’s wedding. Everyone in her family was so nice. I fell in love with them right away. Then four years later I had the honor to reunite with this family and photograph Amy and Ray’s wedding. I had a blast. There was so much love in the air, love between Amy and Ray, love among siblings, love from parents, and love from friends. It was an incredible day.
Now I have this tremendous task to summarize the wedding in a few photos. I don’t think it’s possible, but please join me to relive some of the highlights.
Amy’s nephew (and Erin’s son), Luca, made his grand entrance as a ring-bearer.
Exchanging vows…
Amy’s father at ceremony…
And Ray’s mother…
Unveiling…
Just married…cheers!
Painting…
Braving the snow…
A serenade from siblings…
Rick’s fraternity brothers singing to Amy, just like they did at Erin’s wedding. It’s a tradition!
Mister Miagi band rocked the entire crowd from beginning to end. In fact the crowd wouldn’t let them end!
“I’ve had the time of my life…”
Continued by their first dance…
Wow!
Our dancing queen…
I’ll end the post with a favorite moment of mine…
Amy and Ray, Congratulations! Guess what? When I first saw you two together at Erin’s wedding I just had the hunch that you would get married one day. I was right!
Oh, a bit of insider scoop: Amy’s beautiful wedding dress was found at a vintage store “Xtabay” in Portland, Oregon. The accompanying shrug was made by a Portland designer, Holly Stalder. The gorgeous hairpiece she wore was made by one of her bridesmaids, Amelia.
I had the great pleasure to document a wedding celebration for a favorite family of mine last Saturday. What a memorable event! I can’t stop thinking about it and have to post a few images to share my joy for this amazing couple – Amy and Ray.
A united moment…
Amy and Ray’s first dance…Wow!
Congratulations, Amy and Ray! More photos to come!
She had been planning her wedding since she was little and finally she married the guy she’d been dating for nine years. He was doing a friend’s favor to pick up some girls who were visiting CA and who knew that he picked up her future wife! Congratulations to Tam and Hon who tied their knots last weekend at St Anthony Catholic Church. Here I’m sharing some highlights of their wedding and reception:
Wedding Planner:Kim Morrill from Your Perfect Bridesmaid
Lighting: Greenlight Creative
Assistant photographer: Claude Laviano
Videography: 10 Bridges Videography
DJ: CME entertainment
Hair & Makeup: Austie Eckley
Floral: Flowers for you by Kay
And special thanks to Portland Art Museum for letting us use their space for wedding portraits!
April 3, 2011 - 6:51 pm - I absolutely LOVE the pics. They are gorgeous! You've frozen in time the best moments of our wedding that we can now look back on for the rest of our lives.
I’m excited to share that a wedding I photographed last summer is featured in the latest issue of Oregon Bride Magazine. The magazine is the premier bridal and wedding planning resource for Oregon weddings. If you are planning your weddings in Portland or anywhere else in Oregon, make sure you get a copy!
Here is the front page of the article of Leah and Brad’s outdoor wedding at Bridal Veil.
by Jingzi
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