President Obama did the right thing last week. We are past due on this question of who gets to love someone. Alexis and Kim got married a few years back even if some people didn’t recognize that as a marriage. Believe me, they were meant for each other.

I am one of many who thinks you should be able to marry the one you love. Period. With any luck, this world will come to see that there are no rules in this except those written by the heart.

Brooke radiated pure delight on that sunny October day…her eyes were probably the only jewels she really needed. Cowboy boots, a custom silk coat, magnificent food and music in a small city of softly lit tents high on a private hill in Oregon’s wine country… they had easily one of the more elegant weddings in my career.

I am excited to be designing a book for Brooke and John… it has been a lot of fun to revisit their images and it’s nice to know that there will be a book for posterity. ;0)

A word to the wise… if you are going to have a piper at your wedding, try to remember to give him a little head start before you get all bunched up behind him. Your friends and family will thank you and your photographer will be ecstatic! ;0)

New tools, old tricks, I guess… I joined the ranks of the iPhone Tribes yesterday and while I haven’t done much communicating, you can bet I have been trying to become one with it’s camera. ;0)
In my camera history, I have always roamed my own house and yard to try out any new gear… film, lenses, cameras… it’s a really good way to see how something new is going to translate for me. These are everyday places for me. I am used to the light and the shadows… the moods of my home.
I have to say that I am pleasantly surprised and very happy to have a new voice in my bag!

Yes, sometimes it rains in August. Over the years, it seems as if you can look for rain on any weekend where Oregon goes camping… just an observation. ;0)

We had two massive downpours during a day of otherwise glorious light. Vibrant Table had to reset everything twice… they persevered with grace and energy. Vista Hills Vineyard is lovely… the staff was shoulder to shoulder with the catering crew to keep things dry and running well. Hats off to a very brave couple… Stephanie and Lee decided to stick to the original plan and were richly rewarded!

There was once a sunny day when two friends decided to take a walk about. Ross Hamilton used to wait tables with me at Jake’s Famous Crawfish… we found kindred artistic souls in each other, though I believe he was a true Renaissance Man… many more talents than I will ever have. Ross told me he wanted to take the cameras to this SE Portland switching yard and I will always remember his quiet grin as we stood above the tracks. We gave up the daily contact as we took separate career paths but he was good about calling with a lunch invite or just for coffee. He’s gone now… lost his battle in 2006 but he left behind a world of friends.

Paul called a day ahead of this sweet little encounter and he sounded so excited, I couldn’t help but get caught up in the plan. Marla had no idea but I could see the realization dawning as he walked her up the rainy steps at Washington Park last Friday.

She said yes and it was all over in an audible heartbeat… he whisked her off to a surprise dinner and I believe the romantic bar has been set delightfully high!

Always happy to be a witness to this classy kind of start… I hope this makes you smile, too!

Used to be that women of a certain class had a full compliment of assistants to get them dressed and out the door… these days it’s more likely to be your best friends from college helping you put the finishing touches in place.
This is a great place for your photographic story to start… just past hair and makeup when you transform from the girl next door to a stunning bride. From any day to Wedding Day.

There are stories to be told all day long and that is why I love this work!

There is no way to describe the relief that washed over me when I finally found this photograph after having lost it for about 8 years. I was pretty sure it was in my house still but I sure couldn’t put my hands on it. Of course it came to light when I was looking for something else.

This was taken on a frozen February morning in Winnipeg… it was 1979 and Lon and I had flown in from Boston to catch a total eclipse of the sun. The entire trip was rather surreal… especially standing in a remote and utterly frozen field many miles north of Winnipeg as the light began to take on another dimension. He was able to concentrate on his telescopes and the cameras attached but all I could do was live it. To this day, I can see the light coming across the open spaces… kind of pink and, somehow, about 3 feet high.

That train left at midnight and we were on it, westbound for Oregon. Even though our relationship was on the wane, it was the beginning of a new life here.

I am always gratified to find an intimate angle on the ceremony… it is often out of the question if you are trying to work in a civilized fashion. Many of the vineyards have space for me to hang back with a long lens so as not to intrude. It helps that the people involved are so wrapped up that they don’t notice me very often at all. ;0)