Ben & Lena / Maternity / Salem OR Photography

Simply an adorable couple to work with, Ben & Lena filled their session with plenty of laughter and good conversation. Their friend had purchased a gift certificate for Lena's baby shower gift and I couldn't have been more privileged and excited to be part of this special gift! I also get to look forward to doing newborn photos of their first little addition to their family. I can't wait!

I think we caught the last hints of fall just in the nick of time, and my was it glorious!

Zach Leon / Salem OR Senior Photographer

You don't have to take my word for it when I say Zach likes plaid! I can't blame him, I've been loving me some plaid for years now and being in all the woodsy natural settings we were it seemed fitting. He's a 2010 Sprague senior interested in graphic and web design. He found me through a web class were they were critiquing local photographer's website. Phew, good thing I've got a slick site designed by Bludomain!

Rambling....anyway, I had a blast visiting all these cool locations Zach had scouted out himself. They're places he goes with friends and people that matter, so I think it was the perfect setting for his photos. There may have been a serious hike at the end up a muddy slippery hill (wasn't a big fan) and cold gusts of wind, but at the end of it all I'm just so thankful to have this job where I interact and meet new people everyday.

Zach's a cool guy!

Van Der Veen Family / Salem OR Photographer

I have long anticipated sharing these photographs with you all. I couldn't have had a cuter family on a more beautiful day, and so fun to spend time with!

I talked with Erin months ago in early September about booking her family's photo shoot and one of her ideas was to wait until the fall leaves were in full color. They love their home (you'll see why!) so we decided to split half the shoot at a downtown park and half at their adorable house.

The flaw in our plan started when my car wouldn't start to get me to church that morning. My dad gave me a jump start and I was on my way, not a second thought was given to this obvious kink. The next few starts in between church and the park required the jumper cables I so cleverly brought along, but without a working car what use are they? I landed myself at the park and had to call the Van Der Veens and request we flip flop our locations and start at the park where I was stuck. Thank goodness they were so laid back and flexible!

My good friend Christen was my assistant and we both agreed it was a well spent afternoon. The best part was they had to give me two jump starts to get the car to their house, and two to leave. I think when my day was all said and done I had 7 jump starts, and a trip to Auto Zone on my To-Do list.

100% worth it! Nothing like a little lesson in humility.

Anahi / Senior / Salem OR Photography

I'm still catching up from the last few month's shoots. It's fun to see referrals coming in and know people are having a good experience and want to share that with their friends. Melissa Luu was my first 2010 senior of the season, who referred Rei Rei and Kim, who knows Anahi. She brought along her whole family, and they were such good sports while we filled her two hour session with a variety of locations, outfits, and poses.

She's got these beautiful big brown eyes that I adore!

Megan & Ryan / Preview / Salem OR Couple Photographer

There's probably a million-zillion things I could say about this couple and how awesome they are, but this is a sneak peek so you'll have to wait!

Porter Family / Portraits / Salem OR Photography

When Ryan's parents asked me to do family portraits I must admit I was a bit nervous. Don't get me wrong, I love and feel very close to the Porter clan, but sometimes it's the people I'm closest to that get me antsy behind the camera. I've never understood why, possibly because they know me as their friend, daughter, sister, or cousin, instead of a photographer.

After I got over the initial nerves, I realized once again how meaningful it is to capture a significant point in one's life, and how thankful I am to have this profession. I was so blessed to be able to create these special memories for this family that is so dear to my heart.

I love these groupings in the first image set and their expressions. Such classic Porter moments!

These two are a couple of goofs. It all becomes so clear why Ryan is the way he is.

Don't be fooled, Randy is over a foot taller than Bambi.

Randy has always reminded me of Superman. Can't you see it?

Ryan, Bambi, Randy, & Alese. Love them!

Kim N / Senior / Salem OR Photographer

Kim was stunning throughout her entire shoot, she turned each picture into a beautiful moment. Her goal is to eventually to be a newcaster on TV, and I say go get em'! I love talking to seniors that have big dreams, hearing the excitement and innocence as they imagine what they may become.

I really had a hard time narrowing down the photos to post, cause she dominated this session! You'll be seeing her someday, on TV.

; )