I totally missed blogging last week and here's why! I was surrounded by my wonderful family, having such a fun and busy time.

My sister and her husband came up to visit from out of state. Also visiting from another state, were my brother, his wife, and two of their kids. They joined my local, immediate family in exploring, eating lots of yummy food, and celebrating a birthday!

Along the way, I rounded everyone up for a photo. I was able to take photos of some of the smaller family groups before it started to rain and we headed out for a delicious cake, specially ordered from Tany's Bakery.

After our big family photo, one of my sisters gave us some very exciting news, which I had the privilage of documenting and helping them announce to the world yesterday! I'm so excired to be an auntie again!

Congrats!

About a week ago, I was feeling some strong urges to take self portraits and make composites. I've always loved composite imagery and surrealism. While studying photography at MHCC, I practiced both by making a series of portraits in which each subject was holding a frame. Through the magic of editing, I made each subject appear to be invisible, but only where the frame would cover them. This allowed viewers to see what was behind the person photographed, while also still seeing a part of them.

Naturally, I named the series, "What's Behind You?". I feel my artistic abilities have improved since that series, but I'm happily transparent and constantly working to further my skills. That being said, you're welcome to view the old series by clicking here.

This time around, I wanted to reuse my trusty old frame, but I wanted to do it one better. I took it a step further and rather than just making whatever was in the frame appear invisible, I decided to make it look as though someone were actually being transported through the frame, to Somewhere Else.

In a single afternoon, with additional modeling and assistance from my stunning friend Makenna(pictured 1st), we've created four images for your viewing pleasure. The series will officially be named "Somewhere Else", as it was inspired by my childhood longings to be swept away in some sort of magical adventure. I plan to continue the series with future instalments down the road, so keep an eye out!

​Enjoy!

What's that? A blog post?

I'm back!

I've been quiet on the blog the last two months, in lieu of a transitional time I entered into near the end of last year. If you aren't aware, I keep another job outside of photography. This allows me to really focus on the quality and time I give my customers, without charging large amounts.

I'm very pleased to announce that I will now be available for sessions all day, every Saturday and Sunday! Evening sessions may be scheduled during the week as well.

I'll be doing a bit of catching up on the blog in my next few posts, but this week I wanted to share photos that were just taken today. My husband and I borrowed my parents' Westie for a stroll through Multnomah County's latest snow fall. The adventurous little Kekoa enjoyed every minute of our walk up Powell Butte, smelling all the smells and making a handful of new friends.

Over the weekend, I got to run the Hood to Coast relay race with my team, Chasing Destiny.
This was the 9th year the team got to participate and my 8th. Being a participant myself, it was hard to photograph every moment, but I got some nice images of the beginning and end.
My images include the excitement of the starting line, the first round of exchange points from van 1, and our team captain(my dad) bestowing medals in Seaside.
Pictures of me were taken by my hubby, who also ran the relay. Pictures of the whole team together were taken by the ever supportive wife of the captain, my mom.

Here are the runners! Included in a picture of Van #1 is our wonderful massage therapist and sister in law of mine, Kaitlyn.

Chasing Destiny, Team #1048 finished the 199 mile relay race in
33 hours, 3 minutes, and 33 seconds.
Enjoy this gallery of highlights!
Note that my dad is standing front and center on the start line. He LOVES that part!

I'd also like to note that after running HTC for his first time in 2016, my love proposed on the beach. We were wed shortly after the following year's relay and this year was our first time running as husband and wife!
​In celebration of our anniversary, I will be offering a discounted price for couples portraits next month.

Special thanks to our volunteers! We couldn't do this without you!
​Fantastic run everyone! I hope to see you all on the beach next year!

In the third installment of Hood To Coast introductions, I'd like you to meet my super cool brother in law, Josh. He became a part of the team in 2013 as a volunteer with his new wife (daughter of Gary) and started running with us the following year.

Josh has always had running in his blood and casualy enjoyed it, but really picked it up in recent years. He's participated in 9 half marathons and finished his first full marathon, the Blooms To Brews this past April. Josh quickly became one of the fastest runners on our team and has tackled difficult legs, such as #5. He plans to run the Boring Marathon in the month following Hood To Coast 2018.

​You may have seen him in previous blog posts with portraits of his sweet little family, like the image shown above. Josh works hard for his family and builds beautiful tables with Jewell Hardwoods. Each of their creations is a unique work of art.

​Josh trains very hard and is sure to rock this relay.
As a fantastic runner, artist, and family man, this is one to look out for!

A Hood To Coast team needs 12 runners, if each is to run 3 of the 36 legs it takes to get from Timberline to Seaside. When your team has been participating for almost a decade, things don't always line up for the same 12 people every year. Because of this, we often get to introduce new participants to the 200 mile relay. This week, I'd like you to meet our 2 latest recruits!

Johannah is a little new to the running scene, but has picked up a fantastic pace, joining Dad (Gary) and I at local running events like the Shamrock and Starlight.

Watch out for these fierce new runners in Hood to Coast 2018!

Tune in next week to meet more of the Chasing Destiny team!

In 2010, a Hood To Coast team was started with friends from my church, Destiny Christian Fellowship. We called ourselves Chasing Destiny. Original teammates have gone and been replaced, but we remain like a big family and love coming together every year to tackle the 200 mile relay.
Today, I'd like to introduce you to our fearless leader.

My dad (Gary) has always been a runner. Even in high school, he was setting track records for Centennial. Serving in the US Air Force for 20 years, he cross trained in his free time to stay in top shape for his overseas missions. He visited many countries, including Iraq, Australia, and Korea. He was stationed in Okinawa, Japan for 3 and 1/2 years and I got to spend the first 18 months of my life there.

He now skillfuly drives massive semi trucks and happily participates in parades.
​In 2014, he visited a preschool to tell of his adventures. He's kind of a super hero.

Gary loves running and loves his team. He does a fantastic job rallying us together, from the snowy top of Mt. Hood, to the sandy shores of Seaside.
Here he is, training for Hood To Coast 2018.

Tune in next week to meet more of my wonderful teammates!
We'll see you on the mountain.
​Have a good week.

A couple weeks ago, my husband and I hiked the Trail of Ten Falls in Silver Falls State Park.
I highly recommend this fun and beautiful trail. Located roughly 20 miles east of Salem, The park has over 24 miles of trails and 10 notable waterfalls that can be seen over the 8-ish mile perimeter of the park.

Here are my highlights from our adventure!

It's important to have a good assistant and boy have I lucked out with this one. Not only is he extremely helpful with making beautiful images happen, but he also happens to be the love of my life. We are coming up on being together for three years and being married for five months, but shortly before those he has a birthday!
This post contains images I've taken of his handsome face during a couple jobs together.
​
Babe, you bring such a light to my life and work. I'm so thankful to have you in my life. Happy Birthday Week!

Enjoy the cuteness. (He's all mine.)
Keep an eye out on social media for highlights from our first wedding shoot of the year!

This past weekend, I acquired a remote shutter trigger and decided to take a self portrait. Not usually being on that side of the camera and being a little out of my comfort zone, I thought long and hard about where to shoot and what to wear. 

​Now, what would you do if you had a nice camera, tripod, shutter trigger, free time, and a brightly colored unicorn onesie? (Yes, I have a unicorn onesie. It was a very comfy halloween costume.)
I hope you would take silly self portraits in a field with some comical balloons, because that is exactly what I did. 
It was a beautiful day, so my location of choice was flooded with hikers. People questioned, pointed, laughed, and took cell phone pictures of me. A few chatted and observed me struggling in the ocasional gusts of wind, so I requested jokes in exchange for their entertainment. One man's response was, "Are we living one?"
It was an enjoyable afternoon.

The message I have in mind for this shoot is, "Just be yourself", whatever that means to you, whatever other people may think. Have fun, don't take yourself too seriousely, and love yourself. You are rare and magical!
Have a wonderful week and comment where you want to see The Unicorn next!