Kyle & Lindsey - Wedding at The Oregon Garden | Kari Rae Photography, Oregon Wedding Photographer

I am completely and utterly giddy over these wedding images! Kyle & Lindsey were married at The Oregon Garden in Silverton on July 7th, 2012. It was a magical day for everyone - most of all for the newlyweds, but also for my husband Zach and myself! Our wedding was at The Oregon Garden just 8 months earlier and this was our first time back... This time, rather than marrying the one we love, we got to DO what we love and photograph together! Such a cool experience. :)

This sweet couple ordered a gorgeous wedding album, which I am also totally freaking out about..so I decided to do this post a little differently and actually put up some images of the album design (which explains the little line down the center..that's the page crease!).

I am pretty sure every single bride & groom of mine will now walk away with a wedding album; you just HAVE to have one..they are gorgeous, timeless, and truly family heirlooms.

A sweet word from the bride: "I am so grateful for your attitude throughout the whole experience, you really put us at ease!  It was so much FUN shooting with you, and I loved how you guided us.."

"It's obvious that you absolutely LOVE what you do, which makes everything a whole lot more fun!" -Lindsey

"You have such a talent for capturing "the moment" -Lindsey

Why yes, dear viewer, she DID have two beautiful wedding dresses! And they blessed me with extra time to photograph in the second dress before partying it up at the reception. Oh, my heart was happy!

And to end their fairytale day? A horse-drawn carriage...

Kyle & Lindsey, may you be filled with God's love & joy throughout your lives together! It's HIS love that will always take you to your most fulfilling relationship together. Stand by each other, have fun with each other, and kiss each other as if each day is your wedding day.. because in reality, you have to choose to love your spouse with each new day (and I love that!).

Your love is inspiring and it's been an honor to be a part of the joining of your lives together.

Many blessings to you both!!

Paige & Ryan's Maternity Shoot | Oregon Maternity & Newborn Photographer

Watch out, couples. If you don't currently want a baby (or another baby), you might not want to look at these images. :) OH. MY. SWEETNESS! While photographing Paige, Ryan, and their baby bump named Payson Lee, I confessed that they really made me want to have a little one of my own! (Let's not get too ahead of ourselves now..I'll wait a bit longer :) ) Ryan & Paige are absolutely in love with each other and completely enamored with their soon to be bundle of pink joy! Stunning little Mama! I can't get enough of this image. Paige, you are beautiful. It was so encouraging for me to see a couple where both the mom and dad-to-be are loving and supportive toward each other and equally loving toward their sweet baby! Payson Lee, you are a blessed little girl to have these two as your parents. I know they are so looking forward to meeting you...and I am too!

And one of my favorite parts: adding some music for extra sentimental value :) Check it out and then don't forget to leave some love for the lovebirds and their newcoming chick-a-dee! (Change the video from 360p to 720pHD and watch it in full-screen. You won't regret it!)

Dani & Aaron's Love Shoot | Oregon Engagement Photographer

Aaron & Danielle are getting married on August 11th of this year. I have the privilege of second shooting alongside Dani's dad, who is a very talented photographer. (Can you imagine shooting your own child's wedding? My goodness; I think I'd be a teary mess!) In preparation for the wedding, we thought it would be great to do an engagement session that highlights just who Aaron & Dani are. Dani told me there are two things that really connected them to each other: their ridiculous sense of humor (she said, "we are both giant dorks!") and their beautiful passion for each other. Oh yeah, AND he's a fisherman who loves to bring his woman along...how could we NOT go crazy with amazing images?

Enjoy seeing all the wonderful components of Aaron & Dani's love - watch the video at the end for even more goodness, and leave a comment to support them and tell them how insanely beautiful they are together! :)

NOW for the video!!! Switch it to 720p and watch it full-screen for the most magical experience :)

They are pretty great, aren't they? My clients are all SUCH a blessing to me!! Thanks, Dani & Aaron for having me photograph your love!

Excited about Branding!

Phew! It's been a long process, but I've finally arrived!! As this little business continues to be blessed (thank you, Lord! And thank you, everyone who has let me photograph you!), it becomes more & more important for me to have great branding.

The journey has been long, and often daunting & confusing, but I feel like I've finally landed in a place that just feels right. And boy, does that feel good!!! When designing all of my branding, I wanted something that would be easy to recognize and reflective of me & my work. So then came the question: WHO IN THE WORLD AM I???

I mean, I know who I am. I really do. I especially know WHOSE I am. But in all honesty, I think He just created me to like everything! (Thanks God. But you sure made branding difficult for me! ;) ) There is so much awesomeness in the world! I'd like to think that there is a place for all of it in my happy heart.

But just like all good things, my desire to have it all in one little package had to come to an end. I had to be really honest with myself about who I was, what my personality is like, what I LOVE, and what I want to be. I started putting together a Pinterest board with everything I liked. (If you happened to be on Pinterest while I was pinning...my apologies ;) I kind of went crazy!)

Here is my favorite part of the story:

I was originally leaning toward a soft color palette with a very lovely feel to it. Then I started noticing my urge to lean toward certain colors..I drug some photos featuring my favorite colors into Photoshop so I could see them all together. I selected the color from each image and made a square of that color, putting them all side by side together. Then I wanted to see my watermark on top, just to be sure it was semi-cohesive. And BAM! The birth of my branding. It happened just like that - on accident (or was it?).

I loved what I saw.

I put it on everything.

And here we are!

Feast your eyes upon my creation, and please let me know what you think!! Enjoy!

My business card.

The CD label.

The front of my Senior Guide :) Seniors, I'm SO excited for you to get this guide! I had a blast making it!

And finally, here was the original inspiration board. Do you see where all the colors came from? Pretty fun!! :)

Ashley & Matt's Love Shoot | Oregon Engagement Photographer

Today is a very special day; one in which Ashley's mom is celebrated! Today would be the day that Charlotte turned 50. And while she isn't here in the flesh anymore; I believe that she is filled with joy knowing that her beautiful princess found a handsome prince who loves and cares for her almost as much as her mama did.  ;)

As Ashley said, "50 years ago, a very special person was born. She has changed lives for those around her by being an amazing friend, supporter, sister, daughter, and most of all mother. We all would LOVE to see the look on her face today, as she dreaded turning 50! :) HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM  We all love and miss you so much. ♥"

So Charlotte, this post is for you today! Happy birthday!

Matt is a manly man and Ashley is a girly girl, but they both admit that Matt has "softened up" a little since he met Ashley..how could he not? Just look at her sweet, pretty face!

Ashley was excited to take this photo and she confessed that she asks (er, demands) Matt to hold her pretty often. I don't think he minds.. :)

Oh yes. The camo jackets. Matt gave Ashley a gift of her very own jacket and if we're asking about my opinion, I'd say they should probably model for Cabela's. Heck, I'm ready to go hunting with my man now! But only if we'll look this cute...

Okay. If you're anything like me, you could hardly handle the cute factor of these two. But oh, we're not done!! Please watch this video, filled with all of my favorite images. Set it to 720p if you can, and watch it full-screen! Be still, my heart!!!