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!!!

Paul & Brooke's Love Shoot | Oregon Wedding Photographer

I'm just going to let you in on a little something here: Paul owes Brooke's mom. Big-time! Brooke's mom had come to visit Brooke at school. The two of them took a little trip to peruse the aisles of Fred Meyer. The last thing Brooke was expecting was to run into her future husband - and alas, she did.

Paul & Brooke recognized each other from around campus, so they exchanged a quick conversation. She noticed how much of a gentleman he was...but the conversation ended.

Without thinking much of it, Brooke continued her shopping. But her mom was a bit more hung up on the interaction...

"Brooke!" her mom reminded her.."he's cute!"

Brooke agreed. And she still does - now more than ever!

As if the picture doesn't already say a thousand words, Paul definitely feels the same way about his beautiful, loving fiancee.

Paul proposed with a family heirloom ring at the top of a beautiful hike.

He surprised her by bringing along her family & close friends to celebrate as soon as they returned - and if you know Brooke at all, you know that she LOVED having that celebration with loved ones!

The couple will be married this summer surrounded, once again, by their family & friends. And they will be joyfully sent into a lifetime of love & friendship with each other!

Congratulations, Paul & Brooke!!! Zach and I absolutely loved photographing your love and having you over for a Session Premiere.

Not only did these lovebirds add some beauty to my portfolio, but my husband and I gained two new friends - gosh, I love what I do!

First Year Fly-By!

One year ago, on April 16th, 2011, I became a wedding photographer. This past year has been absolutely amazing and I'm so thankful for all the couples who chose me to document their day as well as the photographers who had me second-shoot with them! I am so incredibly blessed and I'm loving what I do more each day... Here's a look back at the last year - one of my favorite images from each wedding. Enjoy!

Katy & Tyler's wedding was PERFECT for my first one! They were so laid back, fun, and happy even with rainy weather and last minute changes. My friend Jeanie Francis asked me to shoot with her and I am so glad she did!

Shawnda & Brett's wedding was my first one flying solo. My mom (who is also a fantastic photographer) shot & assisted with me and we had a great time!! As you can tell, Shawnda & Brett are SO happy together. They made my job very easy. :)

Andrew & Leah are dear friends of mine and it was a delight to photograph their wedding! I learned one of the joys of wedding photography is getting to spend the whole day with the 2 happiest people around. :) And the other joy is shooting with my handsome husband!

Wow, my brides & grooms are happy people! I'm realizing as I go through these images that they are just JOYFUL people, and clearly Michael & Dawn were no exception! My husband shot with me again, which is fabulous.

Adam & Amy got married in the darling Bell Tower Chapel, and their love is just as sweet as the venue. I got to shoot this wedding with my friend Jeanie again and we had a blast!

I felt like I was dreaming throughout this entire wedding. Josh was already a friend of mine and I couldn't imagine anyone better than Lisa to join with him in marriage!

My friends Grant & Bethany had a beautiful wedding and I'm SO glad I was able to photograph it! They called me the night before the wedding asking if I was available due to a mix-up with second shooters. Luckily for all of us, I was open! I got to shoot alongside Jeff Marsh, and it was such a great day.

David & Aimee's wedding was probably the hottest one of the year, but that didn't stop us from having a lot of fun! David surprised Aimee with a stretch Hummer limo as their transportation, and here she is thanking him for it. ;)

I've had the privilege of interning for the amazing Benjamin Edwards (who also photographed my wedding). I got to shoot this Central Oregon wedding with him - I'm still pinching myself. I can hardly handle how beautiful the day was!

David & Hannah's wedding was magical! I got to shoot it with my friend Maria Lamb and I love working with her. The couple chose not to see each other before the ceremony, but they wanted to exchange gifts..such a sweet moment. :)

Jason & Jessie are sweet as can be. Their wedding took place in Kings Valley, Oregon at a reconstructed barn. The details and love that made up their day all contributed to a fabulous and lovely wedding. I got to shoot alongside Jeff Marsh again and we had a great time!

TA-DA! I love looking back on the last year and feeling the blessings surrounding me.

And I officially can't wait for wedding season to start again! This coming Saturday Brock & Hannah will kick it off and it's going to rock. :)