In November, We Take Portraits

November is one of my favorite times of the year… and one of the busiest! I love this time of year because everyone is feeling festive and also are looking to get their holiday portraits done for the season. Check out a few of my favorite portraits for a few sessions this year… which included a few furry friends!

Melissa, Jonathan, Lil Miss and Ozzie!

This was my second year in a row shooting some holiday photos for Melissa and Jonathan, but this time we decided to take things inside their under-construction home so that we could get a few intimate shots with the rest of their family as well! Lil Miss (kitty) and Ozzie (husky) were both patient sports as they posed all-together for a festive shoot.

Rina & Travis

Two of the most absolute fun people to shoot - ever! This is my fourth year shooting with Rina and Travis for their holiday photos and they always know how to have a fun time and bring their personalities to the shoot!

Kirstin, Derek and Ruff Puff!

This was my first official photoshoot with Kirstin and Derek, and I was so happy the photoshoot included their newest edition as well, Ruff Puff! One of the fluffiest dogs I’ve ever seen, he is quite the stunner - everyone at the park we shot at wanted his attention. This trio really sold the holiday cheer in their red outfits.

Beak> at KEXP 10.6.18

Beak>, an electronic band made up of Geoff Barrow (Portishead), Billy Fuller (Robert Plant) and Will Young (Moon Gangs), from England stopped by KEXP to celebrate their new release, >>>. This was their US debut live performance of the new album.

All three band members were seriously witty and hard to keep up with while they were cracking jokes. Perfectionists - the band used the full hour and a half before their live performance to sound check, and even re-taped one of the songs to fix a section they didn’t like from the live set.

>>>, the band’s third release, is an album with an intricate blend of psychedelic melodies. The vocals are not aggressive, but when present, there is a definite message. In “Brean Down,” the band comments on the future being sketchy. Also, the following lyrics from the same song struck an ironic chord while being performed live on KEXP: “You don’t like our music cause it ain’t up on the radio”.

On a random and more personal note, I was surprised that one of the sound technicians with Beak> I recognized immediately as the Foals sound technician as well, named Reuben. Foals are my absolute favorite band, so it was a nice surprise to see the familiar face and ask some general questions about their yet to be released 5th album that I’ve been eagerly waiting for.

Geoff Barrow of Beak> (drums and vocals) is not only known for his work in Portishead, but also for his movie scores. My boyfriend tagged along for this instudio and happily got his Annihilation and Ex Machina vinyls autographed as well.

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Watch the entire KEXP performance below - and if you watch closely you might spot me take photos with the video crew!:

Summer So Far - 2018

I haven't posted much because life's been all over the place.  So here's just a mini update with photos from the past couple of months:

Okkervil River @ KEXP 6-5-18

I shot Okkervil River performing at KEXP again, however the timing for the instudio was moved up a few hours, and unfortunately, the information was never communicated to me.  When I arrived, the band was already live on the air, and the set was almost complete.  Luckily, because I had arrived so early for the time of the originally scheduled shoot, I was able to catch the end of their last song, and then take portraits of them for the station. It is always a pleasure to see Will Sheff and the band. 

Lacey's Bachelorette in PDX

My beautiful friend Lacey!

View of the original Jupiter Hotel and Portland from the new Jupiter NEXT hotel.

Lacey, one of my best friends (whom I took some engagement photos for), had her Bachelorette weekend in Portland - we had a blast!  Lots of laughter, singing karaoke, and relaxation at the spa.  We were close to the Doug Fir Lounge (we stayed at the Jupiter NEXT hotel, which had just opened), and I always enjoy hanging out at the Doug Fir!  I had so much fun with Lacey and getting to know her other close friends and the sisters of the groom!

Portraits with John Behr

My buddy John Behr is a phenomenal artist - he's been illustrating for some time now and got a website up recently - which he needed photos for!  Sometime in the near future he will have prints for sale, but usually his work is featured in local galleries.  He also happens to be one of my favorite people to photograph!  I have so many great photos taken on a whim of this gentleman!

Summer visitors

My niece!

4th of July grilling.

A visit to Gasworks Park.

My sister Tonya and my niece Quetitia!

My sister Tonya and my niece Quetitia came to town from Minnesota.  I got to see them a few times briefly, but it was really a great to see them.  My other sister Shayna celebrated her 28th bday on July 4!

My mom's best from Frances also came to town from Minnesota - I got to have dinner with her, go swimming, and even grab lunch with her at Pike Place Market before she headed back to MN. 

So far, Summer has been a bit of blur and it's only going to get busier from here on out!  I take a trip to Minnesota again next month, and will have loads to post about then!  Time to rest up for what's ahead - I think this lazy Summer photo of Max shows our mutual feelings off accurately.