When past clients call you to schedule another session, it is always such a joy. I find that every time I work with a return client, I get to know him or her better. I have a firmer understanding of their style and artistic preferences. Plus, there is the added benefit of the client being more comfortable in front of your camera.

This summer Karen emailed me about doing some teen and family portraits. Her eldest son, Jay, would be heading off to college at the end of the summer and she wanted to create family portraits that he could take out of state with him.

Karen, Jay and I had worked previously on senior portraits in the Pearl District, so I knew that Karen liked a urban backdrop. I also knew from previously working with Karen that when the family left the South, they left behind their beloved boat and treasured family time on the water. With this in mind, I suggested we forego the studio session and head down to the Eastbank Esplanade.

The Eastbank Esplanade provides the perfect mix of city skyline and river views. If you have never been there before, parts of the Esplanade actually float on the river, so you can’t get any closer. It is a wonderful park to walk, run or photograph in!

For Karen and Rodney’s teen and family portraits, we ended up walking a good chunk of the Eastbank Esplanade. We worked in areas that we found interesting and that documented their Portland lifestyle.

I am so pleased with how their teen and family portraits turned out. I hope that they are treasured heirlooms for years to come.