Wes and Francesca | Elegant Wedding at McMenamin’s Old Church

One of the things I love about McMenamins is that each unique location is an open palette when it comes to events. You can have everything from a rustic wedding to a very elegant wedding, depending on the location and what you add to it. Regardless of what type of event you are having, McMenamins is always a great host.

Last fall I had the opportunity to work with Wes and Francesca’s beautiful wedding. While I think every wedding is amazing, Wes and Francesca’s elegant wedding affair was over the top spectacular. It was so visually amazing that I was literally breathless when I entered the reception.

The couple’s day started with a ceremony at their small church in Wilsonville. It was a lovely little church and the ceremony was a wonderful mix of love, laughter and emotion. Watching Wes see Francesca for the first time had me in tears. He was so strong and yet so emotional that it was touching.

After their ceremony, everyone went down the street to McMenamins Old Church and this is where I was blown away.  I have shot weddings at a LOT of McMenamins locations, but this was a new one for me. It is a beautiful, quaint little old converted church. It boasts a wonderful courtyard for cocktail hour. But it is what the family did inside that left me speechless.

Francesca’s parents (and a team of dedicated helpers) transformed this cute little building into one of the most elegant wedding receptions I have ever been to. It was so luxe, and the attention to detail was amazing. I swore I had walked into a celebrity wedding straight out of a magazine! The room featured a U-shaped dining table filled with flowers, candles, twinkle lights and over-the-top decadence.

I was walking in with the bride when she saw it for the first time and there were no words. It was such an emotional moment watching her vision come to life, and even exceed her expectations. From the silly dinosaur cake toppers (for Wes) to the delicious homemade cannoli that celebrated the bride’s Italian heritage, it was amazing.

Guests enjoyed plenty of good food and wine. And watched the couple glow throughout their entire day.

Here is a look into this special day. It was an amazing one for everyone present…

Scott and Kelly | The Foundry at Oswego Point Wedding

Wedding photography season is just a couple weeks away. As I count down the days to the new season, it has been a lot of fun going back through last year’s weddings. In doing so, I realized that there were a lot of beautiful days that I did not post. So I decided to dust off the discs and share a few of them with you.

Scott and Kelly’s wedding at The Foundry at Oswego Point was one of those beautiful weddings that rain just could not damper. The combination of fall colors and stunning views, really made for a magical day in Lake Oswego.

If you have never been to a wedding at The Foundry at Oswego Point, make sure you get invited to one. It is a beautiful venue. The building sits right on the water front and the banquet room is panoramic. Even better, there is a wonderful boardwalk that takes you close to the water and really lets you experience something spectacular.

I loved working with Scott and Kelly. They are a laid back couple that enjoy college sports, their growing menagerie of pets and sharing laughter with family and friends. Everyone at their wedding spoke so highly of this fun-loving couple that it made me feel like I had known them for years. 🙂 And, if you’ve never met Kelly, trust me when I tell you that she has THE BEST laugh and it is highly contagious!

So much thought went into the couple’s big day. Especially our little photo shoot in XTRATUF Boots! They are the “original fishing boot” and our wedding photos featuring them paid homage to Kelly’s days living in Alaska (where I SWEAR they are the state’s official shoe!).

While there were so many wonderful moments with their friends and family on this special day, one of my favorite moments was laughing together with the couple as we got a bit “artistic.” One of the children at the reception had a glow stick and I asked to borrow it. We then went outside and played with the idea of painting light. My assistant Richard–a polite Georgia-boy always willing to go with my spontaneous ideas–indulged me in the endeavor and created a lot of laughter as he danced like a Sugarplum Fairy around the couple. It was hard for any of us to get the shot when we were practically rolling on the floor laughing.

All in all, this heart-felt day was such a pleasure for me. I enjoyed celebrating with Scott and Kelly and wish them many years of happiness…

Beau and Samantha | Country Chic Wedding

Blame it all on my roots (to quote Garth), but I love a beautiful country chic wedding. They are always so intricate and visually layered. Every country chic wedding features such unique, personal touches that it makes the photography fun.

Beau and Samantha’s country chic wedding was one of those amazingly detailed weddings. The couple decided to have their wedding on family property, which afforded them time to build unique features and work those details in. From custom made log centerpieces and alter, to the unique wall of cupcakes, Beau and Samantha thought of it all. They even used a family heirloom cake topper to remember those that had passed. I LOVED that the couple decided to forego the traditional guest book in favor of a guest bench! That’s right, guests signed a bench!

Beau and Samantha’s day started out a little wet (especially for late July!), but it didn’t dampen the festivities. The rain quickly gave way to a beautiful afternoon for the ceremony and evening for their party. The ceremony was held by pond on the property and guests partied the night away in an elaborately decorated barn.

While I loved all of the time and thought put into their big day, one of the most stunningly unique things was the couple’s rings! Wow! I have never seen rings like them and they were so fun to photograph. The bride’s ring featured an inverted stone (pointy side up) and the grooms wood grain ring mirrored the natural elements they incorporated into their country chic wedding.

Over all, the day was the right mix of elegance and fun. And the photographs show you just how gorgeous it was…

Wedding Planning 101: Planning an Unplugged Wedding

Wedding Planning 101: Planning an Unplugged Wedding

It’s an uniquely 21st Century problem. In the age of technology and smart gadgets, why go against the grain and celebrate unplugged?

Nowadays, almost every device we use has a camera. Cell phones, tablets, and laptops all come with a built-in camera. When you add the traditional camera to the formula, the number of devices that can document your day is astounding.

Unplugged Wedding | Acorn Studios | Portland Wedding Photographer

A moment lost to the wedding guest paparazzi. Photo by Acorn Studios.

While you have probably never given the digital camera a lot of thought, this proliferation of the shutter means that at your wedding virtually EVERY guest is a photographer or videographer. Your first response might be, “Cool!” However, if you give it a little thought, you’ll realize how chaotic this paparazzi can be.

As a full-time photographer, I have seen those camera-crazy guests jump up on the alter and stand next to the officiant to get a photograph/video of the couple exchanging vows. I’ve had guests literally step in front of me to capture THE KISS on their cellphone. And even worse, I’ve watched HUNDREDS of guests worry about being the first to get their photo/video on social media, and as a result spent the ENTIRE ceremony staring down at their hands!

Guests should live in the NOW and celebrate your love.
A solution to the guest paparazzi is the unplugged wedding ceremony. This is where you (or your officiant) asks your guests to switch off their cell phones, put away their cameras and be present in the moment. Your guests should be there FOR YOU, and putting their electronic devices away during the ceremony centers them in the now and gives you their support! (After all, they probably came for more than the cake and beer.)

Planning for an unplugged wedding should start right from the onset. On the invitation insist that guests refrain from taking photos and videos during the entire wedding ceremony. This should be followed up with reminders before the wedding starts. Most officiants don’t mind mentioning it before you walk down the aisle, you just have to ask.

Since all Acorn Studios wedding packages include a disc of images, I also advise clients to tell guests not to fret, they will get access to the professional photos after the big day! All Acorn Studios wedding clients also get some sample language for their invitation.

Apart from making an announcement, polite signs or notices should be put in strategic locations reminding the guests that you have decided to host an unplugged wedding. If you are not creative, there are some cute options on websites like Etsy. For those who may forget, and carry their phones and cameras and attempt to take photos, assign specific person who will politely remind them of the wishes of the groom and bride.

Will I benefit from asking guests to unplug?
There are advantages that come with having an unplugged wedding, the least of which is that you ensure that the photos taken during the ceremony are of high quality, since they are taken by professionals and experts. The photography team will not be blocked by guests who are trying to capture the moment; they have the whole space to get the best angles. Your professional photographer (and optional videographer) will apply his or her professional skills and artistry to an image that will help the you cherish the moment. Also you will not have the guests taking low quality or unflattering photos and then sharing them with the world.

Should I be 100% anti-camera?
When I advise Acorn Studios’ clients about the advantages of an unplugged wedding, I am quick to note that the entire day does not have to be unplugged–just the ceremony.  Simply ask guests to reserve the ceremony for the professionals.

Set up a hashtag or collaboration app where guests can share photos from pre-ceremony and post-ceremony activities, like your trip to the salon or late night reception dancing. Encourage friends and family to bring out their cameras during these important moments. However, ask your guests to give you their undivided attention during the ceremony.

While I can’t speak for other industry professionals, Acorn Studios wedding clients receive a secure online gallery featuring their photos for 30-days. This allows clients to share the professional photos with friends. You can also print a few photos for guests and include them in your thank you notes.

In my experience, if you communicate why you want an unplugged wedding and make a heartfelt plea, then most people will gladly comply. After all, it really isn’t too big of an ask for 20-30 minutes of their undivided attention.

Christian Schilling | Modeling Head Shots

When fashion model Christian Schilling reached out to me about doing some new modeling head shots, I was so excited! Christian and I go back years to when he first signed with a modeling agency and I was just getting started in fashion photography. We had a great time building his portfolio all those years ago.

Over the years we’ve stayed in touch since our first shoot together, and it has been fun for me to watch Christian’s career progress and his modeling resume grow in Portland, Seattle and other major cities across the country. Today Christian is signed with Option Model and Media, his home agency in Portland.

When Christian came into the studio for his updated modeling head shots, we decided to work around my studio neighborhood. The team (which included American Crew All-Star Alyssa Brasket) hit the streets, and not long after getting outside ended up in a heavy rain shower! Certainly not ideal for a fashion photo shoot. And the kiss of death when we were attempting to show off some new looks and hairstyles. We all had a lot of laughs as we worried more about Christian’s hair than my camera equipment. And at one point, my assistant Anna was even holding light modifiers over Christian to keep him dry!

Once the shower was over, we captured some more amazing photos throughout the neighborhood. Ironically, it had stopped raining by the time we did the rain photos. However, I’m okay with that. I’d rather control the amount of liquid sunshine when I can!

Here is a look into Christian’s model head shots session and some tear sheets from the Option Model and Media website…

Modeling Head Shots by Portland Photographer Acorn Studios

Model: Christian Schilling

Agency: Option Model and Media

Hair: Alyssa Brasket, The Barbers

Photos: Kacey Baxter, Acorn Studios

Assistant: Anna Brown, Acorn Studios

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