So Many Moments Blog

We've MOVED! :)

2011-08-11T08:40:00.000-07:00

With the completetion of the new So Many Moments WEBSITE, we've also moved the BLOG! :)

Please, visit SoManyMoments.com/Blog for up to date posts!

Thank you!!!

The Open Kitchen

2011-06-22T12:53:00.001-07:00

Our friend, Chef Andrew Garrett, entered a competition where chefs teamed up with breweries to cook up delicious food to compliment their team's beer, and WON with Ambacht Brewing. 'Open Kitchen' decided to expand upon the winning duo and invited Chef Andrew and Ambacht to create a 5-course meal, each course paired with a different beer. What's really neat about 'The Open Kitchen' is that everyone at the dinner gets to enjoy one course in the kitchen, watching the magic happen. Matt and I were invited along and didn't just play with our food, we photographed it too! More on our FB page and more about The Open Kitchen on theirs! Also, keep your eyes peeled for Chef Andrew's new hot sauce coming to Williams Sonoma's this fall!

WPJA: 2011 Quarter 1 Announced!

2011-06-14T19:33:00.000-07:00

I'm SO stinkin' over the moon!!! I won 7th place in Ceremony category for the WPJA's first quarterly contest for the year!

This was particularly difficult because they only accepted photographs taken this year, and we only had the one wedding before the submission deadline. Thankfully, Holly & Scott were a such a lovely couple and I was able to land a winner when they came out of the church. Did I mention how EXCITED I AM!?!

Check out WPJA.com for the other winning photos; it's such a beautiful collection of pure emotion, delightfully unexpected visual stories, and stellar compositions from a full range of talented international artists.

Boudoir, out of the boudoir!

2011-06-06T18:49:00.000-07:00

When Stefani approached me about taking some risqué photos for her boyfriend's upcoming birthday present, I jumped at the chance. Having photographed Stefani previously on a carousel in the middle of a shopping mall, I knew she'd be up for a fresh approach on the classic pin-up shots! We brought in the fabulous Aimee J'Adore to rock the hair and make-up, and the shoot was a blast! What a lucky boyfriend to have a gal do something so thoughtful and fun!

Matt bought me a ring flash over the weekend, so I was super excited to experiment a bit! Can any fellow-photogs tell which shot I used it in? :)

Bridal Shower/Bachelorette Party

2011-06-06T07:55:00.000-07:00

My two Portland bridesmaids put together a really special evening for me this past weekend to celebrate my "Bride-To-Be-ness". They were super secretive about the planning, but it was fun having no idea what to expect! All I knew was the festivities were to end with a slumber party, so to pack an over-night bag and be on time.

I knew I wouldn't bring a camera out for the evening with me, so I thought it'd be fun to set up a studio light in Caitlin's basement, put the camera on the timer, & snap a few portraits of us all glammed-up before we hit the town. We popped champagne and had the quickest mini-shoot, perhaps ever! All the other girls were great about taking photos out that evening too, but I'm glad to also have these to remember it by. And what a memorable evening it was! It was like a birthday party... but BETTER. I loved every minute! Getting married is FUN!

The Shoes Have Arrived. It's OH-SO-REAL.

2011-06-03T23:15:00.000-07:00

I want to share with you a moment I had this evening. It happened shortly after a sharp knock at the front door.

I swung it in open in time to catch a wave and "Have a good night!" from the UPS guy already turning the corner at the end of the hall.
"You too!" I replied in return, as I set my gaze to the floor.

The box at my feet was for, none other then, my feet. My wedding shoes had arrived!

Anxiously, I tore into the little cardboard treasure chest and pulled out the little beauties as I decided I should also pull on my dress to get the full effect.

So, there I was. 15 minutes till Matt was expected home from work, standing in the mirror with my dress and shoes on. For whatever reason, it suddenly felt OH-SO-REAL and OH-SO-PERFECT. (Well, besides the fact that the dress doesn't actually FIT just yet) I jumped, I yelped, I laughed, I danced.

I slipped into the little cardigan I'd bought (in case it cools down too much in the evening for my strapless number), and the perma-smile on my face could not have stretched further. This was it. This is what I'm going to wear in 78 days to commit myself, fully & whole-heartedly, to the man I love more then I'd ever imagined possible to love.

I can't flipping wait.

Matt snapped these photos last night, the dress is a secret, but I need to break in the shoes

Amanda & John

2011-05-27T14:02:00.000-07:00

This wedding was such a celebration with a stunning couple in such a stunning venue! After Amanda & John tied the knot on stage and enjoyed a lovely dinner they had the bouncy floor of the Crystal Ballroom jumping with their fun loving friends and family. We came home with so many animated dance floor candids of their guests I'll be sharing on the So Many Moments facebook page super soon! In the mean time, here are some of our favorites from the big day!

Bridal Veil Post Office

2011-05-26T11:24:00.000-07:00

When I heard that the adorable TEENSY TINY post office in Bridal Veil Oregon still hand cancels their mail I knew we would make the special trip out for our invites. To celebrate finishing the invite assembly, Matt and I planned a day trip to Mt.Hood Meadows before the end of the season. We woke up early on a beautiful foggy morning, pulled on our ski gear, and drove up 84 to the Historic Hwy exit. There on the right hand side, you can't miss it, is the most adorable little USPS you may ever see.

You can choose from two wedding invite hand stamp themes (& of course they've got all the wedding stamps too!) We went with the cake stamps and the dove cancel.

The best part was the lady who worked there. She couldn't have been any more friendly. It was such a pleasant experience. We left over-the-moon excited about the invitations, each other, and the WHOLE WORLD for that matter! What a wonderful day.

Matt snapped this last shot on the way up the mountain through the Columbia River Gorge. It reminds us that some days are just ... perfect.

Holly & Scott

2011-05-09T18:47:00.000-07:00

Holly & Scott's Portland Oregon wedding photos!

For 100 more from this wedding, check out their album on Facebook.com/SoManyMoments

10 Happy Things in Spring

2011-05-06T15:14:00.000-07:00

I haven't made one of these lists in a while, and seeing as May is such a super spectacular time of year, I figured I should share some of the things that I've loved about it thus far!

1.) The view of Portland from Pittock

2.) Using a Mercury Project stamp to mail my random pen pal

3.) Small dogs that like to hike large mountains

4.) Having enough quarters to do two loads of laundry

5.) Bluebird day snowboarding with friends

6.) Piggy Banks

7.) Being reminded of what's important in the mornings

8.) Cherry blossom trees blooming EVERYWHERE!

9.) So Many Moment's new custom DVD cases

10.) My adorable fiancé in the iPhone costume I made for Wired

Wheel Chart Wedding Invites!

2011-05-03T11:15:00.000-07:00

The theme to our wedding is PLAYFUL, so I wanted to create an invite that was both heart-warming and fun, while still being affordable. My solution was a wheel chart. What's more FUN then a wheel chart?!

The top circle invites our guests to the wedding, while the bottom circle contains all of the information. There are two corresponding windows to show event details, that change as you spin the circle behind. I decorated the invite with a quick sketch of the treehouse we'll be staying in for the weekend at our wedding (complete with our names carved into the tree, as per a friend's brill suggestion!)

D.I.Y. Wheel Chart Invites

You will need:
Your invite graphics (two circles) printed to cardstock
Circle cutter (I used a compass style)
Cutting Board
Hammer
Snaps & Setter
Pencil
(optional: regular x-acto knife & scissors)

1.) Create the graphic of your invite on the computer as two circles the same size and be sure your windows match up to the information behind. I made both circles on the same layout as layers to be able to check this, but I'm sure many methods would work. TIP: be sure to make a small dot in the center of both circles, this will make placing the snap much easier!

2.) Print a mock-up on your home printer to be sure your design functions the way you'd like. This also prime time to have someone else go over all the text to be sure you haven't missed anything or made any typos.

3.) Have your invites printed. I choose HIP Printing to keep things local in NW Portland. 150 invites cost me $37.50 & the guys there are SUPER friendly! I also used the spare space on the 8.5x11" page to print up some cute little cards for other uses at the wedding with the same treehouse design & colors.

4.) Using your compass cutter & other tools, cut out the shapes and windows in your invites.

5.) Assemble the invite. I used the sharp end of my compass to make the center hole a bit bigger, and then pushed the tip of a pencil through until it was the desired size. Be sure to cut off some of the excess paper on the back. Then, place your snap through both pieces of paper. Turn it over and place it on your cutting mat. Hammer away using your setting tool, and TA-DAA! Invite! You did it! *high five*

I had never used snaps before, and I think I'm addicted to them now! They're so neat & come in a HUGE variety of colors too. I scored mine locally at Paper Source on NW 23rd Avenue.

I recommend inviting over a few friendly girlfriends when it comes time to put them all together. It was a lot of fun, but a BIT more time intensive then I was anticipating, even with all the help. I also ordered some cute stickers online with the same design and colors to seal the envelopes. I hope they're as fun for my guests to open as they were to make!

A Wedding Wedsite, err.... WEBsite

2011-04-29T23:19:00.000-07:00

It's 2011 folks. We communicate via text and keep in touch via Facebook. So, of course, we share our wedding details via website. (And then blog about it!)

When it came time to chose a place to build and host my website, I found a plethora of options. But many of the free sites just didn't have the features or design quality I was seeking. So, after much research & a few trial runs, I finally settled comfortably into my new Wedsite account.

While I'm usually all game for FREE options, the website is the really the first impression of the celebration I'm planning and it's worth a little extra to make it perfect. Also, I'm using the RSVP feature to keep count of all of my guests & their contact information & this alone saved me $$$ in RSVP cards/more postage/more paper waste.

Beyond that I love these other features:
- Custom Domain. We set our up with a custom domain, SmattWedding.com as Smatt has been our nickname since we fell for one another during the Brangelina era. (Sam + Matt = Smatt)

- Ability to add LOTS and LOTS of photos. I put up a folder of photos for each of our bridal party & families!

- Ability to add video. This was fun, especially on the page we share information with travelers.

- Extremely customizable and attractive templates.

- All the classic must-have features: poll, countdown, and guest book.

Say YES to the DRESS(es)!

2011-04-27T14:41:00.000-07:00

3 Events = 3 Great Excuses to Buy Adorable Dresses

Bachelorette Party:

I scored this hot number on sale at Express. Add on the bonus discount thanks to a girlfriend's extra coupon & it was a killer deal. It's a lightweight chiffon rouched color-block dress; sexy enough for an evening out with the girls, but still wearable for other future cocktail functions if I'm feeling particularly bold.

Rehearsal Dinner:

I went the 'ol "fall in love with a high-end dress and then buy a knock-off from China" route here. *fingers crossed* it shows up and works out! After a lot of Wedding Bee Forum research, I decided to take the risk. Apparently, with the lack of reproduction copyright laws in China, it's legal for them to make the exact same dress as someone else. So, when I fell in love with this fabulous Melissa Sweet designer garb, I found VogueBride on eBay. She offered the best price, the fastest turn around, and has near-perfect reviews. I also like the protection of eBay and Paypal as opposed to ordering directly via a random website. Not only is it being made in my size, but also in whatever color I want so I opted for a blue/teal color rather then the purple shown here.

Wedding:

After many trips to many bridal shops, meeting with a dress designer, and hours of browsing the interwebs I found a dress online that made my heart flutter. It's wildly perfect: super fresh, fun to wear, and playful! But, I don't want Matt to see it until the big d.a.y. so some things will have to remain behind the veil 'till August...

bling bling The RING!

2011-03-22T00:02:00.000-07:00

Matt and I had dated more then 5 years before the momentous night he plopped down on one knee, so the concept of marriage may been previously mentioned before... Ok, a FEW times! So, I suppose it was no secret that I had thought about the ring I would be expected to wear each and every day for the rest of my life.

I sent photos of my favorite rings to my favorite neighbor, hoping Matt would turn to her in his time of need. But, what he ended up doing was even BETTER!

He proposed with THIS:

A ridiculously rad placeholder ring from my friend Andrea's adorable & affordable local accessories store Little Things! (18th and NW Lovejoy!)

He had narrowed it down to 3 "real ring" choices. My friends all had different opinions and he didn't feel quite right about any of them. In the end, he figured who would know better then ME, and gave me a budget to help him find my ring. I'm so happy he did.

After a lot of research, browsing online and in shops with his mom and finally with Matt, we found our winner via a close friend in Orlando at Jewelry Plus. Jeweler Shawn knew I was on the hunt for an antique ring, and he understood my style. The second ring he e-mailed me was the winner, and I'll never forget the moment Matt and I opened the package. We both said in unison "it's... beautiful." I was awe-struck and in love. I knew at once, THIS was MY ring.

It's simple from afar, but the intricate details in the setting and delicate engravings down the sides are so gorgeous up close, like it's sharing a secret you can only hear if you're near. It's originally from the 1940's, and I can't help but wonder about where it's been and who enjoyed this ring before it found it's way to me. I look forward to taking it on many more journeys for the years to come!

WPJA Q4 WIN!

2011-03-21T23:54:00.001-07:00

I entered my first WPJA contest in their 4th quarter, and I am over the moon with the results announced!

"The 2010 Q4 Contest showcases the wedding photojournalism of WPJA members throughout the 2010 year in 18 categories. From 24,112 entries only 360 finalists were selected."

I landed spot with an engagement photo of Heidi and Rick! Thanks for having such a cute puppy guys! :)

http://www.WPJA.com

The big Venue/Date combo choice!

2011-03-21T18:26:00.000-07:00

This was certainly the hardest choice thus far, but after this hurdle the rest is really just sort of falling into place!

From the beginning, we had a few things we knew would be important to us.
- Bringing in our own food and favorite beer/wine selection
- Enjoying the beautiful outdoor ambiance Oregon offers up in summer months
- Accommodations for the friends and family that will be traveling so far to stay near us

Here's a review of the process with our top contenders!

1.) Mt. Hood Bed and Breakfast. After photographing more then 50 weddings, this was the first place I thought of when it came to having our own wedding. I ADORE THIS PLACE. Mt.Hood is so special to Matt and I, and the drive through the Gorge to get up there is spectacular. The property is lovely beyond words, and the staff all seemed extremely friendly. Unfortunately, the availability was severely limited, the price high, and rule list long... so our search had to march on.
http://www.mthoodbnb.com

PROS:
Incredible location on Mt.Hood; beautiful drive from Portland and incredible views.
Accommodations for up to 8 overnight guests included with wedding package
Able to bring in your own catering and drinks (not a winery)

CONS:
Event site is strictly available from 2pm until 10pm
Only accommodations for 8 guests
Over $6,000 bill for a Saturday wedding

2.) Next up, the magical discovery of Westwind! All I can say is WOW! After a friend suggested it and I did a bit of research online I began dreaming about it at night. I found some wedding photos from the few other weddings they've had out there, and I kept imagining and re-imagining how it could work out for our own. The sad reality, however, was that you have to take a barge to get out there, and the "accommodations" are bare roots summer-camp style. Not an issue for us, but how would our families fair? As it turned out, their only available 2011 dates we had previously booked other client's weddings. I finally decided, as beautiful as it seemed, I preferred to hunt on for a solution that didn't involve waiting 18 months to be married.
http://www.westwind.org

PROS:
The most beautiful place, perhaps EVER.
Completely private island, accommodations for more then 100, full weekend stay
Wood for a giant bonfire on the private beach included in the price!

CONS:
More then 2.5 hours drive from Portland
Then you have to take a barge, this means hoping everyone catches the ONE barge
Asking grandmas to camp

3.) Miller Farms Retreat. So, now I had the camping wedding bug. I was looking into other similar set-ups to Mt.Hood B&B and I kept finding wineries, farms, and hotels with strict time blocking, high cost, and rules, rules, rules. Eventually, I realized I just wanted a BACKYARD camping wedding! The only issue was, our one bedroom 5th floor apartment didn't offer much in terms of a backyard. This is when the great hunt on VRBO.com began! I realized for what it costs to have a winery for 8 hours you could rent a HUGE BEAUTIFUL place for a whole weekend! And not so many RULES! And thus, I discovered the gem that is Miller Farms Retreat!

When I met the farm owner, Bobbi, I just wanted to hug her immediately for building my dream venue come true! Miller Farms boasts 5 charming little rental homes amongst 3 acres of gardens surrounded by pear orchards on Mt. Hood. It ALSO has a heated pool, two hot tubs, fire pits, and a sauna!

PROS:
The most charming place I've ever been.
Treehouse, heated pool, fire pits, hot tubs
Really amazing owner who truly loves her property & wedding celebrations
Mt. Hood location, only 90 mins from Portland
Have I mentioned, it's PERFECT?

CONS:
We went a little beyond budget, but we think it will be worth every last penny!
The website is cumbersome, go see it in person to get the full effect!

Finding Bobbi and her gorgeous farm makes the wedding feel REAL! It has set the stage for everything else. I'm SO unbelievably excited, not only to get married there, but to spend a weekend with the family and friends who mean most to us. August will be here in no time!

I'll buy you an iPad 2!

2011-03-07T10:58:00.000-08:00

To celebrate offering iPad Albums with all of our Album packages we are so excited to announce our limited time offer to receive a free Apple iPad 2! When you book the 'Killer Keepsake' collection for your wedding photography package from So Many Moments your wedding album will come pre-installed on an iPad 2 you get to keep, as a gift from us!

Be sure to tell your friends who are engaged, and as always please remember we love to photograph destination weddings everywhere! From Argentina to Canada, Tokyo to Barcelona, Miami to Portland, we'll be there camera in hand! That means, this offer is valid... WORLD-WIDE!

Ah, the "Other Side"

2011-01-20T10:16:00.000-08:00

After more then 5 years of love, commitment, compromise, and more love Matt and I have decided it's time to make the LEAP.

At midnight Christmas Eve, Matt popped THE questions at the Palm Beach airport. I was shocked. And then I was happy. :)

But now, after 5 years of working as a wedding photographer, I will journey into life on the other side of the veil. The posts labeled "My Wedding" will document my journey as wedding photographer turned bride. I can't flippin' wait!

Flash Back on 2010!

2011-01-12T14:42:00.000-08:00

2010 was such a stellar year!!! This is a big, huge thank you to all the fabulous people who let me take their photograph this past year. One last hoorah for 2010 with a few random, favorite moments, and onward we travel through 2011! *high five*

Another Shot In The Dark

2010-12-13T12:06:00.000-08:00

I browse other photographer's blogs and websites constantly for inspiration and to see what kind of fresh and fabulous things my peers are doing. One night, I was searching for a blog geared towards photographers like myself, who work in a range of portraiture work, that showcases all types of really rad photo sets. Frustrated I couldn't find one, I decided to make it myself. And thus, Another Shot In The Dark was born.

Check out this new blog for beautiful sets from specific shoots or series of photography works by a wide variety of fabulous artists around the world! There is no shortage of incredible talent out there, so I look forward to keeping up with this fun new project of mine! Let's all keep on shooting! *high five*

Check it out for youself here at AnotherShotInTheDark.com and be sure to join up with us on Facebook to stay in touch Facebook.com/AnotherShotInTheDark

WPJA, BABY!

2010-11-15T11:14:00.000-08:00

Since the first time I visited the WPJA website, years and years ago, I quickly understood what it was: a career goal. If I was going to dedicate myself to being a wedding photographer, this is where I needed to be.

"The Wedding Photojournalist Association (WPJA), an International, membership-based organization, represents professional photographers skilled in the documentation of weddings and events in a candid, unobtrusive style. The WPJA was founded to uphold excellence in the area of wedding photojournalism."

I would peruse the site every wedding season, checking out the latest award-winning photographs from the site's quarterly competitions. I would get inspired. I would find the most talented wedding photographers in the country and enjoy their websites all night long.

And finally, after 5 years of developing my craft, I applied, despite the strict membership guidelines. And... I GOT ACCEPTED!
I am now a member of both the WPJA, and the Artistic Guild as well!
(This is the equivalent of being promoted when you're self-employed.)

I couldn't be more excited to enter my own photos in to the contests and continue to further my craft in this field. I love this job and the challenges of this industry. To check out loads of ridiculously amazing wedding photographers from around the world, please visit: WPJA and AG|WPJA

Metallic Paper

2010-11-09T09:42:00.000-08:00

There are a few question I'm asked time and time again, so this has encouraged me to create a new F.A.Q. page on my website. Here is one of my favorites to talk about:

What is the metallic paper you offer for the albums?

One of the newest papers on the market, Kodak's 'metallic paper' is absolutely gorgeous to print on. It boasts beautiful vibrant colors, crisp contrast, and a really interesting... sort of etherial metallic quality. Certain prints in certain light are more obvious then others that it's any different from classic glossy, but it's over-all beautiful quality sets it apart when compared side by side. We previously offered this as an upgrade options for our albums, as it is more expensive to print with. However, we now provide all So Many Moment's clients with nothing but the best, so it now comes standard on anything we print for you.

Read more about the nitty gritty specs, straight from the horse's mouth here: Kodak

For more of my F.A.Q. Q&A's visit http://www.SoManyMoments.com!

ALBUMS ALBUMS ALBUMS!

2010-11-07T16:24:00.000-08:00

I have finally posted ALBUMS! You will now find a gallery in my website's portfolio dedicated entirely to showcasing individual weddings and So Many Moment's wedding albums. I think it's important to see a photographer's work from single weddings, rather then just a showcase of favorite photographs from a large body of work. The albums also feature Matt's photographs, so it's great to finally represent him on my website as well.

Our leather flush-mounted albums feature thick, stiff pages and every spread opens flat. I do not use pre-made templates, but instead create each layout as a custom art piece to tell the visual story of the wedding celebration.

Creating each one, from the planning stages, to taking the photographs, and then bringing them to life in a cohesive visual story is such a fantastic journey. It's an honor to create a unique and special keepsake. That sounds terribly cheesy, but I just get so wildly attached to each one of my weddings! My brides and grooms flippin' ROCK. *high fives* to you all!

Hipstamatic!

2010-10-18T19:28:00.000-07:00

While it'd be great if I always had a digital SLR or a fun film camera with me wherever I went, the reality is one of the ONLY things I'm truly sure to have with me is my iPhone. The 3Gs and new iPhone 4 take far better photos then my old 3G, but the Hipstamatic camera app makes it fun regardless of quality! Here are 10 photos from my phone :)

1.) Flying.

2.) Timbers Game

3.) Seattle

4.) Amanda

5.) Columia River Gorge

6.) Laura at the craft store

7.) the sunshine state

8.) Oregon Brewfest

9.) airport in Texas

10.) Hollywood Bowl

Nina & Johnny

2010-10-15T16:28:00.001-07:00

whimsical
Originally uploaded by SYeakle

Take one adorable couple, add the perfect cityscape, sprinkle with perfect weather, and a dash of vintage with an old electric piano. The result? A lovely engagement shoot!
It was a whimsical evening at the eastbank esplanade, perfect for another fall engagement shoot in good 'ol Portland, Oregon. Nina and Johnny were wonderful to shoot. I love that they chose to bring the piano too, to reflect a bit about them as a couple; I think Johnny is in about a dozen bands! All in all, a romantic set of fall photos!

Jess & Billy

2010-10-14T22:40:00.001-07:00

photo BOMB
Originally uploaded by SYeakle

I had to choose the photo bomber for the main picture. I couldn't help it. What fond memories of a funny shoot. Jess and Billy met me out by the Rose Quarter to stroll beneath the steel bridge and create some engagement shoot magic. And magic is was when this guy DEMANDED he be in a photo for "the magazine". I don't know what gave him the idea that if I took his photo, it would be sure to be published, but here I am, publishing it online. I hope he sees in one day. In the mean time, I'm looking forward to taking MORE photos of this light-hearted couple on their wedding day next summer.

Molly & Kevin

2010-09-23T00:56:00.001-07:00

MARRIED!
Originally uploaded by SYeakle

The mother of the bride was giving the most heartfelt speech at this wedding and I realized my view finder was getting blurry, yes, because I WAS TEARING UP! I'm thinking to myself "I don't even really KNOW these people, but I'm just SO HAPPY for them!" And I wasn't the only one! Matt and I both got a variety of tearful joyous photos, as well as just delightful candid photos, from this celebration. A DELIGHTFUL couple and thus a DELIGHTFUL summer wedding.

Speaking of Matt, I'm so proud of him! His photos just ROCK this summer! Sometimes I can't believe I'm so lucky to have found such a wonderful man to be my partner, and to top it off he's SO STINKIN' talented. I'm going to be posting loads of his photos with mine for Molly and Kevin on http://www.Facebook.com/SoManyMoments

Aaron & Kassi

2010-09-15T18:49:00.001-07:00

shoes
Originally uploaded by SYeakle

Our first wedding at Bridal Veil Lakes! Although, this wedding was held at a private household right above Bridal Veil, it still gave us a taste of what photographing a wedding in the Columbia Gorge is like, and we are savoring the flavour!

Aaron and Kassi are a darling couple. Their personalities were expressed in such creative ways and some serious attention to detail! I particularly loved the old type-writer as the guest book, the variety of delicious looking cakes, & the photobooth (can never go wrong with MORE photos!) What a wonderfully thought out celebration in such an incredible setting!

10 Lovely Summery Things

2010-08-30T13:28:00.001-07:00

I've come to expect and accept an ebb and flow of the universe, so while there is bad, there is always also good. Today, I'm focusing on the positive that the summer has brought me. Here are a few photos of small, delightful things I really like, all thanks to the summer of 2010!

1.) Seeing up Matt's nose when he takes my photograph with his Hassleblad

2.) Tie-dye colored peppers

3.) The random photographs in our building's lobby of the Rat Pack and the Godfather.

4.) Watching friends fall in love

5.) The streetcar stop RIGHT outside our new apartment with Matt's new store just behind it across the street

6.) Wine tastings in the Willamette Valley

7.) Shopping at the farmer's markets

8.) Big fancy dinners with friends for hours and hours of eating

9.) Winning lots of CA$H money at Boiler Room's pictionary night

10.) Drawing in dust

Abigail & Peter.

2010-08-30T13:22:00.001-07:00

towering over the night
Originally uploaded by SYeakle

McMenamin's Edgefield is quickly becoming one of our Portland favorites. What a neat place! Boasting a brewery, winery, distillery, restaurants, par 3 golf course, movies, and more it makes for a beautiful, & character driven, wedding destination!

Abbie and Peter had a beautiful wedding here, complete with friends, family, dancing, wines that had been made right on site, and lots of love to go around! It was so neat to see the photos I had taken for their engagement session printed and framed all around the reception site! It was a wonderful summer wedding and I'm so glad they chose us to photograph it! :)

3 things I'm pretty wildly excited about!

2010-08-19T10:55:00.000-07:00

1.) Matt is opening his new iPhone Repair shop in Portland! It's called Wired iRepair, and it's right off the streetcar line in NW! We will be announcing the grand opening soon, so stop by if you're in PDX! Also, check out the new website blog WirediRepair.com and watch us do to the store's build-out on FB: Facebook.com/WirediRepair

2.) It's SO difficult to describe the quality of the wedding albums I offer via e-mail, so I made this quick video of my latest one! I use the absolute highest quality products and custom design each and every layout to create these unique and beautiful keepsakes. After the amount of work that goes into them, I grow a bit attached, so this was a lovely way to say good bye to Brian and Tanya's album before shipping it off. :)

3.) Last night, at craft night, I painted some cheap kicks to remind myself of my FL roots. I even featured my favorite sea creatures in glitter! A shark and a seahorse, but of course! :)

Wedding Talk: The Group Shots

2010-08-16T22:42:00.000-07:00

As much as your wedding is about you two love birds officially coming together as a couple, it's also a union of (and often reunion for) your two families. It's important to document their presence, as it plays a big role in your big day.

Formal group photos have been the preferred route to accomplish this for who-knows-how-long. The breakdown is simple: everyone lines up, girls hold their flowers at their belly buttons while the men fold their hands neatly. Then, everyone plasters on a big grin and waits for the photographer to count to three. But, it really doesn't HAVE to be this way anymore. Or at least not if you hire So Many Moments!

My goal with every wedding is to take the best possible photos for each unique couple's celebration. I strive to capture their style. And being that I'm so lucky, I keep getting fabulous clients with loads of style! (*knock on wood*) But, they don't always seem to know what they're "allowed to do". Is it ok to NOT do formal photos all together? Are there other options for group photos? YES and YES. You can do whatever you want! It's your day!

But really, why I'm bringing all this up in the first place, is to talk about how much time these photos take. Time that is inevitably keeping us from shooting the fantastic things happening that we can't always catch if our cameras and lights are positioned to take a formal shot. I try to encourage my couples to skim down their formal lists, in hopes that they will realize there is so much more magic in the actual interaction between their families and guests when they aren't lined up classic formation. I've also found that the playful moments in between the formal poses can be a really fun way to grab photos that tell a story with a bit more flavor.

A classic debate between Matt and I is the future and necessity of the formal shots all together. I believe they are important, but should be done in a fresh way. He thinks they'll fade out all together. What do you think?

I'm going to close with my favorite of Matt's group shots from our last wedding; only because this little girl that was NOT into group shots and it made for a wonderful one!

If you've hired So Many Moments for your upcoming wedding, and have some fun ideas for a less traditional approach for your group shots, shoot me a message and let's chat!

Have You Seen My Face?

2010-08-06T12:40:00.000-07:00

First of all, thank you SO much to my friends who keep in touch with me via Facebook! I love that I can keep in contact with friends from around the world, especially past clients I've had the pleasure to work with! If we aren't connected yet, PLEASE join my page here: Facebook.com/SoManyMoments

And while we're on the topic... perhaps you have friends that are getting engaged? Or REALLY like their new puppy? Or perhaps you have a friend who is expecting a baby... or maybe they have always secretly wanted to have nude photographs taken? ;) I can take care of all that! It would be the absolute biggest compliment and my facebook dream come true if you could do one quick thing for me! Suggest my photography page to your friends!

1.) Visit Facebook.com/SoManyMoments

2.) Click the "Suggest To Friends" button right below the main photo

3.) Click your photo-friendly buddies (remember, I love to work ALL OVER the place, Florida, Oregon, and BEYOND!)

AND TA-DAA!!! You've magically made me the happiest photographer ever! Be sure to let me know if you do this for me so I can be forever indebted to your ridiculously awesome kindness. :)

Thanks friends!

Meet My 2nd Shooter: Matt Moore

2010-07-29T10:13:00.001-07:00

For more then 4 years, the talented Matt Moore has been my other half on wedding days. As both my boyfriend and my favorite 2nd shooter, if you've booked a wedding with So Many Moments, he'll likely be snapping your portrait soon. I figured you should get a chance to know him, so I gave him a quick interview to share with you. I'm also going to post a few of my favorite photographs of his.

Do you know many weddings we have photographed together?
I have had the pleasure of photographing 43 weddings with you so far, with another coming up this weekend!

Our style of wedding photography is very centered around fleeting moments. Is there a moment in history you wish you could have been there to photograph?
The moon landings, of course!

How do you feel about film vs digital and the changes that have come about in our lifetimes thus far?
It is incredible. My parents were wedding photographers, so I have seen the change firsthand. Digital allows people to take chances that the average photographer couldn't afford to take shooting film. This has brought about the elevation of wedding photography to a critically-respected art-form. This is so exciting because it pushes photographers to take better photos, instead of taking the same posed pictures at every wedding.

What is your favorite lens?
The 24mm f/1.4

Wait, we don't have that.... Yet.
And once I get one, I'm sure there will be another one I will want more.

What do you like best about your job photographing weddings with So Many Moments?
The unpredictability and the challenge of a dynamic shooting environment. Oh yeah, weddings are REALLY FUN too!!

With my best James Lipton impression, what is your favorite word?
With my best Arnold Schwarzenegger impression, Analog.

What is your least favorite word?
Conventional.

What sound or noise do you love?
The sound of snow falling in the woods while skiing.

What sound or noise do you hate?
Early-morning: construction; pressure-washing; lawn-mowing; and rock-breaking.

What profession, other then yours, would you like to attempt?
Crew on a sailing vessel. I really love the ocean, and if I'm not near the mountains, I love to be on the water.

What does El Strobisto mean?
It's spanish for The Strobisto.

Brian & Tanya

2010-07-28T22:37:00.001-07:00

miami vice
Originally uploaded by SYeakle

I met Brian more then a decade ago, in a friend's room that smelled of cigarette smoke. We were probably listening to Pearl Jam. A lot has changed since then, most notably that Brian just got MARRIED! His beautiful bride Tanya took his hand on the beach in North Palm this summer to tie the knot. Their reception followed at Lost Tree, my new favorite wedding location in South Florida. It was absolutely beautiful. The photos are fun too! Enjoy a few here, and as always, tons more on http://Facebook.com/SoManyMoments

Abigail & Peter.

2010-07-11T13:56:00.001-07:00

cute shoes!
Originally uploaded by SYeakle

I had a truly lovely early morning engagement shoot this weekend with Abigail and Peter. They were so fun to shoot because Abigail seems to laugh at just about anything and everything. Her constant giggling and playful attitude kept the shoot fresh, fun, and easy breezy!
For sharing on Flickr, I tried something a bit different, and started the section with a "title photo" of sorts! Just playing with different ideas. Let me know what you think! :)

Smile!

2010-07-10T10:48:00.001-07:00

I finally got my old d70s shutter repaired! And to celebrate I took these photos yesterday of the 10 things I did, and saw, that made me smile. :)

1.) LOTS of sunlight pouring in through my windows

2.) Finding a building as blue as the sky

3.) Getting my dad's old Nikonos in the mail

4.) Seeing the city skyline

5.) Not killing the plant I'm watching for a friend

6.) Taking free photobooth photos

7.) Seeing how other photographers shoot and what gear they use

8.) Public Transit

9.) Free drinks with friends (who doesn't smile when they hear FREE?) :)

10.) Japanese-style karaoke

Erin & JB

2010-07-09T10:03:00.001-07:00

Jumping for Joy
Originally uploaded by SYeakle

Erin & JB tied the knot on Mt.Hood at the MOST LOVELY B&B I've ever been to. This carefree couple had a lovely outdoor ceremony/photos/first dance, and then everyone was happy to run inside a barn when the rain came to keep the party jumping! I've posted a few favorites on Flickr (& LOADS more on my facebook.com/SoManyMoments). Check 'em out! :)

Laura.

2010-07-08T18:02:00.001-07:00

Capricorn.
Originally uploaded by SYeakle

My neighbor Laura is moving out (not to worry, she'll still only be a few blocks away!) so I wanted to take advantage of her big empty space! I do a lot of my own styling/hair/make-up, and had a really great time creating this look. Sometimes shoots with friends are easier, because I know they'll just do... well, pretty much anything. It would be neat to have clients come to me occasionally and just say "Here is a giant budget! Come up with something magical! Whatever you want!" Maybe this blog post will encourage it. ;)

Lawson.

2010-06-09T16:43:00.001-07:00

Portraits with parents
Originally uploaded by SYeakle

Lawson's mama had really prepared for his shoot which made it such a breeze! She had coordinating outfits picked out and loads of ideas. It's awesome to really collaborate with my clients closely, as it ensures I'm shooting what it is they're looking for.

I love how this set has such variety; from Lawson playing in his room with his favorite toys, reading a book with mom, the dog licking his face, hanging with the parents out by the pool, and then the beach. My favorite shots are from right at the end of the shoot, when they gave him his cowboy hat. The weather turned for the best, and even though he was getting a little grumpy after a long session, I think there's something sweet about him crying in his hat and diaper on the beach. :) I really dig this set!

Daniel.

2010-06-09T11:56:00.001-07:00

Dano
Originally uploaded by SYeakle

Take a hot sunny day in North Miami, add a camera in my hands, sand between my toes, and mix with lots of giggling, sliding, and swinging and you've got my shoot with Daniel! I got to catch up with my old friend Elena, Daniel's mom, while chasing around after her energetic bundle of joy. He was so much fun to shoot, as he just kept GOING! What a little mover and shaker! I'm really excited to share these! :)

10 Things That Make Me Happy

2010-05-26T12:00:00.001-07:00

When I moved to drizzly Portland, OR from sunny Florida, I knew the weather patterns would be an adjustment. And so far, it hadn't really bothered me, until.... well, now. It's May and it's been raining for as many days back as I can remember. So, I've decided today I need to find the sunshine from within and focus on the things that are full of light and joy. Here are 10 things, on this rainy dreary day, that DO make me happy! :)

1.) A painting from a friend.

2.) The sound of Matt's footsteps on our creaky old wooden floors.

3.) Mailing a small unexpected gift to a friend.

4.) Homemade throw pillows.

5.) Smiling faces of loved ones every time I open the fridge.

6.) Juggling Balls that taught me to sew (still working the juggling...)

7.) Noticing the wear on my snowboard bindings, reminding myself that I really DID get to tear up the mountain all spring.

8.) Playing the Piano

9.) Booking more photo shoots and feeling so grateful to do what I love so much for a living.

10.) Seahorses!

Jenee & Jonathan.

2010-05-25T12:14:00.001-07:00

Rain.
Originally uploaded by SYeakle

I had a perfectly Pacific Northwestern engagement shoot over the weekend: in the RAIN! Jenee and Jonathan kept such a positive attitude and came prepared with an umbrella. We had a lovely time snapping away between the little spurts of sprinkling water from the sky. You'd think the bridge would have helped keep us dry, but no such avail.

Lucky for us, the rain DID seem to keep away a lot of other park-goers. I'm looking forward to taking their wedding photographs this fall. :)

What To Wear to an Engagement Shoot?

2010-05-19T21:51:00.000-07:00

Stephanie from 'I Plan It Right' asked me answer a question she had been receiving a lot lately from new brides-to-be. "What do I wear to my engagement photo shoot?" So, she asked me to write a guest blog entry for her on the topic. I really enjoyed doing so! Check out my reply here or over on Stephanie's website http://iplanitright.com/

"What to Wear to an Engagement Shoot? "

This is your big chance to play stylist; embrace it and show your personality! To ensure your photos endure a solid shelf-life, try to stick with classic looks and avoid being too overtly trendy.

Don't be afraid to embrace color and texture. While I'm not sure who decided "classic" was a black or white shirt paired with jeans on the beach, I do know the look is looking pretty dated these days. While it's important to match, this does NOT mean you have to wear the exact same outfits. Compliment one another's outfits with the color palette you chose by dressing with each other's choices in mind.

Also, don't be afraid to bring extra options. Sometimes a change of clothes and going right around the corner can create a whole new photo shoot! Always discuss this with your photographer first, as some may charge a fee for outfit changes. This fee is likely far less than the photo shoot, and typically a good deal. You essentially can get two completely unique photo shoots for the cost of one + the fee.

You can't have too many photos or photo shoots; there are endless fun and creative ways to utilize your engagement photos. Save-The-Date magnets, custom thank you cards, a personalized guest book for the wedding day, and fresh photos for your Facebook profile or wedding website are all great ways to put those new photos to use.

The following are a few shots from recent engagement shoots I've done with couples who styled themselves beautifully and thoughtfully. They used the clothes to express their personal style and create a vibe for the photo session. For more examples, please head over to see more of my photos at http://www.SoManyMoments.com

Heidi & Rick

2010-04-19T11:45:00.001-07:00

fly Ginger, fly!
Originally uploaded by SYeakle

I went out to Hillsboro Sunday morning to take photos with Heidi, Rick, and their adorable dog Ginger in their lovely home. Our concept was '50's housewife'; little did I know how amazing her home would be for the shoot. Between breaking eggs in the kitchen and dancing around the living room the dog got a little love and I had a blast capturing it all on the camera!

I can't WAIT for their wedding in just a couple short weeks! More Heidi and Rick magic to come!

Adrienne & Matt

2010-03-16T10:51:00.001-07:00

Dresses
Originally uploaded by SYeakle

Matt and I flew back to FL end of last month to photograph Adrienne & Matt's beautiful wedding. What a fun time! I went to high school with some of the girls, so it was lovely to see familiar faces.

Adrienne & Matt's wedding was also particularly interesting because rather then abiding by just Christian or Jewish traditions, they had a melting pot wedding, celebrating traditions from both. Including the hora, a chair dance, at the end of the wedding which I've ALWAYS wanted to photograph!

As far as sharing the photos, I tried something a little different this wedding. Rather then posting just the best few on Flickr, I decided to share nearly 200 photos all on the So Many Moments Facebook page. To see the wedding from delightful beginning to hilarious end, please head over to http://facebook.com/SoManyMoments and check out the 3 albums for Adrienne & Matt's celebration! If you see anyone you know, please tag them for me! I'd love to share these photos with everyone who was there. Thanks! :)

Jena.

2010-02-25T15:45:00.001-08:00

smiles
Originally uploaded by SYeakle

Another trip to Florida, and another maternity shoot! I think there's something in the water down there.... ;)

Jena was adorable. She laughs at the drop of a hat, which is impossible not to love. This was a lovely quick shoot set up in her nursery-to-be. We kept it simple, classic, and timeless... for the most part! There is another photo from this series where she is wrapped in a zebra print fabric that I'm still not finished with! What's a shoot without a little flair? But for now, I just wanted to share these.

I've been really enjoying the family themed jobs lately, maybe I should market myself for that more... If you know anyone, keep me in mind! :)

Kalle & her cat.

2010-02-07T11:42:00.001-08:00

This?
Originally uploaded by SYeakle

I had a shoot yesterday with my friend Kalle to get some fresh shots to submit into a contest I really want to enter. According to the website yesterday, I only had 5 more days before the deadline, but today it's been extended it to APRIL! *sigh* I don't know if they just didn't get enough submissions or anything they really liked but, it's a bit disappointing because now I know once I submit my competition will be ten fold.

Regardless, it was a great shoot! Kalle has never modeled before so she was really fun to photograph. Being an event coordinator, she's extremely creative. My favorite shots she's wearing a blanket tied with a belt balancing on her grandfather's milking stool in her side yard! I think we collaborated well. It's not what you have, it's how you use it! :)

Bride's Choice Award 2010!

2010-02-02T10:45:00.000-08:00

Portland, OR – February 2, 2010 - WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, just announced So Many Moments has been selected to receive the WeddingWire 2010 Bride’s Choice Awards™ for wedding photography!

The annual Bride’s Choice Awards recognizes and celebrates excellence in quality and service within the wedding industry, as determined by recent reviews and extensive surveys from over 500,000 newlyweds.

So Many Moments is among the top five percent of all vendors in the WeddingWire community, which includes over 100,000 wedding professionals across the US and Canada. Awards were given to winners across 19 different service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers.

“We are excited to recognize and honor the success of the top wedding professionals within the WeddingWire Community” said Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. “The annual Bride’s Choice Awards program has given us the unique opportunity to highlight the best wedding professionals in each region as reviewed by brides and grooms who have utilized their services in the past year.”

We are happy to announce that So Many Moments is among the very best wedding photographers within the WeddingWire Network, which includes WeddingWire and Martha Stewart Weddings. We would like to thank our past newlyweds for nominating us for the 2010 Bride’s Choice Awards.

For more information, please visit our WeddingWire Storefront today at http://WeddingWire.com/SoManyMoments.

Shawna & Chris

2010-01-02T22:42:00.001-08:00

romance in the night
Originally uploaded by SYeakle

Shawna & Chris may be Orlando's sweetest couple. They were married right before Christmas in Orlando, FL After exchanging vows with a sunset ceremony they danced the night away. And not just any dancing, this group really knew how to move! Maybe I need to freshen up on my ballroom and swing dancing skills, the whole bridal party looked like pros. And I especially loved the little girls wearing bright purple sparkly shoes to match the bridesmaid's dresses! Too cute.

Tara.

2009-12-27T13:03:00.001-08:00

lagoon
Originally uploaded by SYeakle

While I was in Florida this month, I had the opportunity to photograph soon-to-be mama Tara. Our schedules left us to shoot on a day with a forecast thick with torrential thunderstorms through the afternoon, so we opted to get an earlier start. Despite our best scheduling efforts we couldn't beat the rain clouds, but gladly accepted the small breaks in the weather to take her maternity photos.

On the plus side, it kept the beaches clear of tourists and families, leaving us with plenty of welcomed privacy. And Tara was lovely to photograph, while the clouds permitted it. ;)

Giovanna.

2009-12-26T23:25:00.001-08:00

giovanna
Originally uploaded by SYeakle

Between my neighbors changing over their laundry and locking up their bicycles, Giovanna quickly stripped down in my basement for this sexy little photo shoot! The location proved to have more foot traffic then I'd anticipated, but I like the way it photographed (& it kept us on our toes!)

Giovanna has a variety of tattoos, but the flowers down her left side are what inspired this series of non-revealing nude portraits (is that an oxymoron?) ;) When she asked me to take her portrait as a surprise Christmas gift for the guy she's seeing, I already had this shot planned out.

Now that the holidays have passed, she's given me the go-ahead to post away! (He loved the gift by the way! YAY!)
Keep this in mind ladies! Valentine's Day is drawing near... ;)

Erin & Daniel.

2009-12-07T11:39:00.001-08:00

winter
Originally uploaded by SYeakle

MY WINNERS!!! Erin won the free engagement shoot from the Perfect Wedding Guide Bridal show!
We set out yesterday, in the bitter cold, to take a few shots with her groom-to-be Daniel and one giant balloon. This couple was a blast to photograph, even in the windy frigid conditions. They just played and interacted with each other so well; and the balloon helped keep them busy too of course!

And how cute is THIS: they had done their homework by watching the Friends episode where Monica and Chandler try to take an engagement photo! What a well prepared couple! :)

The Ripka Fam!

2009-12-07T11:12:00.001-08:00

Family portrait
Originally uploaded by SYeakle

Let me start by saying Lily has one super cool mom! Shannon has come up with such creative ideas for our two shoots together. It's really lovely to collaborate, as it assures me I'm taking the types of photos the family really wants to have. It's also incredible to see how much Lily has changed since our last shoot, in just a few short months! (I suppose this is the way with babies!)

Bridal Show

2009-11-22T10:29:00.001-08:00

The Perfect Wedding Guide bridal show at the Heathman Hotel was a great success! My amazing neighbor Caitlin tagged along to help out for the day. We had a lot of fun showing brides-to-be my new sample album and passing out the spankin' new So Many Moments brochures. And most exciting of all, I had a give away for a FREE engagement shoot which went to Erin Wagner! I'm looking forward to the shoot! In the mean time, here are a couple shots of Caitlin and I manning the booth at the show!

Desiree & Eric

2009-11-06T14:27:00.003-08:00

Happy bride
Originally uploaded by SYeakle

Our friends Desiree & Eric got hitched in West Palm Beach and we were there to capture all the action! Please head over to their Flickr set to view their wedding photos!

Ashley & Brandon.

2009-11-06T14:27:00.001-08:00

Hood River
Originally uploaded by SYeakle

We're shooting Ashley & Brandon's wedding come January, but in the mean time we had a great engagement shoot up in Hood River! Check out my Flickr set for MORE photos!

Jessica & Dave

2009-11-06T14:26:00.001-08:00

Kisses
Originally uploaded by SYeakle

Jessica & Dave tied the knot on the beach up in Jupiter! Check out my Flickr page for their set of photographs! :D

Bridget & Chris

2009-11-06T14:25:00.001-08:00

Bridget & Chris
Originally uploaded by SYeakle

I've posted a set of photos from Bridget & Chris' beautiful S. Florida wedding on my Flickr page! Please, stop by to check it out!

PWG Bridal Show!

2009-10-06T21:21:00.001-07:00

I'm VERY excited to announce I will be participating in my first Bridal Show this November in Portland! To launch the *NEW* So Many Moments wedding photography service, I'm giving away a FREE engagement photo session at the show! Be sure to stop by and say hello! :D

new SPECIAL!

2009-09-30T16:18:00.000-07:00

Are you interested in ORIGNAL portraits?
Would you like me to DESIGN and STYLE your shoot from the ground up?
Check out this special! INCLUDES EVERYTHING!

Click HERE to see the ad, because this silly blog cuts it off! :)

Visit SamanthaYeakle.com or email SYEAKLE@GMAIL.COM today!
Limited availability remaining!
Currently booking Portland, Orlando, Miami, Sarasota, and Palm Beach!

Rachelle.

2009-09-24T14:16:00.000-07:00

avant-garde
Originally uploaded by SYeakle

Rachelle wanted to update her modeling portfolio with horses and I was lucky enough to be hired for this really rad gig! I'd taken Holly's portrait with her horse back in Orlando, and absolutely loved what we came up with so I was totally stoked to work with such large animals again. What I didn't realize is HOW LARGE they get! I knew Holly's Phoenix was a smaller breed of horse but WOW they get MUCH, MUCH BIGGER! :)

Being from the east coast of Florida, I never spent a lot of time on farms, in barns, or around horses. So, this job was a real treat. It's amazing to be working in an entirely different environment on the west coast and I'm really digging the results. Also, I got to meet and work with a new super talented hair and make-up artist on this shoot! All in all, an exciting day. And of course, there are few more on my flickr

Lily

2009-09-19T15:52:00.000-07:00

This is 6 month old Lily! She is the brilliant creation of my kickball team mate Kevin and his lovely wife Shannon. After a morning spent photographing Lily, I've had an awesome afternoon of editing. The composite above was inspired by one of Lily's fabulous tutus! (I'm also quite clearly still on this vintage vibe kick in my post-processing)

It was so interesting to photograph someone who doesn't have an opinion. She really didn't care what I was doing with the funny black machine I hold over my face like a mask when I take pictures. It was also really fantastic to set up lighting for such a TINY person. I really dig baby photography. I'd love to get more into this field. I recently heard of photographers being hired to capture the BIRTH of babies, which sounds SO amazing! To take someone's FIRST portraits. Wow. I need to get more pregnant women to SamanthaYeakle.com! :) And for more Lily, I'm still using my flickr here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/yeakle

Lesley.

2009-09-08T23:59:00.001-07:00

When our friend's father, uncle, and grandfather set out to build a cabin on a ranch in Idaho one summer, they were with the times. It was the 70's and they were embracing it. Today, the cabin still has incredible style, even if it's incredibly out-dated. Being in a small town with a population of about 400 on a piece of land where you can walk out the front door to fire at clay pigeons with a shot gun at will, was a time-warp all it's own. The decor only enhanced the experience.

Inspired at every turn, my friend Lesley became my willing subject for a few time-warped shots one night. I found a half-sewn pillow case in the basement, pinned it around her waist, and sat her in front of a barn collapsing in the backyard. She was happy to play along until dinner time. So, here are the results from a mini-shoot on my random fabulous vacation to the deepest corner of nowhere and back. :)

Caitlin. Again. :)

2009-08-27T10:42:00.000-07:00

It all started with little butterflies made of feathers. Then, there was a trip into the shady part of town for some fake hair and to scout the discount stores for dresses I could alter. And then... TA DAA! Princess nonsense in my neighbor's backyard!
Caitlin is such a good sport. She was SO in from the beginning. It was a blast to build this from the ground up. I've posted more up on my flickr! (note the serious effort to join the flickr community) ;) http://www.flickr.com/photos/yeakle/

Rock the Runway

2009-08-18T13:49:00.000-07:00

I shot some photographs at Portland's Rock the Runways fashion show over the weekend. To share the shots, I've created ANOTHER Flickr account. *sigh* I don't USE Yahoo, how am I supposed to remember my Yahoo log-in ID? I think this is the 3rd Flickr account I've started, but I plan to actually USE this one! I even wrote down my log-in name and password this time. I'm thinking ahead. ;) Check out more photos from the show here: SYeakle's Flickr!

Annie

2009-07-11T17:22:00.000-07:00

Annie, one of Matt's co-workers at Nell, has been house sitting one of the more elaborately decorated homes I've seen up here in the Northwest. As soon as we walked in I said "I need to take photos here", and this morning, it happened. Before work, Annie and I dug through her incredibly diverse closet and came up with this outfit to compliment the decor. The small dog in the background is hers, which I love because it makes the portrait all the more personal.

I really enjoy creating these types of portraits, and need to make more time to do so. With wedding season in full swing, this site has been a little left behind. I hope I find the opportunity to shoot more like this soon.

Caitlin

2009-05-02T01:22:00.000-07:00

Caitlin, a fellow artist, was SO down for WHATEVER and it made our shoot a blast. It feels so great to be creative and have so much control over the image making process. From concept development, to doing her make-up and throwing the cherry blossom petals in the water, it was... rejuvenating! We had a great time & I really dig the results. :)

Nikki Glaser

2009-04-28T11:19:00.000-07:00

A comedy festival came to town over the weekend so my neighbor and I headed out to see a friend of hers from college perform. She was on Last Comic Standing and recently appeared on the Tonight Show so, of course: she was hilarious. We ended up setting up a quick shoot before lunch the next morning, which was a blast. I hope to photograph more comedians in the future, so ANIMATED! :) I didn't have to tell her to do anything, I just snapped away! too easy. :)

Claire

2009-03-14T12:52:00.000-07:00

The only Oregonian girl friend I've made in my new neighborhood is MOVING! I wanted to photograph her before she drives off to build her new mid-western life. She has these fabulous old cowboy boots that she never wears, so this seemed as good an opportunity as any to get some use out them. They're great, and so is she! I'll miss you Claire, best of luck in St.Louis! :)

Jessica's Family

2009-03-11T11:39:00.000-07:00

I could make excuses. I could say, it was moving across the country. I could say, it was because I was busy rebuilding Smatt Wedding Photography from the bottom up. I could say a lot of things but, the fact remains I have neglected this blog for far too long! Well, I'm BACK NOW!

I flew down to Florida to shoot for a medical magazine in the Palm Beaches and while I was in town I got a chance to catch up with my old friend Jessica. Quite a few things have changed since meeting in middle school. One of the more obvious is that she's been busy procreating! Now that she's made some beautiful babies with her fab partner Dave, it was high time for a family portrait.

After shooting something a little more classic, we filled a blow up pool and let little Noah go wild! That FL sun is SO bright, so my flashes and I really had a battle, but that's what keeps me loving this job. There's always a new challenge!

It's not that I haven't been shooting...

2008-12-27T10:05:00.001-08:00

It's just this time of year is SO crazy! Hope everyone has had a very happy holiday season! Be sure to keep me in mind for all your photography needs in 2009! I'll be here, there, and everywhere in between aiming my camera at all the beautiful people that walk into my frame! Happy New Year!

Matt & Mandy

2008-11-16T19:52:00.000-08:00

Our friends Matt & Mandy are getting married the weekend after thanksgiving! Mandy is having a photo printed on canvas to display at the reception so, I snapped some photos in downtown Orlando last night before going out to dinner. This is my favorite shot. :) They're such a cute couple and I'm super excited to be shooting their wedding photos!

Sara & Scott

2008-11-14T13:42:00.001-08:00

Matt and I went to visit our friends Sara & Scott in Sebastian on our way back up to Orlando this week. This morning, Sara put on an old bridesmaid's dress and we took a few photos outside for fun. I really wanted to photograph her with her pot bellied pigs but they were uncooperative to say the least. ;) Her husband Scott, on the other hand was much happier to go along with our early morning creativity. So, I took this 'American Gothic' inspired portrait of the two of them before we left town. :)

Jessy & Brent.

2008-11-12T19:35:00.000-08:00

In 2nd grade, I asked Jessy to be my best friend (she said yes). Now, I'm taking photos of her and her husband for their christmas cards.

"Life goes by pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it. " -Ferris Bueller (on his day off)-

I'm SO glad she was open to doing something fresh rather then that traditional matching-white-button-up-shirts-on-the-beach shoot we've all seen done 100 times before. It's always fun to see old friends, and especially fun to photograph them! :)

I feel like I've been neglecting this blog, but I've just been SO busy with weddings. For LOTS of recent photos, please head over to http://smattphoto.blogspot.com :)

Leigh

2008-10-28T20:27:00.000-07:00

Some people are just SO positive! :) Leigh was such a pleasure to shoot with; she was all smiles and so easy going. The way she takes care of her body is incredible! Check out Holleighwood.com for more on Leigh!

Lisa

2008-10-19T22:07:00.001-07:00

It's not only been a very busy week but, I also got sick. :( By today, my voice was long gone but I was still shooting away. Lisa and I worked together once before so I was glad she knew I don't ALWAYS sound like this! It was also neat to work with Lisa again because she was more confident and experimental with her posing. What may have started with me burnt out left me excited and positive! :)

Wedding Photos

2008-10-18T05:32:00.000-07:00

I've been planning to do this for a while and finally got around to it. Wedding photos now have their own wedding blog, reserving this blog for all of my other portrait photography. SmattPhoto.blogspot.com is where you can find many more of mine and Matt's new wedding photos from Maria's gorgeous wedding last night. :)

Shelby

2008-10-16T21:56:00.001-07:00

I think EVERY WOMAN SHOULD DO THIS! (Well, of course I think so!) I think everyone should have portraits taken once in a while. And I love it when woman have the audacity to go further with it; whether that means in concept, color, or loosing the clothes!

Shelby had these photos done for her boyfriend as a surprise present. I think that's sweet. They remind me of a shoot I did with Rachel and Amber earlier this year which is funny because Amber referred her to me. Anyway, it was a great shoot. She posed well and has a rockin' bod for being a busy working mother of two!

Ruby D

2008-10-07T09:26:00.000-07:00

My first pin up shoot! Ruby was great to work with, it was like she was in character the way she posed so fluidly and easily. And her husband is an INCREDIBLE hair stylist. Sometimes, shoots just go so well. It's like the stars aligned or something, just everything was on point. (Well, except the sweltering heat and wasp sting!) I dig the 50's style and look forward to doing more shoots like this. :)

Dayna & Mark

2008-10-04T06:32:00.000-07:00

When I was a little kid I lived in a house up against a lake. Inside the other houses surrounding the lake lived other little kids too. One of them was Dayna.

Thanks to the magical powers of social networking sites, we have reconnected in time for me to take photos for her upcoming wedding. To start, we had an engagement shoot last night. Here is Dayna with her fiance Mark.

And that is Dayna and Mark in the dark because she may or may not have been a little late to her shoot... ;)

Matt

2008-09-26T17:48:00.001-07:00

My boyfriend Matt and I are moving back to FL for a few months so, he convinced the kitchen staff to pull a little going-away prank of sorts on the head chef. Everyone is coming in with a mustache tonight. No explanation, nothing- everyone just HAPPENS to have a creepy 'stache. Matt looked too funny this morning post-grooming to resist setting up a little lighting and capturing him in his face carpet glory.

I really want to be able to take portraits like Jill Greenberg (www.manipulator.com) so, this was shot took me three rounds and quite a bit of patience on Matt's part to come up with. I'm happy with it though and feel like my understanding of light is brightening each day. :)

EJ

2008-09-11T23:22:00.000-07:00

I had a dream, the AMERICAN dream... well, not quite. More like a dream with a guy kayaking down the street. When I woke up, I thought of my kayaking friend EJ and began talking him into doing a mini-shoot in a kayak in an urban setting. Tonight, my dream came true! lol.

EJ isn't much into "modeling" so it was a bit of a challenge but, who doesn't like a good challenge? We had fun, and I like the photos, so that's really all that matters. As it turns out, my favorite is of him giving me an amused "I-can't-believe-I'm-doing-this" look. It's a very classic EJ expression. :)

23 Hoyt

2008-09-09T17:42:00.000-07:00

Matt's kitchen recently acquired new head chef. With a new head chef, comes an update to the restaurant's website and for THAT you need a new photo of the new head chef. This is where I come in! :) Meet Chef Aaron!

I took a variety of portraits and action shots. I also snapped this shot of the kitchen prepping for tonight's dinners.

Tattoo shop

2008-08-31T23:45:00.001-07:00

I've finally started working a bit up here in Portland! It'll take some adjusting to taking a bus rather then the comfort of my car and the familiar scenery that is FL.

Anyway, a hip, new, urban magazine called HouseInk set me up on the shoot with a tattoo shop for an editorial bit. The shop is all custom, no flash art on the walls! It reminded me of Mason's shop in Orlando. The artists really have to ROCK to pull this off, and these guys at ColorBomb (or whatever they're changing the name to) are great. The paintings on the walls are a solid first indication. As for shooting them, I didn't have to do much but let them just hang outside the shop with their cigarettes and puppy!

Here's their guard dog. :)

It might be a bit of a slow start up here but even moving across the country hasn't slowed me down in the sunshine state. I'm nearly booked solid through the holiday season! WOO HOO! Looking forward to shooting you Florida! :)

Amanda. Again. :)

2008-08-19T18:30:00.001-07:00

I haven't posted new photos in a couple weeks for a couple reasons.

1.) I've moved across the country to Portland, OR for the summer! It's wonderful here and I've been blogging about it quite a bit in my personal blog (http://samthephotographer.blogspot.com)

2.) On a less fabulous note, my camera broke. Yes, broke. Out of nowhere. I suppose the timing was alright, seeing as so much else has been going on.

But, NOW I have my camera BACK and it's FIXED so I've FINALLY started shooting again. Our floridian friend Amanda came to visit and I snapped a few photos of her in the park across the street today. It's been great to have company here (and to have my camera back in order!)

Shirlee & Estevan

2008-07-27T07:29:00.000-07:00

I met Shirlee through our mutual friend Audra, whom I've known for what feels like forever. Audra and I went to school together a good decade ago and have somehow managed to keep inviting/showing up to one another's birthday parties ever since, even if we don't see each other much of the rest of the year. May be bizarre, but it works for us. Well, the past few years, Shirlee has been in attendance at Audra's birthday parties as well.

So, Shirlee met Estevan and fell in love. This is the kind of couple that walks to the beat of their own drum. Shirlee is the type to break into dance regardless of who's watching. This made them SO much fun to photograph! Some brides are fearful of getting their dresses dirty, Shirlee got hers muddy and it didn't phase her. I just tried to keep up with them!

I love their photos because this is how it really happened. No one asked Shirlee to lay in the grass, she just plopped down! Incredible. :) I wish them nothing but the best.

And, of course, I have to throw one in of Audra! :)

Lisa

2008-07-25T22:17:00.000-07:00

I told Lisa that I don't like to plan to heavily for shoots. That I prefer, instead, to go with the flow and see what we come up with. She was happy with that as she looking to do something quite classic/clean portraits (as opposed to a heavy/complex concept). But, one thing neither of us planned on was rain!

We worked around it without too much trouble and I ended the night with a dry, functioning camera equipment. We took some shots inside too. Not having much furniture left made setting up a backdrop super simple. All in all, I'd call this one another successful shoot. *sigh* I love my job. :)

And, although it's a bit random, I really like this shot. :)

Clayton

2008-07-25T22:08:00.001-07:00

I used to bartend in a live music venue so, I've heard more than my fair share of beginning artists. Most nights, I wore ear plugs. Well, I wouldn't if this guy had been playing!

Clayton contacted me about a year ago for a shoot, and for whatever reason, it never happened. So, I was surprised to hear from him again but, this time he was ready to go.

We shot in a house mid-renovation which made for a difficult atmosphere. Mostly due to all the dust. All of my camera equipment came home with a layer of it but, it was well worth the clean up. I think this guy is onto something big. :)

Photograview Interview

2008-07-25T13:10:00.000-07:00

Greg Wilker, another photographer, runs a blog that reviews and interviews photographers called Photograview. Last week he asked to feature some of my artwork, which I think is so super cool! Some of the other photographers shot self-portraits for their articles so, I did the same. :) The interview is online now here at Photograview.com.

Andrea

2008-07-15T08:16:00.000-07:00

A couple months back, a talented artist named Mandi contacted me via MySpace because she liked my photography. She was looking for better photos of some of her work and suggested we collaborate. So when Andrea contacted me in regards to a shoot, I thought of Mandi.

Our theme changed several times until we just went with the flow and as it ends up, Andrea's back was painted with flowers and I put her in a pool. What a great model. People seem to think modeling must be so easy, to just sit there in front of a camera, but there's a huge difference between those with experience and those without.

I really enjoyed working with another artist on this one & I hope to do similar projects in the future. :)

Keys Trip

2008-07-13T18:23:00.001-07:00

As a special summer treat, my brother, boyfriend, and I traveled down to the Keys to spend time with our families. We had a blast & took quite a few photos. I'm always on a search for the newest, easiest ways to share my photos and my latest venture is Flickr. Yeah, I'm a little late on the Flickr train, but better late then never.
The photos from our adventure are HERE

Chris

2008-07-06T18:09:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite things to do is to trade trades! My good friend Chris works in a warehouse that prints shirts so, when my brother came up with the perfect t-shirt slogan, I knew I had to design it!

Chris has been a musician for as long as I've known him and if there's one thing musicians need, it's promo shots. So, after we spent a couple hours shooting I started editing while he went to the warehouse to print my shirts! He made me a super cool sweat shirt as a bonus. I love it! Please let me know if you're interested in a BARACK OUT shirt! :)

Amanda

2008-07-04T00:02:00.000-07:00

What started as a late night chat about having absolutely nothing to do tonight became an even later night photo shoot. Amanda isn't the type of girl to suggest playing dress-up. Instead, her interests lie in school and politics. But, tonight she let me make the rules. Despite feeling like she looked like David Bowie, she was an awesome model. After a couple beers, and way too much Whataburger, I'm left with another fab 100 frames & definitely ready for bed!

Holly & Pheonix

2008-06-30T00:28:00.000-07:00

When Holly's horse Phoenix set hoof in Orlando I knew we'd have to shoot! We've been planning this for months. The dress, the horse, the meadow... what we didn't plan on were the hives, half-swollen shut eye, or the sneezing.

I'd been to meet Phoenix during feeding/grooming sessions a handful of times before our shoot date but always accounted my sniffly nose to the recent encounters with Holly's other animal friends (Incredibly: her cat, dog, and horse all match in color). Of course, it wasn't until our big shoot day that I got the full-blown allergic reaction. Ahh well, I pushed through and tried to stay focused! Although I'd envisioned being more relaxed and able to think more clearly as I experimented with new lighting, I'm happy with the results. I'd like to shoot more wildlife in the future, I'll just have to remember the Benadryl next time!

and a little computer editing fun...

Rachel & Amber

2008-06-20T16:47:00.000-07:00

Rachel contacted me in hopes of having some photos taken for her army husband Joe. They've been together a year, and she thought some sexy photos would be a fun, creative gift. I couldn't agree with her more. I wish more people would think of portrait sessions as gifts, or even as GIVING a session as a gift...

Anyway, her friend Amber decided to have photos taken the same day which I think made the shoot more laid back because they had each other as comfort. Both were so great to work with; they just went with the flow. They also changed the fastest of anyone I've EVER worked with: two thumbs up.

Rachel's adorable house set the stage with it's old wooden floors. Between the charming location and chill girls I came up with some killer shots. I hope Joe likes them as much as I do!

Cindy & Ben

2008-06-15T18:33:00.000-07:00

Cindy & Ben are the first couple that I got to shoot BOTH their engagement photos and their wedding photos! It was really neat to see how they'd used the first set of photos I'd taken in their guest book and throughout the reception. They also had a gelato bar at the reception, which was not only super cute but VERY yummy! All in all, it was a great wedding with a great couple; the recipe for awesome photos. :)

Dr. of Dentistry

2008-06-10T21:15:00.000-07:00

I've been working with a magazine titled 'Doctor of Dentistry' this year. Each month, I shoot the cover story doctor for the central florida issue that reaches Jacksonville down to the Palm Beaches. It's been a great opportunity to learn to photograph people in a new light, no pun intended. (Ok, maybe a little pun intended). The publisher is super cool and open to new ideas visually so, she let me mix it up with last month's issue. Instead of the classic posed smiling-in-the-office doctor cover shot, we used an action shot! And not just any action shot, one taken with a 10.5mm fish-eye lens. It's my favorite cover to date. :)

Cody & Kristen

2008-06-08T22:56:00.001-07:00

Matt's cousin Cody got married over the weekend! We've been looking forward to 6-7-08 as an opportunity to shoot a wedding in a whole new way: relaxed! Best of all, we knew we'd get to sit and eat while everyone else sat and ate. It's the little things in life...

Photographing Matt's family was fun. It was a beautiful wedding for a terrific couple. Even with our laid back approach, Matt and I came home with some really neat images on our memory cards. Here are a few favorites from my half. Again, Matt and I should really start a Smatt Wedding blog... Just another addition to the never-ending to-do list. :)

Ashley & Dustin

2008-05-27T18:10:00.000-07:00

I had an engagement shoot today with a couple from Georgia. Dustin plays baseball so, appropriately enough, we took some photos on a baseball field! They were so cute, dressed up in matching outfits and willing to do whatever I suggested! It made for an awesome shoot. We hung around the field for a while before heading over to a park with a fountain. Some angry teenagers were wading around in the water smoking cigarettes but I managed to crop them out of the shots!

So Many Moments Blog

We've MOVED! :)

The Open Kitchen

WPJA: 2011 Quarter 1 Announced!

Boudoir, out of the boudoir!

Bridal Shower/Bachelorette Party

The Shoes Have Arrived. It's OH-SO-REAL.

Amanda & John

Bridal Veil Post Office

Holly & Scott

10 Happy Things in Spring

Wheel Chart Wedding Invites!

A Wedding Wedsite, err.... WEBsite

Say YES to the DRESS(es)!

*bling bling* The RING!

WPJA Q4 WIN!

The big Venue/Date combo choice!

I'll buy you an iPad 2!

Ah, the "Other Side"

Flash Back on 2010!

Another Shot In The Dark

WPJA, BABY!

Metallic Paper

ALBUMS ALBUMS ALBUMS!

Hipstamatic!

Nina & Johnny

Jess & Billy

Molly & Kevin

Aaron & Kassi

10 Lovely Summery Things

Abigail & Peter.

3 things I'm pretty wildly excited about!

Wedding Talk: The Group Shots

Have You Seen My Face?

Meet My 2nd Shooter: Matt Moore

Brian & Tanya

Abigail & Peter.

Smile!

Erin & JB

Laura.

Lawson.

Daniel.

10 Things That Make Me Happy

Jenee & Jonathan.

What To Wear to an Engagement Shoot?

Heidi & Rick

Adrienne & Matt

Jena.

Kalle & her cat.

Bride's Choice Award 2010!

Shawna & Chris

Tara.

Giovanna.

Erin & Daniel.

The Ripka Fam!

Bridal Show

Desiree & Eric

Ashley & Brandon.

Jessica & Dave

Bridget & Chris

PWG Bridal Show!

new SPECIAL!

Rachelle.

Lily

Lesley.

Caitlin. Again. :)

Rock the Runway

Annie

Caitlin

Nikki Glaser

Claire

Jessica's Family

It's not that I haven't been shooting...

Matt & Mandy

Sara & Scott

Jessy & Brent.

Leigh

Lisa

Wedding Photos

Shelby

bling bling The RING!