As a guest you walk into the gorgeous ballroom and see the breathtaking centerpieces and gorgeous teal lights shining on the walls. Everything is so beautiful and elegant, but behind the scenes their is a chaotic and competitive battle mounting. As a photographer it is our job to get the photos at all costs. The DJ and wedding planner have their own agendas that have the same urgency and strict time line. We are all pulling in opposite directions and sometimes it can get ugly.
The really good ones...the vendors who are really passionate about their work know how to work as a team. They realize that they were hired by two people who desperately want to have the most amazing, fairy tale evening. It's not about the photographer as an individual, but the entire evening. Therefore as a DJ, photographer or wedding planner you realize that in order to really help that fairy evening evolve you need to bend and work with those vendors that are at hand.

Ryan Hein of Perfect Memory DJ Service was one person who truly understood that. He knows that as a photographer our greatest need is to spend time with the bride and groom and allow the create freedom to capture the images we need. Ryan, made sure that we had that. Some how...as if he was in control of magic...he was able to give us our time, kept the party going while the bride and groom were gone and found a way to create an incredible flow throughout the evening. I wasn't used to the attention, "Hey guys, are you ready to do that garter our do you need more time getting decoration shots?" I looked at him and couldn't understand why he would want to bend his time line for us...no one else has done that. A DJ who actually cared about my work and didn't want to sabatage it by cutting us off short. And then he returned to check on us about the lighting and then about getting more time with the bride and groom. Are you serious? Were you sent from heaven?

As the three of us started to clean up our gear and pack we started to discuss weddings and it became very clear that Ryan is at a whole different level. He cares so deeply about his work...or better yet...his craft, that it pours into everyone else that he works with. He ensures that his clients get every song that they ask for and that the evening is built around them. He is an extraordinary person and a DJ that deserves credit.

So, if you are planning a wedding and need a DJ who will ensure that you have the atmosphere that you are looking for then please call Ryan Hein. We have since become friends and I would love to work with him in the future. He just makes our job so much easier!!!!

Ryan Hein with Perfect Memory Specialty Events
www.PerfectMemoryDJ.com
503.830.6025





Portland Oregon wedding photographers

I have been having one of those days. Actually I have been having one of those days all week long. I have been working so much that I can hardly remember anything these days. Last night I stood at the top of my stairs desperate to find my phone. It's always the first thing I grab before I walk out the door and the last thing I touch before I close my eyes. And now my little buddy was missing. I was so tired I couldn't retrace my steps. I had no idea what I did that morning and couldn't hardly concentrate on the task of rethinking it. I'm exhausted. But, I did find my phone...in my robe of all places.

So today and I am giving a huge shout out to naps. The warm bed, cold outside, light trying to seep in the blinds kind of nap. Their the best and I'm off!

I love beach weddings. The feel of the warm sand wrapping around my feet is like a little treat for myself as I document the wedding. I hold back the smile that is secretly trying to get out...as if I can't be totally happy while working. I really should let that smile show. How can I explain it.......It's like doing the thing I love most (photography) while being at my favorite place (the beach.) It's the best.

I packed specific clothes for Michelle and Paul's weddings. Since it was a beach wedding I brought my sparkly sandles...so I could feel the sand slip between my toes. A very strategic choice. And I brought my bonfire clothes. Just in case the guests were willing to brave the mist.
Michelle and Paul's wedding was everything I could want in a beach wedding. I sat in the bridal suite shooting Michelle's gown as I looked out at the water, the beach and then toward Eddie shooting the groomsmen on the rocks. I realized that I was really happy. I really love what I do. I feel blessed everyday that this is my life. I have a husband who is amazing to me. And I can share my creative world with him. He embraces my hair brain ideas and runs with them....that's a first!!! And then I look at Michelle and Paul and see how in love they are. It's really great to be able to share in their day. A day where they vow to be by each others sides forever. They are a beautiful couple who know how to laugh together and cry together as life comes at them.

To Michelle and Paul, thank you for blessing us with an incredible day! I had so many moments where you guys reminded me of Eddie and I. Congratulations and thank you!



This bible has been passed through the family and held in the hands of every bride. It was so precious.





















Michelle's cousin and her hubby sneaked off after the ceremony for a secret kiss.



I love tan suits. It looks so classy.









Michelle you are stunning!

Okay, so we have been gone for a long time. Eddie and I spent the last 3 weeks traveling all over St.Louis, Southern Illinois, Sacramento and Los Angeles. We have been hunkering down in hotels all over working on our images trying to get everything done by Christmas. It's crunch time....and I kind of love it. But, we do disappear for a while in the winter. A big sorry to our friends and family!!! We love you guys!
Right now we are about 5 months behind on our blogs!!! So we will TRY and catch up and thank you for continuing to follow us!



Sacramento, St. Louis, Los Angeles, Portland Wedding Photography

I blame it on the sugar. Just the smallest taste and my head starts to pound. I can feel every vein throbbing and my chest starts to tighten. I love sweets though. It's a sad story really.

That's why I struggled so much as I listened to Cheren talk about her wedding cake. "Oh, Amy you have got to try my cake! Its to die for. Trust me, it isn't a typical cake." She must have told me 4 times how great her cake was. So, as the party cooled down and guests started to exit through the large double doors I walked over to the cake table. I stared at the slices of cakes and weighed the options of headaches to one amazing piece of cake. Cheren gave me a look of wide eyed approval and excitement and I knew what I had to do. I took a bite and immediately looked at Cheren. It was out of this world! Buttery, not too sugary, lots of flavor, light and super moist. Ah, it was amazing. I sacrificed heart ache...literally...to have a slice and it was completely worth it. I spent the next few minutes gooshing over the cake with Cheren. LeCookie Monkey has a special flavor called "humingbird." It's a basically a crazy twist on a carrot cake, add pineapple, coconut and bunch of other yummy goodies. It was the flavor that everyone talked about and ran out in the first 10 minutes.

Eddie and I come across a lot of vendors who are all great at what they do. But, when we come across a company that does things this good then we just have to get involved. We want to share these companies with you! So, I want to tell you to check out LeCookie Monkey Cakes & Sweets. You will not only find the most amazing things in all categories sweet, but you will meet the goofiest, fun loving and wonderful person on the planet. If it wasn't for her amazing cakes, I would support her just because SHE is that great!!!

LeCookie Monkey
Amber Darrington
503-544-5041
Amber@LeCookieMonkey.com
www.LeCookieMonkey.com


Again....it's not just the best cake I have ever had or a great personality...look at the cake....it's gorgeous.



Their signature cookie.



Amber on the left and her lovely assistant Jaime.



Two great gals.



Portland Oregon Wedding Photographers

I was sitting on the track stretching out my hamstrings as I listened to the banter of the high school kids. I loved to hear what was important in their lives. I felt like I was being let into a secret world that every parent wished they could be a part of. As a track coach we weren't completely allowed in, but we definitely had a key.
The conversation started up about their favorite bands. Who's hot, who's not and who needs to just fall off the face of the earth. Then someone brought up Blues Traveler. My ears perked up since this was one band that I really knew. It was super hot in high school and maybe even into college, but I wasn't sure. I was shocked that they knew who they were and still liked them......so I listened in...."Do you like them?" Then I heard the worst thing ever....
"I don't listen to oldies." The conversation moved on from there. I heard nothing else after it. I lost the air in my lungs and I looked up at Eddie who was blocking the bright sunlight from striking my eyes and we just looked at each other. It was the very first time that I felt really old. Our music is now oldies to high schoolers. Are you kidding me!!!!

There is nothing that will make you feel older than being around high school students. So, lucky for us, our reality was checked as we photographed Faith Bible's Soccer & Volleyball team. Most of the kids were on our track team so it was really great to see them again. Their volleyball team will be going to state next week and they are expected to take it all. Go Falcons!













Sports Portraits Portland Oregon Photographers

I have driven by the Queen Anne Mansion a million times. It's 10,000 twinkle lights light up the night sky from miles around as if it's a beacon calling everyone to it. On this day it was a sign of celebration. Even as the rain poured heavy outside the lights twinkled brightly.
We celebrated our Halloween Eve with Amber and Sean. A couple as unique and beautiful as they come. They dawned glass earings, Scottish kilts, custom tattoos and smiles that wrapped around their faces. We has such a blast just spending the day with Amber and Sean and can't wait to see their photos finished.

Here is a sneak peek.













Portland Oregon Wedding Photographers