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Golden Hour on the Columbia Gorge // Delaney & Brenna

GOLDEN HOUR HANG OUTS AND CAPTURING PHOTOS ON THE COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE — PURE MAGIC.

 
 

THESE TWO. Joy joy joy.

Do you ever meet people and feel like you’ve been friends forever? Yep, that was Brenna and Delaney for me. 100%. They are pure joy and full of kindness, oh and also HILARIOUS. We all laughed… so. much. I’m grateful for people who meet me and trust me to see their true selves. It’s an honor to share in a piece of your stories.

Enjoy all the golden goodness that we got to experience on the Columbia River Gorge!

PS. Starting this blog with a little black and white series of images that, I feel like, gives the perfect glimpse into our whole evening together!

xx

 
 

Desert Lake Couple Photos // Bend, OR

A DREAMY EVENING OVERLOOKING A DESERT LAKE FOR THESE COUPLE PHOTOS IN CENTRAL OREGON

 
 

Golden hour is always magical — but, when you’re standing on a cliff overlooking a desert lake with mountains in the background, it’s a new level of beauty.

I had a blast exploring the central Oregon lake views with these two on this lovely summer evening. It was impossible not to take some pretty grand images with that background!

Always grateful for new friends, windy + golden evenings, and exploring this beautiful state!

Desert Evening Elopement // Central Oregon

ALL THE GOLDEN HOUR, DESERT ADVENTURE ELOPEMENT VIBES FOR THESE TWO! THE PERFECT SUMMER NIGHT, AMAZING VIEWS, AND INCREDIBLE PEOPLE — SOME OF MY FAVORITE THINGS!

We arrived at the desert butte and grasslands just as the sun was starting to make the canyon glow! Kyra & Michael got ready in the parking lot (with the final touches being lint rolling puppy hair off his suit jacket haha)! They put on their old wedding clothes — almost two years later — and we captured some magic in the desert!

It was such a beautiful evening, running from one amazing view point to the next! Summer exploring is one of my favorite things, and good company makes it even better!

Excited for many more summer evenings to come!

DRESS // A&BÉ BRIDAL SHOP
FLORALS //
UFLORA
EARRINGS //
AMANDA MICHELLE HANDMADE

Rowena Crest Couple Session // Columbia River Gorge

A SUMMER AFTERNOON SPENT FROLICKING AROUND THE WINDY CLIFFTOPS OF ROWENA CREST OVERLOOKING THE COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE!

The rolling golden hills at Rowena Crest were dancing with the wind when we all arrived at the Columbia river Gorge overlook! It was so fun to prance around and laugh SO MUCH during these photos! It was an absolute blast to hang out and enjoy the summer afternoon together!

THINGS TO DO AROUND ROWENA CREST VIEWPOINT —

// Eat at Eastwind Drive-in

// Coffee at Dog River Coffee Co.

// Stay at The Society Hotel, Bingen

Intimate Portland Wedding at Tendue // Mallory & Robbie

This intimate Portland city wedding chose to embrace joy and presence, even in the midst of COVID-19 chaos and the roller coaster of plan changes! It was a BEAUTIFUL day full of so much love and laughter!

 
 

I adore these two!! We’ve been chatting about their wedding since early 2019, and it’s been an honor to both watch and walk alongside them in this journey! They have been absolute CHAMPS as they’ve rolled with the punches of 2020 and plan changes! I’m so grateful to have couples who are so gracious and still choose to experience all the joy a day holds — no matter what it looks like!

This intimate wedding was a small gathering of their close friends and a few family members — joined by a zoom party of other guests (of course)! They truly chose presence, and the whole wedding day was so fun to be a part of! I loved everything about these sweet moments.

So so so thankful that I get to witness some pretty amazing stories!

 
 

THE AMAZING VENDORS:

DRESS // BHLDN

SUIT // INDOCHINO

FLORALS // POPPIES & PAISELY

VENUE // TENDUE

PLANNER + STYLING // ROSEDAE EVENTS CO.

CATERER // WHITE PEPPER

Van Life Couple Adventure Session // Joshua Tree, California

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THIS ADVENTURE COUPLE SESSION MADE ME WANT TO PACK UP, MOVE INTO A COOL VAN, AND TRAVEL THE DESERT AND CALIFORNIA COASTLINE!

Hello, meet the coolest van life couple EVER! Also, the kindest humans you’ll ever meet! After hanging with Lydia and Philip for that afternoon, we all wanted to just keep chatting for hours! Check out their Instagram to follow along on all their van-lifing adventures together!

Grateful for these sunny, desert adventures together in Joshua Tree National Park!

Adventure Elopement in Joshua Tree National Park // Boho Modern Inspiration

 

An adventurous evening in Joshua Tree National Park for this styled adventure elopement! Check out all the moments to get ideas for your own special day!

Joshua Tree National Park had my jaw dropping within the first few minutes! I was captivated by the large, unique rock formations, the one-of-a-kind Joshua Trees themselves, and the overall golden desert vibe!

This adventure elopement was styled for our Makers & Movers Workshop, and was so fun to capture! It’s full of boho modern pops to fuel your elopement ideas and planning!

Check out these amazing vendors who played a part in making this creation come to life:

WORKSHOP // Makers & Movers Workshop

COUPLE // Danielle & Rodney

DRESS // A&bé Sacramento

JEWELRY // Serpentine & Fair

FLORALS // With Flourish

HAT // Equal Uprise

TUX // Zara

Enjoy all the pics, and dreaming about your own desert elopement!

 

A Guide to Traveling Southern Thailand // Tips for the Best Itinerary

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A PEAK INTO HOW WE SPENT 2 WEEKS TRAVELING AROUND AND ISLAND HOPPING IN SOUTHERN THAILAND! I WANTED TO SHARE A FEW TIPS, GO INTO THE DETAILS, AND MENTION SOME “BESTS” FROM OUR CRAZY JOURNEY! HOPEFULLY THIS CAN BE A GUIDE TO YOUR OWN FUTURE TROPICAL ADVENTURES!

 

Southern Thailand really is a gem — island hopping, crystal clear turquoise water, gorgeous snorkeling, the yummiest food, the coolest places to stay, cheap transportation, the kindest people — it’s the best!

We had planned to spend a month in Thailand (which you can EASILY do + more), but ended up cutting our trip short due to the COVID-19 outbreak. These two weeks were still well spent and full of incredible experiences! We’ll definitely be back!


PHUKET > 6 DAYS

RAILAY > 3 DAYS

PHI PHI > 2 DAYS

KOH LANTA > 3 DAYS

map of southern thailand

 

I. PHUKET // 6 DAYS

WHERE WE STAYED:

We jumped on Airbnb and found the coolest bungalows in Rawai called the Coco Palace. This was right near Nai Harn beach, which is a gorgeous white sand beach that isn’t as touristy as the beaches up North (Patong, Karon, or Kata Noi). It also came with a fresh, homemade breakfast each morning.

THINGS TO DO + PLACES TO GO:

  • Kayak and snorkel off Yanui Beach

  • Motorbike around to explore (especially up to some view points - ie Panwa Viewpoint)

  • Spend a day at Nai Harn - wave bobbing + sun tanning

  • FOOD FOOD FOOD (more tips below)

  • Check out the markets! G-Market food stalls and the Sunday Old Town night Market are my faves! You’ll find a bunch of cool things for a great deal and eat the BEST food!

  • Walk through Old Town during the day as well, super cool architecture and shops!

  • Coffee - our faves were: YES Coffee and Campus Coffee Roasters

  • One nice sunset dinner at After Beach Bar (we mostly did budget food options - which are the YUMMIEST - but splurged one night for some epic views while dining).

II. RAILAY // 3 DAYS

WHERE WE STAYED:

Having been to Railay before, we settled with the same place that we stayed last time - Railay Princess Resort. It’s not on the main beach which has some pros and cons. Pros: it’s quiet, feels more private, and is cheaper. Cons: it’s a bit of a walk from where the ferry lets you off (aka the main beach), the east beach isn’t as pretty, and… that’s all actually haha! It’s a gorgeous property with two pools - a jungle-y one and an infinity pool on the roof with a view. The breakfast is included and delicious and all the staff is wonderful!

THINGS TO DO + PLACES TO GO:

  • Railay is SMALL - you walk everywhere and can easily explore!

  • Walk the main strip - lots of food, fun shops, and fresh fruit shakes! You can also check out ALL the excursions offered here (rock climbing, night kayaking, paddle boarding, boat tours, etc.).

  • Grab some kayaks at Sand Sea resort on the main beach front and head out for 2+ hours. We explored all the little limestone islands, paddled through sea caves, and climbed ropes hanging from stalactites jump into the water! SO SO SO fun!

  • Explore all the pathways, you’ll find some more secretive beaches and coves! Just watch out for the grabby monkeys… they like to steal your water bottles… and everything else.

  • Check out the “food boats” on Phra Nang Cave Beach

  • Hike INSIDE Bat Caves on the west side of Phra Nang Beach… it’s a little secretive and tricky to find, ask staff at your hotel to point you in the right direction! Beware, not for people with claustrophobia (that was tough for me, lots of moral support was needed haha). There is a SICK view at the top of the opening!

  • Another hike that’s more for the experience (and kinda for the view), is on your left when walking down the pathway to Phra Nang beach. You may see some brave souls using the ropes and vines to make their way up or down… yep, just go straight up!

  • For dinner, grab it to go and head to the main west beach. Put some towels down and watch the sunset illuminate the sky with SO many colors! Then, check your left after the sun goes down and watch millions of bats fill the sky way above as they fly out into the jungle!

  • Enjoy the night life - whether that’s watching fire dancers on the beach or wandering through the main strip to grab a Chang beer!

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III. PHI PHI // 2 DAYS

WHERE WE STAYED:

We stayed at a cute beach front bungalow resort called Paradise Pearl. With our own little beach and restaurant, it was a great place to hang out for the day!

THINGS TO DO + PLACES TO GO:

  • SNORKLE SNORKLE SNORKLE - hire a private long tail boat near where you’re staying to boat you out to the different islands. This was an amazing experience! Avoid the tourist trap speed boats - this was cheaper and we could stop wherever we wanted for however long we wanted. It was awesome. Friends, the sea life here is UNBELIEVABLE. So many fish and colors, and we even swam with a small reef shark. Wild, so incredible! We spent 5 hours out snorkeling!

  • Enjoy the clearest water, float and cool off between tanning sessions on your white sand beach.

  • We walked from our bungalows into downtown Phi Phi for dinner one night - about 20 mins. There are tons of food options and a fun night market to explore as well!

IV. KOH LANTA // 3 DAYS

WHERE WE STAYED:

This might have been my favorite place we stayed - Alama Sea Village Resort - on the south end of Koh Lanta. It has gorgeous modern bungalows that overlook the ocean from the hillside. You can even enjoy the view while floating in the infinity pool!

THINGS TO DO + PLACES TO GO:

Koh Lanta was by far the most chill place to visited! Everyone was incredibly laid back and it seemed a bit less touristy. A hidden gem, for sure!

  • We did lots of pool hangs, relaxing and soaking up the sun from our hillside perch.

  • Explore the jungle roads by motorbike (watch for monkey crossings)!

  • Our favorite beach was Bamboo Beach, it was a peaceful more private cove.

  • Head to the East side to explore the cute fishing town - lots of shops and restaurants. Just drive safely over the twisty, old mountain roads!

This is very much a “take it easy” kind of place. It was an awesome place to end our trip, although it ended abruptly, we were glad it was in such a peaceful place!


A FEW OTHER THINGS —

ALL THINGS FOOD + DRINK

  • Lots and lots of Thai Iced Tea ($75 cents)

  • Mango and Coconut shakes were my fave

  • Try iced Blue Butterfly Pea Tea - UH-MAZING!

  • Eat Banana Rhoti - the best kind of “pancake” you’ll ever have

  • Get some Mango & Sticky Rice - I could eat this EVERY. FREAKING. DAY.

  • Fave Noodles to try: Pad Thai, Pad See Ew, Yum Woon Sen, and “Noodle Soup”

  • Fave Curries: Green Curry, Red Curry, and Massaman Curry

  • Fave Other Dishes: Pad Krapow (spicy basil chicken), Morning Glory (garlic + greens), and papaya salad (so yummy and fresh)

  • Want a quick refresher? Grab a lime Manao Soda from any convenience store!

TRANSPORTATION

  • We got motorbikes in the bigger towns: Phuket and Koh Lanta. It’s the best and cheapest way to get around - $8 bucks a day! Just DRIVE SAFELY - it’s an adjustment if you’re not used to that type of traffic OR driving on the left side of the road.

  • In places we didn’t get motorbikes, we either walked or used the “GRAB” app (basically Thailand’s version of Uber or Lyft). Most hotels can help you book transport as well!

  • Between islands, we took the local ferries. You can book them online ahead of time and just print the tickets out! PRO TIP: load the ferry and sit outside on the deck!! You can hang your feet off the edge, get that cool breeze, and not be cramped inside an overcrowded cabin!

A FEW TIPS

  • Buy snorkel gear there - SO cheap and will save you money over renting each time! We bought ours at Decathlon in Phuket for around $10 each.

  • Get up early - we woke up several time for sunrise beach walks, and basically had the WHOLE place to ourselves! It’s cooler, quieter, and pure magic!

  • Buy big bottles of cold water - not only do you need to stay hydrated, but holding a bottle of ice cold water did wonders in cooling us down during those hot days!

  • 7-Eleven is life - Walking the hot streets mid-day? Need a cool break? Pop into a 7-Eleven and be hit with the most refreshing AC you’ve ever felt! I’ve never been into a 7-Eleven so many times!! Take these little pit stops to chill for a sec, grab a cheap cold drink, and hit the heat again!

  • Tiger fish swarming - sounds scarier than it is! Just know - when snorkeling, there are schools of striped yellow & black fish that are NOT shy and will swim all up in yo’ face!!! They don’t bite or do anything harmful really, but it definitely took some getting used to (and lots of screaming through my snorkel) to finally be a little more chill swimming with them!

  • Find the cheap food - try to avoid tourist traps! Yes, this is hard, and we definitely fell into some! Do your best to look for the local, small business eateries. Clues to finding them: family owned, not much english (if any) on the menus, and 30-50 Baht meals. SO YUMMY. The best food by far!

  • For super cheap stays - check out some hostels! We went with more medium priced bungalows and resorts (‘cuz hey, still so cheap)! BUT, there are even cheaper options - check out Hostel World to find some rad overnight places!

  • Free breakfasts - everywhere we stayed had breakfast included! Which was SO nice! Most places have fresh fruit, omelet stations, and coffee, along with a variety of other choices! This made starting the day so easy and FREE! Something to think about when choosing a place to stay.

  • Planning your day - we always tried to plan our day with thinking about the heat. The mornings are often cooler, so we would go do our adventure first thing: hike, snorkel, drive around, etc. Then, make sure we were near some type of water (beach or pool) for the afternoon so we could constantly be cooling off! Evenings were always good for town walks, avoiding the sun and day heat as much as possible for meandering!


take a peak at a couple phone pics from along the way! 👇🏻

HERE IS A DETAILED MAP OF EACH LOCATION

PHUKET // RAILAY // PHI PHI // KOH LANTA



A FEW MORE PHOTOS FROM THE TRIP

Andie and I swapped a few photos along the way so we could have some of Josiah and I and her and Mikal! The perks of traveling with another photographer, photo swaps for life! ;)

 
 

Dreamy 70s Retro Vibe Elopement Inspiration // Joshua Tree, California

 

IF YOU’RE ON THE SEARCH FOR SOME RAD 70s RETRO ELOPEMENT INSPIRATION, THEN YOU’RE IN THE RIGHT PLACE!

The desert vibes of Joshua Tree California paired with some fun 70s styling created this magic for our Makers & Movers Workshop styled shoot!

This amazing shoot could not have been done without the collaboration of these incredible team members! We couldn’t have imagined everything coming together any better!

Excited to share these photos to power your imagination and inspire you with ideas for your own special day! If you’re thinking of eloping in Joshua Tree, check out these vendors to build your vision:

WORKSHOP // Makers & Movers

COORDINATION & DESIGN // Wilder Events Co.

COUPLE // Katie & Joe

DRESS // Lovely Bride LA

JEWELRY // Serpentine & Fair

WEDDING BANDS // Sharon Z Jewelry

CALLIGRAPHER // Summit & Sage

FLORALS // Bluebell Florals

CAKE // Fantasy Frostings

H&MU // Chelsea Nicole

RENTALS // Otis & Pearl

TUX // ASOS

We began with a bit of cozy in home time in our desert airbnb! Joe and Katie spent time getting ready together before we headed out on gorgeous property to hang out with the Joshua Trees.

 

Northern California Waterfall Couples Session

Spent a sunny day with these two gems exploring this Northern California Waterfall in Lassen National Park!

 
 

As you explore Lassen National Forest, you may stumble across this gem of a waterfall in Shasta County. It truly appears out of nowhere, and if you get there at just the right time of day, it’s grandness draws you in with the sun beans bursting through the sprays of water!

Loved getting to explore California’s beauty with these two!



Baker Building, Portland Wedding // Jay & Meagan

 

A lovely Fall wedding at the beautiful Baker Building in Portland, OR.

I met Jay & Meagan for tea over a year before their wedding day — and I knew right from the start I wanted to capture their wedding day! The joy the carried was undeniable! I was immediately drawn to their vision of an intimate, October, city wedding in Portland — surrounded by a small group of their closest friends and family.

Fast forward to a year + a couple months later, their day was just as dreamy as I imaged it when they described their vision the summer before. Fall colors, moody Oregon skies, a minimalistic industrial space, earthy tones, decor that was unique and special to them and who they are, and an intimate setting to make their promises to one another. It was beautiful.

The Portland Baker Building is STUNNING. The space is full of warm woods and white walls, with soft window light — it’s a creatives’ dream for urban, minimalism!

I was blown away by the love these two share! Every piece of the day was meaningful, everything had a purpose or was special to them. The gifts — their wedding song lyrics, an “inside joke” shirt, and a pair of dream shoes. The decor — old, collected books, intricate beer steins, and posters with poems. Dinner — the BEST pizza (that’s their thing — see engagement photos hehe).

And, the most emotional moment, the last few pictures of this day…

Jay had written Meagan a song, a secret song. As the night drew to an end, he pulled her into a side room and sat her down. When he started singing, I think we all had goosebumps and tears. These two truly cherish one another, deeply. Those last photos remind me why I do what I do… it’s not about the perfect room, or the most aesthetic space… it’s about those moments. The ones that wreck you and remind you that you’re capturing a small piece of a much bigger story. And that, is an incredible honor.


TIPS FROM THIS DAY…

I. MAKE IT YOU. Like Meagan and Jay did, bring in little details that speak to you and your relationship — wear sneakers, bring old books, eat some pizza — you do you.

II. LOOK AT EACH OTHER A LOT. These two had the most in love looks, even across the room. Remember to take time to soak it up, stare into each others eyes, get all mushy gushy, this is your day!

III. GO SOMEWHERE SPECIAL. They really wanted to walk across the street and do photos in a coffee shop they loved! That’s awesome! Somewhere you really want to do photos?! Let’s do it! There is no “normal.”

VENUE SPACE: Baker Building, Portland Oregon
FLORALS:
Sammy’s Flowers


 

Sunrise Engagement Session on the Columbia River Gorge // Sam & Kaylee

 

THIS COLUMBIA GORGE ENGAGEMENT SESSION WAS WORTH THE 3:00 AM WAKE UP FOR THIS GLOWING, GOLDEN SUNRISE!

November in the PNW is always hit or miss for weather (usually a miss haha), but Kaylee and Sam had the most BEAUTIFUL sunrise in the Columbia River Gorge for their engagement session! One might even say it was GORGE-ous… ha… ha. Too much? K done with puns.

We all stood in awe as the fog flowed over the hills and became illuminated by the sun. Everything felt as though it had been painted in gold, and the light was absolutely stunning!

I love doing couple photos in the Gorge, and Rowena Crest is up there on my list! It always looks different depending on the season you go. The fall colors were in full saturation this time, and those earthy tones stole my heart right away!

I had such a blast hanging out with these two wonderful people! We met as strangers, but left feeling like friends. I’m so grateful for this job — the stories I get to hear and moments I get to be a part of! It was seriously such an honor to savor this season of life for these two, and soak up all the beauty of an Oregon fall sunrise!

So, make some coffee, curl up, and enjoy the moments below (without having to get up at 3 am haha).

PLANNING YOU’RE OWN ENGAGEMENT SESSION AND NOT SURE WHERE TO GO OR EVEN WHERE TO START? WELL, CHECK OUT MY OREGON LOCATION GUIDE FOR THE BEST PLACES TO DO ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS!

 

Vintage Meets Modern City Wedding // Portland, OR // Emily & Johnny

 

THE TIMELESS VINTAGE DECOR MIXED WITH A MODERN SETTING IN DOWNTOWN PORTLAND — IT WAS A DREAMY DAY!

This urban wedding at the Castaway in downtown Portland was the perfect blend of vintage meets modern. Every aspect was timeless and each detail was creatively and beautifully thought through! I mean, just scroll down and check out the GORGEOUS whimsical arch that they built themselves for the ceremony! I want it in my house! 

Castaway is a rad urban venue with a clean slate for all your creative ideas! Every time I shoot there, I find new spaces to photograph and explore. This time, it was a modern white brick building on the corner — a stunning, minimalistic backdrop for their first look and other wedding party photos! There’s something that seems to fit every couple there! 

All the tables were set with books, handmade bowls (that Johnny created himself, AMAZING), and vintage Portland postcards with table letters for seating. For the Love of Floral also created STUNNING florals for the entire space, with colors that made everything come to life and glow in the late afternoon sun.

Emily & Johnny’s day was incredible, full of so much love and life — not to mention vows that made me sob behind the camera! It’s an honor to capture a love story that is so so so drenched in pure love and commitment to the journey together. Emily and Johnny have such sweet and gentle spirits, yet their love is fierce for one another. 

I’m so excited to share these few highlighted moments throughout their day! 

VENDORS //

DRESS // A&BE
FLORALS // FOR THE LOVE OF FLORAL
VENUE // CASTAWAY, PORTLAND
WEDDING PLANNER + STYLIST // POP FIZZ CLINK
HAIR + MUA // BLOSSOM & BEAUTY
DJ // JOHN ROSS MUSIC