Blog Break

I have been too busy to post! Thanks for making me too busy, but I just haven't had a moment to get to the blog in the last 6-8 weeks. Here is a little taste of what has been going on and this is just from the last 8 days or so:

Christina and Charles' Oregon Wedding

Christina getting ready.

Christina and Charles were married this afternoon at The Beacon House. This image was made at the end of the day as the sun was starting to go down. I love the light in this little spot just outside the gates of The Beacon House. I love the way it's soft but colorful at the same time. There is a natural reflector from the street that is just behind me.

Congratulations Christina and Charles!

Nice Feedback

When I opened my e-mail yesterday these nice notes were waiting for me. What a great way to start the day after a week off!

The first note is from Kirsten and Josh.

Hi James, This is Kirsten from the Green Gable Gardens wedding. We just received the pictures a few days ago and they are wonderful...exactly what we wanted!! We saw the ones you had on your blog too, so a lot of our friends got to see them as well, they loved them. Well we just wanted to say thank you so much for your hard work and for getting the pictures to us so fast. They are just great. Thank you! Kirsten and Josh Keihl

The second note is from the mother of McKenzie.

I love your photos James- they are sweet, fun, interesting and beautiful! Thank you so much for contributing so nicely to our special day.

Kind Regards,

Elaine Kesey- McKenzie'’s Mom

Studio Coburg Voted Best by Oregon Bride Readers!

Wow, I am so flattered and humbled! The new issue of Oregon Bride has named Studio Coburg as the reader's choice as best photographer in the Willamette Valley. Aisha Harley was named as best in the Portland area. Other awards went to Sweet Life for their cakes, Bellamissa for their custom bridal gowns, and Eden Z Films for their wedding videos. Blue Moon was voted the best place to get a wedding ring, and Destination Events won for best DJ! The Country Inn won for best all-around wedding vendor! Wow! Congratulations Colleen, Dirk, and Lisa! If you are looking for a particular vendor, check them all out. I have worked closely with all of them, and I highly recommend each and every one of them. There are other awards as well. Get a copy and see who else got a mention.

A Week Off in the Redwoods

Last week we closed the studio and headed to the Redwoods. I took the wife and kids, Trask took a band of no-goods he met along the way. My son, Aaron, is a little dare-devil. He turned 3 in April and took that milestone as an opportunity to learn to ride a two-wheeler with no training wheels. It took about 2 minutes. I swear, the little monkey was born to be on wheels. He rides a razor and a skateboard too.
While at the campground he decided to take the opportunity to ride full-speed down the hill near our campsite. He must have been doing 15 miles and hour! He negotiated a switch-back...but not the big root growing in the pavement.


The next day he got up, sat at the campfire, and proclaimed "I think I can do it now".

A close-up of the road rash on his face. Notice how pleased he is with himself.

Dorothy and Ryan's Oregon Coast Wedding

The big posts are back!
I will post a few more on Monday. Thanks Ryan and Dorothy!

Josh and Kirsten's Corvallis Oregon Wedding

Convention photos

I shot this today at the PPOregon Summer Convention at Cannon Beach. This is Rachell, one of the other participants in the convention. She is actually in water that is about 40 degrees! Thanks Rachell for taking a bullet!

May 27 and June 3 Oregon Weddings

Once again I am so behind in my 'blog. Last week we spent several days removing and re-installing the office computer station. We removed one computer and replaced another one. We spent Thursday visiting with our friends at Moments in Time Photography in Hillsboro. Their studio is one of the most well respected photography businesses and it was an honor being allowed to spend the day with and learn from them. Thanks Bob, Arlene, Sharyl and Brian for your ongoing generosity to Studio Coburg!

Last weekends wedding was at the St. Perpetua Overlook, considered to be the best place to view sunset on the Oregon Coast. The Civilian Conservation Corps built a stone shelter there in the 1930's, and it made the perfect place for Daniel and Erin's intimate wedding.Yesterday David and Nicole tied the knot at their home church in Alvadore, OR. We took a moment to travel to Nicole's grandmother's home for a few photos before the ceremony started.

Andrea's Senior Portrait Session

Andrea brought this cool prom dress to ruin for her senior portrait session yesterday. It was pouring down rain, and we all got soaked, but it was worth it for these images. I shot with a slow shutter to show motion while Andrea jumped and played in the warm spring rain. Her boyfriend, James, was kind enough to tag along and give encouragement. I have to include the image below so that people don't think I'm nuts for posting the image above with her head cut off and blurry, off center, too dark, etc. Yes, I shot it that way on purpose.