Photography Hill

"How you turned my world, you precious thing"⠀ - David Bowie⠀ ⠀ It's been an unintentional hiatus due to a series of unfortunate ailments. Now back our regularly scheduled programming.⠀ ⠀ I've got a few ideas spinning around in my head for some dream photo sessions and need some families/couples/singles to make them happen. This is an official model call for unofficial models, also known as everyday people. If you fall into one of those categories, live in/around Portland, and don't mind being in front of the camera, send an email with subject line "RE: Model Call" to [email protected]

"What do they got? A lot of sand⠀ We got a hot crustacean band⠀ Each little clam here⠀ Know how to jam here⠀ Under the sea"⠀ - Sebastian⠀ ⠀ Here is another one from Portland's Mermaid Parade. Every good parade needs a marching band, and this group brought up the rear. It made my life, as pretty much every marching band does.⠀ ⠀ Tonight my little family is attending our first high school football game since we moved to Oregon. You better believe their will be lots of dancing happening in the stands, mostly from me and the Boy, but hopefully our friends join in as well. Any other marching band fans out there?⠀ ⠀ #pentax645n #fuji160c #pushed1stop (at Tom McCall Waterfront Park)

"Words are flowing out like endless rain into a paper cup⠀ They slither while they pass, they slip away across the universe⠀ Pools of sorrow waves of joy are drifting through my opened mind⠀ Possessing and caressing me"⠀ - The Beatles⠀ ⠀ This is the Husband's grandfather, who we fondly refer to as "Pop." If you remember back to this summer, I mentioned that taking pictures of him and his wife was the top of my list of things I wanted to do while in California. This photo is a perfect depiction of Pop, down to the delightful twinkle in his eyes. ⠀ ⠀ Not long after our trip, his health nose-dived. He passed away yesterday. We are grateful that he is no longer in pain and distress, but he will be missed.⠀ ⠀ I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to get photos taken (and prints made!) of you and your loved ones. No one ever regrets having pictures taken of their family, but they do regret the pictures they don't take. No special occasion needed.⠀ ⠀ #pentax645n #portra400nc #pushed1stop (at Murrieta, California)

"We're goin' on a bear hunt,⠀ We're going to catch a big one,⠀ I'm not scared⠀ What a beautiful day!"⠀ - children's song⠀ ⠀ As parents, we often sacrifice time to accommodate our kids interests, and sometimes it is a real struggle to be supportive at those activities. Cub scouts is that for me, so I look for silver lining. When they go on "hikes" and need additional adults to come, I'm all over it. It makes for some nice photo ops, happy memories with my son, and a fantastic mid-week adventure.⠀ ⠀ Currently booking fall dates for Portland, Phoenix, and even Seattle. Should you want some similar silver lining moments documented, I am up for the adventure. Email [email protected] to book your session today!⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀ #pentax645n #lomo100 (at Beaverton, Oregon)

"Sun is shining in the sky⠀⠀ There ain't a cloud in sight⠀⠀ It's stopped raining⠀⠀ Everybody's in a play⠀⠀ And don't you know⠀⠀ It's a beautiful new day⠀⠀ Hey ay ay!"⠀⠀ -Electric Light Orchestra⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ This song has been stuck in my head all day. It is so warm and bright, which I needed as the temperatures have been dropping. While the sunny days are becoming less likely in Portland, I like to think spending time with those we love can brighten even the dreariest of winter days. Or if they are far away, at least looking at pictures of loved ones can brighten a dark day. With that in mind, It's time to plan some photo sessions with your favorite people (or furry friends) to capture some memories to gift to your future self with warming emotions as winter sets in. You will absolutely thank yourself later.⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ Currently booking fall dates for Portland, Phoenix, and even Seattle. Email [email protected] to book your session today!⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ #pentax645n #portra400 (at Spanish Fork, Utah)

"Our love was comfortable ⠀ and so broken in"⠀ - John Mayer⠀ ⠀ What are your thoughts on subtle public displays of affection? Like playful glances, touching fingers, or a couple's bodies leaning towards each other as they sit next to each other? They make my heart explode with happiness. It is such a gift to get to observe this kind of interaction, really at anytime. In college, I had a series of movie clips that I would watch whenever I was down and they all consisted of subtle pda. When I found this couple in front of me on a walk, with the subtlest of pda, I had to photograph it. My hope is that they stumble upon this image and smile. Or that you see it and smile. Or *bonus points* that it causes you to hire me to photograph you in a similar scenario. Whatever the outcome, let's hear it for subtle signs of love to brighten our days.⠀ ⠀ #pentax645n #lomo800 (at Tom McCall Waterfront Park)

"About your hair, you needn't care,⠀ You look beautiful all the time"⠀ -the Kooks⠀ ⠀ I'm just going to leave this here. You're welcome.⠀ ⠀ #pentax645n #fuji160c (at Arcadia Beach State Recreation Site)

I am practicing what I preach. We are getting our family photos taken today. If you need me, I'll be at the coast trying to enjoy being in front of the camera as much as I enjoy being behind it.⠀ ⠀ #yashicamat124 #lomo800 (at Manzanita, Oregon)

"I wish we could open our eyes To see in all directions at the same Oh what a beautiful view If you were never aware of what was around you" - Death Cab for Cutie I bribed the Boy to go to the beach with me. Bribed! Because he needed convincing to go to the beach. That 8 year old angst almost prevented him from seeing some incredible beauty that this glorious earth has to offer. I hope he remembers this adventure fondly, and not because he got a Lego set when we got home. If you'd like to leave the angst at home and venture to the coast for some adventures, then, please, let me come, too. Send an email to [email protected] and we can start planning a magical coastal adventure. #pentax645n #portra160 (at Seaside, Oregon)

at Seaside, Oregon

"Shout, shout⠀⠀ Let it all out⠀⠀ These are the things I can do without⠀⠀ Come on I'm talking to you"⠀⠀ -Tears for Fears⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ Sometimes the best thing to do while photographing boys is to let them take off their shirts and unleash their inner wild thing. I regret nothing.⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ Do you have crazy boys? Do you want pictures capturing their true nature? Holler at me via [email protected] and we will make it happen. Adventures near Portland, Seattle, and Phoenix welcome.⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ #pentax645n #lomo100 #pushed3stops (at Seattle, Washington)

"Shine, shine, shine on⠀ Yes⠀ Won't you shine, shine on"⠀ -the Kooks⠀ ⠀ Wonderful people near Phoenix, I will be in you area near the end of October and I have mini sessions for you! I rarely have this option, so jump on it. These are perfect for getting photos for annual Christmas cards, families with busy schedules that can't accommodate a full session, and families that just need a few updated photos to send to grandparents. Also, if we are being honest, this is for those families where the kids and dads can maybe tolerate being photographed for 30 minutes 😂⠀ ⠀ What are the details for these minis? They are $350 and include 30 minutes of fun at an outdoor location (TBD) and 5 high resolution digital files. Should you need more images or prints, you are more than welcome to buy those through the online gallery of your session. ⠀ ⠀ October 27 - 2 afternoon minis⠀ October 28 - 4 afternoon minis⠀ ⠀ Email [email protected] to book your session today!⠀ ⠀ #yashicamat124 #fuji160c (at Papago Park)

"Once there was a way,⠀ to get back homeward,⠀ Once there was a way,⠀ to get back home⠀ Sleep pretty darling do not cry,⠀ and I will sing a lullaby"⠀ - the Beatles⠀ ⠀ This pup watches over her owner who has Alzheimer's. It is one of the sweetest relationships I have ever seen. She watches over him, and alerts his wife when he gets up to wanders in the night and help track him down when he loses his way. She is one of the reason he still lives at home. It's stories like this that make my heart explode with love for a God that provides blessings in the most unexpected ways.⠀ ⠀ In other news, if you know of a small hypoallergenic dog (already house trained) that needs a new home, I'm in search of my own miracle dog. ⠀ ⠀ #pentax645n #fuji160c #pushed1stop

"Up where they walk, up where they run⠀ Up where they stay all day in the sun⠀ Wanderin' free - wish I could be⠀ Part of that world"⠀ - Ariel⠀ ⠀ Portland has an annual Mermaid Parade, or at least they have the past 2 years. The Boy and I found out about it 2 hours before it started. That is the amazing thing about this place - there is ALWAYS something going on. You can bet it will be part amazing and part weird, and a lot of people there will not even know there is an event going on.⠀ ⠀ Like what you see? Want to see more, especially of you and your family? Hire me to take your family photos this fall! I've got dates for Portland, Phoenix, and maybe even Seattle.⠀ ⠀ P.S. The Boy was pretty disappointed that the parade wasn't in the water 😂⠀ ⠀ #pentax645n #fuji150c #pushed1stop (at Waterfront Park Portland, Or)

"But you don't even know⠀ I can make your hands clap⠀ Said I can make your hands clap"⠀ - Fitz and The Tantrums⠀ ⠀ These little gem is brought to you by the Solar Eclipse of August 2017. I have no idea why he couldn't keep his hands still, but it sure does make for a funky photo. The lighting was so weird, and the whole experience was epic. I almost didn't bring my camera (momentary lapse of judgement) but I am so glad I did. I took a few photos of the sun, and the corona during the totality, but mostly I photographed the people around me. The people we surround ourselves with is super important, and I made sure to be around some amazing friends for this event. It made all the difference.⠀ ⠀ Do you have fun events, maybe once-in-a-lifetime events, happening for your family? I would love to photograph them for you! If you are near Portland, Seattle, or Phoenix, then I have you covered. Shoot me an email at [email protected] to book a session!⠀ ⠀ #pentax645n #portra400 #pushed1stop (at Dallas, Oregon)

"Jump in the line, rock your body in time"⠀ -Harry Belafonte⠀ ⠀ Rock your body with laughter, that is. This group is easily one of my favorite of all time. We lived near each other in AZ, then they moved to WA and I moved to OR. That sounds amazing, except we live on opposite sides of our respective states. When their incredible mom told me there would be camping near Cascade Locks and wanted updates pictures, I was ALL over that. There was a rousing game of croquet and pooh sticks, as well as lots of laughter as we all played.⠀ ⠀ Do you need updated photos of your crew? I would love to take them for you! Email for details (link in profile) as I'm currently booking fall sessions in Portland and Phoenix, and even Seattle.⠀⠀ ⠀ P.S. Let us have another moment of silence for this beautiful location. It has fallen victim to a raging wildfire started by fireworks. Smoky the Bear (along with the rest of the PNW) is furious.⠀ ⠀ #pentax645n #portra400 (at Cascade Locks, Oregon)

"Years they come and go⠀ But today is here to stay⠀ I said I know⠀ I know where you're coming from"⠀ - Matt & Kim⠀ ⠀ Little kids, and seagulls, live in the here and now. They are not so stressed about the passage of time, but they are very into what tasty snacks they get to eat for lunch. Having that perspective, even for a little bit of time, is so freeing. I admire that trait a little, and it lends to endless possibilities at a photo session. At least until the hanger sets in.⠀ ⠀ If you want to give yourself the opportunity to just let go and be in the present, and have visual evidence that it happened (I'm looking at you, overworked moms), then shoot me an email (link in bio). We can plan a magical photo adventure of wonder and delight. Bonus points if your grand adventure includes the ocean.⠀ ⠀ #pentax645n #fuji160c #pushed1stop⠀ (at Cannon Beach, Oregon)