I’m delighted to share another beautiful, tiny Portland wedding - this time on the Redwood Observation Deck in Forest Park. 2021 has been a great year for lovers of very intimate weddings - I love ceremonies that include all of the wedding guests and just feel really personal and special. And despite its size, this tiny wedding felt really grand, with a setting of giant Redwoods, all the separate pieces of a traditional Jewish ceremony, and music by a three-piece klezmer band! It was such a privilege to be a part of it.
Man, did I miss spending time with people on their wedding days! Emily and Fred came to Portland to get married a few weeks ago with their closest friends in attendance. After a few false starts (damn you, Portland bridges!), we got together on the waterfront to take some pictures beforehand, and then headed to the Nines for their small ceremony with the lovely Rev. Cathy Hume. . .
Maybe the best part of being a wedding photographer is when I get to be there for weddings of friends who are otherwise not really inviting friends. Mieke and Tymon eloped in Bend a few weekends ago with just family and their officiant present, and I was so happy to be a part of it! I’ve known Mieke since her twins were just babies. . .
There's something so special about a very intimate wedding. Kat and Kealan traveled all the way from Philly to have a very tiny wedding ceremony here in beautiful Portland, Oregon, and it felt really special to be a part of it. It was just the bride and groom, the lovely Maureen Haley officiating, and me and my assistant . . .
I was so excited to be a part of Amity + John's intimiate springtime wedding at the lovely Elder Hall (Ned Ludd's event space) in N Portland, Oregon. I especially love working with out-of-town brides and grooms as they put together their wedding plans, and as I scoped out their Airbnb and the neighborhood surrounding their venue so that I could make suggestions for photo locations and offer guidance about their schedule, I was already thrilled about the possibilities. As they planned their big day, a sort of bright floral theme appeared, with a gorgeous floral sash on the mantle behind their ceremony, a lovely flower crown headpiece for the bride, amazing acrylic flower earrings, and lots of other pops of springtime color
The day started early and went late, but everyone was in amazingly good spirits throughout. It was especially fun for me because I got to cross several things off my bucket list — 1. Though I was was born and raised in NY, I had never before walked the Brooklyn Bridge. It was a gorgeous day for it. 2. This was my first time photographing an elopement, and Chad and Hans generously devoted a large part of their big day to allowing me to photograph them, which was amazing, and 3. Despite a veritable gaggle of gay friends (largely earned through my many years studying and working in theater), this was my first opportunity to photograph a gay wedding. I did my best to make the most of the chance — for Chad and Hans, whom I love, and for added diversity in my portfolio! Through either the courts or the ballot box here in Oregon, I’m optimistic that there will be lots more beautiful weddings on the horizon, and I can’t wait to be a part of them as the wedding photographer. Love is love!
