Jasmine Photography

New Blog!

2009-02-05T15:50:00.000-08:00

I decided I couldn't wait any longer to share with you my new blog design and layout! Especially after I accidently lost my old template for this one...whoops! Anyway, it's time to say goodbye to blogger, this was my first blog and I've had a great time getting to know more about the blogging world from it.

Visit Jasmine Photography Blog to see the new blog. Be sure to bookmark the new page! See ya there.

Oops!

2009-02-04T15:25:00.001-08:00

So I've been working on updating the Simply Chic wedding blog and accidently loaded a different template here! I didn't save my old one before I did it so it's gone. But that's ok since I do have a totally new one for this blog that I'm working on.

It may look a bit off here for a few days but I'll bring something cooler in no time!

Contest results.

2009-02-03T12:11:00.001-08:00

The results are in from the last ISPWP photo contest. It's always exciting seeing how your peers do and finding out how other photographers view your work. I was pleased to see the following three images make in into the top 10 in their categories.

Above: Entered in "Details-Not Food or Drink". 8th Place.
above: Entered in "Groom Portrait." 2nd place.
above: Entered in "Cake, Food and Drink." 4th place.

On a side note. I'm currently working on a new blog design and layout. With the launch of the new blog will also be an updated logo. I'm really excited about both of these and will let you know as soon as they are all done! Enjoy the sunshine today.

Lucia + John's Reception.

2009-01-28T12:06:00.000-08:00

Lucia and John were married in Hawaii with a small group of family and friends. After the wedding and honeymoon they had a bigger reception to celebrate with everyone who wasn't there. They did this on Sept. 6th at the beautiful Waverly Country Club. They incorporated the bright colors of an island wedding into the flowers, men's ties and cake. After greeting their guests, everyone mingled on and around the patio with a view of the river. A first dance by the couple opened up the dance floor for everyone to dance the nite away to a live band. I had so much with working with them and photographing the party. The two of you are beautiful together! Enjoy the pics-

Tricia + Phil = Married.

2009-01-19T14:46:00.000-08:00

Tricia and Phil tied the knot on August 31st,2008. The Rhododendren park was the back drop for the day. Who knew that it would raining on and off all afternoon! And not just sprinkles, it would down pore, stop and start again. All the groomsmen where running around setting up small tents for the guests and gathering umbrellas. During the ceremony the sun broke as though it was shining on them. After the ceremony the bridal party loaded into the EcoShuttle and were transported to The World Trade Center for the reception. They were greeted to mini cupcakes by Cupcake Jones, a buffet with multiple stations such as sushi, pasta, mexican and local oregon goodies. After toasts the Dj got the party started and they danced all nite! You could hear the party echoing thru the city blocks below. Here are highlights from their day!

Boudoir Session for Valentine's Day.

2009-01-14T10:44:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day is right around the corner. It's the holiday that sneaks up on you. Soon you're running around the day of buying boxes of chocolate and flowers; the same as last year. Boring! Mix it up this year by giving your man beautiful photographs of you! A boudoir session isn't as scary as you might think. Envision yourself on the pages of Victoria's Secret; fun, flirty and sexy.

From now until Feb. 10th I'll be offering a Valentine's Day Boudoir Special.

Boudoir Photo Session. $225
* One hour session. In studio or at your home.
* Bw and color images.
* Password protected online gallery.
* $75 loose print credit.

Hair and make-up services available in studio. Email for pricing.

Contact me at via email lxs@jasminephotography.com to book your session.

New website is up!

2009-01-12T09:17:00.000-08:00

I'm excited to announce that my newly updated website is online! Over the past few months I've been working on putting together new galleries of images I shot from this past summer. You can now enter either my portrait or wedding site from the main page.

A new feature you'll find is an online calender to check your wedding date or portrait date. I'll be updating it every few weeks, so it is always good to email to make sure your date is open.

Take a few minutes to check it out: Jasmine Photography. Enjoy!

Oregon Bride Magazine!

2009-01-09T14:00:00.000-08:00

Yah! This is the first time I've been printed in Oregon Bride Magazine. The lovely Laura & Scott
are in the current issue on page 30. They were married at the EcoTrust Building. Below are some of the images that are in the issue and some extras. I was also excited to see they used an image from their wedding on the contents page as well.

Then turn to page 75 to read about how Kelsey & Josh became engaged. They are so cute in front of the ferris wheel.

This is also the issue where they ask for you, the reader to vote for your favorite vendors. I'd love for you to pick up a copy and send in a vote for Jasmine Photography! I think you can vote online as well. Have a great day!

Up early? Tune in to Koin 6 News.

2009-01-06T15:06:00.001-08:00

I'll let you know right now, I'm NOT a morning person. Never have been, never will be. There are times that I'm envious of the folks who effortlessly awake, ready to take on a new day before the sun rises. For me on the other hand, give me an extra hour to sleep and I'll gladly take it.

So, when I was told that we'd be taping live Wed morning for Koin 6 news, I became a bit nervous. Will I even be coherent at that hour of the day? We'll find out!

We'll be on air from 5-7am at the Luxe Autohaus showcasing who and what is going to be at The Art of Weddings event on Thursday the 8th. Of course there is a 50/50 chance that I won't be on air; but if I am, you have my permission to laugh, point and giggle at a half asleep girl if you are awake!

Change is in the air.

2009-01-06T14:55:00.001-08:00

Winter is typically slow for the wedding industry. So what to do with all my free time? For me, winter is usually spent updating online galleries with images from past summer. This year I decided it was time for a little more change. I've been working hard on a new web site with new galleries and new packages for 2009. I know many of you like my current site, but I think you'll like this one even more! It's clean, simple and modern. Just how I like it.

With a new year comes new packages and pricing updates. Since starting my business over five years ago, I haven't raised my loose print pricing. The time has come. Don't worry, they aren't going up a lot and there are always opportunities to save! They new prices will go into affect by the end of this week.

I'll let you know when the site goes live. Shooting for this Thur. the 8th.

Christy + Eamon=Married!

2008-12-31T16:13:00.000-08:00

Let's get back to posting weddings! Christy and Eamon had a traditional catholic ceremony on Aug. 16th, 2008. I'm sure you've already forgotten but this was one of the hottest days of the year. It was hot and humid outside and no one wanted to be out there for too long! We rocked thru the family pics and headed over to the RiverPlace for their reception. They were troopers while we took their portraits in the heat. If it was me, I would have been complaining, but these two were so happy it didn't matter. They then headed into the reception to join guests for dinner, mingling and dancing. Below are some pics from their day, enjoy and Happy New Year! See you in 2009.

Weddings Portland Style Today!

2008-12-28T10:50:00.000-08:00

Tune in today at noon to watch Weddings Portland Style. You may see Ericka and I talking about the upcoming Art of Weddings event. I'm guessing you'll see more of Ericka since I felt like the words I wanted to say just didn't want to come out of my mouth the day we taped! I could sit down and chat with you about the event no problem but turn the hot spot lights on, put a mic on me and a large video camera pointed at my face and things change! None the less it was a lot of fun working with Eric of Hybrid Moon for the taping.

Sit back, relax and tune in to the Portland's CW (it should be channel 3 on cable) at noon today!

Hmm, looks like we were given the wrong date for our taping to air! I'll find out the new date and get back to you.

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-25T10:39:00.001-08:00

Wishing you, your family, friends, and pets a wonderful holiday! Take time this holiday season to say thank you to stranger, compliment someone, open a door, or simply pass on a smile. Kindness is the gift that keeps on giving.

Happy Holidays!

Winter in Portland.

2008-12-21T17:42:00.000-08:00

We've live in Portland almost eight years now and this is the worst winter snow storm we've ever seen! I remember when we first moved here and folks would tell us that it might snow during winter but mainly on the west side of the city, in the hills. Then in 2004 we had a bad ice storm with hardly any snow. This week has beaten every winter. The amount of snow is what's impressive. This reminds me of back home in the midwest. Today we ventured out and scrapped off the cars. Before doing that I walked around our house and snapped a few pics of the ice. It really is lovely how it encases everything, creating an image that is graphic and abstract. Below are a few of the images that stood out to me. Stay warm!

Snow?!

2008-12-18T12:31:00.000-08:00

Wow, what a crazy past couple of days it has been! It's always a bit silly when Portland gets snow. The news really freaks out and people stock up on food and supplies. Back home this is normal weather and mild. While we had a "storm", our family was experiencing -20 degrees and a few feet of snow. Now that's a winter storm and the kind I don't miss! I prefer the warmer weather, never been much of fan of snow but it is nice to see it again.

I'm sure everyone has been catching up on tasks with some extra free time. I've been working on my new website which I'm getting really excited to launch. The plan is to get it live by the end of this month, just in time for the new year. At that time my print prices and other packages will get updated as well. So if you still need to order prints from a recent session, now is the time!

Stay warm, brave the crowds at the stores and smile...the sun is out!

Mike & Nicole in Portland Bride & Groom!

2008-12-12T12:17:00.000-08:00

It's always exciting to receive the newest issue of Portland Bride & Groom magazine in the mail. Even more exciting is opening the pages and seeing your photographs under Real Weddings! I feel like a kid in a candy store when I get to see my images in print. I'm not exactly sure what it is that drives these emotions. Maybe it's that someone who has never met me admires my work or maybe it's feels like a reward for all my hard work. Either way, it's fun!

Mike and Nicole certainly deserve to be in the magazine. On September 1st, 2007 this fun and lighthearted couple said their vows on the terrace of the Oregon Historical Society. You couldn't have asked for a better day. Nicole's smile is infectious and Mike's humor brings it out. Surrounded by friends and family the couple included everyone in the party. From singing love songs to the couple to get them to kiss, to writing notes of advice on marriage, the event was entertaining, funky and one of a kind. The beautiful flowers were made by Lisa of Studio del Fiore.

Pick up the current issue to see the layout and learn more about their inspirations. Below are some more of their images...enjoy!

Updates for Art of Weddings

2008-12-10T10:28:00.000-08:00

Every year that I decide to have an Art of Weddings event, a few of my friends say to me,"wow, that sounds like a lot of work." It is, but I love it! I love finding fabulous vendors who will participate, I love working on the fashion show and I get so excited as the date gets closer.

Things are already getting exciting for the event. The fashion show is going to be a key part of the evening showcasing local gown designers and men's hand-made suits. Madeline will be doing the hair and make-up on the models with the help of the talented and worldly Kristin Arnett. I'm working on a surprise to open the fashion show...can't spill the beans on that, sorry!

The best way to describe the Art of Weddings that it's more of an interactive & informative event.
You'll be able to work with the vendors there, pile into the photobooth, have your make-up done, sample local wines and food, but most of all have fun!

So if you are getting married or know someone who is, the Art of Weddings is the party for you! Visit the website to save on your tickets by buying them early. www.artofweddingspdx.com

Sam + Alex = Married!

2008-12-05T17:18:00.000-08:00

Remember when I said I was going to try to catch up posting weddings from this summer? Me too. Funny thing is there seems to be other things I want to share that end up spacing out when I post weddings. But, we're getting there. Sam and Alex had an intimate gathering on Aug. 15th, 2008 at the Eco Trust building. It is hard to forget their day since it was during the intense heat-wave we had! I don't know how else to explain it, but it was just plain HOT! That didn't stop this unique couple from enjoying their day. They are goofy, spunky and wacky. The eyeball cake was the groom's cake, I believe a gift from a relative.

The ceremony was very non-traditional with the couple deciding to just walk out casually to start it. Of course, my favorite officiant Marky of Custom Ceremonies was there. As always the ceremony really showcased them and everyone loved it. Afterwards it was time to eat! The fabulous Art of Catering created an all vegetarian menu that was beautiful and tasty.
You may recognize a few of their images, they won awards in the last ISpWP contest. Enjoy!

Ghost Brides on Oregon Bride Blog

2008-12-01T15:56:00.000-08:00

I just found out that Oregon Bride Magazine posted some images from a fab photo shoot I did in a cemetery on their blog! This photo shoot was an idea that myself and the lovely Krista Teyema came up with. Of course I asked Madeline of Madi Cosmetics if she wanted to work with us, we always have a good time at shoots.

We had so much fun shooting it last fall. People who were walking thru the cemetery would look at us strangely. The models were willing to do whatever I wanted, which is always great. At the end of the shoot we left the bouquets of flowers on the graves that we used as backdrops, wanting to pay our respect for letting us share their space for a few hours.

I really loved the way the images turned out. They are much darker and moody than most of my work. Funny thing is I didn't really know how to showcase them. So I sent them off to Oregon Bride magazine and a few other publications to see what they thought. Oregon Bride really liked them but thought they weren't a good fit for the magazine at the time. So, I forgot about them and they got stored away. It's exciting to see them again, below are a few of my fav's from the session. Enjoy! Click on the title above to see who helped create this one of kind shoot. Scroll down to the title Ghost Brides that was posted on 11.4.08.

Happy Thanksgiving.

2008-11-26T11:29:00.000-08:00

The countdown begins. The day that we gather around the table with friends and family to feast on more food than you can possibly eat, is almost here. Since we've moved out here, my husband and I host Thanksgiving for friends who don't travel home. Even though we'd love to be sharing this holiday with our families the reality is that if we went back to the midwest we'd be there for a week or more making our rounds to see everyone. My family is in Wisconsin and Danen's in Minnesota. Just far enough away from each other to make getting together a bit harder. Then add in the fact that both our sides are divorced. Need I say more?

It's turned into a tradition for us which makes it even more special. We cook the turkey, the mashed potatoes, gravy and stuffing. Everyone else brings a side dish, appetizer or dessert. Having it potluck style brings everyone together, we're all helping out to create a wonderful meal. To me, that is one of the best parts of the day. Playing games afterwards is also fun and I have great memories from past get togethers. Today I'll be cleaning the house, fighting thru the crowds at the grocery store for final details and prepping the bird. Tomorrow my kitchen counters will be filled, the oven hot and the stove-top covered with pots. It will get chaotic at times, but once the meal is served, everyone is seated and the chatter goes to silence; this is when you know everyone is thankful for the fabulous meal in front of them. This is when friends feel an extra bond to one another, this is when you take a moment to be thankful for all you have.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

The Art of Weddings!

2008-11-20T15:25:00.000-08:00

I'm excited to announce that The Art of Weddings event is back for it's third year!

I started this event with Marlynn of Urban Bliss Designs four years ago. We met over many coffee dates, chatted and came up with the idea of creating a new kind of wedding event. After the first year Marlynn had her second child and decided that she didn't have time for it anymore, so I continued with it.

When the idea first came about it was at a point where I had heard many negative things about the other shows in town. I knew that a wedding event didn't have to be this way. Why couldn't it be fun & stylish? Why couldn't it showcase dedicated vendors in a unique setting? I have met so many talented and unique vendors over the years photographing weddings that I felt like it was time they had a way to showcase their creativity; so The Art of Weddings was born!

This year I've teamed up with the wonderful Ericka, the creator of CRAVE events. She has been such a big help keeping us on track and finding the fabulous location for this year.

We just finished taping in my studio for a segment to be aired on the CW's Portland NOW and Weddings Portland Style. I was nervous with the hot lights shining down on me. I seemed to forget what I really wanted to say and am not even sure what came out. Of course, after it was done I had some greats ideas to talk about! I'll keep you posted when it will air. You'd think with my Vonage commercial practice I would have done better! Let me tell you, I give the news anchors big props for doing that day after day.

In the meantime, visit the website Art of Weddings for more information.

Beth + Patrick = Married!

2008-11-18T16:31:00.000-08:00

Beth and Patrick are two of the sweetest, kindest, people I've met. They were both glowing all day long on Aug. 10, 2008. The two chose to tie the knot at the beautiful Elk Cove Vineyards. Celebrating Oregon and it's tasty wines was important to them. They also included Beth's family dog in the ceremony as the ring bearer. The bright red colors for the bridesmaids gowns and flowers really popped against the natural setting. After the ceremony everyone headed up to the reception room for a lovely evening of dinner and dancing. They also rented three stretch limos to shuttle guests to and from the site. A great idea so everyone could party! Thanks for having us there, we really enjoyed working with you! Here are some highlights from their day, enjoy!

Shelly + Richard= Engaged.

2008-11-14T10:37:00.000-08:00

Shelly and Richard are saying I Do this Sat, November 15th. They will be getting married out at McMenamin's Edgefield, a fabulous place for an event. All the guests can stay on site, there is plenty for them to do and see before the party and the grounds are beautiful. These two are fun! I'm excited for the dancing at the reception, from what they've told me I envision folks getting their groove on. It looks like sunshine is in the forecast...I can't wait! See you soon...

You're invited to a Photo Playdate!

2008-11-09T15:34:00.000-08:00

I'm excited to participate in the upcoming Photo Playdate event at The Nines Hotel downtown. What makes this event so cool?
Well, if you've been meaning to have a family photo taken for your holiday cards or you desperately need a new headshot for your business but haven't had time- this event is for you! There is no sitting fee for the mini-portrait session...crazy right? You'll be able to proof your images online after the event and buy prints, holiday cards or stretched canvas portraits.

Besides being a great deal, you'll get to hang out at Portland's newest & swankiest hotel, The Nines. So how does it all work?

Sign up online for only $25 per attendee/no charge for kids 17 or younger.
Do your hair and make-up, jump in the car and drive down to The Nines at 525 SW Morrison.
Come find Jasmine Portraits and say cheese!

To RSVP click here.

I look forward to seeing you there!

Jade + Eric = Married!

2008-11-07T15:23:00.000-08:00

Jade and Eric had a fabulous wedding on August 9th, 2008. They put so much hard work into their event and it really showed! Jade, a graphic designer created her invites and the lovely fortune cookie place holders. Bright red set the tone for the event with it's good luck symbolism in Chinese culture. Her simple, yet elegant silk gown looked amazing with the hand-made cathedral length veil from her grandmother. I also loved how she wore a jade necklace.

After a meaningful ceremony, everyone headed over to The Oregon Historical Society where Devil's Food Catering was ready to start passing out drinks and get the party started. Both vendors did an amazing job. The bride and groom were introduced into the reception by Chinese Dragon Dancers who performed for the crowd. It was so much fun! We had a great time capturing all the details and guests. There is too much photo goodness to show here, so be sure to check out their slideshow here! Enjoy!

VOTE!

2008-11-04T10:18:00.000-08:00

Get out and Vote today!

Holiday Print Sale!

2008-11-03T15:29:00.000-08:00

It's November folks, you know what that means. It gets darker earlier, it rains more and the holiday season is right around the corner!

Get a head start on your gift giving by using the code: HOLIDAYS when you check out in your online photo gallery. You'll receive 20% off your total order and will be giving your loved ones something they will cherish forever!

The code is good as many times as you'd like to use it and will last until December 15th. If your gallery has expired and you'd like to order prints, shoot us an email and we'll get it back up for you.

Make a list, check it twice, order photos, isn't that nice! Ok. So I'm not so good with the rhyming...I'll keep my day job.

I'm back and contest results!

2008-11-02T13:52:00.000-08:00

Well, I survived the Madonna concert in Vancouver, B.C. It was really a fun mini vacation with my friend Steph. We walked around downtown, shopped, ate and then went to the concert on Thur nite. The show was packed. I've never been to an event with so many people...it was a bit scary getting in and out of the stadium. They didn't control the flow of people at all and on the way out of it we were caught in a huge pack of folks wedged between a wall and the building. At one point the guy in front of me (one of the 10% at the show) turned to me and said "stop pushing me! If I fall down you are going with me!" What's so funny about this is that we were in a sea of people and no one had a way out so we all had to slowly move together. I think he was starting to panic. Yikes!

If you want to see some pics from my trip find me on Facebook! I just posted some images there.

Let's get to some fun stuff. I have my results from the ISPWP photo contest. This time I entered more images and ended up placing 16th overall! This is pretty exciting since I was up against many talented folks. In each category you could place 1 thru 20. Here are the pics and results! Enjoy.

Shoe shot from Alex & Sam's wedding.

1st place! ring shot from Eric & Karen's wedding.

The lovely Eric & Karen.

Deena & Seth's reception.

Lauren & Scott exiting after ceremony.

3rd place! Shot of Scott.

Alex & Sam working it for the camera.

The super cute Pam from Pam & Norm's wedding.

Alex & Sam's wedding.

Lauren & Scott's wedding.

Kelsey & Josh...so cute!

Jade & Eric exiting the church.

Ring bearer at Sandra & Tim's wedding.

Thanks to all my fabulous wedding couples for letting me try out new shots and posing on you and for letting me be creative with your wedding day! I truly appreciate it.

Heading north to Canada.

2008-10-28T10:02:00.000-07:00

I'm packed up and ready to hit the road to Vancouver, BC to see the none other, the fabulous, the trendsetting Miss Madonna! (not mrs. anymore...bummer.) The concert is on Thursday. My girlfriend and I are heading up early for a few days of girly time. I can't tell you how thrilled I am to see her in concert!

The last time I saw her was in the 80's with my best friend and our moms since we weren't old enough to drive! I saw things that amazed me, shocked me and inspired me. One thing I remember is when we pulled into the parking lot they gave everyone who parked a pair of women's panties to tie to their antenna. I've always been a huge Madonna fan. There was a time when I was younger when being a fan of Madonna may not have been so cool, so I secretly still listened to her music and continuing following her career path.

She may not be the best singer but when you combine her dancing, clothing and stage performance all together you get one amazing show. So, my birthday present to myself is sure to be a good one. I'll be back in the studio on Monday, Karen is holding down the fort while I'm gone.

Once I'm back I'll have my photo contest results to post and more shoots. Until then...strike a pose!

Karen + Eric = Married!

2008-10-27T13:59:00.001-07:00

Karen and Eric tied the knot on Aug. 3rd at the beautiful Garden Vineyards located just outside of downtown Portland. It's really amazing to me how a short drive will transport you to a totally secluded and lovely place. This is one of the reason's I love Oregon so much. Karen and Eric chose the site for it's natural beauty. Everyone working there are truly some of the nicest people I've met working at a ceremony site. Besides nature adding a beautiful backdrop, Karen looked stunning in her all silk gown created by Embellish Designs.

When it was time for the ceremony, I was pleased to see Marky of Custom Ceremonies performing it. As I've mentioned before, she really makes your vows personal and touching. It was so sweet when it was time for Eric to say his vows and he just stood there, looking at Karen and teared up. He had to take a few moments before starting. I was tearing up while shooting it thru my lens! The close knit group of friends and family were all crying as well as they said I do. After the happy tears came a tasty dinner by The Art of Catering who does a fabulous job as well. Karen and Eric provided their guests with a sundae bar complete with fresh fruit and gooey syrups for toppings. Yum. The laid back event continued late into the evening with live music from Eric John Kaiser who describes his music as 100% imported french rock. It was another great touch to the event that showed their love for travel. Congrats! We had a fab time capturing your day.

Will post photo goodness soon...

2008-10-24T15:37:00.001-07:00

Hello. I have another great wedding ready to post but blogger is being a poopy head and gave me an error message.
So, you'll have to wait until Monday since I'm not working this weekend because it's my Birthday!

Have a great weekend and I'll catch ya all soon.

Kelsey + Josh = Married!

2008-10-20T19:20:00.000-07:00

Blogger wasn't being very cooperative this evening, it decided it would only let me load one image at a time. Frustrating indeed but I had to get Kelsey & Josh's wedding up to share with you! We've now started into my August couples and really I couldn't have asked for a better couple to kick it off with then these two. They tied the knot on Aug. 2nd 2008 at the cutest, sweetest & smallest chapel I've ever seen! Josh told me the first time he saw Oaks Pioneer Church he knew he had to get married there. How sweet is that?

The couple invited only close friends and family to the ceremony which had a bagpiper playing tunes as guests arrived. Once the quaint ceremony ended, Kelsey and Josh hopped into a horse drawn carriage and headed down to Oaks Bottom for the reception. More guests were invited to the party and party they did! With a fabulous live band everyone was dancing up a storm, even grandma! From an impromptu chair dance to the purple & white cupcakes, these two really know how to have a good time. It was so hard to narrow it down to the ones below, be sure to check out there slideshow here: Kelsey & Josh Slideshow.

Congrats you two! Thanks for letting me be a part of your day.

Lauren + Scott = Married

2008-10-13T16:21:00.000-07:00

The lovely Lauren and Scott said their vows on a July 26th, 2008. The ceremony and reception were held at the Eco Trust building with the ceremony taking place on their wonderful balcony over looking the pearl district. Don't you just love Lauren's gold Jimmy Choo's? I had to share more then one photo of them. After having a touching ceremony they headed inside for the reception where family and friends feasted on a family style meal. The cupcakes are from the wonderful Cupcake Jones, I crave their red velvet cupcakes-so good!

The Dj spun records while everyone danced, so much so that the sound system blew during the party! Thankfully they figured it out and the party was back on! We had a fabulous time photographing their day, enjoy some highlights below.

Jessica + Steve soon to be married!

2008-10-10T13:18:00.001-07:00

Is it just me or is October flying by fast?! Jessica & Steve shot their engagement session back in May and now they are getting married tomorrow! I'm excited to shoot with them again, they are fun, cute and so sweet together. Everyone together now...Ahhhh. I'll be heading down to the Benson Hotel for their luncheon event. See you soon! Here's a few pics from our fun session by the train station.

The Backyard.

2008-10-07T22:18:00.000-07:00

I don't write posts very often about my personal life because I have so many photo shoots I want to share with you. I can't seem to post those quick enough, even though they've been done for weeks but I promise to try harder! I do want to share with you the progression of our backyard. You may remember a post back in July or August when I had a whole weekend off and my husband and I decided to start making a patio. It was a back breaking project, literally, but we loved the results. After seeing how good that turned out my next vision was for bright, green grass surrounding it. Since we moved in over five years ago we've never had a normal backyard. It was truly a mess back there and a project we kept putting off; it just seemed out of reach at the time.

So you can imagine how thrilled I was when I came home from work last week, opened our fence gate to see a luscious, bright green, backyard! It's everything I imagined and more. I was so mpressed with how quickly Danen transformed the boring, dirty and ugly backyard into a quaint and relaxing outdoor space. I am constantly amazed at how detailed and well he does projects. I love him for this and wanted to share with you our newest addition to our family...a private backyard! I know it's only grass, wood and stone; but to me it's hard work, dedication and love. Thanks babe, I love ya!

Simon wondering where all the dirt came from. The results after rota tilling.

New layer of dirt evened out before sod goes down.

The grass! So green and lovely.

View from the stone patio.

Deena + Seth's Reception

2008-10-01T18:31:00.002-07:00

Deena and Seth were married the week before their reception and had their party on July 12th. The Embassy Suites Hotel downtown was the location for the celebration. After the family photos we headed outside to walk around taking pics of the two of them. Normally folks don't say anything to us while we're shooting but for Deena and Seth everyone who saw them shouted out a congrats! I've never had so many strangers say this to a couple before, it was really cool. We also encountered a boy in a tie dye shirt. He stopped Deena and Seth and did his "trick" for them, on the house of course since it was their wedding day! To all of our surprise the trick was him hammering a nail into his nose! You'll see it in the pics below.

After the unique and fun photo session with them they headed inside to start the party. As they walked into the ballroom Deena's family was in the background playing the drums making it a personal touch. After dinner, the dance floor was open and the party kicked into full gear. Young and old were getting their groove on the dance floor. I don't know exactly when the party ended but I'm sure it went late into the evening. Congrats to you both! We had a great time working with you. Here is their slideshow. Enjoy!

Deena + Seth

2008-10-01T18:31:00.001-07:00

Fall Portrait Specials!

2008-09-25T17:18:00.001-07:00

Yes, it's that time of the year folks! The air is cooler and crisp, the leaves are starting to turn and the holidays are right around the corner. I absolutely love this time of the year. It could be because I have a birthday during October, so I'm a bit biased.

I'm excited to announce two portrait specials which will be available for the month of October.

Book your session between Oct. 1-31st to take advantage of these fabulous packages!

Say Cheese Holiday Package $285

1 hour session.

Website to view images.

BW & Color images.

1 set of 5x7 holiday postcards (25 per set)

$100 loose print credit.

Camera Shy Holiday Package $200

1 hour session.

Website to view images.

BW & Color Images.

$50 loose print credit.

Choose from an outside location or we can do the shoot in my studio. Either way, we'll have fun and capture some love! To book your session email me at: lxs@jasminephotography.com

Example of holiday card design.
Sending out holiday cards with photos is a fun way to share your photos with family and friends.
New holiday card design, more fresh and fun designs available. Contact the studio for more information.

Pam + Norm = Married!

2008-09-23T18:11:00.001-07:00

Pam and Norm were married on July 5th in Seattle, WA. After photographing Oswaldo and Jessica the day before, Danen and I hopped in the car and headed North to meet up with Pam and Norm at their favorite park where they walk their dog. This was our first time meeting them but we instantly knew that it was going to be a fun day! The image below in bw is one of the first ones I took, Pam and her girls were cracking each other up from the start. It was great!

After shooting in the park we headed to the ceremony and reception site at the Bell Harbor Conference Center downtown. We took a ton of family photos, thanks to Pam and Norm for rounding up everyone and then we walked around a bit with the two of them. I found out that Norm has a thing for runners aka athletic shoes. Basicly this means he owns a lot! So it was only appropriate that after the ceremony they changed into the custom embroidered Nikes seen below. Note the Mrs. Chin on her's and Mr. Chin on his. The photo booth was a huge hit and I loved how immediately after being pronounced married they walked right into the booth and took pictures. The rest of the evening included a lovely dinner, funny toasts, a slideshow, shoe game and dancing! Whew. These two knew how to keep their guests entertained.

It was also great to reconnect with my past couples Wendy & Josh and Che & Jason. To see more image from their day click here for the slideshow. Congrats!

Jessica + Oswaldo = Married!

2008-09-17T16:24:00.001-07:00

Jessica and Oswaldo held their event at Cornielius Pass Roadhouse on July 4th. It was a lovely day, not too hot and a bit overcast. It was fun to have my husband shooting with me, he did a great job. While taking their pics before the ceremony we made a pit stop at the little white shed so they could get a shot of tequila. It was a very large shot and Jessica decided it would be best not to finish all of it! After loosening up a bit it was time for the ceremony. Oswaldo teared up as he saw his bride walking down the aisle and during the vows he recited them to her in Spanish, it was beautiful. They celebrated with a live band late into the nite, everyone was dancing at some point during the evening! Thanks for having us be a part of it, we had a great time. To watch their slideshow click here.

I'm back!

2008-09-17T16:14:00.000-07:00

Whew! We just returned from a whirlwind trip back to Wisconsin and Minnesota. Almost every day we were visiting new people. It was so good to see family, it had been far to long. Nate & Jessica's wedding on Sept. 13th in Northfield, MN was a wet one but so much fun. Rain is good luck, right? We all decided they tell you that so you don't get upset on your wedding day. Either way I'll have some really great images to share with you in a few weeks.

I'm playing catch up right now with emails, phone calls and editing. Be sure to check back next week when I'll announce a rad portrait special for the month of October!

Anniversary Time.

2008-09-14T15:51:00.000-07:00

We're still in the midwest and seeing new people everyday! It's been fun, tiring and exciting. Tomorrow is our 7th year wedding anniversary. It really seems like just yesterday that we said our vows downtown in an urban park in St. Paul, MN. Tomorrow we're going to spend the afternoon going back to out ceremony site and then strolling around our old neighborhood on Grand Ave. I'm really excited to do this.

Since I don't have access to any photos to post I thought I'd do a post I found on a few other photographers sites, like Jasmine Star in Ca, below. It's a fun way to see how you are feeling in the moment, try it sometime. I love you babe and I look forward to many more years together! Happy Anniversary.

I AM...worn out and hungry.
I WANT...some time to chill out all alone.
I HAVE...a lot of edits to do when I get home.
I KEEP...a tube of Burt's Beeswax lipbalm with me always!
I WISH I COULD....sing.
I HATE...doing dishes.
I FEAR...very large spiders.
I HEAR...the rain coming down outside.
I DON'T THINK...I could ever run a marathon.
I REGRET...nothing at the moment.
I LOVE...my family, husband, friends, and our dogs!
I AM NOT...a morning person.
I DANCE...not enough and want to more.
I SING...Led Zepplin anytime it's on the radio and Madonna.
I NEVER...go a day without taking a shower.
I RARELY...say no to dessert.
I CRY WHEN I WATCH...animals that have been abused.
I AM NOT ALWAYS...on time.
I HATE THAT...I have to wait forever for The Office & Lost to start.
I AM CONFUSED ABOUT...?
I NEED...to get a full day of rest in soon.
I SHOULD...exercise more.

Back in the midwest.

2008-09-12T06:11:00.000-07:00

I'm back in the midwest. We flew out Tues afternoon and will be fly back this coming Tues. As many of you know, I grew up in Wisconsin and my husband, Danen, grew up in Minnesota. We're back to photograph a friends wedding on Saturday but since we were coming back for that we are also trying to fit in seeing as many folks as possible! So far every day has been a different person. It's fun to see everyone but it's also a whirlwind of a trip. My parents were kind enough to meet us half way in Steven's Point. Later this afternoon we are off to Northfield, MN where the wedding will take place and we'll be able to catch up with friends. So, until my next internet connection...here's a hey der for ya all! (that's some midwest twang)

Annie + Steve = Married.

2008-09-08T15:21:00.000-07:00

Annie and Steve were married on a very, hot day. June 28th was the weekend of our first heat wave, breaking into 100 degrees! This didn't stop everyone from celebrating. Annie & Steve made sure the event was filled with meaningful touches. Hosting the party in their backyard they held the ceremony in-the-round so everyone had a good view. Instead of a guest book they had folks sign a tablecloth that was also embroidered with their names and their wedding date. Annie wore her mother's wedding gown which she altered slightly by turning the long sleeves into cap sleeves.

Annie's brother and Steve's sister performed the touching ceremony and then it was time to sit back and mingle with the Ol' Time Fiddlers playing in the background. I loved how Annie called the cupcakes the "Cupcake Tower of Love", which was cut into quickly before the heat turned the frosting into liquid sugar! Thanks for having us capture your day, we really enjoyed being a part of it. To see more from their day watch the slideshow here.

Annie + Steve's Engagement Pics

2008-09-05T16:03:00.000-07:00

Before I post Annie & Steve's wedding images, I need to share with you their amazing engagement session. Let's back track to when I first spoke with Annie on the phone. She was concerned with not being very photogenic and was looking for someone to make sure she didn't make too many funny faces during the shoot...a few are ok in my book! Then we started talking about location ideas when Annie had the great idea of taking the images on Steve's grandfather's farm. I met them at their home and I saw the bright, blue mustang sitting in the driveway looking shiny and fast. They loaded their dog Maverick into the car, I was shocked they let him ride in it, there's no way I'd do that with my pups!

We had a great time, the farm was amazing. Steve pulled the old John Deer out of the barn and they climbed up on to it. Then it was off to the hay bails and some fun time with the car.I was having flashbacks to Wisconsin where I grew up around farms like this and discovered my love of old cars thanks to my dad.

Maverick was in doggy heaven, running around like a mad man and then he found an old bath tub filled with water! You can see the results below. After the shoot we had some burgers and chatted about the history of Portland. I really enjoyed my time with them and had a great time at the wedding as well, which will be posted soon! Oh, and I think Annie looked absolutely beautiful in the photos. Steve looked good too!

Vanessa + John=Married!

2008-09-02T16:32:00.000-07:00

Vanessa and John said I do on June 21st, 2008 at the beautiful Mt. Hood Bed & Breakfast. Thanks to Bethany for making the day go so smoothly. It was a perfect day with the weather a bit overcast and not too hot with Mt Hood staring down at us. Vanessa & John really worked hard on all the lovely details. A handmade cork board held all the seating info for the reception, John crafted home brew for all the guests to drink, and they made cards for each table with a story about them. The always fabulous Culinary Artistry cooked up the simple and tasty food for the buffet.

I really can't say enough about how wonderful this couple is. They are kind, sweet and fun to be around, making my job a breeze! We took time throughout the day to take images with them around the grounds, I was in photo heaven and could have shot until my finger cramped up! Their first dance song brought me to tears, check it out here on their slideshow.

Thanks for having us be a part of your day, it was amazing! Enjoy.

Sandra + Tim = Engaged.

2008-08-29T15:00:00.001-07:00

For Sandra and Tim's engagement session they met me in one of my favorite parts of Portland, N. Williams Street. This area is close to mine and I love the bright painted walls, funky places to eat and urban feel it has. Tim was a natural in front of the camera, I think he may have practiced before hand! I can see why they are together, both were laughing and smiling the whole time we were shooting. They are getting married tomorrow at Columbia Edgewater Country Club and it looks like the weather is going to be amazing! See you two soon...

Lien + Mark = Married.

2008-08-26T13:01:00.000-07:00

Lien and Mark said I do on June 20th, 2008 at a little catholic church called St. Peter the Fisherman in Arch Cape. The ceremony was filled with tears and smiles from them and family. Then it was over to the Surfsand Resort to celebrate! We did a few photos on the beach then headed over to the cocktail hour on a rooftop terrace. After that it was time for the reception to start where the bright red roses stood out on the cake and tables. From the touching & funny toasts to the first dance being sung by Mark's brother, the whole day was filled with special touches. You could certainly see how kind and thoughtful Lien and Mark were of everyone, including us! We had a wonderful time capturing all the moments, here are a few highlights from their day. Enjoy!

Little Jacob.

2008-08-22T14:30:00.001-07:00

One of my favorite couples Jennifer and Jason were married over three years ago-did I get that right guys? Time sure flies by and I'm sure it is even more for them now that Jacob is a part of their lives. When they contacted me and said that they had a baby, I was thrilled! One of the coolest parts of my job is getting to see my couples after the wedding and hearing how they are doing and meeting their little ones. These are images were from our second session in studio this July, right around his first birthday. Jacob was a ball of energy, but then became tired and it was time to nap on the floor with pillows...so cute! Here are a few images from their session, enjoy and have a great weekend.

Katie + James' Day After Session.

2008-08-19T14:54:00.001-07:00

Even though Katie and James were worn out and tired from a fabulous wedding the nite before, they managed to wake up and be ready for their day after session right on time. If it was me I would have slept in a few more minutes. Katie was smart enough to put her flowers in water overnite so she had them the next day. Then they hopped in our car and James gave me directions to get us into Gastown in Vancouver, BC. Note that at the wedding a few locals gave me the run down on this interesting part of town. It seems to have two sides; at night it's a seedy, drug filled area while during the day it's a trendy, urban shopping district.

As soon as we got out of the car and started walking to find our first spot to shoot, a couple of police officer's handcuffed them together, without asking! It was so funny and totally caught me off gaurd...I starting shooting right away!

The second half of their session took us to the waterfront where the cruise ships dock. The view was amazing as we watched waterplanes land and take off. A funny thing happened while we were there, James and I both had to use the restroom so we headed inside together leaving Karen and Katie waiting outside. I felt as though I had a record time getting in and out of the bathroom. For some reason I sometimes like to race my husband at this task. So, I stepped out and stood nearby since I didn't see James anywhere. I thought to myself "Yes, I won!". So I waited and waited and waited. Then I started to wonder, is he sick from the nite before? Do I ask a stranger to go in and check on him? How long do I wait until I go back to the group? Then I see Karen walking down the hallway towards me...she asks, Are you ok? Yes I reply, why? Because James is outside with us and we all thought you were sick! We had a quick laugh about it and started shooting again. I guess I'm just trained with my husband always waiting for me. Enjoy the pics.

Contest Results!

2008-08-13T12:05:00.000-07:00

I try to enter photo contests when I can. It's bit nerve racking wondering if a panel of esteemed photographers are going to like your work. Waiting for the results seems to take forever! Today I received the email with the results from an online contest from ISPWP which stands for International Society of Professional Wedding Photographers. It was started by the talented Joseph Milton who resides here in Portland. I remember when I was an assistant working for another studio and found his work. I was and still am in love with how he seems to capture moments at preciously the right moment.

Well I'm happy to say that of the 5 images I entered, each one placed in it's category! I guess next time I'll have to enter more! Here are the images, enjoy!

The lovely Brooke. Category: Candid Portrait. Placed 10th

Beautiful Brooke again. Category: Bride Portrait. 6th Place.

Katie & James, Vancouver, BC. Category: Emotional Impact. Placed 3rd.

From Lien & Mark's wedding. Category: Cake, Food & Drink. Placed 4th.

Mark & Lien's wedding rings. Category: Details. Placed 11th.

Katie + James = Married!

2008-08-12T17:46:00.001-07:00

Karen and I packed up and hit the road June 13th and headed north bound toward beautiful Vancouver, Canada. The ride went quicker than I expected, great driving weather the whole way. Getting across the border was another story. After telling them what were there for, we were asked to drive off to the side and go in to a small building. There we handed over our passports, took a seat and waited. Then we waited some more and some more. I thought they'd check my gear, make sure we weren't smuggling anything but they didn't even search the car. They were more concerned with the fact that we were Americans going to work in Canada. I didn't know this, but you are suppose to apply for a work application for crossing over. The funny thing about this is that even if you apply for this, your are not guaranteed you will do the job. You see the Canadians want to find someone in Canada to do the job first, regardless if you were hired directly by them. So we had to sit for an hour waiting to be let into the country. It was interesting how their border patrol lacked emotion and were totally fine chatting with each other then doing our paperwork!

But once we were permitted to cross over the adventure began. We met up with Katie and her girlfriends at a local venue to see a band. She was having a great time with her girls, it was fun to meet them as well. The next day, June 14th was the big day. Everyone was so nice to us, they really made us feel like part of the family. We all headed down to the beach where it was sunny and really windy. They gathered, said their vows and were married! It was sweet, intimate and casual.

Then it was off to Abigail's for wine, cocktails and snacks. The food was amazing, the conversations were hilarious and Katie and James were filled with love. We truly had a wonderful time and wish we could have stayed longer. We did a day after session on Sunday, be sure to check back to view those pics...these two are great in front of the camera. Thanks for having us capture your day! Here is the slideshow link. Congrats.