Temesgen+Family | Celebrating Adoption

Oh, the cuteness. This little guy joined the family from Ethiopia not too long ago. His mama Kristen and I have a mutual friend who let her know about the Celebrating Adoption sessions [thanks Amy!]. I met them at Champoeg Park -- third time I've shot there this season, and I love it! Temesgen started out a bit camera-shy, but he warmed up amazingly fast!


I love his little fist holding onto dad's pant leg. . .



Charmer. For sure.

This is my favorite. Look at him making the little kissy face ;).

Wave to the camera ;)



I love this moment. It looks like he's checking her pulse.







Thanks S family! It was so nice to meet the three of you!

Coming Soon! Celebrating Adoption + 2 Graduates

I just wanted to give you a little peek at the sessions I am working on editing right now :).

The S family's celebrating adoption with this adorable little guy. . .

Adriana's super fun grad session in downtown McMinnville. . .

And Gabrielle's amazing grad session from tonight in downtown Newberg. . .

Lots more coming soon!

Celebrating Adoption: Zinabu+Family

*To view+purchase images, click here.
This is the C Family.

And THIS is Zinabu!

Son to Meghan + Stefan. . .

Little brother to Aidan

and little brother to Bridget.

One big happy family :). Aidan just cracks me up in this photo.

I grew up playing with Meghan's little sister Courtney, so I was so excited when Meghan told me they were adopting a little boy from Ethiopia and wanted to schedule a session with me.

I love late summer evening light, especially through the trees like this at Champoeg Park.







Zinabu is crazily strong. With a taste for human hair ;).



Tummy tickles!



Face Grab!

And THIS. This right here. This is my all-time favorite.


Thanks so much C Fam! It was so good to see all of you and meet the newest member of your family :).

*I provide free photo sessions for adoptive families. If you are planning to adopt, have adopted within the year, or know someone who has, please feel free to contact me.

Coming Soon! Celebrating Adoption: Zinabu + Family

Oh, the cuteness. So. Much. CUTENESS.
Lots more coming in a little bit :).

Album Sneak Peek + CYFS Show

Hello all!  I know it's been a little quieter around here lately.  I have been busy getting ready for the shows at Honest Chocolates and Chehalem Youth & Family Services this Friday, working on orders and album design, and of course TAXES ;).   I still have quite a bit to do, but I thought I'd give you a little peek at one of the albums I just designed for Ethan & Laura.

I would love to see you at the shows this week!  I hope you can drop by.  And you can wish me a 7-days early Happy Birthday if you want to ;).

For those of you who are not on the mailing list [you can subscribe by clicking on the envelope icon to the right], I will let you know about the show at Chehalem Youth & Family Services.  I am super excited for this, and it was so much fun to be able to work with these kids.

CYFS provides homes, programs, behavioral and mental wellness support for kids in the community.  They are absolutely amazing, and this is their first time participating in Newberg's First Friday Artwalk.  Tara Sanderson, the Child and Family program Supervisor, had the idea to celebrate International Women's Day by having me come and do portraits of the CYFS kids and staff in honor of this year's theme "Women and Men United to End Violence Against Women and Girls."

It was so much fun!  Many of them had never had professional pictures done before so it was awesome to see the girls be all giggly and shy as they entered the little studio we set up.  I got a lot of resistance from a couple, but I think secretly they were ecstatic ;).  

If you have any time between 5 and 9pm this Friday April 3rd, I sincerely hope you can take a few minutes to stop in the CYFS office and see the portraits of these awesome people.  The address is: 501 E First Street in Newberg OR 97132.

Celebrating Adoption: Benjamin | Portland Oregon Photographer

I am so excited I got to meet this beautiful family this week...

This little guy is just 7 months old and has absolutely stunning eyes.  Well, as you can see for yourself :-).



He laughs easily...


Check out those little fingers in Daddy's beard ;)





Whee!


Mama's getting ready for a satisfying meal of Baby Toe Kisses.





This is one of my favorite shots of the day.  I took it toward the very end when Ben was getting a little droopy and gave his daddy a big ol' hug.  I can't decide if I like it better in pure BW...


or Vintage style.  What do you think?


P. Family: I am so glad I got to do this for you.  I hope you enjoy your photos as much as I enjoyed taking them :).

Have you adopted in the past year, or know anyone who has?  Send them my way. I happily offer Free Family Photo Sessions for families who have adopted within the last year.  Session includes at least an hour of photography at the location of your choice, online gallery and a complimentary 8x10.  I am SO thankful to all the wonderful couples + singles who adopt children into their lives.  This is my gift to you!

Molly & a Tulip

I was aching to do some volunteer work and use my skills as a photographer to give something back to the community, so I literally jumped around with excitement when my friend Bethany got in touch with me and asked if I would be willing to do some photo shoots for Garden Partners.

Garden Partners is a small organization based in the Portland area.  Their mission is to bring health and well-being to people through therapeutic gardening.  I believe they have been working primarily with Senior Centers, but they have also just joined with Helping Hands to work with younger children who have been through abuse.

I have a huge faith in this organization.  I think they are growing quickly, which is not hard to believe when you see the smiles and contentedness that come with being with flowers.  I am just so excited to get to work with them, meet these fabulous people, and I can't wait to see the good things that happen for them as they grow.

This is Molly and a yellow tulip.  I loved her reactions to the flowers... complete awe every time.  Lovely.