I still remember the day that we photographed our first wedding. Looking back, there was so much to learn. Being a wedding photographer means being in five different places and moments, all at the same time, and it’s daunting when you first step into those shoes. But there are moments that seem as though I was in them yesterday– seeing the bride coming down the stairs, dress trailing behind her; the groom’s tears as he spoke his vows; their joyful waves as they speeded away on a boat down the Willamette River. Each wedding has been like that for me. It’s the moments that stay, each of them as individual as the couple that we’re photographing. Each event has it’s own personal stamp. It’s finding those qualities that really thrill me as a photographer. I love seeing them through a different lens than the last and telling each story as a new chapter to our own story of documentation. It’s an incredible privilege to be trusted to tell the story of one of the most important days in one’s life. And it’s not something that I– we, because Will and I still photograph as a team, so that those moments have complementary perspectives– take lightly. I love that this is what I do with my life.
Thinking and reflecting on the past year has brought all of that back. This has been a year of significant change in our life. We welcomed a new child and life took some twists and turns. But through all of that, my love of life’s seminal moments remains. We’ve continued to tell those stories in the lives of some beautiful couples. My mind has traveled over the last several days back in time and so I thought that I’d share a few of my favorite moments with you.
This bride planned her entire color palette on the shoes– aka The Manolo Blahnik shoes worn in the Sex and the City movie by Sarah Jessica Parker. Her mom surprised her with them and I just had to take a stunning shot of them to do them full justice.
When there are little people involved in the wedding I know that there will be some great candid moments.
I love Cathedral ceilings and this particular one, at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Lake Oswego, is one of my
favorites. Will and I both have an art photography background and love finding lines and symmetry in our work.
It’s the little touches, like taffy to guests that reminded this bride of her childhood, that I adore.
The first look is often the most romantic and emotional– and can be the setting for the very best pictures.
One way to ensure a fun-filled evening: make sure that your best man/maid of honor gives a rollicking speech.
I love taking a traditional moment and making it something special. These bridal portraits
(and their first look) were set in the Driftwood Room of the Hotel Deluxe in Northwest Portland.
Choosing a venue with stunning details– like the wedding above at Zenith Vineyards in Oregon’s wine country,
or the bar at the Secret Society Ballroom in NE Portland– guarantees that we’ll have lots of inspiration to draw from.
We’ve photographed everything from low-key green weddings to totally luxe affairs. This wedding for an
intimate twenty-five guests, at a private residence in Lake Oswego, was absolutely stunning.
Taking the moments and crystalizing them for future memory, like this mom and daughter who found quiet and
solace in those few steps, is a really profound experience for me.
I LOVE seeing the reactions of all of the friends and family. Brian’s mom was over the moon during their ceremony
in their hometown in Eastern Washington. The bride literally got married in her childhood backyard. How cool is that?
One of the fun things about photographing a couple immediately after the ceremony is that NOTHING
can stop traffic like a bride and groom, even a MAX train! Passersby are always so excited for them.
This wedding, at the Abernethy Center, is still one of my favorites. The bride and groom nearly missed
the wedding, due to his Army assignment in Germany, when the Icelandic volcanic ash clouded European flights.
Their reception, full of family and military buddies, is still one of the best parties we’ve ever attended.
Crazy crowd dancing shots are one of Will’s specialties. I love seeing what people will do to get in his lens.
Watching the evolution of wedding delicacies has been so fun. We’ve feted with treats from Saint Cupcake and
Cupcake Jones, multi-tiered fondant cake masterpieces from La Jocante, and homemade pie potlucks. This assortment
of confections, macaroons, and chocolates from Pix Patisserie was absolutely brilliant and beautiful.
When we venture out with couples we tell them to pretend that we’re not really there, to just enjoy each
other and their day. Some are overcome with emotion and some? Well, they just can’t stop celebrating.
Weddings on the beach may be my favorite. Whether they’re at the Surfsands Resort in Cannon Beach or
at a destination wedding, they’re so relaxed and beautiful.
Though we photograph primarily in the Northwest, we’ve traveled thousands of miles and abroad. This
wedding in Colorado was one of our favorites. But really? I don’t know that I can choose a favorite
wedding. All of our couples, and their celebrations, have been wonderful to be a part of.
by Emma Easley Darden
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