Having fun on a Snow Day

Winter is here.

Now, it's not unusual for it to snow in Portland, Oregon. But it is unusual for it to snow this much and to stay this cold for so long. I live on the east side of Portland and according to the news, inner Portland received up to a foot of snow, while my area accumulated about 5 inches worth. The city isn't very prepared for that amount of snow fall, so needless to say that much of the metro area had a snow day.

I spent the day with my long johns, snow pants, gaiters, wool socks, fleece and snow coat with hat on and tromping through the fluffy snow. I'm lucky enough to live within an easy walking distance to the pond at Mount Hood Community College and was able to photograph it under snow and ice.

There was a small gathering of ducks that kept a weary eye on me and my husband as I dialed in my camera setting to capture them. As I recall, it was around 22 degrees F with a windshield that made it feel around 17. It was quite cold, but with the layers of warmth and walking through the snow, I stayed toasty warm.

If you were in the Portland area, I hope you had at least one day to just enjoy the snow before the hustle and bustle of life caught back up to you.

I hope you enjoy these images I captured to remember the snow day.

Christmas at Vanderbeck Valley Farm

Do you love getting together for family gatherings, but hate cleaning up your house to host? Well, that problem has occurred the past couple years and I've been itching to celebrate Christmas with my cousins for years. So it was time to find an alternate for this holiday season.

Here comes in the Vanderbeck Valley Farm....

If you ever wanted to see a cute barn decked out in Christmas joy, this is the place!

Our family had a wonderful time in the barn celebrating family while enjoying a comfort food potluck, family games and a simple gift exchange. If you're ever out near Mount Angel or Scotts Mills in the countryside of Oregon and looking for something with a flair of country and comfort of home for an event, then contact Wendy at Vanderbeck Valley Farm!

Nice Weather Means It's Time to Get Out!

Today was the first time it's been sunny for a while and I was able to get out to the Columbia River Gorge. I decided that it was time to visit Shepherd's Dell. My mom said that I've been out there before, but only when I was really little, so I don't remember it much now.

It's a hidden little set of waterfalls right off the scenic highway. I loved the soft light from the overcast (non-rainy) day. And what else was awesome was there were rain drops still clinging to the fern covered basalt cliffs. This is a great little stop with a short distance to stroll with great views, and it wasn't crowded like all the other waterfall stops along the gorge.

So make sure to get out while the weather is good or just wear a raincoat and good boots.

Autumn is my Favorite Color

I don't know about you, but my favorite color is Autumn - golden brown hues tinged with orange. The smell of the rain returning to the thirsty ground is invigorating, along with brisk weather with pockets of warm sunshine.

Saturday was my birthday. And I wanted to go to Pendleton for the weekend, which is a three hour drive from Portland. But the big draw was that about 30 minutes from Pendleton was the last couple stands of Poplar trees from Greenwood Tree Farm. Times are a changing and the six miles of rowed trees will be gone for forever very soon. Here is an article about the situation.

Live for today.

I don't know how long we were out there in the trees. It didn't matter. It was about living in the moment and enjoying the here and now. There were about 6 stands of golden-leaved, white bark monuments to time. Some of them are a little crooked from enduring the winds, snow, and life of a tree. On the perimeter the trees were a wonderful gold and as you look into the depths of the woods, they slowly transition into the spring green.

These trees have been used for many a photoshoot. As far as I know, this is the only place like this in Oregon. If you haven't visited yet, make the time. You won't regret going for a long drive.

Why I Taught Myself Photography

Weddings are memorable. Memories are captured within photographs.

This weekend I had the pleasure to attend my cousin's wedding. It was wonderful. The ceremony was just right. The dress and bouquet were exquisite. The loving smiles between bride and groom were priceless.

The main reason I taught myself photography was to capture the precious moments between loved ones.

Nearly five years ago was when special moments were lost for me, it was my wedding day. My very special day was mostly captured with under-exposed, out of focused, blurry images. Originally one of my best friends was going to cover the day. I trusted her to do a wonderful job, especially since she was a photography student. But a couple months before the big day, she moved. So, a family friend said that she would take photos for me. She had a DSLR and her husband borrowed my dad's DSLR to capture everything. This was the mistake. Just because someone has a DSLR doesn't mean that they understand what aperture is and how to maximize the camera's abilities with settings for the shutter speed and ISO - the exposure triangle.

This began my passion for photography. It's been two years since I've had my Canon Rebel and I shoot all manual, working the exposure triangle to its fullest. My mission is for everyone to have an affordable option to capture moments, be it family photos portraying their children growing up or one of those special days that you want to remember for a lifetime.

Now, I wasn't the photographer for this wedding, but I did have some fun with my 85mm lens, capturing the little moments I love. Someday, I would love to be involved with weddings; capturing the sweet moments between loved ones when they start their new chapter together. But for now, these photos are part of my gift to the start of the new chapter for this couple who are so in love.

Blue Hour at Mount Hood

It's pouring rain. The storm is here. They said it was coming. They have said that it is the biggest storm to hit the Pacific Northwest in a very long time. I hope everyone out there is safe and sound.

Last night I took the opportunity to head out to Larch Mountain for possibly the last sunset in a long time. When it's storming, there may not be much of a sunset. Not unless the clouds break and smile upon you.

I live about 45 minutes away, but had only calculated in 30 minutes of drive time. So when I reached the top parking lot, I hoofed it up to the top of the mountain. Part way up I can see the blue. I've heard of it, Blue Hour. 

I kept going up and up. Inhale, exhale, breathe the sweet, fresh air. I haven't been out and about in awhile. Now that the winter weather has fallen in Oregon, the chances of getting out are slim. But thankfully, I live close enough to the Columbia River Gorge that I can zip out and get some nature.

Needless to say, I made it to the top in time to capture this little beaut.

Stay safe, warm and dry.

Sarah & Turk at Oregon State Fair

The Oregon State Fair

I've been to the Oregon State Fair many times over the years, but this was the first year I've been behind the scenes of a horse show. As some of you may know, I love to go out to HyTyme and visit with the rescued equines and Drum Horses. Well, some of the Drum Horses were entered in a couple horse shows and I was able to go out on Friday evening. I helped prep the beautiful Turk and photograph Sarah all dressed up for the evening gala show.

They were unique, original, different, beautiful, rogue, refreshing.

Turk, the handsome HyTyme Drum Horse gelding and Sarah. We had a fun little mini photo shoot before they headed into the ring.

Perseid Meteor Shower and Mt. Hood 2016 | Photography Prints

For the first time, I'm offering a limited edition print of a photograph capturing nearly 40 meteors dancing across the Oregon sky while framed by Mt. Hood and the Milky Way. Please take a peek here to purchase one for yourself!

"Perseid Meteor Shower and Mt. Hood 2016" 

Limited Edition Photography Fine Art Print

These will be hand signed astro photograph by photographer, Elizabeth Zimmerman of Western Rose Studios.

Camping

Summer

Campfire

Stars

Crickets

I love camping in the summer. I didn't get out as much as I wanted to, but when I did it was great. I hope you had time to get outside and soak in the quiet of camping along a creek with the stars twinkling and crickets chirping.

Just a little peek of the photographs I've taken on a camping trip along the Breitenbush River.

Stormy Skies & Daisy Fields

Last weekend I went out to visit the Drum Horses. It's been a while since I've last been out to the big field with the 20+ assortment of Drum Horses, Quarter Horses, Arabians, and rescued horses, mules, and donkeys. It's been stormy lately, so I was hoping the moody clouds would stick around for a more dramatic effect on the daisy filled field of beautiful horses.

The weather was wonderful, no precipitation and sun rays bursting out of the clouds and towards the horses. The horses were their usual friendly "Hi, how are you? Ok, cool. I'm going to go back and eat now."

I hope you enjoy these photos. I'll be back there on Saturday for the 1st Annual Drum Horse Artists Workshop that I'm teaching. :-)

Starlight Parade & Pitties in Pink

As the volunteer event photographer for the Multnomah County Animal Services, I waked in the Starlight Parade last weekend in the heart of Portland. Their theme is always "Pitties in Pink" with a float featuring adopted Pit Bull Terriers. They always dress up the dogs in all kinds of pink: tutus, feather boas, hats, sunglasses, shirts, and more. The humans drew up as well in hula skirts, beads, flowers, and other fun stuff.

Here are some photos I took during and before of the four pups in the parade this time. Enjoy!