A Sweet Little Wedding at Silcox Hut
I loved this quirky wedding at Silcox Hut. It was fun, charming, cute and intimate. Connie is the first bride we’ve photographed to wear rubber wellies with her gown. New Yorkers, Connie and Stewart tied the knot at Silcox Hut by the roaring fire halfway up the slopes of Mt. Hood.
Silcox Hut is a gorgeous stone “hut” (it’s a tiny lodge, really) perched just below the Palmer lift on the mountain. The staff at Timberline do an amazing job of ferrying everything and everyone up the mountain to enjoy the rustic beauty. Cakes, couples, flowers and aunties. The whole kit and caboodle rides up the mountain in the giant snow cats. The food and hospitality are always topnotch, and I’d say that choosing Timberline or Silcox Hut as your venue is the best first step in planning a beautiful and stress-free wedding.
I’ve just posted Connie and Stewart’s cute little wedding album at our blog. If you’re considering Timberline or Silcox Hut as your venue, drop me a line and we can talk pros and cons of this gorgeous venue.
Late summer wedding at Portland Art Museum
I’m working on Emily and Nick’s album this week. Designing gorgeous albums is my favorite part of being a wedding photographer. As I consider a couple’s album, I want the finished product to accomplish several things. First, I see it as a mini biography of both the bride and groom individually. I try to select images that reveal something special about each of them. Second, I want to capture all the major players in the couple’s lives. As I sequence the album, I find a spot to include the most flattering photos of moms, dads, family members, and the other special people who draw the closest circle around the couple. Thirdly, I expect an album to show the feeling of the day. Among the groups of posed photos, I like to intersperse supporting images that hint at the weather, the time of year, the mood of the day. And lastly, I want to show the pacing of the whole day, from the intimate getting ready shots to the crazy drunken dancing. (that is, if there was crazy drunken dancing….)
Because we feel so strongly about albums, we include a beautiful custom designed album with every package. Check out photos of our favorite flush mount leather album at our blog.
And click here if you want to see Emily and Nick’s entire wedding album.
Winter Wedding at Silcox Hut
Soft light, cold wind, your favorite person in the whole wide world with you. Can you think of anything more romantic than tying the knot at Silcox Hut?
My favorite part of shooting at Silcox Hut is the snow cat ride up to the 7000 foot level into a white wonderland. The staff always has the hut warmed and the fire roaring for arrival.
You can see more of Connie and Stewart’s winter wedding at our blog, Aisle Style.
I Heart Flower Girls
This little sweetheart charmed me all day long. And if I recall correctly, her day was as long as mine was: basket duty in the am, photo duty in the afternoon, and then of course, lots and lots of dancing to do in the evening.
See more little charmers at our blog, Aisle Style, where we share our ideas and inspiration for planning your own Portland wedding.
Classic B&W reception photos
I love the timelessness of this pair of images. They depict the romance of a new couple’s first swirl on the dance floor together. It could be 2010, or 1980: black and white seems to strip away all the characteristics that date an image. What remains? Only what is classic, emotional and beautiful.
You can see more images like this at our blog, Aisle Style, where we cover any number of topics about planning a beautiful wedding in or around Portland.
Or just call us at 503.312.6400. We’re always happy to talk about wedding photography.
Rainy Days
Yesterday’s deluge reminded me of this wedding. It poured rain all day long. Really. ALL day long. And that’s the thing about our wedding photography: no matter what the weather, the situation, the odd things that can happen, we still have to come home with beautiful images.
That’s what separates the men from the boys, so to speak, in our business (apologies, ladies!) Keep that in mind when you’re considering having “a talented friend” with a brand new camera be in charge of your wedding photos.
See more of our lovely images (that we sometimes make under difficult circumstances) at our blog, Aisle Style.
We heart ballroom weddings
This week I’ve been working on Nick and Emily’s wedding album. They celebrated on a gorgeous fall day at the Portland Art Museum. My favorite part of a wedding like this is the many opportunities to create classic wedding images like these.
At a ballroom wedding, much of the action takes place indoors. Since the lighting isn’t constantly changing, it gives us the ability to better plan how the room light can contribute to the image. In the left photo, I love how the blue uplights lend a little sparkle to this photo. And on the right, the glowing mood of the candle-lit table tops really comes across.
You can see all of Emily and Nick’s wedding photos here. And visit more of our wedding galleries to see how the light of the day always makes its way into our wedding images.
Winter Weddings
Winter weddings are often cozy, thoughtful affairs. We quite enjoyed photographing the lovely Colleen a few weeks ago on the day of the surprise snow. Collen was introduced to our studio when we photographed her brother’s wedding nearly one year ago. I love to observe the family resemblance when we have the opportunity to shoot brothers or sisters.
See more of our winter weddings at Aisle Style, our blog of inspiration for Northwest brides and grooms to be.
Colleen and Kevin, December 30, 2009
One great thing about holidays is that usually all your best friends and family are near. Colleen and Kevin took advantage of their gathered families to tie the knot last Wednesday at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Beaverton. Between the ceremony and reception, we ventured outdoors a bit in the unexpected snow. None of the forecasts predicted the white stuff, so it was certainly a wedding day surprise. Later that evening, 25 or 30 of their nearest and dearest joined the couple for an intimate evening celebration at Hotel Deluxe.
Collen and Kevin’s wedding will be featured on our blog, Aisle Style in about 10 days. See more wintertime weddings at our blog.
The Last Post of 2009
2009 was certainly delightful: good friends, good photos, good life. We’re feeling loads of gratitude for this special little group of 20 photogs. Here’s to seeing and sharing the best that 2010 can bring us all. Warmest wishes to you, MPP’ers.
Hugs,
Theresa & JV
Emily’s album delivered today
I’m posting this pic from Emily and Colin’s June 13, 2009 wedding today, because they just stopped in to pick up their finished wedding album. At our studio, virtually every package includes a custom designed album because, from our point of view, the album is the whole reason why a couple should have a photographer.
When our clients receive their proofs, we’ve also taken the liberty of proposing an album design based on the story our images tell. And because 95% of our clients love the predesign, we can deliver the albums in a timely fashion.
Here’s how it works at our studio: 30 days from the wedding our clients receive their proofs and an proposed album design. Album decisions are due 90 days from the proof delivery date. That way, virtually ALL our clients are in possession of their album within 6 months of their wedding date.
Learn more about our gorgeous wedding albums here.
Or see more of Colin and Emily’s beautiful Waverly Country Club wedding.
Life’s Good Fortune
I’m a girl, so I can only imagine, but it must feel pretty great to have a woman look at you like that.
Lucky guy…
This photo is from a wonderfully simple wedding at Coast Cabins in Manzanita. You can see some decor ideas from their wedding in a post we wrote about affordable weddings at our blog, Aisle Style.
Brrrr…
This feels like the perfect photo for today. It’s about 60 degrees in the studio despite that we’ve been blasting the heat all morning. We had so much fun photographing Anna and Jason in the snow at Timberline Lodge. It was cozy, romantic, and intimate. Can you think of anything nicer than a slow dance with your new husband while the snow falls outside?
See more of our style at alturastudio.com
Do I sign my old name or my new name?
I remember wondering on my own wedding day, if I’ve just gotten married do I sign my new name or my old name? I love the expressions on each of the people in this image. Their faces say it all.
See more of what we do at our blog, Aisle Style.
Circle of Friends
I love how Sara is completely encircled by her women-friends as she prepares for wedding to Erik. It feels like a classic moment captured in a delicate way. The loving support of family and girlfriends is among the finest wedding gifts a bride can receive.
See more of thoughts on black and white wedding images at our blog.
A Wedding in the Apple Orchard
It seems like weddings at McMenamin’s locations are always relaxed, fun and festive. This wedding was at the Cornelius Pass Roadhouse in the apple orchard. It remains among my favorites of all time.
See more of what we do at Altura Studio.
End of season melancholy
The sun is what I miss the most when winter comes our way. Unlike others, I’m not a happy skier or puddle jumper. Instead, I bide my time until the sun returns and there are more endless summer evenings like this one with Josh and Allison. By my count, only about 270 more days…..
Remember summer here. Or here. Or all of Allison and Josh here.
Some news from Valls Photographic
On November 19th, we are officially evolving to “Altura Studio”. Here’s your first peek at our new look.
This evolution reflects our new broader range of talent, products and services that Altura Studio will offer 2010 clients. While we are retaining our full-service offerings, we’ve added some new value-based options for couples who like our style and our approach, but have more modest wedding plans.
Our updated website and blog are now live while we complete the finishing touches. (and we hope you’ll be patient if you encounter something unexpected!) Our official launch is November 19th, but we hope you enjoy this sneak peek at our new name and look.
See our updated website. See our updated blog. Or just give us a call at 503.312.6400
Lucky girl…
Emily is the lucky girl, smack-dab in the middle of all these handsome groomsmen. And talking about luck, how ’bout that weather? Rain before, rain right after. However, the fates unrolled the loveliest carpet of autumn leaves for Nick and Emily and their classic fall wedding. We enjoyed our portrait time in park blocks, surrounded by a canopy of gorgeous fall color.
We are editing this wedding as I write this post, but you can see our next-to-most recent wedding at Aisle Style, our blog of inspiration for Oregon brides and grooms.
Yummy, golden light at Garden Vineyards
Oregonians often say that the Fall is the best time is the best time of year and I would add that Fall is the best time for a wedding in Oregon. There’s something about the soft, golden light that wraps around a couple and their love. And by September, we are fully in our groove as photographers, honed and sharp and ready for anything.
This September wedding at Garden Vineyards was blessed with yummy light, perfect weather and lighthearted spirits. Everything you’d want for a wedding.
Check out the sneak peek of Robin & Jason’s wedding at our blog.
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