About
why i love being your portland family photographer
I’ve never felt a love more intense than the day I held my newborn baby in my arms.
Except the next day, and the day after that, and every day since. The feeling of their little hand in mine, or the way they hug me and tuck in right under my chin: those are the things I hope to remember every day for the rest of my life.
Hello there.
I'm Samantha.
And I've been where you are.
The chaos of parenthood, hoping that a camera roll of phone photos documenting all the tiny toes and little moments that add up to the biggest love you’ve ever known is enough. The feeling that I can’t manage one more thing added to my plate.
It’s why I created a full-service family portrait experience. An experience custom made for parents who want to have tangible memories of their family’s genuine connection and joy. Who want more than a portrait session, but a memory just waiting to be made and handed down to generations ahead.
learn more about the portrait experience
QUICK FACTS
13 years in business
homeschooling mom of 2
dog-mom to a golden retriever
working on a sony a7iii
find me at the antique store...
...or baking sourdough bread
Samantha was warm and welcoming and was completely prepared to capture the type and style of photos we'd discussed.
-Rachel
I’m a Type A planner, and Enneagram 1
I believe that planning ahead means space for calm on your session day.
A true Leslie Knope of the family photography world, I over-prepare for your session! I send all of my clients a questionnaire before their session so that I can tailor my approach to their family.
It’s so important to me to go into a family photo session knowing what sorts of images are most important to that family, knowing what their story is and what they love about their family.
With all of that information in my back pocket, I can show your family as you truly are, and more effectively create images that show the real heart and beauty of your family.
My alternate
career choice?
Writer.
My alternate career choice? Writer.
I’ve been photographing families professionally for over ten years now, but to really tell you about why I like photography, I have to start at why I like writing.
In college, I applied to a graduate writing program on a whim—I liked reading and writing, so why not? When I moved from Corvallis (go BEAVS!) to UC Davis, I had no idea the most valuable thing I’d learn was how to truly see.
My favorite writing professor taught us that the best thing you can do as an artist is to actively notice the things around you. Which moments shimmer with beauty, their details rife with possibility for a story?
So much of what I do these days uses those same skills: when I’m with a family during a session, I’m paying attention to which moments shimmer and call for more attention. That’s where the magic is.
FOREVER INSPIRED BY
oregon's coast
my babies
The Columbia River Gorge
oak trees + fields
your motherhood stories
Ready to see your family's story, artfully told?
I take a limited number of clients every month so that each family gets my full attention during our time together. I'm currently booking 2025.
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