This week has been so fun, going through all of last year’s work! I’ve been pulling favorites from each session and trying to narrow it down so this won’t be a GIANT post, but it’s so hard! I was blessed with some adorable clients in 2019, who showed up ready to love on their families, laugh, and have fun! I always say that the season you choose to do your family photos in makes a HUGE difference on the final look, so I thought I’d demonstrate that by separating my 2019 favorites out by season. I worked primarily at Champoeg State Park near Newberg for most of these family sessions, with a few over at Jenkins Estate in Beaverton or Cooper Mountain in Aloha. In 2020, I’m planning some adventure sessions a little farther from home, but these places are some of my favorite spots on earth right now!
Summer:
So because I love summer so much, and I firmly believe it is the best time to get the warm, glowing images that I showcase in my portfolio, I’m going to start with summer! Check out that GLOW! The sun is in the perfect place to peek through the trees during the summer, and the fields are dry and a golden yellow. In the early spring, for example, this particular field is a bright green (and usually a little soggy), which would completely change the look of this image.
I ADORE when my wedding couples come back to me for family photos down the road! I loved photographing this sweet family in a golden field in Newberg in June.
I love shooting under this big oak tree! This field gets closed off in the winter, when it becomes a huge mud puddle pit. It’s at its best in summer!
Fall:
Fall is a super busy season as everyone tries to get photos done for their holiday card, so definitely book in advance! I also like to advise booking earlier than you think you need to because fall sessions are more likely to get rained out. The weather can be totally crazy in the fall, so be prepared to be flexible to hit some sunshine if that’s your goal. We have fewer chances at that glowing backlight in the fall than in the summer, but the tradeoff is the rich, colorful backdrops. I love how the deep red in this family’s outfits pop against the rich green forest behind them! PS, this photo was taken during a STORM! We hid under the trees for cover until a break in the rain.
I loved the field this fall–that bit of fall color in the background and the incredible light it gets, on sunny AND overcast days. Plus that tall, dry field gives and even glowier look, and you all know how much I love that! Look at this cute little bug!
So many of my clients this fall wore light neutral tones and I was in LOVE with how soft and organic that made the photos.
Oh, I love when families show up ready to giggle and cuddle. Seriously THE BEST.
Winter:
My winter clients deserve MVP awards! These sessions take the most flexibility with last minute scheduling to catch dry weather, and sometimes that isn’t always possible. By wintertime, kids are in school and have busy weekend schedules or illnesses, so sometimes we just have to get it done! The field was good to us for a few last winter sessions, but you’ll notice there aren’t leaves on the trees to filter light, and there’s quite a bit more brown–all that effects how your final photos will look. It’s definitely a more organic, softer look, and sometimes we also catch some fog that can look just dreamy if you’re a winter lover! I love that many of my winter clients kept with the light neutrals and pastel colors to enhance that soft organic look, because I’m in love with these tones!
This family had their session during a full on rain shower too. They were SO AWESOME and relaxed–when you’re focused on documenting a joyful day together with your family more than the PERFECT photo, it just works out! The boys had fun playing in the field, we kept umbrellas handy for when the rain got a bit heavier, and it all worked out just fine!
Spring:
I was busy with weddings, engagements, a styled shoot, and the retreat in the spring, so there weren’t too many spring family sessions to show. But you can see how LUSH everything is here in the spring! We also shot in the same oak grove that the summer photos are in and the ground was completely green. If you like a lot of GREEN in your photos, spring is the time to book! This was in early May, so we were able to catch some dry weather while it was still very green. Again, totally adore the neutral tones in their outfit choices here! It’s such a classic look!
That’s a wrap! I tried to keep it a little shorter but there were so many beautiful families and photos and memories, with even more I didn’t get a chance to share. You can always look back at old sessions by clicking on the family session category on the blog. In the next few weeks, I’ll be playing some catch up and blogging all those fall sessions I didn’t have time to blog when they happened! As ever, I’m so honored that each of these families chose me to create these photos for them to treasure for years. Thank you, lovelies!
