Best of 2010 :: Details

Welcome to Christmas week, friends! I cannot believe we're already rounding the corner and making the homestretch toward the new year! 2010 has been one crazy-beautiful-insane twelve months of awesomeness. I've spent the last few weeks reflecting on all that this past year has been while looking forward with excitement to the new year that lay ahead. This week I'll be writing a handful of Best of 2010 posts in which I'll be sharing my favorite photographs in a selection of categories from throughout the year. Today I'm kicking off these posts with something truly near and dear to my heart. Details are the salt to my pepper and the butter to my bread. In a sense, they make my world turn. I've had a blast looking through all of this summer's weddings and I couldn't be happier to present the following images in my Best of 2010 :: Details post. Sit back, relax, and enjoy some seeeeriously good looking eye candy!

Happy Christmas Week!

Michelle

Adam and Karin :: Marterella Winery + Vineyard

The truth of the matter is that my husband has noticeably handsome friends. And these handsome friends of his happen to choose absolutely stunning girls to spend the rest of their lives with. When Adam and Karin asked about the possibility of doing a day after session I distinctly remember appearing overtly eager for their business as I leaped across couches and ran through living rooms to brainstorm ideas with Karin. People, I do crazy things when I get excited about taking pictures. Crazy, crazy things. We spent our afternoon at Marterella Winery + Vineyard in Warrenton and I could not have been more excited about the location. It's always a little risky committing to a venue before seeing it, but Marterella exceeded every hope and expectation we had. The rolling hills of grape vines, the flawless afternoon light, the intriguingly beautiful couple. It's almost as if it was all a dream. A dream I'd rather not wake up from.

I'll be honest, these pictures were really, really easy to take.

Sweetness...

Karin, something about your expression says that you're safe in Adam's arms. And happy there, as well.

I almost feel as though I shouldn't have interrupted this moment with a picture. But then again I think this is a perfect moment to be able to remember forever.

Alright, I take back everything I've said thus far. Karin, you're too gorgeous for anyone's good and I'm kinda sick with jealousy. I'm sorry but we can't be friends anymore.

Friends, it is my pleasure to introduce you to Jerry {you're gonna love him}. Jerry is the owner of the Marterella winery and he is just as wonderful as these pictures imply. After nearly a million unfruitful calls to local vineyards, Jerry was more than happy to let us traipse around his property all afternoon. During our phone conversation he even told me {and I quote}, "Why, we just love supporting newlyweds and wedding photographers!". Oh, Jerry, you're the best.

Happy Wednesday, Y'all,

Michelle

Ryan + Lene :: Central Oregon Wedding Photography

He was 12 when his mother first found him praying for his future wife. Which means that on the day of his wedding, Ryan had been asking for God's blessing upon Lene for over ten years. And though they had met before, something about seeing each other at the barn dance they attended last summer was different. Ryan was a little more handsome and Lene a little more beautiful. Both were a lot more smitten. After a handful of exchanged emails and phone calls, Ryan and Lene began dating - though dating in this situation is hardly a fitting word. Both knew this relationship was different, it was special, and it was real. Over the course of the next eight months Ryan wrote Lene a series of letters. Lene knew nothing about these letters until one day this May when Ryan delivered the last of the notes to his future bride as he asked for her hand in marriage. At that moment he rejoiced that Lene said yes and that God had answered a decade of prayers for his future wife.

Ryan and Lene, I could not have been more thrilled to photograph your wedding day. And Lene, I could not have been more honored to one of your bridesmaids (don't even THINK about calling me a brides matron). You are two incredible people and who will make an incredible life together as husband and wife. Thank you, thank you, thank you for letting Colton and I document your day and thank you for being the amazing people you are. The world is a better place for it.

I love the above photographs of Lene. She was such a timelessly beautiful bride and I can't help but think these images would have looked just as classic fifty years ago.

This was my view of Ryan + Lene's first look....

...And this shot was Colton's view of the same look.

Lene, you are truly stunning. And Ryan, you are totally handsome.

It's beyond me how two people can make hay look so good. SO good.

While I was getting these shots...

...Colton was getting this shot. This makes me both completely jealous and incredibly proud.

I love this image because I think it shows just how much Lene + Ryan are loved by their friends and family.

If you'd like to see more from Ryan + Lene's Oregon wedding, CLICK HERE.

Congrats, you two. I feel so blessed to have been able to document the most special day in your life together thus far.  And as your friend I will say that I truly could not have asked for a more beautiful couple - inside and out.

Lovelovelove,

Michelle