The Satran Families

With weddings and engagement sessions taking up what seems like every free moment of the spring and summer, I never feel like I’m able to do nearly as many family portrait sessions as I’d like. But when I ran in Whitney at Stephen & Ariel’s Nashville wedding a few months back, I knew I wanted to make a point of documenting her family. While I’ve known Whitney for years, with this era of college and marriage and starting families it’s been far too long since we’ve seen each other. But last month, on one beautiful Portland afternoon, we met at the Willamette River Park for an adorably sweet family session. I had the most wonderful time getting to know Whitney’s children, Claire + Cruz, as well as her hubby, Brad. Mason - Claire + Cruz’s extra handsome cousin - joined us with his sweet parents Danny and Shelley for a few hours of running and jumping and traipsing through riverbeds. All the while taking photos to remember this beautifully spirited season of life…

Melt my heart!

Whitney, you are stunning!

Meet Mason. He's the cutie in the center with his awesome parents, Danny & Shelley.

A quick cousin picture...

Followed by a photo with, quite possibly, the most beautiful family around...

Daniel & Ashley

I had been looking forward to their wedding since their sweet, country engagement session last fall. It was on that day when I had the chance to hear all about their wedding plans, their life dreams, and their mutual love for pups Trey & Axel. It was also on that day that I realized Daniel & Ashley were just about as great a couple as they come. They're kind and caring and genuine and authentic, and beyond all of their fantastic character traits, they're fun! So much fun. With qualities like this I knew their wedding would be one to remember. Daniel and Ashley were married last month at the Larkin family ranch. With towering Junipers and an array of natural Central Oregon landscape, it was the perfect backdrop for a country wedding. And with the attention these two paid to detail, their day was just as beautiful as it was meaningful.

Rene of Rene's Maison des Fleurs created the most beautifully breathtaking floral arrangements. Each a little different but equally as stunning, I could have spent the entire day taking pictures of just the flowers.

Remember Trey + Axle - the pups from Daniel and Ashley's engagement session (and also the most photogenic dogs in the world)? As I was trying to document Ashley's bouquet and boots, Axel was pretty insistent upon being in the picture. I think he's equal parts farm dog and Diva.

Ceremony time!

Instead of lighting a unity candle or pouring sand into a glass jar, Daniel and Ashley put their own spin on the wedding tradition. The two carved their initials into a tree that stood at the ceremony site. Forever marking their place on the family ranch.

Ashley's parents went to great lengths to can homemade pickles for wedding favors. It was the details like this that made Daniel & Ashley's wedding a dream to photograph.

A sweet first dance as husband and wife...

...followed by a few more portraits in the dewey evening light.

I was so excited to see Trey make an appearance at the reception. Axle had his moment in the spotlight before the wedding, so I think Trey was feeling a bit left out. He completely cut a rug on that dance floor.

Daniel and Ashley, le sigh. It was truly an honor to be part of your day. Thank you for inviting me in and treating me like family. For letting me capture your joy and your love and your story. My gratitude stretches to the sky and I hope you know I think the world of you both!

Lots of love, Michelle

Nick & Heather

I first met Heather this past winter for what I thought would be a quick cup of coffee. Only much to my delight our said cup of coffee was anything but quick. For well over an hour we sat and chatted about wedding planning and the best cocktail hour appetizers and her Vera Wang gown and how she met her amazing fiancé, Nick. We talked about how Nick and Heather truly wanted their wedding to be a reflection of their eco-friendly lifestyles. How they would rent plants and flowers for their big day and gift every one of their guests with their very own tree seedling as a favor. I listened as Heather told me about her handsome dog, Arwen, and the beloved family pup, Chloe – who would most definitely be an important part of the big day. And I smiled a big, goofy smile as Heather spoke of how her and Nick loved most any activity associated with being outside and involving an adventure. And one cup of coffee down, I knew I desperately wanted to photograph Nick and Heather’s wedding.

Earlier this month Nick and Heather were married at Rock Springs Ranch in Bend. They wed in a sweet ceremony surrounded by good company, a few towering pines, and the beloved aforementioned pooch, Chloe. While their wedding was absolutely beautiful and a true dream to photograph, what made Nick and Heather's day so special were their amazing friends and family. They're the type of people who immediately make you feel like one of their own. Leaving me to pinch myself and wonder how I get to photograph the world's most wonderful couples.

Heather worked with Bend's Cascade Garden Center to create a most beautifully natural arch to be married under. The Garden Center also provided all of the amazing plant rentals seen throughout the wedding - allowing Nick and Heather to stick to their sustainable roots!

I always get excited when I find out a couple has hired Tate & Tate Catering. Their food is even more delicious than it is beautiful - which is impressive considering Tate & Tate takes such pride in making a gorgeous presentation.

Sweetness...