Wedding: Gillian & Chris

Just look at this pair... SO. MUCH. FUN!!! I had the honor of capturing Gillian & Chris' ceremony this weekend, and it was a great blend of elegance and fun. We started out at the home of friends, whom Gillian used to babysit for:



The boys were kept out of sight while we snapped a few portraits of the GORGEOUS Gillian:







A gift for Dad...



Gillian and Chris opted for a first look, and I sure love it when clients choose this route! It provides plenty of time for capturing portraits without the pressure of waiting guests. Plus, everyone's hair and make-up is at its best!

Gillian waiting for Chris to emerge around the side of the house:



(Isn't her Sophie Chang dress divine?)









Despite the forecast of thunderstorms and hail, we were blessed with some beautiful sunny/overcast skies... the light was particularly beautiful as we shot the family formals:



(I just have to say here that Gillian's Mom is a wedding planner extraordinaire.  I so enjoyed working with you, Kirsten!)




My second shooter, Amber, did some portraits with the guys while I stole away for a few more with Gillian:







I loved this bridal party. They were so gracious... super patient when we had to run inside/outside/inside/outside as the sun came and went, and just being game for everything I suggested, and even going above and beyond to let me know when they saw something that would be special for Gillian and Chris to have captured. Can I take you all to every wedding with me?! ;0)



This might be my new favorite capture of all time! I LOVE it. I really, reeeeallly LOOOOOOVE it!!! Their expressions, the setting, the light... everything:



I also love this glimpse of Gillian and Chris through the wine cellar door:



(Thank you again, Peggy, for pointing me to your beautiful wine cellar!)



After portraits, we headed to Tualatin Country Club for the ceremony:



I typically only have one other photographer along with me, but I was able to have two this time, and it was wonderful! While Amber was capturing the reception hall details, I was snapping candids of guests, and Heather was grabbing some gorgeous shots of the grounds (like the one above).

Chris' Mom and Uncle came all the way from England! (Gillian and Chris met while she was studying abroad.) Jenny was stunning in her hat and tangerine skirt:



This deck was off of the reception hall, and I could have shot out there all night! The light just got better and better as the evening wore on, with the sunset glow bouncing off of the reception hall windows:



My hair stylist, Monica, was the one who referred this wedding to me. (Thank you again, Monica!) I grabbed a quick snap of her and her sweet hubby in the gorgeous sunset light:



There were some HILARIOUS toasts:



And there was fabulous dancing, too:



(Gillian's Grandpa Bruce was a wedding photographer for 25 years! I thoroughly enjoyed the few minutes I had to "talk shop" with him!)




Gillian and Chris, thank you so much for the honor of capturing your day! It was a privilege to celebrate alongside you and your lovely, lovely friends and family.

To book a wedding or session, e-mail me at jamie.zanotti@gmail.com

Family: The D's ... Eugene Oregon Portraits

One of my favorite things about photographing the D Family is that there are so many sweet moments in-between the "official" shots... Their fun-loving, gracious dynamic is amazing, and it's a pure privilege to be in their presence.

I love this one of Ellie running for her Aunt and Uncle, with Grandma trailing behind:



And this one of Cole might be my favorite from the session! I love the framing of the train, and his sparkly blue eyes set off by the orange of his shirt:



Shawna married into the family last fall:



I was loving the newlywed cuteness:



At this point in the session, we had just moved to our 2nd location, and I was THRILLED to have a few minutes alone with the newlyweds, since I LOOOOOVE shooting couples so much! Tim took his first opportunity to get on the phone and tell the rest of the family to hurry up, because, "She keeps thinking of more and more pictures to take of Shawna and me..." LOL!



I showed Tim a wee bit of mercy, and let him drift into the blurred out background:



If I was Grandma, this next image is the one I'd get a ginormous print of! The joyful mayhem is palpable, isn't it?



A couple more of the whole crew:





(Thanks yet again to Heather for assisting; she was doing who knows what behind me, to get all of these great expressions!)

There was newlywed cuteness, and new baby cuteness, too:









The two who started all the cuteness in the first place:





...and I just can't resist closing out this post with a bit more newlywed cuteness:



THANK YOU for the honor, D Fam! Love you guys!!

To book a wedding or session, e-mail me at jamie.zanotti@gmail.com

Kate

Oh, Kate! How much I love you!! (And this pic of you and Nick!)

I was privileged to spend a beautiful afternoon with my beautiful friend Kate, and her extended family. Kate is the real deal. Kind. Humble. Loyal. Gracious. Lovely.

Her hubby Nick is o.k., too.

KIDDING! Nick is truly great. I just love their whole family to pieces! Can't wait to share more soon...

To book a wedding or session, e-mail me at jamie.zanotti@gmail.com

Baker Pond Log Works: Glimpses

One of my favorite things about living in a log home is the strong connection to nature. Even when you're inside, you can often glimpse the outside. And when you're outside, you're just walking from one set of trees into another...

Here are some glimpses, both looking out and looking in:















A special thank you goes out to these horses for walking into the frame for me at just the right time. ;0)





















I so enjoyed this little venture outside my portraiture box!  But stay tuned for regular programming...  lots of pics of people coming to this lil' 'ol blog real soon!  ;0)

To book a wedding or session, e-mail me at jamie.zanotti@gmail.com