Category : Letter Series

To Katie + Brian, From Mom + Dad Michel; Wedding Photography Broken Top Club, Bend Oregon

Dear Brian & Katie,

Every parent’s dream is for their children to grow up to be responsible, happy, loving adults. The two of you as individuals have achieved that and so much more. You are both blessed with families who love and support you and close friends with whom you have shared experiences of laughter and joy. As a couple you have something very special.

We were honored that you chose Bend for your wedding. Based on the many family members and friends that made the long journey to celebrate with you at the events leading up to and including your beautiful wedding day, it is clear that you cherish the importance of family and wonderful friendships that will last a lifetime.

We see the respect and trust you have for each other and know that it will provide the foundation for the unconditional love you share. As you start the next chapter of your adventure together as life partners, enjoy the journey every day and never hesitate to say how much you love each other.

Live well, Laugh often and Love much.

Mom & Dad Michel

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Katie + Brian,

What started out as rain turned into the most shooting spectacular weather for your special day.  It was like the universe knew it was time and parted rain, clouds and let the sun shine for you.  It was a such a pleasure to work with you, capture the amazing details of the day and meet your closest friends and family.  We had a blast!

All the best,

B + W

The sun blasted through the windows on the other side of this glass ‘Broken Top’ – a perfect location for a dress.

I love this pensive moment; let the sewing ensue

With your proposal on the Eiffel Tower, we thought this shot was fitting

Your program director and helper was on the ball here!  Ha ha, this was the most adorable photo op.

Oh, the socks…we LOVED the socks!

A moment before the ceremony, everyone lined up…Katie waiting for her dad…this is special.

The peek and smile of Brian at the end of the aisle here makes this one a keeper.

Parents of the groom, wrought with emotion – super special.

Again, fantastic light…Katie, you look like a MODEL here!  You’re beautiful!

The movement and drama of this shot is fantastic.

Your getaway car…a golf cart   Okay, not really but this is a fun one!

The first dance dip – well done, my friends.

End of the evening sparklers to the real getaway car…your future awaits you!

To Tamara, From Tim; Pre-Wedding Engagement Photography Bend Oregon

Querida Tamara,

Ya hace mas que un par de años desde que nos conocimos, hicimos amigos y nos enamoramos – tú y yo. Looking back over those years I’ve become convinced that ‘meeting you was fate, becoming your friend was a choice, but falling in love with you was beyond my control,’ to borrow from an anonymous quote. A decided surrendering to a serendipity of happenstance that both marks and has changed me; forever, and for the better. I wish I could find words to enumerate the cherished dreams, memories, and experiences that loving you has afforded me. And to also convey, palpably, the awesome force these moments represent to who I am, have become, and desire to be. My efforts would, of course, be folly at best: ‘a laborious and impoverishing extravagance,’ for neither words nor text could approach the wonder that simply the thought of you animates within me.

My best effort, perhaps fittingly, would be to compare my love for you to a book, and allow the magistery of Borges’ text to approximate in words what I cannot. For ‘a book is more that a verbal structure or series of verbal structures; it is the dialogue it establishes with its reader and the intonation it imposes upon their voice, and the changing and durable images it leaves in their memory. A book is not an isolated being: it is a relationship, an axis of innumerable relationships.’ In simple terms a book is life. A script that neither fully precedes nor is postscript to our experience in the world; to living, loving, and just being. And ultimately, a book is never solitary. For from the moment of its inception it thought, through the acts of writing and being read, a book is always already a relationship, a gathering of the countless relationships that story life.

What I am trying to say is that to no small extent I am the person I am today by virtue of loving you, and by the grace of having felt your love for many years. This is what my life has become. And I love my life, largely because I am deeply in love with you. I didn’t know things would turn out this way when we met; nor could I have brought my life, nor yours, here by simple design. I just wanted to know you, become your friend, and share time. That’s all I was sure of those years ago; the rest has been like a book that wraps you up and whisks you away to worlds and experiences previously unimagined, if not unimaginable. A life of wonderment: that’s the story I live with in words I love you Tamara. And life with you is ever so much more than words.

Tu amigo, pareja, y enamorado – ahora y para siempre.

Un beso querida.
tim

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Tamara + Tim,

You know why we love you guys?  Because you two are adventurous spirits, for shizzle.  Nevermind that the next day after the shoot you were going on a 23-day epic hiking adventure in Yosemite, nevermind that we were swarmed with mosquitoes during the second half of the shoot and you still looked natural, relaxed and at ease in nature, truly, you guys are such a cute pair and are obviously two peas in a pod.

We had so much fun with the old Schwinn bike, chasing the sunset at Mt. Bachelor and swatting bugs (all the while watching you two share ‘little kisses’ – ahhemm, remember ‘no big kisses’!).  We can’t wait for your upcoming wedding and look forward to sharing your special day with such a fun duo.

All the best,

B + W

A little downtown fun in the sun on a tandem Huffy townie bike

Beautiful light for a secret smooch!

One of our favs with Mt. Bachelor in the background.

Here’s another fun, unique play shot!

I did photoshop ONE thing on this pic, there was a massive mosquito on the frame (one of thousands but you wouldn’t know it from their smiles!)

Balance, smooch, surf…balance, smooch – aw, you get the drill!  Super cute in front of Broken Top on the side of the road.

I can’t believe this was the sunset…it looks like a wildfire in the back it’s so brilliant!

Sunflare goodness and Tamara dancing

Yes, that’s the moon in the middle of the rocks.

One of our favs, a cute moment you two!

To Heather + Phillip; From Mom + Dad: Elk Lake Resort Wedding Photography, Bend Oregon

Heather + Phillip,

We are so pleased that everything went very, very well for the whole weekend. Everyone pitched in.  We enjoyed meeting all your friends, co-workers, and Phillip’s family.

We thought your photographers, Byron and Wendy, were wonderfully creative and are looking forward to seeing the pictures. The music was very appropriate for the setting.  Roland White and Fiddleplay played with enthusiasm despite being wrapped in blankets to keep warm.

With all the preplanning everything worked out just the way it was supposed it – the caterer, the wedding dress, the favors were extremely appropriate for the cold afternoon, the wedding rehearsal dinner was a real treat with the wonderful dinner and the fun of the chairlift rides, combining 2 birthdays on Thursday, the group shot on the mountain, wedding on Saturday and your honeymoon trip.

The guys did their own activities (golfing, rifle range and a strenuous hike) judiciously keeping out of the way of intricate final wedding arrangements.

Dad is glad he was able to strike up good memories with the wedding toast.

The canoe ride was an excellent “sailing off into the sunset” way of ending to the ceremony.

A successful marriage requires a lot of give and take and lots of patience.  You two are off to a good start.
“May your lives be successful, may you have the patience to work out your problems big and small, and may you have a long life together.”

Mom and Dad

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H + P,

SUCH a joy to see you two wed.  After seeing the entire relationship unfold from a simple meeting to full blown love, we’re so stoked for the two of you to embark on this new journey together.  You’re some of our closest friends and we couldn’t be more happy for you.  On to the next adventure, a pitter patter maybe?

Love,

B + W

Special thanks to the vendors:
Venue/Bar/Rentals: Elk Lake Resort
Flowers: All Occasions
Dress: Cordially Invited
Live Music: Fiddleplay
Catering: Rockin’ Dave’s Bistro

Heather is the queen of DIY (do it yourself) brides – homemade programs.

Set amongst logs and lake, Elk Lake Resort is a simple, beautiful place for the outdoor lovers wedding.

Heather in all her glow

Their ‘First Look’ next to Phillip’s rockin’ hot Bronco.

Their getaway car – no second thoughts though!

Oh yeah…”he’s mine.”  Phillip’s basically showing off the Bronco here

Just a few details to show off the lodge-esque feel.

Heather’s bridal bouquet, right outside the getting ready cabin.

Mt. Bachelor (both H + P work at the mountain full-time and it’s how they met!) offered a laugh and brought down a custom sign just for their day!

Love, love our macro lens just for RING shots!  Did you catch the reflection of the pines in the ring?  FAB.

A final kiss from her dad before the official handoff, so sweet.

The full venue on a private beach just for the wedding party.

A quick, “whatcha doing?” from the cutie flower girl.

Right after the ceremony, H + P jumped into a canoe for some alone time.  Pushed off by Father of the Bride and friend…

The flower girl 

Although we don’t post formals too often, this was too good to pass up.  Both parents chatting it up next to a cabin with so much character!

…and H + P with close friends Jordana and Ryan

Some quick portraits prior to the reception and party!

The clouds left the most perfect light to be had!  In the marshes with Bachelor in the background.

Happy Wedding Anniversary, My Love!

Byron,

Today we celebrate two years of being married and six years being together.  I sit here SO happy for so many reasons.  Together, we’re making the life we both can find joy and meaning in.  Getting married was the easy part!  I remember clearly taking a walk by myself a month before our wedding pondering how you ‘choose’ the one single person you want to spend your life with?  How do you know it’s for real, for sure, guaranteed?  The only conclusion I came up with is that you’re willing to hold hands, and metaphorically stand on a cliff and jump together into the unknown.  My dad thinks I’m crazy for saying that but that was only thing that made total sense for me.  You’re the one I wanted to jump with.

Through the ups and downs of being married and running a business together, I know you’re the one for me.  We haven’t even touched the surface of what we’re both capable of.  But I know, standing there – holding hands – we’ll both be able to become the people we want for ourselves and for each other.

Although writing a love letter is something that has been around for ages, the simple act of writing one’s feelings down on momentous occasions is a beautiful thing.  We chose to share letters to each other the day of our wedding (thankfully before I put my mascara on!); it became one of the most special things on our day.  Below is my letter to you again, so that the world may know how much you mean to me.

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Dearest Byron,

After four years of being together, I know that you are the one.  Through our vows shared today, and this letter, know that I will stand beside you, love you and grow with you always.  We’ve already proved that we are stronger together.

I promise to continue listening – even when I don’t want to, trusting you – even when I don’t fully understand, care for you – even when you’re sick or fall, and have patience – even when I’m frustrated.

I love you because of your ability to communicate well, our electric chemistry, your adventurous spirit and your humor.  Your ability to grow, combined with your positive drive for life, are the qualities in you that I am SO proud of!

The commitments I share with you in marriage will be spoken today and lived out everyday.  I look forward to raising a family and being present for life’s journey with you by my side.

I love you,
Wendy

Reading Byron’s letter on our wedding day – photo courtesy of Green Door Photography

My sister to the rescue, only to read his letter herself and have us both crying (yes we’re sharing a towel).  Photo courtesy of Green Door Photography

To Gabe, From Mia: Central Oregon Engagement Photography

Gabriel~

Everything I can think to write does not seem to be enough, words seem too trite to describe how blessed I am. Our relationship is such a gift because of the amazing person you are. Each time I am left in awe of your kindness to others, genuine compassion, and commitment to a life of happiness and love. You love me unconditionally and accept me for the person I really am. You support me and encourage me. Simply, you are the person I know I want to spend the rest of my life with, because I know our life will be filled with love and goodness!

I look forward to our future together. I can’t wait to start our family together. I know that both of us are deeply committed to helping others. Light, love, and life are the things I most want to put forth as intentions for our marriage. I hope that our wedding, our relationship, and the rest of our life together bring radiance and joy to those around us. I know that we will continue our commitment to humanity, to healing, and to helping restore light where there was darkness.

“Our souls were split in two in heaven
in order that we should find our our beshert (soul mate)
in this world and become whole”  -Jewish proverb

…and this is what I have found, and what I hope that each person should find their fire, their passion, their blessings, and their other half.

Always,

~Mia

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Mia + Gabe,

From day one we knew that you chose us to create something unique, above and beyond, for you both.  The e-session had the backdrop of the sunset lit by smoke from an unfortunate nearby wildfire but it made for all the more spectacular light.  Thanks for being brave (walking on a cattle grate with heels!) and playing with us for few hours under sun and stars.  We wish you both the very best and can’t wait to participate in your traditional Jewish wedding next year!  Your letter, your love are truly special.

Best,

B + W

Yes, that’s Mia on a cattle guard with 3″ heels and a smile – WOW.

A little artsy flair from the ground – just a touch of something different.

Two of some of the best smile’s around no doubt!

Mia, you’re gorgeous!  So much so that Gabe’s nibbling on your neck

Another texture rich, gritty image we love with that perfect combo of sexy and sweet.

One of our total favs!  The gelled light here offers rich color to compliment the landscape.

The sunset was just magical.

Mia’s model smile – so cute.

Again, just a normal shot that’s just a little bit artsy and different.

To Byron, From Ninfi: Wedding Anniversary Photography Bend, Oregon

My Dearest Byron – my husband, my lover, my best friend

42 years, incredible, it went so fast.  I can remember our wedding like it was yesterday – all my dreams came true that day.  So many wonderful happenings in 42 years.  Two wonderful sons, vacations, work, sailing, skiing, tennis, motorcross, great music and so much more.

I start voicing a thought and you finish it.  We sometimes think about the same thing at the same time.  Your smile and the twinkle in your eyes makes my heart beat faster because I know they are just for me.  You are so caring and tender, you make me feel safe and loved.

My favorite poem says it all -

How do I love thee,
I love thee to the depth,
and breath and height my soul can reach.

Grow old with me my dear, the best is yet to come.

All my love, now and forever,
Ninfi

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Mom and Dad,

You both are our biggest fans and ultimate role models.  It’s a constant reminder of what can be possible when you wake up and choose love every day of your marriage.  We can only hope to attain the joy and happiness you both live everyday after 40 more years!  Thank you for so openly sharing your love with everyone around you, you probably have no idea how deep of an impact you make in us and others that admire from afar.

Even during this session (your first ‘real’ professional photography session!), you couldn’t keep your hands off each other and a tear was seen here and there.  That’s pure love.

Here’s a gift to your anniversary and to many, many healthy and happy years together.

All our love,

B + W

Love is a beautiful thing at any age….

Can I just say the flowers were full on AMAZING.

Now that’s one HANDSOME man!

Mom with one of her endless giggles, she’s constantly smiling.

One of our favs – do share the secret to your success?!