Archives : Bend Oregon
Bend, Oregon Engagement Session For Bride and Groom-To-Be Jess and Chase
It’s kinda funny how things just fall into place. Case in point, I found out about the area where we did this photo-shoot from a completely different source than expected. This persons band website had these really cool promo images and when I saw that a photog friend of mine had shot the images, I was intrigued to find out where this area was. Did I even begin to mention the fact that I’ve lived in this area since 96 and have biked literally 1-2 miles from this building 1000’s of times? So, what really was this concrete foundation of a building shell used for? I’m really not 100% sure yet but I’ve heard a few guesses transcending from fire lookout to irrigation something or other.
Fast forward a few days and I’m meeting Jess and Chase for a consultation. It turns out that they not only knew the person in the band who’s images of the building I’d first seen, Chase had even lived with one of the other band members and knew about the photo-shoot himself. Like Tetris, everything was falling into place and when they both agreed they were looking for images that were off beat, unusual and creative I knew just the place to take them. Jess also told me about some chairs and a small sofa that they thought would be cool to incorporate into the shoot. Family heirlooms you say? Yellow velour? It just doesn’t get any better! I ended up scouting out the area the day before we did the photo-shoot and was super stoked to bring Jess and Chase out there.
Luck was on our side once again as I got up in the morning only to find a blue bird day in front of me and the sun shining. Normally I’d be looking for a nice diffused light rather than a harsh sun to deal with during a photo-shoot, but this is February and far from Arizona temps! Don’t get me wrong though, this isn’t to say that we were all basking in heat since the shade was still around 40F. I was the only one moving around enough to stay warm so thank you Jess and Chase for making the images look warmer than you might have been!! At this point, I usually don’t know too much about the couple I’ll be working with, other than our prelim conversations, so it’s fun to see how the two interact together, how their own personalities come through and really, how creative they’re willing to be. Jess turned out to be from Melbourne Australia, 6′ tall and Anne Hathaway could be her twin and Chase is a student/musician. Both have amazing hearts, super fun personalities and lots of stories. I love stories.
After spending a bit of time with them, I really have to say that they were not only amazingly fun to work with, (the whole time they just laughed and joked with each other and it was hard to get them to not smile!), but super daring to capture something different. I’m sure I looked a little crazy to them as I climbed, jumped and hung off this building with my camera and equipment, (ah yes, I knew my years of rock climbing would come in handy) and still, even out in the middle of no where, a few people drove past with quizzical looks. To be standing on a crumbly concrete shell of a building that looked more at home in Europe during WWII than in Central Oregon, this cliff side shoot with the rocks/ground at least 20′ down required some focus and Jess and Chase rocked it big time! I look forward to the fun we’ll have at Smith Rock for their wedding. Maybe a shoot on the top of Monkey Face is in order?
Such a sweet kiss….
True adventurers – they’re like 20 feet off the ground on the ledge!
One of my favs for SURE.
A rock star shot…
A pure beauty shot….
A serenade 20 feet up 
I wanted Jess to stand on the edge, (only if she wanted to!) and have Chase on the other side of the wall. I’m still impressed at how calm they both look as they hold onto each other. Now that’s confidence!
An antique couch added to the moment for the scene – we encourage our clients to bring props (thanks to Jess and Chase for adding this awesome touch!)
We also encourage and look forward to photographing couples in unusual areas that allow their personalities to flourish!
Official Coverage Of Facebook’s New Data Center In Prineville, Oregon
Wow, what a day! Lot’s of, “I wish I could tell you what’s going to happen/who’s moving to town but…I’d have to kill you…” type stuff has shrouded this event from the beginning. Well, it was finally unveiled today that Facebook will build and own their first data center, (rather than lease) in Prineville, Oregon. Evidently, the high desert’s dry climate is perfect for this type of operation and for all of us in Central Oregon we couldn’t be happier. From what it sounds like, all it takes is someone like Facebook to make the first leap and from there, other big guns in the tech industry, etc will be sure to follow.
It was great to be part of something like this. The event was basically on the site where the facility will be built, with the tents set up at the end of a road and security super tight. Most of the people attending, (including myself) didn’t know what business was coming until today. I’m really amazed this secret was able to last this long…especially with how powerful Facebook is! Excavation only began on the 130+ acre site about two weeks ago but when the GM overseeing construction drove me around to get some images, it was evident that by the beginning of 2011 they would be up and running-think, TIGHT schedule.
At around noon, Prineville Mayor Mike Wendel announced to everyone the big news and after several speeches, the official ground breaking ceremony occurred, lunch was served and within 1.5 hours everyone had moved on to their next appointment. I love challenges, and today I got to hammer out one of my quickest photo edits to date, since one of the stipulations for my shooting the event was that the PR firm in charge of the events media distribution needed the images literally after I was done shooting. Pressures a good thing….especially when things go right! So here’s to Facebook for putting Central Oregon in front of the world’s eyes. Oh, did I say again how much I love my job?!!
Big shout out to all my friends who did an outstanding day today. This includes Heidi Berkman with H. Berkman & Associates Inc., the Marketing & Special Events Consultant-541.480.8700 who made everything go silky smooth, Pinnacle Media’s Matt and JoAnn Hand for handling the video content, and Joolz Restaurant from downtown Bend for providing the amazing food.
Cheers-
Getting ready for the fun…
Mayor of Prineville, Mike Wendel showing some of the excitement we all are feeling!
Facebook’s Director of Site Operations, Tom Furlong (brown jacket) celebrating with others that got the job done!
Three of the finance wizards from Facebook–you can thank them for making it happen.
Winter Fog Photography at Deschutes River – Bend, Oregon
There are days where the scenery in Bend, Oregon is just plain beautiful. Recently, the combination of freezing fog on the pine trees and a light dusting of snow made our town pretty magical. I was looking for a good excuse to grab the camera and experiment with some ideas – and the Deschutes river was the perfect venue for tinkering. It’s pretty rare that we focus on shots that don’t include people!
In a few hours of shooting down at Big Eddy and Dillon Falls, I ran into 4 other photographers (tripod and all) – one all the way from Seattle – with the same idea. We were almost vying for the ‘best spots’ without being too impolite; it was rather funny. We’re used to working around others with cameras at weddings, “the paparazzi” Byron and I like to call them (those with point and shoots and basic SLRs) but that’s the last thing I expected with this casual nature shoot! One photographer even took a shot of me shooting at Dillon Falls (since I was hopping on the slippery rocks to get as close to the falls as possible, hoping I wasn’t going to slip!). If he does end up sending it our way, I’ll post an addon! Enjoy these winter pics; we wish everyone a spectacular start to 2010.
-Wendy
I fell cold just looking at this photo Brrrrrr…
Just a subtle bit of color to spice up this image…don’tcha think?
See those footprints? Yup, I was out on the edge jumping from snow patch to snow patch.
All that jumping for a view like this – worth it!
I couldn’t take my eyes off of the intricacy of this tree root…weird but fascinating!
And this one’s for you – Byron <3
Webcyclery Thrilla Cyclocross Race – Bend, Oregon
Think dirt, sweat, blood – that’s the beauty of cyclocross racing. Guys and gals participate (Byron included) in this grind of a bicycle race each year for a few weeks during the fall. They’ve got more guts than I do (which is why I’m shooting and not racing!). The course is near Cascade Lakes Brewery – where riders cross barriers, go down the rock quarry and runs up hills with bike in hand. Enjoy the pics and thanks to Webcyclery for giving us some great exposure to the Bend biking community.
-Wendy
Taron & Ben’s Engagement Photo Session At Todd Lake In Central Oregon
Taron and Ben are real troopers! They told me they liked water and the outdoors so…with them willing, we went up to Todd Lake along the Cascade Lakes Highway for their engagement photos. We’ve got a bit of mosquitoes (read, LOTS) up at the lakes by Mt Batchelor right now and from the start they never missed a step having fun with us. The light was amazing during our time up there and the alpenglow was beginning to make the air all pinkish and sureal during our last shots looking towards Mt Batchelor in the background. No bugs were deliberately harmed during this photo session. Enjoy!
Newborn Baby Photography on the Deschutes River, Bend Oregon
Thank you the Girroir family for introducing us to their new baby son Banyan (aka Jelly Bean)! Like their maternity shoot, Cindy and Jonathan brought their adventurous spirit on a beautifully overcast, sprinkling day. The water flowed behind them as they introduced the baby to the outdoors and surely all the adventures that lay ahead. A beautiful new family, combined with the natual beauty of the Deschutes River and perfect light made this shoot especially fun!
–Wendy
