OREGON // PERSONAL POST

I would recommend listening to this song while you go through the post.

I would also like to recommend going to the Storyline conference, by Donald Miller. It was the whole reason that I was even in Portland. If you want more information on it, feel free to e-mail and ask me or leave a comment... It will truly wreck you, in a beautiful way! 

_________

View from our beautiful Portland hostel.

Driving to the coast.Salted caramel latte, I believe. In Astoria.Fort Steven's Rock, home of a wrecked ship and also a TON of driftwood. That people apparently make into tee-pees. Tiny little drive-up coffee houses. We got something that was apparently triple the strength of a regular espresso. Needless to say, it was off the CHAIN. (So were we.)Headed to Canon Beach where apparently Free Willy AND the Goonies were filmed! April, documenting her experience with Haystack... she can now cross this off her bucket list!

No, I do not know these people.. but that weimaraner was harassing me all day. 

No big deal, just a rainbow circle around the sun.Take me back.

April is way better with that "cool, serious" face than I am.

One word for Multnomah Falls: GORGEOUS.(L) Me, (R) My dear, dear friend April.

Columbia River Valley Gorge.

A very happy little seal.

Another view of our hostel on a different day. 

INSTAGRAM SHOTZ.

1. Takeoff from Charlotte / 2. EXCITED / 3. Duh, cats can fly! 4. Gorgeous sunset somewhere in the sky / 5. Bi Ways diner. We went there twice / 6. Delicious breakfast. 7. Portland, Oregon / 8. Portland Saturday Market / 9. Open page in POWELL's book store about the coast. 10. I can find an Anthro anywhere / 11. Our beautiful, relaxing day spent at the coffee shop next to the hostel. 12. Hostel / 13. Hostel 14 / 15/ 16: Walking around Portland. 17. Awesome old school Trolley map in the hostel / 18. Me creepin' in Astoria / 19. AMAZING deer art piece / 20. Awesome brunch at the coffee house. 20. "Is that a shipwreck, ya'll?" Fort Fisher / 21. Haystack Rock. 22. Haystack or Canon Beach / 23. Driving back to Portland. 24-25 / Multnomah Falls. 26-27 / Back to Byways for Blue Corn pancakes with a homemade maple butter sauce / 28. Walking over the bridge to the hostel. Scary. 29. The actual point of the trip, STORYLINE! / 30. Lunch break / 31. Back to Storyline. 32-33. BEST THAI EVER / 34-35. Voodoo Doughnuts! 36-39. Visual ramblings and a sad goodbye to my new favorite city.

ENGAGEMENT // CAMERON & JOSH // FORT MILL, SOUTH CAROLINA

{Warning: You're about to read a sappy post.} In life, I feel like you meet people called "forever friends". People that you can just sit in a room with, no talking necessary. People that understand you and your quirks and love you for it {but still TOTALLY call you out on them}. That one person you tell secrets to because you can't keep them to yourself and aren't allowed to tell anyone else.

I met one of my forever friends the first day of my freshman year of college, which will be five years ago this August. I walked down to her dorm room and introduced myself. At least, that's how I remember it. She'd probably have a different recollection. Over the next four years, we lived together, watched Teen Mom and other trashy girl TV shows, shared Little Ceasar's pizza more than I would like to mention, talked love and loss.. became sisters, really. Sure, she's a crazy cat lady who needs to have webmd.com blocked on her computer because she's a slight hypochondriac.. but she's one of the sweetest souls that I have ever been blessed to meet. And her (now) fiance loves her so much you can see it in his eyes when he looks at her. He is adorable, caring, hilariously funny and loves cats as much as she does. And he's a bird watcher, which was surprisingly interesting to learn about- we had to return is attention back to the engagement shoot several times- we shot in a wooded area ;).

These two were literally crafted for each other. I am so unbelievably honored to be their wedding photographer/semi-self appointed maid of honor at their wedding this coming June.

Ladies and gentleman, meet Cameron and Josh. You'll love them as much as I do.

Listen to this while scrolling, it's one of their favorites!

 

BRANDING, PART 2 // PERSONAL POST

It's taken me quite a long time to get my look for my photography together. I believe this is called, "branding"? Since i graduated college, I have gone through a huge transformation with my work. I started to realize how important it is to take time to get everything right in camera, to style your clients in a natural and serene way, and to make them feel comfortable...at ANY cost. {For me, that's usually making a fool of myself!}

As important as shoots are {duh} - I believe post processing and product packaging are also important. These pictures will be around a very, very long time. They will be shown to my client's children, and entire families. They will {hopefully} be scattered around their homes in decorated picture frames, and sitting on office desks.

I want to inspire my clients and make them feel like they're opening a little gift. They're special, and they need to know that.

I found my color palette, I found my textures and my materials. It still needs some tweaking, but here you go:

Emily Chidester Photography, the tangible side.

.. well I can't give TOO much away! ;)