Sara Gray Photography Portland, Oregon

Can you believe it’s going to be September tomorrow? September is my favorite month (it’s my birthday!) and because of that, I am going to give away something awesome on the blog tomorrow. Trust me, you’ll want to come back and enter to win.

My month has been a blur, has yours? In August, I photographed four weddings and they were all beautiful and so much fun. So needless to say, picking a favorite photo this month was basically torture. I landed on this photo, though, and I’ll tell you why:

I took this photo the morning after Kristi and Jason’s wedding, on the beach in Rockaway Beach. It was sort of foggy and very calm, and they were so at ease. I thought it was such a great thing that after the dust had settled, these two were jumping right into their new life as newlyweds. It was really a treat to work with this couple — and all my great August wedding couples!

Technical info: ISO 100, shutter speed 1/6400 and f/2.2. Lens: 50mm f/1.4.

September is going to be great here on the blog, so stick around, and don’t miss tomorrow’s contest!

Laura and Luis’ event was in the most beautiful spot, with awesome light and great touches throughout the ceremony. It’s the kind of thing wedding photographers dream about!

There were some pretty funny kids at this wedding too – including Cedric (below right) who made his own hand-drawn fake ID and tried to get the bartender to serve him. Nice try, dude.

Congratulations, Laura and Luis! You make a wonderful couple and I wish you a very long and happy life together!

When we left off yesterday, Laura and Luis were enjoying themselves and had just tied the knot after a sweet service in the grass at King Estate Winery surrounded by family and friends.

It was a really emotional ceremony – I even wiped a tear or two from behind my camera!

Laura and Luis’ officiant cracked them up while they signed their official paperwork to become man and wife.

Check back again tomorrow for reception photos from Laura and Luis’ wedding!

Last month, I had the honor of shooting Laura and Luis’ wedding in Eugene at the King Estate Winery with my dear friend and fabulous wedding photographer, Angela Cardas. It was a stunning wedding and we had a great time, despite the heat of the day.

Look at what a stunning couple they make – they were both so anxious and excited for the ceremony to begin so they could see each other!

At one point, Luis told me, “This winery is really pretty, but my girlfriend is prettier.”

It was a day full of really sweet moments between a couple who is so in love. It was beautiful! Check back tomorrow for more from this purple, black and white celebration.

Alright, so if you want to get technical they’re not seniors. One of them is – but I dare you to try and pick her out! This awesome group of girls and I got together a couple of months ago for a designer senior session in Cannon Beach, and it was so much fun!

Rosie & Emily

Alyssa & Amanda

Mikayla & Maggie

Shannon & Stephanie

This session was so much fun – and it proves that you don’t have to be seniors to do a designer senior session! If you’re interested in having your senior (or engagement, or family) photos taken at the beach, let me know – I am going to set up a couple of days this fall to do beach sessions and I want to see if there’s interest!

Hey blog readers!

About two months ago, I chanced upon a new friend – her name is Misty Damico, and she’s a firecracker, an event planner and a restaurant lover who is totally tuned in to the Portland community. Her new company, Luxe Event Productions, produces amazing, wonderful events.

Like me, Misty has poked around, reading inspiring wedding blogs from around the country for years, and she decided to do something about it. She launched So This is Bliss, which is the newest place to go for inspiration for Pacific Northwest weddings. It’s been really inspiring so far, and it’s not even in its complete, final format yet!

I’m one of Misty’s “Luxe NW 7″ – a group of local photographers who share our work on her blog to serve as inspiration to local brides and wedding vendors. Little snippets of the weddings I’ve photographed over the last couple of months have appeared there, and it’s loads of fun to be able to contribute some inspiration. My dear friends Melissa Tomeoni and Alyssa Jul are also part of the Luxe NW 7 and I’ve got to tell you, I’m in good company!

Please go over and check out So This is Bliss – you’ll be inspired, I promise!

Jody and Jeremy enjoyed their first dance together and kicked off the party – this family knows how to have fun and dance!

I did steal them away one more time for a few more photos, though – I couldn’t help myself!

Then it was party time, everyone got down (including to Jody’s song – “Shorty Got Low”) and had tons of fun. It was a happy wedding and everyone was up to party all night.

Thanks, Jody and Jeremy, for being awesome clients and sharing your big day with me. I love feeling like a part of your family and I can’t wait to see you both again soon!

Jody and Jeremy are so sweet together – we took a stroll before their ceremony around downtown Centralia and took some portraits. To be honest, I’m not sure they remembered I was there.

I love it when I just stumble upon a totally empty downtown street that has bricks!

Then it was time for their ceremony, and the emotion of the whole thing caught both of them off guard. It was so sweet to watch!

And then they were man and wife! Their ceremony was short and sweet, and their vows meaningful — and then they danced their way back up the aisle (wedding party in tow) to MC Hammer’s “Can’t Touch This.” It was surprise to everyone but the wedding party!

Stop by tomorrow to see how the party got going after their ceremony!

It’s so fun when I get to know someone before photographing their wedding. In this case, Jody’s sister Katy used to be our neighbor and went to high school with my husband, Eric. But over the last several years, we’ve gotten to know their whole family and they’re amazing. The wedding was no exception.

Jody’s taste was amazing – for her Aug. 8 wedding in Centralia, Washington at the Aerie Ballroom, she went totally blinged-out – from the dress to the cake to the bouquets and shoes and more. Keep your eyes peeled for lots of sparkly accessories.

The gorgeous flowers were done by Lena Shedd from Newbury Bay in Olympia – I got to meet her before the wedding and she was so sweet, plus check out these flowers! She seriously puts my wedding florist to shame.

Jody was such a pretty bride, and so relaxed before her ceremony.

Check out those cameras! When I first saw them, I thought Jody did them herself.  Turns out she just found a great deal.

Come back tomorrow to see her all blinged-out and walking down the aisle to her groom, Jeremy!

When we left off yesterday, Alexis and Daniel were posing for their engagement session. We did this session at the park near Lake Sacajawea in Longview, Washington, where they live. I lived there when I was in grade school and this park is still one of my mom’s favorite places. She’s sad that her kids didn’t get married at the community church right on the lake.

Look at these two! I love it. They are so sweet together.

Thanks, Alexis and Daniel, for being so fun! I can’t wait for your wedding!