Sara Gray Photography Portland, Oregon

I have lots of wedding photographer friends who are about my age and married like me, and we have an ongoing conversation: how would you re-do your wedding now? We see so many new and interesting ideas that I reformulate my dream wedding every few weeks or so.

A couple of weeks ago, I had the great opportunity to tag along with my friend Alyssa Jul to one of her weddings. It was one of those weddings that really inspired me – from the idyllic setting in Sam’s parents’ backyard with a stream running through it to the lanterns and globe lights strung around the property, no detail went unnoticed and it was a spectacular celebration.

Look at these three adorable flower girls – they each had a unique hair piece, and the littlest one, Roxy, had a headband with a little bird’s nest on it (which she had trouble keeping on, which is why it’s not in the picture below). Pure adorable.

Aren’t Sam and Ajax a great-looking couple? They were an absolute dream to photograph, and I can’t wait to share even more of these photos in the next two days!

It’s getting to be that time of year again – Stephanie started school last week as a senior, for her last time at Beaverton High. I think it’s going to be a great year for her. A few weeks back, we spent a little bit of time at Oregon Heritage Farms in Hillsboro doing a senior session for her and it was so much fun!

Stephanie is seriously photogenic and is always willing to try just about anything I can dream up. Thanks for being adventurous!

I love Stephanie’s eyes – they are so deep and blue and expressive.

Thanks for being an awesome senior rep this year, Stephanie – you are amazing! I hope you have the best senior year ever.

I grew up in the Portland area, but it wasn’t until I moved back after college that I started making connections with such amazing people. There’s a feeling in Portland of idealism and of wanting to improve the world around us, but I am especially finding that to be true now that I get a little more involved with the local community.

I had the opportunity about a month ago to attend the Council for Responsible Sport‘s first Green Tie event, which was a silent auction and fundraiser for their programs. The organization works to “green” sporting events like marathons and triathlons and they offer a certification program for events.

The Green Tie event was held at the Keen Headquarters in the Pearl District, which was such a cool space to get to hang out in. Eric went with me as my date and I couldn’t resist posting a picture of him (below right). I love it when he wears a tie.

These ladies, Marissa McGilliard (left) and Kirstin Gunderson (right) run ReSport, and they do a great job. It was so fun working with both of them throughout their event, which they clearly worked hard on.

Vegan cupcakes = crazy delicious

The evening’s speaker was Darcy Winslow, who runs Designs for a Sustainable World in Portland. She shared photos, video and her thoughts from a recent expedition to Antarctica. Her experience was stunning and has spurred her on to finding new and inventive ways to save the planet and its natural habitats.

This last photo is of my friend Jenna Forstrom (right) — Jenna also works for Designs for a Sustainable World and she is currently in a contest to be a blogger on an Antarctica trip. It means a lot to her, and I think she would be a stellar pick (just read her blog entry – it made me laugh out loud). If you have a minute today, go here to vote for Jenna so we can all follow her on her Antarctica expedition!

I would love to photograph another wedding at the Red Building Loft or even in Astoria – it’s a great spot for capturing some of that rugged Oregon beauty.

Check out this place at night!

After dark, Missy and Fred enjoyed some moments to themselves on the dance floor.

Thank you so much, Missy and Fred, for choosing me to be your wedding photographer. I had so much fun getting to know you both and I wish you every happiness in your life together.

I have such attractive clients – Missy and Fred just have a glow to them. They are so happy and comfortable together.

Missy and Fred’s wedding was planned by the masterful hand of Brooke Brooks from Bellissimo Wedding and Event Planning in McMinnville, Oregon. Brooke and Leslie did such a great job making sure all the details worked together and flowed smoothly that the day was totally seamless.

Missy’s dress made me swoon, but I wasn’t the only one. No one could keep their eyes off her all night.

Check back tomorrow to see how the party shaped up throughout the night at Missy and Fred’s wedding!

I’ve been really lucky this year to have two weddings on the Oregon Coast. I love the rugged beauty out there, and Missy and Fred’s wedding on Aug. 29 was no exception. It was an understated, elegant affair in Astoria just under the famous bridge at the Red Building Loft.

Missy and her bridesmaids and mom got ready at Astoria’s Hotel Elliott, which is a favorite spot of mine. It’s a historical property with really thoughtful decorating and details.

We took a stroll just under Astoria’s bridge and it was amazing – what a beautiful day and a beautiful couple. I love my job!

Check back tomorrow to see more great details from this coastal celebration.

Well, we started with 40 at the beginning of this shoot, but by the time I transported them in my car and got them upstairs to my apartment, and then back out to the park, we were down six.

These girls came with me on a designer senior session a few months ago and we had so much fun frolicking around in Gabriel Park with balloons.

My senior clients always give me clothing envy.

These girls were seniors last year, and they’ve all just headed off to college now. I hope you’re all having fun out there!

I loved these colors, and they didn’t even plan it! They each brought all their dresses and we managed to put this combo together. I love doing wardrobe consultations on designer senior sessions.

Thanks, girls, for coming out and having so much fun! Have a great freshman year!

Note: My dear friend and filmmaker Michael Ward came along with me to this shoot, and you can see some footage from it in my promo video. Click here to check it out.

I so love spending time with seniors. Their youth and energy is awesome – they usually try my crazy ideas and they have so much opportunity in front of them. Jenn is totally that way – she was one of my senior reps this year and just came back a couple of weeks ago for her second session. She’s changed so much since last time!

Isn’t her outfit so cute? I get all my fashion inspiration from my seniors – ha! – but seriously. They dress way cooler than I do.

This combo cracks me up – reminds me of that old magic trick where they put a lady in a box and cut her in half. Sorry Jenn!

Thank you so much, Jenn, for being such fun to photograph! I hope your senior year is amazing. Embrace all that opportunity in front of you!

Awhile back, I had the opportunity to photograph these three lovely and ambitious women for their new Web site. This is Jenna, Darcy and Inbar, and together they make up the DSW Collective, or Designs for a Sustainable World. They do sustainability consulting and training, and it was so fun to photograph them.

I love women who are all about making a difference, but these women are also determined to have fun along the way. That’s important, and I love what they’re building. I can’t wait to see where it all goes from here.

Thanks, ladies, for being great fun to photograph and for waking up every day with new resolve to make a real difference.

I wanted to thank you all for entering this month’s contest — it was our best turnout ever and it was fun to see all your comments. After our highly scientific drawing (this time, all your names were written on folded scraps of paper and scattered all over our guest bed and Eric plucked one out), our winner is Carrie Peeples! I hope Carrie and her husband Mark can enjoy a little solitude in Lincoln City before their baby is born!

For all the rest of you, thanks for entering and come back in October for another shot at an awesome prize.