Sara Gray Photography Portland, Oregon

I am loving senior portrait season so far — the weather has been beautiful, sunny and crisp and I am a happy photographer. Photographing Madie, a senior at Jesuit, was a real treat a couple of years ago. I think she looks like a young Anne Hathaway.

When Anne Hathaway first became famous, they said she looked like a young Audrey Hepburn. So I guess what I’m saying is that I think Madie looks like a young Audrey Hepburn. In my book, that’s the ultimate compliment.

Madie wore this cool WWII bomber jacket that was her grandfather’s — she was so cool and at ease. Madie is a drama kid at Jesuit just like I was, so I felt like we were kindred spirits when we met.

I love her big, happy smile. You can tell Madie is a really happy girl and that’s the most attractive thing there is.

Madie: Thank you so much for coming out to have me photograph you! It was loads of fun and I wish you the best senior year ever!

Do you remember Stefanie and Marc’s wedding earlier this summer? Well, I do. And you’re looking at the life of the party from that wedding.

Cyndi, Bob, Amanda and Nicole are old friends of Stefanie’s family, and it was so much fun to meet them at that wedding. They danced, they laughed and they totally enjoyed the evening. They are non-stop laughs.

I was so excited when Cyndi called me to have their family portraits taken. Can you believe the last time they were photographed was when one of their girls was 7 years old?

On the “non-stop laughs” note, see above on the right for Bob’s “casual walking” look. I laughed through this whole session.

Thank you, Cyndi, Bob, Amanda and Nicole! You are such an awesome family and I can’t wait to see you all again soon!

It’s my favorite time of year — fall. Fall is also Amanda’s favorite time of year. She and Cody came out with me on one of the first really crisp fall day a couple of weeks ago and it was heavenly. The leaves are all just starting to turn and there were pumpkins all around at the McMenamins Cornelius Pass Roadhouse.

Amanda is a teacher at our alma mater, Jesuit, and Cody coaches football at Western Oregon University. What a perfect match — a teacher and a coach.

I love the two of them together — she’s short and he’s tall, she’s blonde and he’s got darker hair. I think they’re a great match. Besides, they make each other laugh, which is really what matters in the end.

Thanks Amanda and Cody, for coming out and enjoying one of those perfect fall mornings with me. It was so much fun!

Yes, my friends, it was two years ago today that I tied the knot myself. It was an unseasonably warm October Saturday and a great day to be with family and friends and celebrate our relationship and the things to come in our life together. Here’s us on our wedding day two years ago: (Photo by the talented Kevin Meyers)

I can hardly believe it’s been two years since we got married, but when I think about it, a lot has happened in that time. We’ve each lost a grandparent, we moved to Argentina and back, went through a career change, made lots of new friends, learned to really cook, started doing the dishes like real adults and still have managed not to break down and get a puppy. And we were both a little chubbier back then, too.

These photos were taken a few weeks ago by my dear friend Missy Cochran in honor of our anniversary — don’t we look different?

When Eric and I were dating, and people would ask us how long we’d been together, we’d say, for example, “Three years.” Then the other one of us would say, “Longest three years of my life!”

Truth is, though, the last seven years with him have been the very best years of my life. Happy anniversary, Eric! I love you!

I’m a girl with split allegiances. I grew up in Oregon, but went to school in Washington. I lived in Washington for more of my adult life than in Oregon. I’ve got friends in both. I photograph weddings in both. And I’ll be shooting special holiday family portrait sessions in both too!

I wanted all of my great Washington clients to know about some important dates for these holiday sessions, so you can get scheduled. I’ll be in Seattle and Spokane this year offering a limited number of sessions, so be sure to get on the calendar quickly if you’re wanting to take advantage of the holiday card special!

Spokane Dates

Friday, October 16

Sunday, October 18

Seattle Dates

Thursday-Sunday, December 3, 4, 5, 6

Between the two cities, there are only about 12 sessions available, so you’ll need to get on the schedule soon if you’re serious.

Note: If you’re not in Seattle or Spokane, but you’re somewhere else in Washington, fill out the contact form — I may be able to catch you en route.

Dustin and Erika’s ceremony was sweet and took place on a bluff overlooking Lake Quinault. The sun was setting over the lake as they said their vows.

The party was filled with phenomenal food, a band and lots of dancing. Everyone had a ton of fun at this wedding.

Congratulations Dustin and Erika! Thanks for letting me be a part of your day, it was so much fun.

One of the things I loved about Erika and Dustin’s wedding were the personal touches: handmade bouquets with beautiful gold ribbons, Erika’s feathery hairpiece, cheesecake for dessert and more.

I love the look in Dustin’s eyes when he looks at Erika. That’s a man in love.

Check back tomorrow for another day of Dustin and Erika’s wedding celebration!

Erika and Dustin are crazy about each other. That’s just all there is to it. They are such a sweet couple and I was so honored a few weeks ago to be at their wedding, serving as a second shooter for my friend Molly Bold from Portrait Expressions in Aberdeen.

Erika and Dustin got married at the Lake Quinault resort, which is on the beautiful north shore of Lake Quinault in the Quinault Rainforest. It’s a really great spot — even Oprah has a house there apparently!

Isn’t Dustin a handsome groom?

Erika was a stunning bride, too — they’re both such wonderful, sweet people.

Stay tuned tomorrow for more from Erika and Dustin’s wedding at Lake Quinault.

I’m going to be honest — a lot of the kids I photographed are being bribed. Parents say things like, “Remember what we talked about, we get ice cream if we’re good today!” or “Do you want to stay up later than your bedtime? Smile at the camera!” It cracks me up, but also, it totally works.

This is Brock. Brock is three, and you’re looking at his bribe — he got to bring along his brand-new dump truck to our session at the Nike campus.

Brock and his little brother, Porter, were so good as we galavanted around the Nike campus on a Sunday afternoon a couple of weeks ago. Their mom, Kasi, lived next door to me when I was almost too young to remember, and it was so fun to get together and meet her family. She and Nick were high school sweethearts and are so much fun to be around.

There are so many fun things to do on that campus, and especially if you’re a kid.

Nick and Kasi, thanks for being so much fun to hang out with and photograph! You guys rock and I can’t wait to see you again soon.

Shannon, my most recent bride, was the lucky winner of a set of my custom-designed holiday cards this year. Hooray, Shannon! I can’t wait to see you and TJ again soon!

To the rest of you, thanks for entering and remember that even if you didn’t win the cards, you can purchase them for $50/set. Not too shabby for really unique cards that’ll set you apart this year.