She Said “Yes!”

My husband will testify: nothing gets me more pumped than planning a proposal! When these two planned a trip to Nashville, TN with their families, he knew it would be the perfect time to pop the question. After a few top-secret phone calls, we were well on our way to planning the moment that made her face as happy as you see it below. We ended up on the Pedestrian Bridge in Nashville, TN and the rest is history.

Proposals are high-steaks situations which is why I love both capturing them on camera and also playing a supportive role in planning. When you’re ready to put a ring on it you can look forward to:

• Discovery Call - a top secret quick call with me so that I can get a feel for what you’re needing

• Location Suggestions - I send you a few locations matching the needs you shared during our call

• Planning - we plan the day, time and location together so that you have someone to bounce ideas off of and I have a better idea of how to support you

• Mini Couples Session - after we get a “yes”, we take 15 minutes worth of couples photos for you to plaster on socials and share with your family

• Wedding Package Deal - when you book your proposal with me, you get a deal on my wedding packages and engagement photos

I can’t wait to help you celebrate a “yes!” and have a dreamy proposal.

Proposal Photography - Nashville, TN

Enchanted Elopement

I’d like to start this story at the end: we were literally group hugging and crying together by the time I left this elopement in the enchanted rolling hills of Nashville, TN. Some things are too holy to ever share completely, and the entirety of this moment was one of those.

I met Courtney and Joshua on Thumbtack which is such an impersonal way to meet considering the group-hug ending to our time together. They knew they wanted to exchange vows without a big crowd and I knew I was watching a monumental part of their story unfold before my lens. Hoping for 100% invisibility, I observed them share words barely audible to my ears, exchange looks that my camera captured forever and touch that spoke a language of love only they know.

Elopements are intimate, unique and fantastic. I get to walk through the planning leading up to the day in order to support their union and I can’t think of a greater privilege.

Cheers to you, Courtney and Joshua and may these photos help you remember how wildly magical this moment felt.

Elopement Photography - Nashville, TN

Proposals… *sigh*

There’s not a more dreamy moment then when one partner proposes to the other. Time stands still, and all of the planning, sweaty palms and adrenaline finally makes sense. In this case, Billy and I had been scheming about how to make this moment and this lighting happen at the same time, so mapped out the Pedestrian Bridge in Nashville, TN and she said “yes!”.

When I get a proposal inquiry, my heart does a happy-dance. I get the honor of planning an event that will forever change the lives of the couple I’m photographing. So few people are invited into the proposal space and so the honor of being allowed to witness such once-in-a-lifetime beauty is never lost on me. My proposal sessions include time spent planning the event, capturing “the big moment” and also about 20 minutes of a couples session. My goal is to use photography as a means of helping couples remember how their proposal felt for the rest of their lives.

Congratulations, Billy and April! I can’t wait to see what the future holds for you two and know your love for each other will last a lifetime.

xx, Haley

Proposal Photography - Nashville, TN

Young & in Love

Every once in a blue moon I’ll have a client who out-thinks me. The mother-in-law of these two actually toured reception spaces and chose this one because she knew I’d appreciate how impossible it is to take a bad photo inside Sinema. Every corner is swanky and chic and cooler than cool. Plus, the food tastes even better than the building design looks.

I like to make the very most of every event I get to photograph. In the case of wedding receptions that means pulling the bride and groom aside for a quick 15 minute “couples session” in order to capture more of their love story. Photographing brief moments of connection during an event where they are feeling loved and supported by their people is magical every single time.

Vendors:

Location: Sinema - Nashville, TN

Entertainment: InstaBurst Photos - Nashville, TN

Wedding Photography - Nashville, TN

Color, Texture, Pattern

First of all, I can’t with this family. They ran all over the hills we claimed for our session, had the BEST attitudes and our time together was an absolute JOY. They also nailed a heckofa task: getting dressed. Keep reading for a few tips, because I’d never want to leave you hanging.

Tip 1: Don’t aim to match, aim to tie it all together. See his shirt? The red in the small floral pattern plays off of the solid red in little #1’s shirt and little #2’s checkered pattern. Little #2’s checkered shirt ties in little #3’s grey shirt. Mom’s denim striped dress ties into the denim pants many of the boys are wearing. Where it gets brilliant is the pop of burnt orange in little girl’s dress which ties back to square one: dad’s floral patter. TAAADAAA!!

Tip 2: Start with one thing you like, and sometimes that’s what looks best on YOU. In this case, dad’s shirt steered all other color choices making it super easy to include reds, blues, grays and burnt orange.

Tip 3: Mixing patterns is not for the faint of heart, but you’re not the “faint of heart”. MIX, Y’ALL. This family has a plaid/checkered shirt, a small floral print, stripes and solids and together it looks AMAZING. Why? Because this family did an amazing job of staying in the same color pallet—they all rocked earth tones.

Dressing your family in a way that doesn’t scream “WE MATCH” but subtly ties tones together is harder than rocket science, but I hope this example helps take the edge off just enough that you can start dreaming.

Family Photography - Corvallis, OR

Must Love Dogs

I don’t know how you feel about dogs, but you MUST know how I feel about dogs: I LOVE THEM. So when this sweet couple chose to include their sweet pups in their couple’s session at Cumberland Park in Nashville, TN, I was the happiest of campers. And as a dog lover, owner and understander (that’s a word, right?), I was prepared.

Including pets in your photography session can be a stressful thought, sure. However a lot of the time, preparation and reasonable expectations help to reduce anxiety and allow for a smooth session. That being said, here are a few tips I’ve developed along the way:

• Exercise pup for 45-60 minutes before the session to help reduce his or her energy level

• Bring your pup’s favorite harness or collar and a leash to help control his or her movements

• If your pup has a history of high anxiety, a CBD dog treat might be helpful prior to the session

• Introduce your pup to any photo accessories (handkerchiefs, for example) weeks before the session so the are familiar with the item

• Bring your pup’s favorite training snacks and water

• Know that fun and candid photos of your pup will be lifetime treasures

• Bring your pup’s favorite toy to interact with

• Plan on including your pup in many, but possibly not all, of your photos

• Know that we will work breaks into the session to give your doggie the chance to recover from his or her sudden fame

I hope these tips and tricks help you feel excited to include Fido in your next session!

Family Photography - Nashville, TN

An Intimate Wedding

Intimate weddings just hit different. I was so honored to have captured The Big (but small) Day for these darlings from the Ukraine. Because this day was EVERYTHING right about weddings, I have photo-dumped a few more captures in my portfolio tab if you’re interested. Wedding photography can be stuffy, and I think you’ll see that this was anything but!

Beautiful, tender, kind and emotional moments happened along the Oregon coast’s secret cliffside. Vows were exchanged and this sweet couple said “I do” to forever together. It couldn't have been a sweeter or more sacred afternoon. PLUS, Zoom ( https://zoom.us ) helped families from Europe stream the ceremony and created a sense of togetherness from thousands of miles away.

I’m not sure why this photo is my favorite. Perhaps it’s the way those ferns jumped out at me and practically yelled, “TAKE MY PICTURE” or perhaps it’s intentional movement of Iryna and Andrew frozen in time for years to come. Regardless, I love it.

A huge shout out to Foxbound Flowers https://www.foxboundflowers.com for their stunning and domestically sourced bouquet AND a big thanks to Thumbtack https://www.thumbtack.com for bringing the officiant and myself into this epic love story!!

Currently booking weddings in Oregon, Washington, Tennessee, California, Colorado, Indiana, New York and beyond.

Wedding Photography - Newport, OR

Laughed Until We Cried

It’s no secret that my favorite people are funny people. If you know The Kelly’s then you’d know why they are two of my very favorite people on the planet. Also, as epic and otherworldly as this photo from Smith Rock State Park in Bend, Oregon is just know that it has nothing on The Kelly’s in real life. These two are as outta this world as humans get.

Lindsey is the sort of person who, while 34 weeks pregnant when taking these photos, went out of her way to sumo-squat down so that I (standing tall at 5ft) could have an easier time putting her necklace on. She goes with the flow, laughs with her whole essence and makes you feel like you’ve known her deeper and longer than you really have.

Ryan makes me and anyone else around laugh until we’re in the danger-zone (cry-laughing gets as ugly as ugly-crying, y'all!). When he’s in the room, his gigantic personality takes over and all you need is a snack for the show. Ryan’s heart is bigger than Smith Rock and he’s going to be as great a dad as Lindsey is going to be a mom.

Ryan & Linds,

I can’t wait to watch you two make your little laugh. :)

xoxo,

Haley

Smith Rock - Bend, OR

Honey Bees

I looked—like, REALLY LOOKED—at these photos for a longer than usual amount of time. This sweet family is so captivating to me, but less because of their ouster beauty and more because of their inner strength. We met out at Kennel Farms in Monmouth, Oregon for this family photography session and as our session began, I began to wonder.

I wondered at the strength of this momma and at how she became as kind and down to earth as she is beautiful. I wondered at her joy, and at how she teaches her biggest little that honey bees are gentle and good for the planet, “don’t be afraid,” she instructed. I wondered at her ability to maintain tough and tender at the same time.

Mostly, I wondered if she feels seen. I wondered if folks look at her and assume she’s had it easy. If so, they’ve got it wrong. The longer we truly regard the other, the more three dimensional and human they become. Our individual and collective beauty grows past pretty once we stop to look and really see. May we all pause long enough to truly see.

And may we save all the honey bees.

Sydney and the kids are dressed by https://www.joyfolie.com

Family Photography - Monmouth, OR

Engagement Session Among Oregon’s Vines

Our secret’s out: Oregon is WINE COUNTRY!! If you live in the Willamette Valley, you can drive in any direction for 10 minutes or less and hit more than one winery. And they are stunning. This engagement photography session took place at Eola Hills Legacy Vineyard ( https://eolahillswinery.com ) and is tucked into the Eola Hills just west of Salem, Oregon. Their Pino Noir is as tasty as their property is exquisite.

The secret that’s always been out about Oregon is that it’s a box of rain. So, in true Oregonian form, Macall, TJ and I outwitted what was a typical spring Oregon day, dodging raindrops in order to capture this stunner. We’re so glad we did because this session was one of my favorites. See more of this session in my portfolio.

Dearest TJ & Macall,

May your love for each other always keep you grounded and may you find joy in every circumstance.

Cheers to your future,

Haley

Currently booking weddings in Oregon, Washington, Tennessee, California, Colorado, Indiana, New York and beyond.

Ella Hills Winery - Salem, OR

Deep Blues and the Graduation Goat

I stood at the base of the dune in Newport, Oregon yelling, “Jenna, run down the dune! Be the GOAT! Channel the mountain goat, Jenna!!! YOU.ARE. THE. GOAT!” and while I’m sure she thought I was crazy, I knew I was more sane than her guardian whose main posing directional was “show more teeth”.

“Haley really has a way of pulling the personality out of the person,” her guardian later told my husband. Considering he’d watched me work with Jenna during her graduation photography session I took his words to heart. Plus, I like to think that engaging well with my subjects makes a difference in how the shoot transpires anyway. I want my graduates to feel free to be the fullness of themselves during our session because it’s THOSE photos that end up truly representing who they are.

Jenna was chilly and so she wrapped herself in my favorite session blanket from Target. She stood in the sun and I circled her until I found what I was looking for. Then I pushed the trigger and let the trusty Canon Fairy inhabiting my EOS R5 do the rest.

Dear Jenna,

You are a treasure to behold. May you grow to value your worth like you value the worth of others and may you keep laughing no matter how hard the wind blows. Also, be the goat.

Love,

Haley

Graduation Session - Newport, OR

Not a Dry Eye at this Vow Renewal

I can’t recall ever experiencing a more tender moment than this one. An entire family enraptured as mom and dad recommitted their marriage to each other and to the Lord after 27 years—their children looking on through tears of joy.

While watching this moment play out against the backdrop of Seal Rock in Newport, Oregon I realized I was witnessing a wealth of determination and a rich love that has withstood the test of time not by convenience but by choice. I was looking at the beautiful tip of the iceberg, the top 14-21% of a story buoyant with consistency, commitment and grit. It was inspiring. I teared up too.

Dearest Lopez Family,

If this is 20-something years, I can’t wait to see what 30-something years looks like.

Warmly,

Haley

PS. A HUGE shout-out to Luke Frechette for pumping his fists and cheering along with me for this family. He’s the ultimate hype-man, listen to him at https://www.southbeachchurch.org

Seal Rock - Newport, OR

Erin in the Wild

I knew she had hair of fire and that, as a teen, she has already worked with Oregon’s legislation to amend existing statutes regarding abortion. What I did not know was that the location I chose for her graduation photography session in Corvallis would reflect her childhood dream of becoming a pioneer.

Erin writes, “Like, I literally wanted to be Laura Ingalls Wilder on the western frontier. Now that I’m older, I realize my dream hasn’t changed that much. Yet, rather than pioneering the Oregon Trail, God has set ablaze the passion within me to pioneer the artistic world for his glory.”

While neither of us have an idea of what this will look like in the future, to know Erin is to know that she will make an impact, that she will follow her passion and that she won’t quit until her calling has been answered.

All Erin had to do was rock her cute new dress from West End Boutique Clothing in Eugene, Oregon (found here: https://westendboutique.com )and look down for this photo. The wind, her blazing hair, the setting sun and Oregon’s epic scenery did the rest.

Dearest Erin,

Go forth and gently conquer.

Love,

Haley

Graduation Photography - Corvallis, OR

How Not to Begin an Engagement Session

You know what’s NOT on brand during an engagement photography session? Having a farmer roll up whose “juuuuust checkin’ to make sure you’re not dumpin’ car parts on the river” near his property. Thankfully, I know how to speak Pacific Northwest Farmer and walked away from the conversation having swapped business cards and with his promise to keep me in the loop on when his meadow foam fields bloom.

Meanwhile, my clients laughed hysterically and let me know that nothing about me has changed since middle school—which they know because they are more than “clients”. RK grew up playing baseball with my brother at Philomath High School. RK and his brother became the brothers my brother always wanted and the three of them were quite literally inseparable for a decade. So when RK found Renae, it took everyone half a second to see she was his perfect match. They play together, laugh together, she whispers that she appreciates him when he single-handedly cooks our entire Thanksgiving meal. Most of all, they fish together.

As our session rolled on, their conversation carried on the wind: they judged the fishing techniques of the people across the river (photoshopped out) the ENTIRE TIME. Match made in heaven.

Hair: Abby Louthan - abbylouthan00@gmail.com https://www.blissedbeautybar.com

Makeup: Katlyn Louthan - katlynlouthan@gmail.com https://www.blissedbeautybar.com

Currently booking weddings in Oregon, Washington, Tennessee, California, Colorado, Indiana, New York and beyond.

Engagement Photography - Corvallis, OR

Four Ladies and a Million Tulips

This single momma made dressing twins and a toddler look easy, but I guarantee you that the strength she possesses to raise these girls has been built up over time. She was made for this. Alex extends comfort, stability and kindness to her 3 littles as effortlessly as the sun extends light to the earth. These girls are her world, and after watching them interact it’s obvious that she is theirs too.

I was shooting in a flower patch 1/100th of the size of this tulip field last year only a quarter of a mile down the road (!!) from this hidden garden located somewhere around Corvallis, Oregon. While scouting for family photography session locations this spring, I got snoopy and traveled a little farther past the small field I’d settled for last year.

Low and behold, a massive tulip field emerged. It had been there the whole time, waiting for me to find it and probably rolling it’s eyes at how obvious it’s existence was. And is.

I’ve been pondering the life lesson in settling for small flower fields rather than pursuing the abundance RIGHT DOWN THE ROAD ever since.

My Dear Alex and Girls,

May you never settle for the small flower field. May you always seek the massive abundance meant for you and may you know it when you find it.

Shine On,

Haley

Family Photography - Corvallis, OR

Snow Angel

Did you grandpa ever say he had to “walk uphill both ways” to get to wherever he was going? Well this family had to drive up a mountain and through the snow backwards to get to this session. Talk about stressful!! Fortunately, they were able to have an incredibly fun snowball fight and their kiddos were the happiest campers. Also, momma dressed them to perfection.

It’s a fact: photo sessions can be stressful. My goal has always been to reduce all the stress I can up front by carefully preparing my families for their session. I like to share tips on what to wear, give session location details in advance and to lower the expectation that gorgeous photos = perfect children.

Vanessa is a lifestyle blogger so creating great aesthetics is literally her lane. She clothed her family with all the fun neutral tones from Target (where all good things come from https://www.target.com ) and Old Navy Kids (where Santa gets his clothing gifts from https://www.oldnavy.com ). Find more of her work on Instagram @vanessacamille ( www.instagram.com/vanessacamille ).

Violet has quite an arm—she throws a mean snowball and I think she’ll grow up knowing she can reach whatever heights she wants.

Family Photography - Oregon

The Golden Hour

This fall family session was epic. It was during this shoot that Sunlight properly introduced herself to me and my camera. I was changed. Truly, this interaction with light set the tone for how much of a control freak I have become when scheduling family photography sessions in the Pacific Northwest. If at all possible, I request that the session begins when the Golden Hour is upon us because my goal is to deliver the absolute most magical, fun and carefree session of their lives and I need Sunlight’s glow to do that. (I like to set my goals real low. HA!)

My little brother got lucky when he married into this family. Travis proudly labels himself a “girl dad” and once drove through the Oregon fires of 2020 (burning shortly after this photo was taken) to relocate 105 residents in a Southern Oregon elderly care center out of harm’s way. Shanon has steered the small school district in Alsea, Oregon through a pandemic without sacrificing student mental health. One might say these two are the Dream Team.

This is not the best photo of this family session, this is my favorite photo of this session due to the fact that I can’t unhear Mac’s laughter when I see it.

Family Photography - Corvallis, OR

Newborn Baby, Oldest of Friends

This little girl’s momma and I have been thick as thieves since I caught the “mean girls” in our 5th grade class passing around a bullying note directed at her. I didn’t tell her about it until our senior year in high school, but reading that note and choosing to throw it in the garbage where the rest of the trash goes was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

Together we ruled Philomath High School—a sheltered little haven tucked away in the logging community of Philomath, Oregon. Between accidentally setting off firearms with spray paint (her), throwing fire-blankets over chemical fires threatening to burn down the new science wing (me), running chilly feeds/prom/assemblies/all of the fun things (us) we thought we’d peaked in high school.

That was, until her first baby changed her world.

To be clear, this photo features her THIRD child, a little girl named Natalie. Natalie is proceeded by two older brothers and I suspect they will be protecting her for the rest of her life. She has turned out to be a strong girl. Though I took this photo in October of 2020, I am blogging about it in April of 2021 so I happen to know that Miss Natalie pulled herself up and stood during month 5 (!!) of her life. She’s something else!

“Fairy tales do not tell children dragons exist. Children already know they exist. Fairy tales tell children the dragons can be killed.” - Unknown Author

May you grow to slay ALL the dragons, Miss Natalie May!

Newborn Photography - Corvallis, OR

Happy (COVID) Graduation…?

I had a front row seat to the pump-fake COVID presented to the graduating class of 2020. I live in Corvallis, Oregon the small college town home to Oregon State University (Go Beavs!). Rather than our typical “move out” and “graduation: this way” traffic directional signs, our traffic signs glowed “stay home, save lives” and tumbleweeds rolled across streets as students did not return from their spring breaks. It was weird, and I bet anyone reading this can relate on one level or another.

Recently, Molly and I decided to take Oregon State’s empty campus by storm. I photographed her sweet face in an effort to normalize the situation she and millions of other students have been put in. Walking was delayed, celebrations were paused or forgotten and saying goodbye to college friends was nixed. Since I was the only person fulfilling a “normal” role in her graduation experience, we made the absolute most of our session!!

Graduation is a huge moment in our journeys, and I customize each session so that it’s meaningful to the graduate I’m capturing while stylistically staying true to my professional vision. Molly was a Division-1 gymnast for OSU and so this fun shot is a nod to the kinds of leaps she used to do on beam. COVID definitely threw a wet blanket over a lot of celebratory moments but we choose to have joy during this session anyway.

Graduation Photography - Corvallis, OR

Boss Lady

Some friends are both fun AND super useful to have around and this poised and confident woman is one such friend to me. Sarah just finished her Masters in Business Administration and has over 5 years of professional marketing under her belt. She takes time to slide me Hootsuite.com articles on how to beat the Instagram Algorithm Monster (read more at https://blog.hootsuite.com/instagram-algorithm/) and I, in turn, take photos that make hiring agencies want to click on her LinkedIn profile.

True story: Sarah and I tested out how effective updating her LinkedIn headshot would be. Within a day of posting her updated photo, she had several companies interested in interviewing her and she interviewed for two of them. Since your headshot is a virtual handshake to potential career opportunities, it’s really important to make sure that it represents who you are professionally.

Sarah and I talked through what would project confidence without cockiness, feature her relaxed yet detail-oriented manner and showcase her strength as a listener. We layered black on black and chose a fitted blazer with hair down to better frame her face. Since Sarah is located in Oregon, we decided to shoot outdoors and use Oregon’s greenery as her backdrop. We included a clean cement wall which helped light the right side of her face while also adding an architectural element pointing toward professionalism. All of these kinds of details help shape what viewers assumes about potential job candidates and I LOVE being in on creating headshots that introduce candidates as the Boss Lady (or Boss Man) they need!

Professional Headshot - Corvallis, OR