Witchy, sexy, intimate…


I don’t even know where to begin with this one…


I love any opportunity to be wholeheartedly creative.

When I plan a styled shoot or collab with a client on their own uniquely currated session, I totally geek out on all the details.

And I do mean ALL of the details.


Putting together creative sessions like these is important to me as an artist. It not only showcases dope work I am interested in doing more of, but it also shows how

intricate and thoughtful I am about this work.

As your wedding photographer, I want you to know that the details and the feeling matter to me. That entering your sacred space, be it your own home, a family residence, or the venue you are occupying for the day,

no matter where you are, I will be there, documenting it all exactly how it felt: Romantic, moody, sexy, and full of love.

This is a session I dreamt up for a while. I wanted to do an elopement-style sesh in downtown Portland the way the city feels to me: a little gritty, grungy and hauntingly sexy.

So I asked my good friend Sabrina and her homie Gabe to let me style them up and galavant around our favorite city together for this creative, goth-chic-inspired elopement sesh.

This is what we made together:


Feast.


THE LOCATION


The day of the “elopement,” I met Sabrina at her historic downtown Portland apartment in the afternoon. It was a HOT Sunday in July so we were trying to stay as cool as possible and wait out the heat a little. Luckily, with a couple and timeline this flexible and easy going, we had time to ease into things and not feel rushed for time and daylight. I was able to show up and get comfortable, setting the intention and taking in the day. Sabrina did her own makeup, but had her bestie who is a wonderful hair dresser, do her hair for her. We listened to music, chatted a bit, played with her cat, Salem—yes, witchy little Sabrina has a

black cat named Salem. I love it!

Gabe met us at Sabrina’s place so they could get ready together.

I absolutely love when couples get ready together because it truly creates such an intimate, yet casual vibe. You get to be cute while getting practical shit done. I love photographing those small interactions and stolen glances between you. Honestly, THIS over everything. I’m trying to start a new trend in the wedding industry. Let’s prioritize quality time with your partner ALL day on your wedding day. No matter how many guests you have in attendance. I’m here for it!


I shot candidly and formally around the apartment, and honestly could have spent all day in this space! That was my first visit to Sabrina’s home—which I had been dying to get a peek into knowing how utterly creative and badass her personal style is. Sabrina’s style can be summed up as ‘sophisticated-gothic-casual-punk-chic.’ Plus she’s a creative herself, a painter, so between her fashion and overall vibe, I knew her home would be the PERFECT starting point. It definitely did NOT disappoint! So many little artistic and funky emo art and decorative pieces everywhere.

PURE FREAKIN BLISS!

My absolute favourite detail in her home was the neon sign in the bathroom that read:

“Please don’t do coke in the bathroom.”

A simple enough request. LOL! But really though…

I WAS OBSESSED!!!!

Such a blunt comic relief in the loo, and so very rock & roll!


We left the apartment and headed to Portland’s Rose Test Garden for their intimate vow exchange amongst the flowers. The park sprinklers came on on us at the first spot we set up so we transitioned over to a new spot and it ended up being so much better. Haha!

After some vows, rings, and portraits in the park, we headed downtown to shoot some nighttime portraits in the city. We went to Broadway St. and shot in front of the Porltand famous Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, then down to another Portland staple of food trucks.

Gabe and Sabrina ordered tacos and Jarritos and instantly we went from moody and playful during the day to playful and sexy in the evening.

YES!


All of this was apart of my creative vision for the session. I wanted to showcase the versatility of how a day can unfold and the date-like feel your elopement or even engagement session can feel if you’re open to moving around a bit and being yourself in both private and very public spaces.


THE DETAILS


I styled Sabrina in an ivory satin knee-length dress with a corset-like boning and a swoop neckline. We completed the look with a pair of light pink classic heels, dainty rose gold jewelry, and a gothic-inspired veil. A look so simple and elegant for a rose garden intimate vow-exchange.

Gabe wore a white button down, black slacks and the coolest velvet green jacket and matching loafer shoes. The shoes, honestly, I DIE!! So classy and cool.


Almost all of their attire were purchased through Amazon and H&M, or pieces they’ve already had in their collection.

It just goes to show that a really special day doesn’t have to break the bank!

The details are important, they should be intentionally considered, but the main point of the day is the FEELING you have throughout it, and the love you feel for your person.

That’s all that really matters.


Because this was a quick (and fake) elopement, there wasn’t much time (or reason) to get professional stationary done, so we decided to DIY it! I personally hand-lettered and hand-drew the invitation suite. It took a little time, but added a more formal and definitive touch to the day. This is EASILY something you or a creative friend could do for your real-life elopement.

WEDDING TIP: I highly recommend still ordering—or if you’re artistic, creating your own—invitation suite,

even if your planning a micro wedding or elopement with little to no guests. Keep it for the memories, even if you never send any invites out. It adds a lot to the overall aesthetic of the day photographically, and helps to tell the story of your moment just a little bit better.

I asked my boy Ricardo of Rico Media Productions to come through and shoot some video, and he absolutely killed it! Thanks for being apart of this fun creative day with us!


Overall, this was one of the sexiest and most playful and chill mock-elopements I’ve ever put together. These are the types of clients I’d love to attract.

Down to earth, open to adventure and creativity, love-centered little baddies with good energy.


Thank you for vibing with me, friends!