Claire + Evan's West Linn, Oregon vineyard wedding was simply put, SO FUN. And that's honestly what I believe is the truest sign of a successful wedding day; when you both have a stress free, fun day with your loved ones! Everything else, if properly planned ahead of time, will fall into place. They were married in the summer's lingering heat of September at Oswego Hills Vineyard and Winery. The wedding party and family was full of smiles and so welcoming. I felt like one of gang all day! Even into the night as the dancing got crazier and the party raged on into the night. One of my favorite parts about being a Portland, Oregon area photographer is the fact that there is so much variety when choosing a venue. Oswego Hills is elegant and the wine lovers paradise. Plus the sunset is absolutely breathtaking! If you're planning your Oregon wedding at this West Linn venue, then you definitely need to add sunset photos to your timeline. I love to sneak off with couples for 10-15 minutes max at sunset to allow for not only killer sunset portraits, but the chance for the two of you to catch up on your day, take a breath, slow down, and sip some beer or wine in just each other's company before heading back to the gathering of your loved ones. It's so simple, but so important.

Portland, Oregon Wedding Venue | Portland, Oregon Wedding Photographer | West Linn, Oregon Vineyard Wedding Venue

​Venue: Oswego Hills Vineyard and Winery​ 
Dress: Grace Loves Lace US | Australian Wedding Dresses | Bridal Boutique
HMUA: Marina Haynes Artistry + Esthetics
Florals: Welcome | Songbird Floristry
Catering: Mundo Catering of Portland Area | Your Favorite Foods Delivered & Served (mundocateringco.com)
DJ + Photobooth: ​About Us - Only The Best Sound Mobile DJ & Photobooth

So you’ve booked a family photo session in the autumn season of the Pacific Northwest and there is a chance for rain, the fall colors are abundant, and you want to absolute kill it with your outfit coordination. I’m here to help!! I’ll break it down first with color theory and matching vs. coordination using a cool color palette and a warm color palette, second up is whether or not you should buy new clothing, and lastly individual article choices. I have samples of two of my most recent fall family sessions and if you make it all the way to the end, there may or may not be some bonus tips and tricks to really hone your styling skills.

COLOR THEORY and MATCHING vs COORDINATION

There is definitely a difference between matching and coordination and I’m for sure TEAM COORDINATION. Exact matching outfits never look as aesthetically pleasing as people think they do in the final images or as a cohesive printed album. Utilizing varying shades of the same color adds dimension and natural style to any family session even including the shades of blue and black jeans.
Color theory is the practical guidance of color mixing to fit a specific and personal style. When mixing colors, you should be choosing what makes you feel best. Cooler colors like dark blues + forest greens are inherently more calming while warmer colors like burnt orange, mustard yellow, and magenta might enhance the natural radiation of warmth within your family’s connections and their smiles.

COOL COLOR PALETTE:
During the prime fall season and after choosing to go with a cooler color palette for your clothing you should choose the following colors: grays, dark greens, lavender, blues, maroon and charcoal.

*Pro-tip: you may have noticed some crossover colors! This was definitely on purpose. Shades of dark greens and dark reds can absolutely go with either type of palette.
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INDIVIDUAL ARTICLE CHOICES
First and foremost, comfort should be a priority. I want you to start with choosing one of your favorite pieces of clothing. Perhaps your best fitting jeans (you know the ones I’m talking about), boots made for walking or there is a sweater you feel 100% cozy while wearing! I would say do that for each person who will be in the photos. It is so important that everyone feels as if they can move without thought and feel their best in their own classic clothing.

I believe shoes are best fit for a fall session in neutrals like black, brown, gray, or white and know that there is possibility they will get wet, even if just from dewy grass! Again, don’t forget that they should be shoes you feel at ease wearing while taking a walk.

Accessorize! But don’t overdo it…
If you wear a watch normally, wear your sleekest one or perhaps the leather strapped one your SO gifted you for your birthday! If you are always rocking a bunch of sweet ass rings, then absolutely continue to wear those rings for your photo session. HATS are amazing and they can easily be taken off, so I always recommend your nice, high-quality hats no matter what. The double-edged sword is if you wear something out of the ordinary or too much of one accessory then it detracts from the photo, and you won’t feel like yourself when looking back at the photos or deciding which ones to print and hang.

Keeping warm or dry during your photo session can also look really good. You don’t need to sacrifice comfort here either! Jean jackets, vests, leather bomber jackets, trench coats, scarves, cardigans and peacoats add variety to your images because they can easily be taken off and put back on throughout the session if you are wearing a dress, blouse, short sleeve instead of a chunky knit sweater or flannel. Simply continue with your chosen color palette!
Laying everything out from each person’s outfit all next to each other is not crazy, in fact I would recommend doing just that. You want to be able to envision the coordination of your clothing? This is the simplest way. When doing this, it is super easy to take away and/or add pieces that may not fit with the rest of your choices.

BUYING NEW CLOTHING
My theory on buying new clothing is listening to your gut. Do I think you should go out and buy an entire new wardrobe for each person? Absolutely not. But if the timing is right and you need some new pieces anyways, then sure! If you are on a budget, do not be afraid to go thrifting. I have found some of my favorite pieces that I wear consistently at thrift stores. I typically hear from families that there was one or two pieces they didn’t have to complete the coordination like jackets and shirts, but ideally you should be able to create an ensemble with a foundation of pieces you already own.
One of the biggest mistakes made is when parents buy completely new outfits for their children and while some kids might get super excited about that, it isn’t common. If children are uncomfortable in their new clothing, it shows in your photographs.

xo
Jen

Now that snow has officially returned to Pacific Northwest for the winter months, it has me so stoked on all the winter photo sessions and activities!  Snow shoeing, skiing, snowy cabin trips, cozying up by the fireplace and dogs with the snow zoomies. Seriously, it's the cutest thing ever as a dog mom in the snowy Oregon forest when your doggies get the snow zoomies! And all that thinking reminds me of one of my all time favorite snowy Mt. Hood Wilderness waterfall engagement sessions! We started the morning with a quick shot of whiskey to warm our core and then hiking to an intimate waterfall. The snow level was absolutely perfect for hiking without needing snowshoes yet! After spending an hour or so running up and down the trail laughing and throwing snow, we decided it was cold enough we needed to warm up in the local brewery, Mt. Hood Brewing Company in Government Camp. I always suggest a stop into Mt. Hood Brewing Co. when I am taking photos anywhere on Mt. Hood or near Government Camp, Oregon. It's a classic! Delicious brews and droolworthy food. 
Check out their Government Camp menu here --> Govy Menu - Mt. Hood Brewing Co. (mthoodbrewing.com)

I recommend the Cloudcap Amber paired with the Devil's Lake BBQ Burger.

The Mt. Hood Wilderness is my backyard and I love spending time there in every season. If you want help with all things Mt. Hood engagement or elopement planning, hit me up!
LET'S TALK NOW!