Ryan and Shelby Vancouver WA Engagement Session

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  Shelby and Ryan
• Engagement Session Date:
  November 05, 2017
• Wedding Date
  July 28, 2018

• How did you two meet?
  Ryan and I were really good friends in middle school. We had big crushes on each other but never dated. My dad had told his mom that I would marry him one day. We went to different high school but still had mutual friends that kept us in contact. In 2012 Ryan had told our mutual friends that he was going to marry me one day. Our friends laughed at him saying "Ya right". In August 2014 Ryan was in a wedding at Camas Meadows Golf Course where I worked in the summers. I was not scheduled to work the wedding. I got a call at 4:00 to be a server. I left my plans and went to work. It so happened that the table I was assigned to was Ryan's family. Ryan had a few drinks during the wedding. He had continuously asked to take me on a date. I had told him I was dating someone. But his persistence continued. The next morning Ryan text me saying "I'm sorry if I crossed any line. But... if you become single you have to let me take you on a date". Fast forward 3 months. I had become single. That same day I saw Ryan at the gym. He asked how I was? I had told him that "my ex and I broke up" he replied with "my horse-drawn carriage is out back in you want to hope in". Two weeks later, we went on a date. The rest is history.

• How did he propose?
  For my birthday in February, I had decided I wanted to go to pizza. I had picked my favorite pizza place, Amaflies (that happened to be the first place Ryan joined my family for dinner). I called and made reservations and got everything set up. I made reservations and invite my brother, his girlfriend, my parents and Ryan's mom. My brother is a photographer and always has a camera. On the way to the restaurant, Ryan's mom asked us to take a picture so she can have new pictures of us for her wall. When we got to the restaurant it was raining. I decided I was going inside and we can take pictures there. Everyone got mad that I went inside and kept yelling at me to take a picture. Finally, Ryan convinced me to take a picture outside. He and my brother had a plan that when he turned his camera that he was ready. That's when Ryan got down and asked. He had forgotten all his words and only got out "will you marry me?" It was perfect. I was more than surprised! I couldn't have planned it better myself!

• Tell me about the details you're most excited about for your upcoming wedding! Ex. The cake, the vendors, the location, etc.
  I am most excited to just be married. To vow to spend my life with Ryan in front of our family and friends.

• Where are you getting married?
  The Madeleine Catholic Church in Portland Oregon
• Where is the reception?
  Same place
• Who is catering the wedding and what kind of food?
  Hula Boy Hawaiian Food

• Who is the DJ?
  Our Friend Jay
• Engagement photos: What kind of look were you going for?
  Starting out with a sports, beer, football theme. Then went to the more formal winery look!
• Do you have any tips or advice for other couples about to have engagement photos taken?
  Let it be fun. Think of ideas that go with your personalities!

• How was your overall session experience?
  It was amazing! We had so much fun. Tara brought us out of our shell and we laughed the whole time! Don't worry about being awkward!

• What was your favorite part about your session?
  We loved getting to just enjoy ourselves at our favorite place!
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• Session Location; Heathen Brewing Feral Public House and Heathen Estates

Love like Chemistry {Engagement Session}

• Chemistry...
• Alex and Clay came to me a couple months ago for a wedding consultation and I instantly felt a connection with them. Their love is so genuine and they are two of the nicest people I've met. Their proposal story is one of the BEST! They went on a trip to Disney and when they got there Clay got down on one knee and asked Alex to marry him! --- I thought "DISNEY, are your freaking kidding me?!?!" That has got to be the coolest location I've heard of! (maybe it's just because I love Disneyland and Disney world so much) Just talking with them at our consult, I was so excited and inspired by their love story that I couldn't wait to work with them.
• Then, we scheduled the Engagement Session. 
• Alex mentioned an Enchanted forest theme so I took them to one of my favorite local parks and we shot during golden hour. The light and location were perfect. I had the best time with the two of them and we laughed a lot! Alex is absolutely gorgeous and I can't wait to see her on her wedding day and Clay was so much fun and tolerated all my goofy laughing and posing like a champ!
• Check out their awesome photos and some answers to a few questions about their Engagement session:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
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• How did you two meet?
  There has always been chemistry between us...seeing as we met in chemistry class which was our very first class of undergrad! Through our college years the chemistry changed and we finally reached our activation energy in our biochemistry class junior year. The reaction accelerated from there and we got engaged shortly before graduation and later moved up to the Pacific Northwest where we plan to complete our covalent bond.
  
  
  
  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  • Do you have any tips or advice for other couples about to have engagement photos taken?
    coordinate outfit colors :) don't be shy to be who you are in front of the camera pick a location that represents something you both resonate with or find important in the relationship
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    • What was your favorite part about your session?
      dedicating a set time just to express our the relationship and capturing those moments on camera in nature (something we both love). We ended up walking away feeling very grateful to have Tara capture such a beautiful moment in our lives. We will be even more grateful in the long run as our relationship and family grows that we took the time to get these photos taken. The whole session was special for so many reasons.
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      Congratulations to Clay and Alex on their up coming wedding! I'm so honored and privileged to work with them and capture such an important milestone in their relationship. I know their wedding day is going to be incredible!
      
      
      
      
      
      
      Thanks for stoping by!
      
      
      ~Tara Thackeray
      www.TaraThackeray.com
      
      

Paul and Rebecca Vancouver WA Engagement Session

• Paul and Rebecca are one of my favorite couples. I had so much fun capturing their engagement. They told me they were awkward, that they don't usually do photos and would need a lot guidance.. Honestly, everyone says that so I assured them it would feel awkward but we will have a great time and I'll get some awesome shots.. and that's just what we did.

I like to have my brides tell their stories for the blog so here are some interview questions that Rebecca answered for me about her session.

• Engagement Session Date: June 20, 2017

• How did you two meet?
• So we met in a bar- Three Monkeys in Hazel Dell. I was there with friends and he came in after buying a shirt for kickball. We chatted and then had lunch the next day. 

• How did he propose?
  His birthday is December 22 and on the 23rd we went to dinner "for his bday." After eating, I went to bathroom and he was waiting in foyer entry area on a bench. He reached out and said "help me up" and he grabbed my hand- down on one knee- and put the ring on my finger.

^^^^Love these!! 

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  Tell me about the details you're most excited about for your upcoming wedding!
  I think I am most excited to be married! We are getting married at the Brickstone Ballroom and I have so many friends and family helping me out.
• Engagement photos: What kind of look were you going for?
  Fun exciting enjoyable...it was perfect.
• Do you have any tips or advice for other couples about to have engagement photos taken?
  Just be yourself and listen to your photographer.

• How was your overall session experience?
  So much fun. Takes you back to when u first met.
• What was your favorite part about your session?
  Smiling laughing and fun... pics are great.

I had so much fun with Paul and Rebecca during their engagement session in Vancouver, WA.  I'm so looking forward to being their wedding photographer! 

~Tara Thackeray

Love to hike; Emily and Dakota Engagement

::Emily and Dakota's Engagement Session::

• Wedding Date
  August 19, 2017
• How did you two meet?
  Dakota and I met in band at Mountain View High School. We both played the alto sax and were in the same band class when he was a junior and I was a senior. We had many mutual friends and loved to hang out together.
• How did he propose?
  Dakota proposed on top of Wind Mountain in the Columbia Gorge. We love to hike and explore new areas, so it was perfect!
• Tell me about the details you're most excited about for your upcoming wedding!
  I am very excited to have all of our family members celebrating our marriage with us! And besides marrying Dakota, I am very excited for the food! :)
  

  

  
  

  

  
  

  

   Sometimes I make a silly suggestion and my couples just go with it... And then this happened 😜😜
  

  

  
  

  

  
  
  

  

  
  

  

  
  

  • Engagement photos: What kind of look were you going for?
    Our goal was to be able to look at the photos and feel like it really showed who we are and our personalities and relationship.
  • Do you have any tips or advice for other couples about to have engagement photos taken?
    Wear comfortable (and cute!) clothes! Pick a time of year and location that you love, it makes it a little bit easier to get into the groove of taking photos.
  • How was your overall session experience?
    It was great! We enjoyed the whole thing and even got a few pictures with our dog!
  • What was your favorite part about your session?
    I loved the location. I love fall and the changing leaves, it was a perfect day.

  

  
  

  
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• I'm so excited to capture their upcoming wedding! I had a blast capturing their engagement session! Stay tune for some awesome wedding photos later this summer! 

Camas WA Wedding 2017

Now offering Photography Workshops and Mentoring!

Hey Everyone! 

I'm super excited to announce that I'm teaching a workshop Oct. 6th and 7th here in Vancouver, WA!! 

Sign up for my workshop HERE
{You'll receive confirmation after your payment is received}


Topics will include:Finding your whyShooting on locationProtecting your BusinessCreating a Marketing PlanAttracting Ideal ClientsSalesThe importance of printing imagesGuest speakers:Swag bags, Styled Model shoots 

And if you are wanting more 1-on-1 sign up for Mentoring: Here

Webinar Live today::Word of Mouth Marketing

I'm so honored to be doing a webinar today for The Rising Tide Society talking about Word of Mouth Marketing! Hope you have a chance to check it out!

Register: https://www.crowdcast.io/e/word-of-mouth-marketing/register

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Oh Sweet baby S {Vancouver, WA Newborn Photographer}

Meet baby S. She's the newest and littlest of 3 kiddos that belong to one of my past wedding couples and I had the pleasure of capturing her so fresh and new.  I just love being able to capture sweet little babies especially when they belong to my amazing past wedding clients. It's such an honor to capture these milestones. <3 nbsp="" p="">
Meet baby S:

Newborn Photographer Vancouver, WA

Heathen Estates-- A new Wedding Venue and Winery in Clark County

I had the opportunity to work with several local wedding vendors to create a live styled shoot during the soft-opening of the new Heathen Estate in Brush Prairie, WA. The venue is gorgeous and will make for a beautiful place to hold outdoor weddings and events. They also have the home listed on Airbnb. The day of the event it was super rainy and muddy so we were limited on where we could go with these beautiful gowns but we managed to stay somewhat dry and use the available covered porch and walk ways to get some beautiful shots.

Here are some of my favorite images shot during the soft-opening.

Vendors:

Venue: Heathen Estate

Event planning and coordination: Soliel Bliss Event Productions

Decor and Rentals: Miss Formal Event Rentals

Floral Design: Flower Friends

Hair and Make up: Glam Beauty Bar

Wedding Gowns: Sincerely the Bride

Catering: Summerland Catering

Cake: Sewell Sweets