Misty Mountains - Portland Lifestyle Photographer

Styling: Aria Chittendon
Makeup and Hair: Jen Springer
Assistant: Nick Wilson
Portland Lifestyle Photographer Lavenda Memory

Portland Fashion Photographer: Ballet

Portland Fashion Photographer Lavenda Memory

Portland Fashion Photographer: Meredith

I feel like this is the perfect set to post for Thanksgiving. Doesn't the color pallet just scream Happy Holidays?

Portland Fashion Photographer: Meredith Face Study

Portland Fashion and Headshot Photographer Lavenda Memory

Portland Fashion Photographer: Option Model Lauren Steenson

Portland Commercial Photographer Lavenda Memory

Portland Headshot Photographer: Terri Lodge

In my attempt to raise the bar in headshot photography here in Portland, I am trying to capture my clients in at least 3 different ways. I think it's important to show versatility as an actor and what better way than in your headshots?

Here are three different looks from a recent shoot with Terri Lodge (student of Jana Lee Hamblin)


Smoky Leading Lady:


Friendly Professional:


Street Smarts:


Once I get enough shots together, I will have a "3 looks" section on my website of Talent examples.

Christine Marie - Portland Head Shots

I'm very excited to post this shot of my fabulous makeup artist, Christine Marie. Christine is the artistic trifecta of photography, makeup and modeling. She dabbles and wows in all three areas and after our tag-team shoot yesterday, I can now say I've experienced all three of her talents first hand.

Christine and I did a photo trade since I am in need of a good smiling headshot and her modeling agency, Heffner, is requesting some photo updates for her portfolio. Headshots are kind of a challenge for me, because I don't normally like photos of myself smiling. I guess I feel old.

Anyhow, Christine managed to supersede my expectations 10 fold (wow I've always wanted to say 10 fold) and gave me more than plenty of great options to choose from. Here are a couple shots from our shoot yesterday:

Christine:


My New Headshot:


Portland Portrait and Headshot Photographer Lavenda Memory

Stinken up the Room

I was reading over some old blog posts from 2008 and found myself amused at the parallels between my life then and my life now. I mean, sure I've heard the saying "people don't change" but who knew "people" actually means ME?

Back then I was writing as a newly wed from Spain. I was grieving for home and frustrated as ever about my so called "fear of success" as a writer. Seriously, that's what I called it.

My writing was so pretentious that I find myself embarrassed for the readers (who mostly existed in my imagination) who may have been kind enough to read those posts. My strange fascination with verbiage and the word "poised" read like a bad high school term paper. And yet, despite all of that, I think I was writing a teeny, tiny bit of truth. Truth about my flaky nature. Truth about my debilitating fears. It's these truths that still strike a cord with me 2.0

Funny thing is, after Spain, I threw in the towel with writing. I think a few too many bad blog posts got me down, so I decided to redefine myself as a photographer. I stopped writing, almost completely and began taking pictures, scheduling shoots. It was way easier to do that than to define myself as a suck ass writer.

Obviously, it wasn't the worst thing I could do. By running away from fears I found myself an inspiring career in fashion photography. But despite my somewhat-successful business, I can't help but wonder what would have happened if I had stayed put, if I had pushed through the bad writing, the exaggerated pros. I mean, even if I had continued to suck and even if I had discovered that writing was not "my thing" wouldn't it have been cool to say "I gave it everything I've got" ?

Similarly, I've run up against some walls in my acting journey. At first, I brushed it off as a fluke, that I must be getting too busy. That of course I was overwhelmed- I'm a mom and a freelance photographer- I've got laundry and errands and not to mention seasonal depression... things NOONE else would even understand. Uh huh. I think like this. But then I realized. Whoa! You know what this sounds like? Bullshit! Yes ma'am. I'm definitely stinken up the room.

I mean, when the day is done, or the season- or hell, the year! I can rack up all the excuses (because that's all they are) to stay exactly where I am. Not moving forward means staying safe, running backwards means farther from failure. But HELLO! Wake up, I have to tell myself. It also means farther from the possibility of SUCCESS. Of growth. Of personal fulfillment and satisfaction. Without taking risks, biting the bullet, whatever you want to call it, life is not really LIVING.

So, all of that to say. I had a little lightbulb moment recently. My lightbulb was about acting this time around. I realized that I have to stick around and push even when it's hard and even what I know I'm sucking it up. But maybe if this works out, I'll find myself giving writing another try. Maybe if sucking doesn't actually suck I'll consider other things to suck at as well ( :

Los Ojos Azules

Blue dress, Blue eyes, Blue Skies









Thanks Christine Marie for fantastic job on hair and makeup.
And Lauren Steenson for your modeling chops.

Published Fashion Photographer Lavenda Memory

Portland Fashion Photographer

Here is a sneak peek from our Twiggy inspired shoot yesterday. While this shot does not emanate twiggy as much as some of the other sets, her beautiful energy and quirky beauty were an inspiration during the entire shoot. This was a "must edit" shot, but there are about 10-15 additional photos to come.

xxx