Portland Fashion Photographer works with Portland Fashion Editor, Eden Dawn

What a treat to work with Portland's well-known fashion editor, Eden Dawn! I was so excited to do a series with her that captured her in her own element at home. We had makeup and hair and styling all on set so that Eden and I could catch up on some of her work and background.

This busy girl just finished up a session with Katu as a guest judge for their program version of Project Runway and just last week was meeting up with Bobbi Brown for an interview!

My favorite part of getting a behind-the-scenes peek at "the" Eden Dawn, was discovering her entire walk-in boudoir glittering with self organized touches. (She actually inspired me to throw some sense into my own closet back home.) She likes to have everything out in the open, where she can see it and be inspired by each piece.

Hair: Madeline Roosevelt Muah: Terri Reece
Stylist: Marriane Marianne Schnell

Portland Fashion Photographer: Ben Trovato Feature

I am so so excited to share this feature on The Ben Trovato Blog. Check out the full Editorial HERE.

"Connected to over 1500 aspiring fashion professionals from all around the world, (they) are carved by the pure talents (they) unveil. In Ben Trovato, photographers, filmmakers, stylists, models, makeup artists, and hair stylists, have got a stage to perform in front of a massive international audience."

Portland Fashion Photographer: Sarah Seven

Love this Editorial we shot for Sarah Seven's 2012 Bridal line.
Model: Skye Velten
Muah: Destiny Taylor
Assist: Christine Marie

Portland Fashion Photographer: La Sirène

Model: Camille C. of Q6 Models
Location: Palm Springs

Sarah Seven: RTW Sneak Peak

Model: Anna Adams, Makeup: Terri Reece, Hair: Kira Pinksi, Dresses: Sarah Seven

Portland Fashion Photographer: Lady In Waiting

Portland Fashion Photographer: Dark Whisperer

Editorial shot for new line by Ellen Marie. Styled by Melissa Lachance, Muah: Terri Reece, and photography by fashion photographer, Lavenda Memory. 

Portland Fashion Photographer: Traveling

I had fun in Texas. Unexpected fun, yes, but still. It was awesome.

My plan was to travel down to Zapata over the weekend so that I could visit my childhood best friend and cousin, Roxy. I was going to stay with her and visit the town to take pictures where I grew up just an hour from her place. My camera was packed and I was ready to go!

Anyhow, none of that happened. All my plans? Out the window of my brothers broken window. First of all, my brothers car broke down the day after I arrived, so I couldn't meet up with Roxy in San Antonio as planned. Secondly, it rained and poured all weekend so that I could barely pull my camera out to take a couple snapshots of the area. Lastly, I thought I was leaving Monday morning and didn't realize my mistake till checking in for my flight at 5am. 

"Ma'am," the woman said in her thick Texan accent. "Please step out of the first class line. Your flight doesn't leave until tomorrow."

Apparently I was more tired than I thought. 

Crazily though, I had the most awesome, fun, relaxing time visiting my family and hanging and driving with broken windows rolled down. It was kind of like going back in time to old family road trips where we would would have to pull the car over every 30 minutes to prevent from puking. But as an adult I get to call SHOT GUN!

And speaking of shot guns, I actually shot my first one at my Aunt Rosie's house which ended up being such an incredible shot of adrenaline I screamed and whooped and then calmly stated I would not be doing that again. (Surprised I didn't blow my hand off to be honest). 

My little brother and sister who are both 9 years younger than me felt like peers this visit which made for some fun conversations. I love getting to know my loved ones in new ways. Cherish and I stayed up all night one night watching youtube videos and laughing hysterically. Who else am I going to do that with?

Anyhow, in a window of dry weather my brother and I hiked through some trails toward the lake by their country house and took some snapshots. It was really pretty peaceful and reminded me of the dessert hills I played in as a kid. And in the end, it felt like I got more than the experience I went looking for. 

Portland Fashion Photographer: Texas Rain

After flying through record-breaking winds and nearly throwing up on my fellow passengers, I finally arrived in San Antonio, Texas. The city felt grey and beyond the city lights loomed an empty dessert I could only imagine. It felt more or less like Portland until we reached the first country road and then began passing so many deer I lost count. An adventure? Hell yes! The one I expected? Um... definitely not.

Anyhow, I squeezed in a FULL day of shopping at some of my new favorite stores including Barney's New York and Neimen Marcus. I had to remind myself that Christmas is around the corner and I've already got presents under the tree. Still, I was able to get away with a few new outfits that will carry me through the winter and into fall.

Here at the house we have been having fun. I woke up one morning to my brother Sam yelling at me to come see the deer. Oh, it's going to be a couple of cute little domestic deer, I thought, but no. Of course, I stepped outside to an entire COLONY (do they run in colonies?) eating gingerly from Sam's hand. Thank God the tiniest ones were smart enough to dart away. I mean, really? Domestic deer colonies?

Here are some fun shots I took of my beautiful sister, Lorinda (yes, very similar names) one rained-in-day.

Portland Fashion Photographer: Beached

Model: Cassie Meder
Stylist: Melissa LaChance
Wardrobe: Isaac Hers
Muah: Christine Marie
Portland Commercial Photographer Lavenda Memory

Portland Fashion Photographer: Real Life Acting

Just finished up an acting workshop that ran through the entire weekend, Friday-Sunday, totaling up to over 20 hours! I love being an Actress- getting to mix acting with photography and visa versa. Workshops are this incredibly intense environment of... release. Is that a weird word? (Well, whatever then.)
It's totally a communal experience, first of all. Throughout the weekend the spot light was only on me once a day and the rest of my time was spent watching my fellow actors.
Secondly, there is no external pressure to "perform" despite what many think of the vocation. It's simply a safe environment where we get to learn and listen, listen and grow.
As we work through a scene, or go through an exercise it's our jobs as actors to let go of all our preconceived ideas- about ourselves, the situation, the other people in the room- and to simply act and respond truthfully. Basically, we are releasing our stress, our self consciousness and our egos in order to be real for a few moments. And let me tell you- it's freakin awesome!
At the end of a long weekend like this I find myself feeling more sincere about my world view and wanting to be close to those I care about. It affects everything, including my art and/or  photography by clarifying my vision. By pushing me to find truth in others as well.
I have a photo- test scheduled for tomorrow and can't wait to see what kind of photos come out of our play. It's going to be an all-girls-day too! What could be better?!


Me and my girlfriend, Camille, playing at the Solestruck opening:

Portland Fashion Photographer: Winter is Coming

It was a beautiful day this morning and then bam- just like that- it became the Portland wetlands we see every winter. I kind of go stir crazy this time of year, because the southern girl in me begins to crave hot porches and freedom- you know- hot, 90° kind of freedom.
Anyhow, winter is becoming my "Testing Season". And for those of you who don't know what "testing" is, let me give you the low-down. A test is a shoot planned by a photographer or team in order to play out and test ideas and concepts. It's a great portfolio builder or updater and honestly, it's like scratching an itch for creatives. It means that we don't have to answer to a client for a moment, means that we get to take a photo of what we see instead of what we're supposed to see. *Sigh. Can you tell I love this part?




Now that I've initiated my own testing season I find myself waking earlier, walking outside more and scratching shoot ideas onto whatever grocery receipts I can find. It's really kind of exhilarating.
Now if only my brain could keep up with my inspirations, ha!

Portland Fashion Photography: Night Street

Some spontaneous shots from a recent shoot for Isaac Hers, an awesome hi-end boutique in the Pearl. I shoot guest clients wearing Isaac Hers in their own style once a month for their blog. This week I had the opportunity to shoot the new manager for Solestruck, Melissa Lachance.

Beautiful Camouflage

Model: Cassie Meder
Hair and Makeup: Destiny Taylor
Dress: Vintage
Portland Portrait Photographer Lavenda Memory