Castaway Portland Wedding Photos

All weddings have family, but some weddings have uppercase FAMILY. For Alin and Mary, their wedding was a full family affair. Something that takes years of faithfully coming together as a family to celebrate life’s little and big moments. I have been doing weddings full time since 2011 and was single when I started, but now am married with a crew of six. At least once a week, we have a feast meal with our little family, we toast each other, and then sometimes we do a dancing party in the living room or play a game together. It started out small and basic, but each week it gets more and more epic. Now when I do weddings and get to witness families coming together to party and celebrate their loved ones getting married, I start getting chills, seeing my own family’s future in the photos I get to take right now. This was so apparent for this wedding at the Castaway in Portland. Tons of laughter and life in every corner. It was a quiet start with doing a quick rehearsal, but once all the family and friends arrived, it was a non-stop party.

I find myself documenting more and more the unconventional wedding photos. When you look online at wedding photos, you will see the bridal party group shots, tons of details, lots of fancy formal photos, they all show your taste and what the wedding might have looked like, but it’s so distant feeling. I want my photos to be your backstage pass into your family and event. What are the things that no one else is seeing or noticing? That’s what is exciting to me. By the end of the night, it’s a success if all the guests just treat me like another part of the family. The photos should not feel forced, but effortless and full of life.

This was my last wedding of the season, and I am finishing for the first time not exhausted from a long wedding season, but so excited about next year. My passion for documenting stories is stronger than ever, and my hunger to get better at my craft is at an all-time high! Thank you so much to all my couples that let me into your lives and let me get to document a slice of your heaven. It’s a big deal to be invited backstage—I don’t take that lightly and my hope is to capture moments that will be cherished for generations.

Thanks for a memorable wedding!