Aralani Photography

Brittany & Chase bringing together ocean, waterfalls and old growth trees for their wedding day. Brittany styled everything herself, all whimsical fun and big heart.

Afton & Brian positively rocked the beach for their misty, glorious wedding day. Nothing but joy, uproarious laughter, puppy paws, heart-shaped stones, a tear-jerking ceremony, the best friends you could want, and an absolutely unforgettable afternoon. Cheers to these wild, beautiful souls!

When I read this beautiful blog post today, I took a giant breath of air and felt so validated. For years, the growing algorithmic push to create behind-the-scenes content in order to be ranked and relevant has become overwhelmingly oppressive. It's attempting to change our job descriptions from artists to something else entirely. I've felt so cranky about it because my clients hire me to make art of their fleeting moments, and I insist on being fully present for said moments. This isn't about me; it's about them. My phone is the last thing I'm thinking about on a wedding day, except as a necessary tool of lists, event communication, and weather reports.

Susan's words are so elegant, powerful and important in this age of content, AI, distraction, and doing things we might never do unless people are watching us.

So, deep breath taken, I'll continue to quietly be over here pouring my present, alert, focused, delighted self into my art and clients' stories, not into creating whatever content the internet thinks I should.

I Am Done Making Behind the Scenes Content at Weddings Why I am done making behind the scenes content at weddings, and what got lost when BTS became a job requirement.

Two beautiful adventurers in the wild landscapes surrounding Mt. St. Helens after their tiny, perfect wedding. As you may already know, I always condone snuggling at waterfalls.

A magical moment that still lives cozily in my soul: Jen & Amy on the Oregon Coast, soaking up the sun and waves and each other.

The most fleeting of rainbows danced above Kendall at sunrise as she wandered in the Columbia River Gorge. In the two hours we spent on this trail, so many weather patterns blew over us--this deep, crazy blue was one of my favorites. What a morning.

(if you missed her Purple dress, be sure to visit the previous post)

Kendall at sunrise, adventuring on the wildflower-lined pathways of the Columbia River Gorge. The weather and atmosphere were absolutely extraordinary, as was the company and energy of this unicorn.

(she brought two dresses, stay tuned for Blue)

The wildly badass Taylor & Kyler on an incredibly cold, glorious mountain day in Washington.

Turned around just in time to catch this little stinker trying to reel in my wedding photography bag one strap at a time. Not sure what the going ransom is for recovery, but I definitely don't have enough carrots and hay!

(he's still real cute so he got a bap on the nose, then a conciliatory scratch on the chin once he let go of the bag)

Last week, I photographed a beautiful little elopement at Crater Lake. The snowpack is very low (yikes/scary/ooof/cry), but it was as jawdropping as it always is. I never tire of the utter expansiveness of it, the BLUE, and how very very old it feels. The trail to the lakeshore is closed for reconstruction, but even being nearby put me in mind of this marvelous wedding from another blissful time at Crater Lake, and the daring wedding party that jumped in after the more solemn ceremonies were checked off.