Valerie & Gus on Sauvie Island

Val and Gus


I pride myself on being from a small town. Always have, always will.  Living and moving from Scappoose, to Corvallis, to Ashland, to Portland with many travel opportunities along the way, has only strengthened my love for a small town community. The hussle and bussle of Portland is great and all, but I'm finding myself yearning for country roads and farmlands. There's just nothing better than spending a warm summer evening like the one's we've been having with friends and family. That is why I am HONORED to have spent the whole day and evening with Valerie, Gus, and their friends and family out on Sauvie Island for their wedding! My friend Megan got us in touch and I feel very honored to have met such great, down-to-earth, fun loving people. It was one to remember what with the paper lanterns, rows of fresh grown produce, and the sound of the boats on the river. Congratulations my friends I had a wonderful time with you and I wish you nothing but the best. I'll let the pictures tell the rest of the story..

morning beverages! 





 mom

 bros


 frolicking





first look



                    




Val and Gus holding their respective parent's wedding day photos! LOVE IT! 




generations of married women and val's side 

dear friend Megan who referred me to Val and Gus 




 









                     
friends toast





 amazing venue









great night everyone!

Love Always,
Luke

PS
as always, here's my recent jams:
'the carpenter' by The Avett Brothers
'negotiations' by the Helio Sequence
'boxer' by The National
'coexist' by the xx

Horsewomen of Columbia County


One of my absolute favorite things to photograph is people and animals together. It's a unique challenge because you can't tell a horse, "Hey horse look over here and give me a nice smile." All the weddings I've taken photos at this summer have been totally awesome and I can't wait for the three left in this month alone! This horsey-photo-shoot with my mom and her friends was a nice change of pace from bridesmaids, ring bearers, and wedding receptions. We had a blast and my mom and her friends are totally awesome. I can only hope I'm as active and fun when I'm their age.








mom and fire.






Kelley and Russ

 Kelley D'Agrosa has been a dear friend to me since we were about 16. We've known each other since 4th grade at Peterson Elementary school in Scappoose Oregon. Kelley is absolutely one-of-a kind in the greatest sense of the word. We became better friends in Sophomore year math class in which Kelley basically did my homework for me without actually doing it (math was never my strong suite ha). On top of that, Kelley is the toughest girl I know. She definitely played a part in toughening me up. She was the big brother I never had (seriously). Over the years we stayed in touch throughout college due to my ridiculous social butterfly tendencies and Kelley's consistent loyalty and charm. Once you're friends with Kelley, you're friends for life. I remember being very concerned and worried when she told me she decided to become a cop. I am grateful she's no longer doing that, but the best part of the experience for Kelley being a police officer as meeting Russ! They are totally perfect for each other and I wish them nothing bu happiness for the rest of their lives. I absolutely love being a wedding photographer because I get to take photos of beautiful people, inside and out, on one of the greatest days of their lives. Hope you like the photos friends!



 i love everything about this photo.







the reception started rainy, but gave way to some beautiful sunshine! 

 last supper parody. Kelley has the greatest sense of humor ever.


:) 




Great lookin family! 







Russ played a voicemail from Kelley over the mic that said "Russ Jewell, I love you and one day I'm going to marry you!" Russ had saved that voicemail ad played it everyday since he got it. 


And fun was had by all! Love you guys.

my friend sam






It was my junior year of college (2009) when I first met Sam Baldwin. I was a resident assistant at OSU and she was a terrified freshman on her first day of college. I cheerily greeted Sam and her mom and Sam looked petrified! I ended up chatting with her mom as we moved her in and I knew I wanted to be her friend even then. Over that year and many years to come, Sam and I became close friends. Her family is amazing and hilarious. Of course I was honored when she asked me to photograph her senior photos all these years later seeing as how it was commemorating her exit from college when I was there at the beginning! I am lucky and honored to have made a friend like Sam. She is kind-hearted, cares about the environment, and her unique style and beauty was so much fun to photograph. I watched her transform from a scared freshman into a confidant and radiant woman. I love you sam!

she made it easy.

lovely girl








sam loves cats.

love
luke

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JAM: