Portland Wedding Photographer | CL Steele Studio

Portland Maternity Session | Mr. + Mrs. Jones

JD — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 23:40:25 +0000

She is…Funny. Beautiful. Sassy. Talented. Smart. Goal oriented. Kind hearted. Strong. He is… a Hoot. Strong. Adventurous. Daring. Kind. Meet Mr. and Mrs. Jones and soon to make her appearance Baby Jones!

It is SO awesome to share in such an important part of a couples life. The being of their FIRST baby. I could sit and write all day about how lucky this baby is going to be. But I will let the photos speak for themselves. Thank you for being the AMAZING woman you are! TRULY beautiful inside and out. Your baby is going to be so blessed to have such great parents in her life. Loves to you …ALL 3!

jD + Chris

IMG_6649 IMG_6671 IMG_6683 IMG_6700 IMG_6763 IMG_6839 IMG_6882 IMG_6921

Portland Engagement Session | Sean + Jessica

JD — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 22:33:16 +0000

She was so nervous and he was her calm reassurance that all is going to be fine. The attention to details, the sentimental trinkets and scarves made their photographs that much more personal. You can just feel the PASSION between Jessica + Sean. A few clicks of the camera and then we heard “I am not nervous at all anymore. This is fun!” They are easy to be around and make our job, one that we love THAT much more. Jessica + Sean we are so happy you picked US for your photographers! We are looking forward to your September 8, 2012 WEDDING! Yeah!

*HUGS*

jD + Chris

Alicia + Keaton | Portland Engagement Session

JD — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 22:18:21 +0000

College love = A September wedding! Alecia and Keaton go to PSU and are downtown quite a bit. Their downtown engagement session was…AWESOME! They know how to ROCK the lens! Here is what we captured! Enjoy!

Portland Engagement Session | Jerry + Ashley

JD — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 18:10:01 +0000

Living in the Pacific Northwest you come to realize that we have two seasons… Season 1 – Light Gray and Season 2 – Dark Gray. The day of Jerry + Ashley’s engagement session you could see the clouds rolling in and I would classify this as “Season-1″! They are total outdoors people and we were planning to do their engagement session up on Mt. Hood. However that day, they were calling for snow, wind and all kinds of yuckiness! This I would classify as Season-2! (Yes people, I realize yuckiness is not a word, but it just fits!) So we all decided the mountain would not be our destination unfortunately.

So, Jerry + Ashley purchased their first home within the last year and we decided to do some pictures at their house. Which is totally adorable and they’ve done such a great job making it their own. Ashley is an AWESOME artist and her walls just come alive with the pieces she has made. She is truly talented! They actually used one of her creations for their wedding invitations! Pretty groovy if you ask me! I am in awww because, I can barely make a stick figure! It was also awesome because we got the pleasure of meeting “Mr. M” he is a character.

Then we went down, toward the Portland area with these two super cool peeps! We REALLY wish the weather would have been better on Mt. Hood you guys! However, we had a great afternoon just hanging out with you.

*CHEERS* To making the best of the NW weather Jerry + Ashley!

~JD + Chris

Venue: Log House Gardens – Salem, OR
Catering: It’s Party Time

Fabulous Friday | The Kiddo

JD — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 16:15:17 +0000

Today’s FABULOUS FRIDAY goes to our KIDDO! She is 11 years old today! Slumber party madness tonight and roasting marshmallows for birthday dessert! Here’s to being young again and to the memories of childhood.
*CHEERS* To making many happy memories in the year ahead!

~JD

4th Grade, B.F.F.’s + a lifetime of memories…

JD — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 18:57:26 +0000

Most of us wake with a sense of “Uggghhh…MONDAY! Again?” But this morning I woke with a new perspective thanks to my 4th grade B.F.F. I remember back to the day we were both in LOVE with Kirk Cameron, The Babysitters Club books were “collectors items” and every chance we had, we played together. Her Mom and Dad were always inviting me over and letting me stay the night. Those are cherished memories for me…more cherished than I think she ever realized.

When she moved back to Mississippi it broke my heart. We lost contact and all I had were memories…but warm, comforting memories at that! I kept looking and eventually I found her on Facebook. I struggled with contacting her. I looked at her picture and studied it making sure it was actually “her”. Wondering if she would remember who I was and if she remembered me, the way I remembered her. It’s amazing how fast time can come and go. We get older, have families of our own and live far away. But one picture, one face takes you back to the day…the days where becoming part of Kirk Camerons fan club trumped all and somehow we scrounged enough for postage. So here is what she said this morning that encouraged me for the week ahead…

“Woohoo, It’s Monday! A clean slate- You’ve gotta love it ;P”

Thank you for not only being my inspiration on a cloudy morning here, in the Pacific Northwest, but being an inspiration since 4th grade. You touched my life, more than you know. I’m so happy to see where you are today and to know, that you are so happy.

*CHEERS* To people who impact your life and just don’t even realize it.

~JD

Fabulous Friday | J & T

JD — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 01:19:43 +0000

Jenny + Trevor were fabulous at their Abernethy wedding! They are amazing people and definitely looked AmAzInG! Have a wonderful and sunny weekend friends!

*CHEERS* To brides & grooms who can rock the party!

~JD

Happy Saturday

JD — Sat, 28 May 2011 18:15:04 +0000

Happy Saturday to you! Let’s remember to think of all those that have passed. Those that have touched our lives and left too soon, to all those that lost the battle defending our country. Lets remember to REMEMBER and be thankful and grateful for all we have. Enjoy your out of town trips, your BBQ’s and family & friends! Have a great Memorial weekend 2011!
*CHEERS* To the memories of those we’ve loved and lost.

~JD

Fabulous Friday | Bowling Balls on a Stick

JD — Fri, 27 May 2011 15:24:09 +0000

That’s right…you did read that right. I was out photographing our daughter one evening and we were walking down the sidewalk. It was freezing and it was starting to rain when we saw this…

Do you ever happen upon things in life and just wonder…”IS this REAL?” Well, I had one of those moments. The kidlet says “Who in the WORLD, would put a bowling ball on a STICK and have it in a garden!!!!?” She found this to be one of the most entertaining things for awhile! Squinting my eyes, to get a closer look and to make sure I was NOT imagining this. I took a quick pic…I tossed my head back and we laughed, because REALLY, the bowling ball on a stick, deserves a good laugh. I then said “Well babe, I guess these people do!” It’s been an interesting topic for us a few times now…WOW! Because life comes with no guarantees & who couldn’t use a good laugh now and again! I wish I could hug these people! Happy Friday peeps!

*CHEERS* To Garden Gnomes who chill under a blue “MOON”!
~JD

Fabulous Friday | Wine

JD — Fri, 13 May 2011 15:54:18 +0000

We live in wine country! Wine tasting is pretty fun and it’s something great to take visitors to do. We also love how beautiful the vineyards are! Great place to gather and have a wedding. Chris enjoys drinking Pinot Noirs. I really enjoy a good Cabernet. Together we like Malbecs…delicious! Have a wonderful day!

*CHEERS* To getting together with friends & family!