Portland Wedding Photographer | CL Steele Studio » Portland Wedding Photographer

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

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!

House…wha…?

JD — Tue, 03 May 2011 16:47:36 +0000

Today is a day to focus on things around the house. Get Mother’s Day gifts shipped off and enjoy some SUNSHINE! Have a wonderful day everyone.

*CHEERS* To AWESOME Mommas!

~jD

Just another Saturday…

JD — Sun, 01 May 2011 01:07:52 +0000

Lazy Saturday! I’ve spent this last week recovering from “the crud”. This is what I call it because this is how I feel! Quite a few parents and kids from Outdoor school picked this lovely virus up. It has been awful! Sure seems as though I’ve spent this year, a bit more sickly than previous years. I find it a bit ironic that I’ve been taking my vitamins AND working out. I decided that I was going to get in better shape and so I did. I am happy to say, that I have lost 22 lbs! Not been an easy journey! But it’s funny that I’ve been more sick than normal…kind of weird how things work out that way.

Took the kiddo and her friend to play WALL BALL for a few hours. They have SO much energy! I sat in my car and watched them. I read my book and texted with a good friend and stayed bundled up and warm. It’s been hard because I want to go for a run and I certainly want to play this game that my daughter is OBSESSED with!

My favorite food is Mexican food. I love tacos…no let me rephrase that, I LOVE TACOS! So tonight…Grilled Chicken Tacos with fresh homemade Pico de Gallo! These are the fresh ingredients the kiddo and I picked up from our local produce stand. I am going to slice up the beautiful ripe pineapples I scored, for $1 a piece for dessert. So, I’m thinking that propped up on the couch with good food and a movie sounds mighty fine tonight! =) Happy Saturday friends…

*CHEERS* To lazy days & Tacos!

~JD

Fabulous Friday | Makeup Brushes

JD — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 16:09:15 +0000

Hello and Happy Fabulous Friday! Here is a quick post, on a topic I have posted on before. I am actually just RE-posting it! Hope it helps and pass on to those wives gentlemen!

Makeup brushes are essential in a great makeup application and if you don’t have them…I highly recommend investing in a good, quality set. However, your makeup brushes are like hair and we are talking the kind, you have on your head (not literally) but they need to be washed and cared for. Once a month is a good cleaning and if you use more makeup than normal in a month, then twice is great. The reason for washing is simple, BACTERIA. You wash your face each night (or should be doing so!) You wash your hair several times a week (or should be doing so!) You use your makeup brushes on your face most every day and near your eyes and nose. That “breakout” that you had last week…well it may not be from the source you thought it was. It could very well be bacteria from your brushes. So, here are some tips to care for those prized little possesions!

1) A mild shampoo (I like to use baby shampoo)

2) A clean towel or paper towels

3) A cup or a brush stand

4) Warm water

5) YOU listening to your favorite tunes on the ipod! (I do this all the time and I even dance!)

BRUSH CLEANING:

Get the head of your brush wet in the water, pour a bit of shampoo in the palm of your hand and gently make a circular motion, while “washing in the shampoo. Rinse and repeat until water runs clear. Try not get the entire brush wet because your brushes do have glue, to hold the hair in place. Too many times and they could start to fall out. Gently squeeze the water out of the brush and softly run over the towel. Then let dry, don’t let it lay flat on the towel because of a chance of mildew forming (Yucky!) Make your way through each brush and you will be living bacteria free!

Well, I hope this finds you all well and in good spirits…give it your best & do it in style, YOUR style!

*CHEERS* To rosy cheeks & red lips!
~JD~

To Cool for School…

JD — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 21:24:01 +0000

This last week we had the honor of chaperoning our daughter’s 5th grade Outdoor School. It was an experience we will NEVER forget. Some parent’s taught classes, some parent’s helped out where needed. We were definitely a united front! How could you not be with 70 5th graders!? Chris and I were asked to do the photography as “our job”. It was AWESOME! New friendships were forged, many laughs were shared and many good memories were made. Here are a few snapshots of us on our trip! Happy Monday!

*CHEERS* To fun trips & family love!

Behind the scenes

JD — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 20:11:44 +0000

It’s the things that go on behind the scenes that seem to take forever. They do, I’m not going to lie, but it’s the dedication and the quality that we give to our clients. We appreciate you all and are so thankful that you have let us into the special moments of your lives. Today is working on guestbooks, website *clapping excitedly* and who knew building a website could take so long! But we are REALLY excited about it. However, as typical Oregon weather presents itself, it’s good to be indoors. Especially after my rain, hail (OUCH!), rain and windy 4 mile run last night!

Ladies, if you would like to take your GROOM to a really great website you should have him look at The Groom’s List I think that sometimes the man get’s left out of the “DAY”. Give him the opportunity to have a little control over a few things and not let him feel so left out. After all…he is the one that proposed! ;P

*CHEERS* To warm coffee and good running shoes!

~JD

ROCK THE DRESS!

JD — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 00:55:33 +0000

I remember back to the days of picking out the perfect dress for a big school dance. Deciding on how to wear the hair, do the nails, find the jewelry and the shoes. It was like the red carpet event of High school. I also remember waking up the next day and thinking “THAT’S IT???” Sadly putting the plastic bag, over the beautiful gown, only to never be worn again. Fast forward “a few years”… So, I got to thinking…why not have a photo shoot and let some girls pull that plastic bag off those prized gowns!? I know, I would have LOVED to do something like this. I know today’s girls WANT to do this! So, we are gonna DO IT! With Chris’s mad photography skills and my twist on makeup and hair , I’m sure this could be an adventure! That’s right…makeup, hair and lots of unique pictures. Something I’m sure a girl from “1997″ would never have…

We put a shout out to our local High school dance team members and we had quite a few girls interested. We just couldn’t pick, so we did the random drawing out of the hat. We are looking forward to this photo session. It will be a lot of fun.

So let’s get ready to rock the dress LIZZY and JANAE!