Ryan & Sam at Ecotrust, Portland OR

Light was in very short supply at Ryan and Sam's wedding at Ecotrust, even during the afternoon. Instead of fighting it, I leaned into the darker atmosphere, using pockets of available light, deep shadows, and the warmth of hundreds of candles to give the photographs their character.

It's something I particularly enjoy about photographing weddings: figuring out how to use the conditions we're given, rather than trying to make every celebration look like it happened on a perfectly predictable sunny afternoon. I find this romantic.

Elegant dining table set with glasses, plates, and candles by a large window with green foliage outside.
Outdoor wedding ceremony with guests sitting under umbrellas on a rainy day, flower petals on the aisle, couple walking down the aisle, urban buildings in the background.

Ecotrust is a fantastic venue for this kind of atmosphere. The building is a beautifully restored 1890s warehouse in Portland's Pearl District, with exposed brick, large windows, an open-air rooftop terrace, and industrial details that give the photographs plenty of texture.

Ryan and Sam's ceremony took place on the rooftop, umbrellas and all. Inside, candlelight became part of the visual story, not just decoration. The result is a gallery with plenty of contrast, warmth, and a distinctly moody feel.

Close-up of a woman's head with dark, wavy hair styled with a decorative hairpiece, wearing elegant earrings and a embellished dress.
Group of four men dressed in suits, standing outdoors with buildings in the background, smiling and looking off to the side.
A round dining table set with glassware and plates near a large window with greenery outside, and a close-up of lit candles in glass holders with leaves around them.
Close-up of a woman's hand with an engagement ring, and a woman with styled hair wearing earrings and a decorative hairpiece, both dressed in white with intricate embroidery.
Black and white photo of five men standing outdoors in front of trees, dressed in suits, smiling and looking at each other.
A group of five men dressed in suits, with one being lifted off the ground by the others, smiling and posing outdoors in front of trees.
A romantic couple embracing outdoors in the first photo and a close-up of the couple with their foreheads touching in the second photo, both dressed elegantly for a wedding or formal occasion.
A bride with a bouquet of flowers being walked down the aisle by a man in a suit at a wedding ceremony.
Bride in a lace wedding dress and veil walking down the aisle with an elderly man, surrounded by guests holding umbrellas at an outdoor wedding ceremony.
Bridesmaids holding bouquets of white roses and green foliage at a wedding.
Black and white photo of a wedding ceremony outside. A bride and groom are facing each other, holding hands, with an officiant standing between them. The bride has dark hair with a hairpiece and is wearing a lace wedding dress. The groom is bald with
Split image showing a wedding ceremony on the left with a bride and groom exchanging vows underneath an arch decorated with flowers, and guests attending an outdoor event on the right with some holding umbrellas, sitting and watching a performance or
Split image of a wedding ceremony. On the left, a man with a shaved head and beard in a gray suit and black tie is reading vows. On the right, a woman in an intricate, white lace wedding dress is reading her vows, surrounded by bridesmaids. The cerem
A couple getting married outdoors with an officiant, holding hands and emotional as the bride wears a lace wedding dress and the groom a black tuxedo.
Four men dressed in suits standing outdoors with tall buildings in the background.
A bride and groom standing outdoors during a wedding ceremony, with a person in a suit and bow tie between them, and people seated nearby. The bride is holding a bouquet and smiling, while the groom is looking at her. There are tall grasses and a cit
A wedding ceremony taking place outdoors on a rooftop with city buildings in the background. The bride and groom are holding hands in front of the officiant, surrounded by bridesmaids and groomsmen, with guests seated watching.
A wedding ceremony outdoors with a bride, groom, and officiant exchanging vows. The groom has a bald head with a beard, wearing a black suit. The bride has dark hair styled with a decorative hairpiece, wearing a white lace dress. The officiant is in
A bride and groom sharing a kiss during their wedding ceremony outdoors, with lush greenery and tall grass in the background.
A newlywed couple, celebrating their wedding; the bride wears a white lace wedding dress with floral embroidery and the groom wears a black suit, white shirt, and black tie, holding hands and smiling.
A newlywed couple sharing a kiss at their wedding reception outdoors in the rain, with guests holding umbrellas around them.
A wedding party standing outdoors on a tree-lined street during fall, with the bride and groom in the center, surrounded by bridesmaids and groomsmen.
Decorated wedding reception table with engraved name tag, glasses, cutlery, and greenery on a white tablecloth, and a close-up of a glass of water with greenery and a wooden name tag reading 'Ryan + Sam 9.7.19'
A woman with dark hair in an elegant dress serving a dessert to a seated man in a suit at a formal event in a black-and-white photo.
A diverse group of people dancing and socializing at a party or celebration, with a man and woman smiling and holding hands in the foreground.
A bride and groom share their first dance at their wedding reception.
Black and white photo of a group of people smiling and raising glasses in a toast at a dinner party.
A bride and groom are dancing and smiling at their wedding reception in a warmly lit room, with guests seated at tables in the background.
Two women taking a selfie at a celebration or wedding reception, holding glasses of wine. They are smiling and dressed in formal attire, with a crowded indoor setting in the background.

Let’s talk about YOUR wedding and how to make it unmistakably yours.

How did you meet, what sparked your interest going through my works, why did you chose your venue? I would love to learn all of this to give you all possible tips and guidance.

I’ll get back to you within 48 hrs with most suitable options.