Location Scouting - {Columbia Children's Arboretum, Portland, OR}

So. This gorgeous place is a mere 7 minutes from my home, and yet, its in such a hidden, unexpected place (read: Its most recognizable neighbors are a truck stop, a junk yard and a school bus lot) its taken me 7 years to discover it. The children and I have been out to it a lot to play and explore, but this is the first time I've taken my camera along. The space is 28 acres, and has native trees from all 50 states planted on the grounds, as well as a slough, footbridge and wildlife including ducks, frogs and (unfortunately for me!) snakes.

My daughter, Karter, is my favorite face in the whole world to photograph (well, besides my other favorite face, her brother), but in general does not enjoy me taking her picture. On this day, she was excited to put on her dress and do a bit of photo taking. And I was a happy Mama!

Calling 2013 Seniors!

I absolutely loved working with the 2012 seniors I was privileged to photograph, and am hoping to increase the number of seniors I get to photograph in the coming months.

I'm currently looking for a few unique, outgoing, fabulous High School Seniors to be my Senior Representatives for the 2013 school year.

What's in it for you:

• $100 off your Senior Portrait Package
• Free photo prints and extra wallet when your friends book with me

What you do:

• Schedule your Senior Session for May, June or July
• Share your senior photos on your Facebook page with friends
• Show off a few of your Senior Photos by distributing Senior Rep cards

Contact me at kersten@kerstengreenphotography.com for requirements and more information! I'm looking forward to hearing from you!

Abby & Aidan {George Rogers Park, Lake Oswego}

I loved my time we these two sweet, gorgeous children, and their sweet Mama at George Rogers Park. About half way through our session, as we were waiting for the sunshine to go behind the clouds for better light, these two began to interact in a way that bested any poses I could possibly dream up. Their natural interactions were beautiful and so much fun to capture.

Avery - Girl on the Farm {Sauvie Island, Portland, OR)

Finally, after several months of waiting out winter, I was able to meet up with my Facebook "100 likes" mini-session winner, Miss Avery! This is the third time I've been privileged to photograph Avery, and I couldn't dream of a more perfect setting to capture her in! It was a gorgeous day on Sauvie Island, and Avery has perfect hair for beautiful, wind blown photos. She's such a doll. Though very stoic on our shoot day, I managed to capture a few smiles she gave her older brother, Brody. She lights up for him!

Thanks Avery, as always, I LOVE getting to photograph you!

Sawyer - Time Flies...

Remember Sawyer Ann? Back on May 27th of last year, I had the privilege of celebrating her birth, and taking her very first photograph. Pretty special! Now she's a precious, beautiful 10 month old (today!) with an easy smile and some seriously world-class-caliber thigh chub.

Anyway, very fun that on MY birthday (today!) Sawyer helped me celebrate, and again allowed me to take her picture. Thanks, Sawyer, for helping me do what I love to do (take photos!) on my special day.

"S" for Sister { St. Johns, Portland, OR}

One of my favorite families is getting ready to welcome a new baby girl! I was thrilled to get to visit John, Erynn and Sydney in their home to do a mini-maternity session. Soon-to-be big sister Sydney showed me her princess room ( my little girl saw the photos while I was editing them and freaked! She now wants a pink princess room just like Sydney!). She jumped on the bed, put a tiara on her puppy, demonstrated some dramatic princess fainting, brushed her hair in her vanity, and did some twirls in the mirror. So fun, this girl!

Unfortunately, after just a few happy snaps with her mommy in new baby sister's nursery, Sydney was done with me and my camera. So I turned my focus to Erynn and John, who are my most favorite couple to photograph. They are unabashedly lovey-dovey, and its refreshing to see the way John dotes on Erynn. They are adorable!

Thanks again, Fearn Family, you guys are such a pleasure to work with! Congratulations on your new little girl!

"L" is for Lovely Luca & Lark - {Vancouver, WA}

Luca and Lark are two of the most beautiful, easy going children I've had the pleasure of photographing. They, along with their grown -ups, Nathan and Meghan, and family friends Justin and Emily, welcomed me into their home for a fun family shoot. This family is so warm and kind and funny, I couldn't get enough of photographing them, and wound up running way over. They were gracious enough not to kick me out.

Thanks for a fun morning, Nathan and Meghan, I hope you love your photos!