Exploring New Photography Locations in Portland, OR

Even though it has been a busy time with the holidays, I have still been trying to find time to get some photography in. While I am out, I am constantly looking for new locations that I think might be perfect for portraits. I came across an area in downtown Portland that I thought might work out well to give the best backgrounds for industrial themed high school senior portraits. After just recently getting my Canon 70-200 2.8 IS II USM, I have been trying to get used to using this lens and thought it would be a prime opportunity to test out this location. I headed out with a couple willing subjects and off we went! 

We got down there and I spent the first few minutes checking out the area. I found a couple spots that I really liked and so we headed over to these. This was more industrial, which was a background I was looking to add to my list of high school senior portrait locations. 

One thing about this location that I loved was how the blue wall contrasted beautifully with the light wood of the plywood. We headed down a little bit and I found another location that gave a completely different look! Upon editing, I wasn't really liking the red color that the wall was giving off and decided to go black and white with these.

I was amazed at how many different looks I could get in such close locations! This other wall was just around the corner and I came away with some of my favorite images of the day from this background.

After a quick outfit change, I headed to where we had parked our cars because I saw a piece of decoration made of some sort of rock that would be great for portraits. We went and checked this out and later headed down a path to explore some more natural locations.

While we were out, we had to grab a couple photos of the brothers together. We took brother shots throughout the shoot. All I can say is that these two were naturals in front of the camera!!

It was great to be able to have a fun time while out location scouting. These guys seriously were awesome and so helpful for coming out to "model" for me. At the end of the shoot, we were having fun and Liam decided to pick up his older brother. I think this is my favorite image just because it shows who they are and their relationship as brothers. It's pretty cool to see how the images turn out when your subjects are having just as much fun in front of the camera as you are having behind it. :)

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Vancouver, WA and Portland, OR High School Senior Portraits and Family Photography

The Seattle Great Wheel

As I wrap up the end of the quarter at school, it was time to finally take the time and head to a spot that I wanted to photograph all quarter. I headed downtown with my friend Lucas (who coincidentally I met through photography!) and we both set our cameras up to take some night shots. The shot I wanted was a photograph of The Seattle Great Wheel at night while it was all lit up. 

We got there about an hour before sunset, so that Lucas could set up for a time lapse and I could figure out the best spots to set up. As we were walking around, I wanted to try different vantage points.

I ultimately settled on a spot across from the wheel on the pier. This would allow me to have the skyline in frame and shoot over the water, which would give some nice color to the picture.

As the night was winding down, I wanted to try a new vantage point. I moved over to the pier and used this as a foreground element. I think I like this one the best out of the two as it is just a more interesting photo in my opinion. 

It was a nice change of pace to get out and take a break from studying for finals and just enjoy lovely Seattle! It wasn't even raining, so that's a plus, right? :) I think these photos served as a great reminder just how pretty the city I live in can be. 

Also, be sure to check out Lucas' photo page to see the stellar work he's putting together!

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Veterans Day Tribute

Veterans Day. This day serves as a day to not only remember those who are veterans for our country, but to commend them on their bravery, patriotism and their willingness to serve our country. I am proud to attend a university that holds such high regard for our veterans. Today, I was able to attend the Veterans Day ceremony that was held by the University of Washington. 

The ceremony was held in Memorial Way, the main street into UW and was held around the round about, which includes a memorial to armed service members in the middle of the round about. All of the different branches of the ROTC were stationed and represented around the memorial. 

Each branch of ROTC also had their colors represented and carried by one of the members within each group. 

Looking around the crowd, it was wonderful to see veterans still donning their service branch proudly. 

Opening remarks were done by Colonel Brent D. Bigger of the US Air Force. He delivered a speech that touched on so many of the great acts that individuals within ROTC and our veterans have done for our country. 

President Michael K. Young then took the podium shortly after Col. Bigger spoke and returned the podium to Col. Bigger for the presentation of colors. 

Multiple veterans were recognized for their service, but specifically, Dr. Richard Layton was recognized by President Young for the Distinguished Alumni Veteran Award. He served in the US Navy and received a medical degree from the University of Washington as one of their first few classes of graduates for the UW Medical School. During Dr. Layton's speech, he touched on the importance of taking care of family, friends and those around you.

President Young and Cpt. Daniel Boirum, an MBA graduate of the Foster School of Business, carried the wreath that was placed in the middle of Memorial Way to serve as a tribute for our veterans that concluded the ceremony.

My favorite part of the ceremony was seeing the adoration that loved ones gave to their family and friends that served or are serving in the armed forces. It was apparent through their smiles and hugs that they were proud of the decision that their loved ones had made in serving the country. Many gathered around for pictures after. 

At the end of the ceremony, I made my way to the center of the round about to grab photos of the engravings on the rocks that surround Memorial Way. I believe the message they bring is one of hope and of ordinary people stepping into extraordinary situations. Another rock acts as a tribute and lists past service members that have proudly served our country.

As I walked around campus, it was great to see ROTC students still in their uniforms walking and saluting each other proudly. 

As a grandson of a proud patriot who fought in the Battle of the Bulge, who was a Purple Heart and Bronze Star recipient, I hold great pride in knowing a veteran that is sadly no longer with us. While it is only for one day that we officially honor our veterans, it's important to remember the role that they play and the importance that they hold for our country. It is not just November 11, but everyday that we should be thankful and appreciative for what they do or have done for us. Thank you to all our veterans.

Around Campus-- University of Washington

Looking back over the last few blog posts, I realized that I had been on the field a lot. While I love sports photography, I wanted to step back into capturing what's around me other than just what's on the field. What better way to do this than a walk through my campus at the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington?

While the weather has been a little stormy over the past week, we did have a stretch of gorgeous weather right before the weekend. I grabbed my camera and just headed around campus to various locations to capture the day. First stop was Suzzallo Library.

Suzzallo Library is ranked as one of the top libraries on a college campus as well as in the world by various publications each year.

Suzzallo Library

While the outside architecturally is beautiful, the inside has just as much detail put into it. The main reading room is said to remind people of one of the rooms straight out of Harry Potter and Hogwarts Castle.

Staircase leading to the Suzzallo reading room.

Reading Room-Suzzallo Library

 After heading to Suzzallo, I stopped by a couple of the other lesser known buildings around campus. The first was the MOLES building, which is one of the newer science buildings on campus. The MOLES building is more contemporary but is contrasted with a more traditional style of architecture right across the street displayed in Architecture Hall.

MOLES Building

Architecture Hall

Having not taken physics at the University yet, I stopped by the physics building, which is known for having sculptures and other art pieces related to discoveries in physics. The sculptures are designed to resemble "p-orbitals" found in chemical molecules and waveforms, which are relevant to many areas of science.

Heading to the north end of campus, I swung by the Law Library. This is another one of the newer buildings on campus along with Paccar Hall, home to the Foster School of Business. 

The UW Law Library

Paccar Hall--Foster School of Business

Right next to Paccar is Denny Hall. Denny Hall during the early years of the University of Washington served as the building for all of the University's administration. This is now used for other purposes, but still serves as a historic icon near the center of campus.

I had to walk by Memorial Way to see the "W". Memorial Way is one of the only roads that leads straight into campus and many visitors and alumni are greeted by the big "W" statue in the median.

It wouldn't be a walk around campus without visiting the Quad. The Quad at UW is the most photographed location on the planet during springtime. For a week or so, all of the trees lining the quad are blooming and it is a beautiful display of cherry blossoms. While it wasn't spring and there were no cherry blossoms, I still believe that it's just as magnificent in the setting fall sunlight.