Autumn Portraits with Fall Foliage for Otis the Dog

Last November, while I was back home in the Metropolitan DC area (Maryland!), I met up with Jesse, Emily, and Otis for the family photos.  We went to Manassas Battlefield Park in the hopes of finding some vibrant fall foliage.  Alas, most of the leaves had fallen, but we found a few trees had opted to hang around a little longer for us.  I’ll be heading to DC this weekend, hopefully some of those fall colors will be around!

* * * * *

Mai Duong is a Portland wedding photographer, also based in the San Francisco, Northern California area. Originally from Maryland outside the Metropolitan DC, she enjoys flying home to visit and work. She is available for weddings in the United States and Europe. MaiCamera Photography focuses on photographic storytelling by capturing natural moments. For booking inquires or more information about portrait photography, please contact Mai.

Sneak Peek of Ben & Ellen’s Wedding at Immaculate Heart

Ben & Ellen got married at Portland’s Immaculate Heart Catholic Church, possibly the cutest Catholic church I’ve ever seen!  Here’s some sneak peeks of their ceremony.  Photos of their reception at Melody Ballroom to come soon!

* * * * *

Mai Duong is a Portland wedding photographer, also based in the San Francisco, Northern California area.  She is available for weddings in the United States and Europe.  MaiCamera Photography focuses on photographic storytelling by capturing natural moments.   For booking inquires or more information about wedding photography in the Portland area and beyond, please contact Mai.

Sunsets and Beaches for Ben & Ellen’s Portland Engagement Session

I’m looking forward to Ben and Ellen’s wedding that’s coming up THIS SATURDAY!  Hooray!  In also exciting news, I made a few GIF animations.  This is the first time I’ve made one during an engagement session, but a windy day, on the beach, proved to be a perfect occasion to try it out!

When discussing where to have their engagement session, Ben and Ellen mentioned “their island”.  Obviously, we had to go there!  We paddled out in Ben’s canoe along the Columbia River, and 20 minutes later, we arrived at their Island.  Sure enough, we had the whole island to ourselves to grab some fun shots around just before the sun set, and then until the last bits of light were still in the sky.

Shepperd’s Dell and Bridal Veil Falls Elopement in the Columbia Gorge

Halie and Ryan came all the way from Kansas for the private elopement in the Columbia Gorge.  It was a low key, intimate ceremony taking place at Shepperd’s Dell.  With the sound of the waterfall right by them, they exchanged their vows and rings.  We then finished up their elopement with some portraits of the newlywed bride and groom, taking in all the beautiful sights the Columbia Gorge has to offer at Shepperd’s Dell and Bridal Veil Falls.

First Ever, Bamboo Print Sale!

For the first time ever, I’m selling my prints!  For a limited run, they’ll be printed on photographic lustre paper and mounted on beautiful bamboo boards.  Signed, numbered, and dated.  This is all to support Plywerk, the awesome local, green, bike-loving print company!

Gallery can be found here: http://maicamera.pixieset.com/maiart

But wait, there’s more!  There are two ways to save on these beautifully mounted Bamboo Wall Art Prints!

1.  Instantly save $100!  Promo code: 100BAMBOO (case sensitive)

2. AND, loan $50 to Plywerk’s crowd sourcing loan, and get an additional $50 off!

Just loan at their crowd source site, http://www.communitysourcedcapital.com/plywerk, e-mail a proof of donation to mai@maicamera.com, and you’ll receive a special coupon from me.

Promo code sale, as well as the crowd sourcing loan, ends on June 28th.  For those who loan to Plywerk’s loan, you’ll have until July 14th to place your order.  Print sale will end July 14th.

Former clients may place special requests to have their photos.  Just send an e-mail to mai@maicamera.com!

* * * * *

Mai Duong is a Portland wedding photographer, also based in the San Francisco, Northern California area.  She is available for weddings in the United States and Europe.  MaiCamera Photography focuses on photographic storytelling by capturing natural moments.   For booking inquires or more information about wedding photography in the Portland area and beyond, please contact Mai.

4 Tips to get the Best Group Photos at Your Wedding!

To me, wedding photography about story telling by capturing details from the wedding, as well as candid moments. However, my favorite part of the day to photograph happens to have nothing to do with storytelling, but everything to do with relationships: the family and group photos!

I enjoy the group photographs, whether you just have 3 groupings to photograph, or 20 groupings to photograph (which, by the way, is well above average). I just ask that we plan ahead, and give it the time it deserves!

Columbia Gorge Elopement – Halie & Ryan, Married!

Halie and Ryan are married! They flew in from Kansas earlier this week and enjoyed a trip to the Oregon Coast.  They also spent yesterday in the Columbia Gorge, where they came across Shepperd’s Dell, an awesome little nook of a waterfall, perfect for an elopement! They had a very, very intimate ceremony with just the two of them, the officiant, and a lovely waterfall (as well as me and the two required witnesses). More to come later, but for now, a sneak peek!

* * * * *

Mai Duong is a Portland wedding photographer, also based in the San Francisco, Northern California area.  She is available for weddings in the United States and Europe.  MaiCamera Photography focuses on photographic storytelling by capturing natural moments.   For booking inquires or more information about wedding photography in the Portland area and beyond, please contact Mai.

San Francisco Log Cabin Wedding, Lauren & Kevin

Lauren and Kevin were married at the Log Cabin in the Presidio neighborhood with fantastic views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco. Their wedding was a very personal wedding with a focus on their friends and family.

Q & M’s Rocky Butte Engagement

Nothing beats a fun engagement session atop Rocky Butte than a super enthusiastic couple.  It was windy, and M almost flew away on a rainbow umbrella, but laughing, snuggling and goofing off was definitely to be had.  We ended the session at their home, and I had the privilege to watch them have a kitchen dance party to Pharrell’s Happy.  So appropriate for this pair.

A Pre Wedding Shoot at Cannon Beach and Sentinel Hotel

Sunny Day, Purple Flowers, and Elegant Palace.  Those were the three dream components that William and Tran wanted for their pre-wedding shoot.  They dreamed up a portrait session of bright sunny beaches, guitar serenades, fun dates, purple flowers, and romantic evening palaces.  Amazingly enough, we got them all.  We drove away from rainy Portland, exited the forest, and found a sunny Cannon Beach waiting for us!  Along the drive back, we stopped at field covered with purple flowers, and ended at the Sentinel Hotel (formerly known as the Governor Hotel), who were really, really generous and kind to let us come shoot in their empty reception halls.