Alleyway Photography

What would you like to learn about?

2012-01-20T21:56:00.000-08:00

2012 is all about sharing. Soooo...what would you like to learn about? I've found lots of tools and cool websites online and would like to provide answers, tips, tricks or resources for things that YOU want to hear about. So what is it that YOU'D like to see in those posts? What would you like to know about photography? Let's hear it. :-) Send me your questions by email to lori@alleywayphotography.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AlleywayPhoto. I'd love to hear from you! Here's a recent one of my daughter from a Valentine's session I had with her and some friends. What do you think?

Not your average kid's Valentine's Day card!

2012-01-19T23:43:00.000-08:00

Do you want something fun for your kids to hand out at their Valentine's Day party this year? I am offering a mini-session for Valentine's Day! 15 designs to choose from! A few of them are shown below. You may also purchase separate images or additional wallets at your session. Session appointments available every 20 mins beginning at 10:00 a.m. and ending at 2:40 p.m. Please call to schedule your preferred session time. 971-212-5520

Photography tip of the day:

2012-01-11T21:17:00.000-08:00

Photography tip of the day: To help get those great catch lights in the subject's eyes, have them face toward open sky so that the sky is being reflected in their eyes. It adds a little extra "twinkle" to the image. Happy shooting! ;-)

Prepping for the SAT and ACT? Ace college entrance exams the first time with these easy tips and tricks!

2012-01-11T19:08:00.000-08:00

PREPARATION

• Use Collegeboard.org’s SAT daily question email to get one sample test question in your inbox every day. It’s a simple, less overwhelming way to get your brain warmed up for the real thing. It’s also available as an iphone app! http://sat.collegeboard.org/practice...ion-of-the-day
• Take a test prep class. Kaplan offers courses that are tailored to the SAT or the ACT. Check out their website: http://www.kaptest.com/College/SAT/index.html
• Use a tutor to help you target your weakest subject.

TESTING

• Make sure you bring a watch, and don’t linger on one question longer than two or three minutes.
• Answer the easier questions first and go back to answer the hard ones last.
• Use the process of elimination to give yourself better odds on each question. If you know two answers aren’t right, that gives you a 50% chance of getting the right answer instead of only 25%.
• If you have to guess, the answer with the most information is usually correct.
• Never leave an answer blank. You should at least guess one of the options, because leaving it blank guarantees that you get it wrong.
• If you read the question and come up with the answer before reading the multiple choice options, this will help you avoid getting confused by “all of the above” or “none of the above” type of situations.
• Trust your first instinct—it’s usually correct!

Happy Testing!

SUPER SALE to kick off 2012!!!!!

2012-01-07T15:11:00.000-08:00

I'm going to start this New Year off with a bang! $39 for a one hour session and an 11x14 portrait! Earn additional FREE 5x7's for referring this special to your friends. For each referral, you'll receive one free 5x7! This is available until Saturday, Jan 14th. The session vouchers expire on June 15th, so you'll have 6 months to use it. Buy it for yourself or as a gift. AND the person who refers the most people who purchase a session will receive CUSTOM FRAMING for their 11x14! So many ways to win! Have fun! I know that it's cold outside right now, but we do have nice days during the Winter in the beautiful Northwest and we definitely have gorgeous Spring days. I love it all! Hope to hear from you soon! For your convenience, I accept cash, check, VS, MC, DS and AMEX.

CYBER MONDAY SALE!

2011-11-25T14:23:00.001-08:00

Just a reminder about a great deal!

...and here is the fine print. If you read this and mention it in your email or phone message, you may also purchase certificates on Friday, November 25th. AND you will receive an additional $25 credit added on to each certificate. That DOUBLES your savings! Hope to see you through my lens in 2012!

Cyber Monday SALE! - Looking for a great gift idea??

2011-11-24T10:37:00.003-08:00

Black Friday & Cyber Monday

2011-11-18T08:21:00.001-08:00

This image was my favorite from the first session I did right after I opened my business. Even though I've grown and improved my skills a whole lot since then, this image will always be special to me because it represents the day I followed my dreams. :-)

This week, I'm finalizing up my ideas for Black Friday and Cyber Monday and would love to hear from YOU. What would your dream sale be? You can comment on this blog, comment on Facebook or send me an email to lori@alleywayphotography.com.

I hope that you and your family have a wonderful, warm and laughter filled Thanksgiving holiday!

2011-11-16T11:44:00.001-08:00

Finishing up edits today for the Short family! Such a beautiful location and beautiful family! Here's one that makes me smile every time I look at it. Their youngest son was having a lot of fun with me and when I asked him to smile, this is what he did. He had me laughing the whole time we were together. :-) SUCH a ham! I LOVE it! lol

2011-11-14T11:40:00.001-08:00

I have been having so much fun this Fall! This weekend was a full one with my son's 14th birthday party and then my nieces' portrait session. Here are a few favorites from their session. :-) More session posts coming soon...check out my facebook page for more of my recent sessions. www.facebook.com/AlleywayPhoto.

A different view...

2011-11-03T12:14:00.000-07:00

I did this awhile ago and just ran across it again. My hubby thought this was a goofy thing to do, but the artist in me thought it would be fun to get a different view of a not-so-friendly front yard fungus. :-) To me, it looks like the top is blowing in the wind. Kind of like a skirt. What do you think of my version?

Spread some Fall fun with these adorable crafts!

2011-10-05T09:17:00.000-07:00

Milk Carton Houses

Use any size carton, from an individual sized lunch carton to a half gallon. Cut out a door and some windows and cover entirely with black (or another favorite color)construction paper. Add some cute Halloween stickers and glitter, maybe some candy corn and pumpkins, and you have an adorable decoration that your kids can help create. For an extra fun touch, add an LED tea light. Create one house, or an entire village!

Printable Pumpkin Carving Stencils

My favorite ones are the goofy faces!
http://www.paperpumpkins.com/

Tie Dye Halloween

Create a fun tee shirt, onesie, pajamas or a trick or treat bag with this adorable craft.
http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/pumpkin-shirt-674600/

Alleyway Photography Model Search!

2011-07-21T09:06:00.000-07:00

MODEL SEARCH! Do you or someone you know have a cute child 0-4 years old or a baby on the way? I have some new props and ideas I'd like to try. Your child will get a free 30-60 minute session and a $30 portrait credit. Please send me a FB message or email lori@alleywayphotography.com if you're interested. I will finalize the details as soon as I know how many children are interested in participating. Parents must sign a portrait release allowing me to use their child's image in advertising, brochures, Facebook or other types of print or web media that I deem appropriate and tasteful.

10 minutes with Madilynn

2011-07-10T00:03:00.000-07:00

I was at my daughter's T ball game and noticed that Madilynn was sitting by her mom's feet in a way that framed her. So I started talking to her and clicking away. As you can see, she started out pretending to be shy and ended up laying on the ground in front of her mom and posing. ALL of this was ALL her! I was laughing so hard that I'm surprised anything was in focus. Here are my favs from that 10 mins. Hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

LAST DAY OF SALE!!! Don't wait! Call or email me today! (Use by Sep 30th!)

2011-07-03T01:29:00.000-07:00

SUMMER SIZZLE SALE! - Only 3 days left!

2011-06-30T23:31:00.000-07:00

SUMMER SIZZLE SALE!

2011-06-26T13:05:00.000-07:00

GREAT DEAL - $50 - One Hour Portrait Session with a $100 Portrait Credit ($200 value)

2011-06-09T00:13:00.000-07:00

Here we GO! This GREAT DEAL is only available for purchase today. Coupons purchased during the sale today will be valid until September 9, 2011.

Have you been thinking that you're overdue for a family portrait? Do you know someone else who needs updated portraits of their kids, was disappointed with school photos or has a new baby on the way? These coupons would make great gifts for any occasion.

To purchase your coupon, contact me by email (lori@alleywayphotography.com), phone/text (971-212-5520) or Facebook (www.facebook.com/AlleywayPhoto) before midnight today (Thursday, June 9th).

Payment must be paid by phone (credit card) or postmarked (cash/check) by Friday. I accept cash, check, VS, MC, DS and Amex.

Feel free to contact me by email if you have any questions. I'd be happy to answer them.

Please share this post with your friends and family! I give a bonus for referrals, so be sure they let me know who referred them. :-)

Are you a GREAT DEAL shopper?

2011-06-06T11:28:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, June 9th, I am going to run a ONE DAY ONLY special purchase. It's going to be a crazy good deal, but must be purchased on Thursday and will expire on September 9th. I will only have a limited number available. Feel free to tell your friends and family and subscribe to my blog (email, RSS, etc) to get notified when the deal goes live! :-)

Memorial Day SPECIAL! $100 GIFT for you! (and a FREE SESSION too!)

2011-05-27T14:19:00.000-07:00

How long has it been since you had a FAMILY PORTRAIT taken? 2 years? 5 years? NEVER?! :-)

Well, now is your chance to book a

FREE Summer or Fall Family Portrait Session

AND

SAVE $100 more!

Book your session with a $275 deposit by Monday, May 30th and you will receive one FREE session ($100 value) PLUS an additional $100 portrait credit toward your future session.

Don't know what date works for you? That's ok. Your total portrait credit of $375 will be noted in your file and you may use it at ANY future date for ANY future order. (no expiration date on your credit)

You can contact me through Facebook at www.facebook.com/AlleywayPhoto, by email at lori@alleywayphotography.com or by phone 971-212-5520. For your convenience, I accept cash, check, VS, MC, DS and AMEX.

Another sweet girl! I am so LUCKY!

2011-04-15T13:52:00.000-07:00

This was the first session that I used a tutu that I made myself. :-) Grandma has been a friend of mine for awhile and she asked me to be there for her first grand-baby's first portraits. This little sweetheart is surrounded by a lot of love! Click here for a link to your YouTube video. Welcome home, Auzriel!

Another little princess

2011-04-15T13:44:00.000-07:00

I have such fun with my maternity and newborn sessions. So much joy packed into a short amount of time! Thanks for letting me share this experience with you. :-) Here's a link to your YouTube video. Enjoy!

Kessa - sweet baby girl

2011-04-14T09:21:00.000-07:00

I love my job! I get to have my "baby fix" on a regular basis with all these sweet little ones. And I get to meet wonderful families along the way. Click on this YouTube link or the image for her video. :-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oY2sxkUwHgU

Caleb - 6 months

2011-02-04T19:19:00.000-08:00

This sweet little guy is one of my 1st year Baby Plan members, so I get to see him every few months. He is so much fun to hang out with and his parents are pretty cool, too! ;-) Thanks for running through the rain drops with me! Please click on the image below to see the YouTube video.

Baby E turns 3 months - a video preview

2010-11-23T23:19:00.000-08:00

Babies are so sweet. I love their darling little faces and seeing the family members and their love for their newest family member. I hope you enjoy this sneak peek. :-) YouTube

More family time - I LOVE FAMILIES!

2010-11-16T18:03:00.000-08:00

This family ended up with a gorgeous shooting day. Lots of sunshine in the Fall leaves. I definitely have my favorites...which ones are yours? :-) Enjoy your preview! YouTube

Family time!

2010-11-12T02:17:00.000-08:00

This is the McArthur family. Great kids with a great attitude and very patient...even with little brothers who aren't sure they want to be in any portraits. Thanks, you guys! I enjoyed hanging out with you! Enjoy your preview! YouTube

The many expressions of Caleb - 3 months

2010-10-27T20:35:00.000-07:00

Here is a sweet boy that I have the privilege of watching grow. His parents purchased one of my 1st year Baby Plans. I love seeing all the changes in both personality and looks when these little people come back to see me every few months. Caleb is so laid back and normally smiles a lot, but on the day of this session, he decided to provide us with many OTHER expressions. lol Take a peak at the video and you'll see what I mean. This set cracks me up! :-)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9nGnolxVrs&fmt=37

The Schmidlin Family

2010-10-27T12:28:00.000-07:00

This family has a great sense of humor! I really enjoyed this session. You can click on the image or the link to view the preview video! :-) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YK7OTHCQis&fmt=37

The Hall family - the beauty of adoption

2010-10-26T09:11:00.000-07:00

There is something incredibly special about a family who opens their home to a new family member through adoption. The Hall family is a wonderful group who loves each other and their new baby brother very much. We laughed a lot and had a great time getting their story on camera. Hope you enjoy the preview video. :-) Please choose to watch in HD 1080p by clicking on the number on the bottom right of the video viewing box on youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1MQ3IHgMVQ

Little tough guy

2010-10-21T10:44:00.000-07:00

We went to a wonderful Pumpkin Fest last weekend! All my kids and my bff's kids (ranging from 1 to 16) had a great time! As you can see, I did need some protection from the natives. lol The Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm has an AWESOME set up for all ages and it's only $6 for adults and $5 for kids 5 and up! From "trains" to a huge corn maze, they have it all...here's their list:

Ducky races (water troughs and rubber ducks)
Horse swings
Paintball gallery
Potato cannon
Farmer's Market
Truck track in the tractor maze
Giant castle hay maze
Hay windmill
Tube slide
Hay pile and slides
Activity tables
Dirt babies
Plant tulip bulbs
Pick and eat fresh corn (based on availability)
Pumpkin cannon
Hay rides
Cow train rides through the corn
Pumpkin patch
Cutouts
Calf roping
Wheat Grinding
Old fashion games
More

It is truly amazing and fun for everyone! Make it a family day and go check it out!

What do you see when you look at this image?

2010-10-20T13:44:00.000-07:00

I was driving home from a family session earlier this month and just had to stop my car on the side of the freeway to get this shot. It's been said that I have a great imagination. I must say that it is true and that it makes reading and art so much more than just words on a page or a pretty picture. This image speaks volumes to me, but I'm interested to see what it says to you before I share my thoughts. What do you see when you look at this image?

Crystal & Brad - video preview

2010-10-20T00:53:00.000-07:00

What an incredible day! Crystal & Brad were married at the beautiful Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm near Woodburn, OR. It had been pouring down rain and was supposed to continue raining, but about 20 mins before we headed out to do the pre-ceremony photos, the rain let up and by the time the ceremony started, we had sunshine! This was a very fun group with amazing energy! We had a lot of fun! Thanks to everyone who played a part and a special thank you to Heidi Scarbrough for being a wonderful wedding planner! Here's a video to give you a little idea of what we saw: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpSDp5Uk4Qo Please remember to watch the video in HD 1080p. (Click on the number on the bottom right side of video screen to change it.)

A pleasant hour spent with a new friend

2010-09-27T19:33:00.000-07:00

The other day, Judith asked me to produce some head shot type portraits for her. So, I went to her beautiful home and spent an hour with her. She made my job very easy. I loved her choice of suit. Not too austere, but very professional. I was impressed by Judith herself and really enjoyed the conversation that wound its way through our session. Thanks for spending that hour with me, Judith! Here are a few of your (and my) favorites from the session.

Sweet family

2010-09-27T01:45:00.000-07:00

This great family was so full of giggles! The first image of the baby makes me giggle a little, too! How CUTE is that FACE??!! A lot of my favorites from this shoot are from images that weren't so much posed as caught. The more relaxed moments in between things seemed to yield the most natural expressions during this session. I had a great time, guys! See you soon!

Dream a little...

2010-09-25T15:25:00.000-07:00

On our way to Costco last night, I was telling my daughter that I was proud of her for doing so well in Kindergarten and we were talking about how learning to read opens up whole new worlds with your imagination. (She wanted to know how I knew that the big orange moon is called the harvest moon and I told her that I read it in a book.) Then she says "Look, Mama, it's the wishing star. I'm working really hard to make my wish come true." I asked her what her wish is. "I wished for my very own dragon who doesn't breathe fire, is really nice and I can go on rides on it."

Wow. How do I respond to that one? I complimented her on her imagination and then asked if there were any other dreams or wishes that she had. She said she was thinking of some and then blew me away with her next comment. "Mama, I'm working really hard to make my dreams come true just like you did." Huh? I asked what dream that was. "You dreamed to be a photographer and worked really hard and now you are." I had no idea that the things I've said and the comments I've made about working hard and photography being my dream had make that much of an impression. But, I'm SO glad that it did.

I am ridiculously proud that the ethic of working hard to make your dreams come true made its way into her young mind. And the fact that she sees me as having attained my dream as the result of my hard work brought tears to my eyes. I see myself as constantly trying to grow and learn, but her uncluttered mind sees the simplicity of the truth.

I AM living my dream. It may be a dream in progress, but the reality is that I have reached my original goal. I AM a professional photographer. I AM making a difference in people's lives and providing something to my clients that will last forever. I need to remember that. I need to post it somewhere so that I see it on the days that get overwhelming. And, I need to remember to NEVER STOP DREAMING! Whether its dreaming about magical dragons and fairy wings or for more tangible things, the point is to let yourself dream a little (or a big) dream and then DO something to make it come true.

Here's hoping that you find your dream and thank you from the bottom of my heart for being an essential part of making my dream come true!

~Lori

I love families!

2010-09-21T19:05:00.000-07:00

I met this great family a few years ago when Grandma hired me to take a picture of her grand kids. So many times, when I tell someone that I'm a photographer, they say "We haven't had family photos done since my kids were little and that was years ago. We really should do that." It is so easy to let the years fly by when your kids start getting schedules of their own and it becomes a challenge to just eat dinner together...much less find some time to get a family portrait taken. That's why I love doing family portraits. It's great when a family comes together and gets something like this done. It makes a memory that can't be taken away by the changes that come so quickly as the kids get older. Maybe you, too, can find an afternoon to take a walk through the park with me and make a memory with your family.

LeeAnn!

2010-09-13T03:00:00.000-07:00

I really enjoyed spending time with LeeAnn at her senior session. Despite a horse with a mind of his own (who made me laugh), we were able to get plenty of stunning images. Here are a few of my favorites. Thanks for spending the afternoon with me, LeeAnn. I had fun! Hope you enjoy your preview. :-)

A recent maternity & newborn session

2010-08-09T15:51:00.000-07:00

I had the privilege of going out to Lisa's house for her maternity session and then again right after her baby boy was born. Here is a sneak peek video. Please select 1080p HD when viewing. (You can choose that at the bottom of the video screen.) Enjoy! You can also view the images separately on my Facebook fan page at www.facebook.com/AlleywayPhoto even if you're not a Facebook user.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Vmo62jzwQA

Cute cowboys...a great way to spend the day!

2010-07-27T19:37:00.000-07:00

How can anyone resist such cute little cowboys? I've known mom and dad for a few years, but since they now live in Alaska, I didn't meet these adorable boys until last weekend. I'm so happy that they were able to take an afternoon during their vacation to meet up with me for a great family session! It was so much fun and even when it got close to nap time and the boys started getting a little grumpy, Daddy stepped up his game with a song that brought big smiles to their faces every time he sang it. It was really funny to watch them just light up when he started to sing. Here are just a few of my favorites...

Sweet baby boy

2010-07-21T09:06:00.000-07:00

This little guy is soooooo adorable! I loved having the opportunity to do his newborn session! Daddy and Mommy were so patient. Extra points to Daddy for going on even after baby left a present on his chest during a diaper off moment. lol Doesn't Baby C have a sweet face? And just look at the scrunchy nose one...hilarious!

Felicia!

2010-07-13T01:45:00.000-07:00

Blue sky, a horse and a beautiful girl...what a way to spend a Saturday! This senior shoot was so much fun! I loved having the opportunity to include her horse in this senior shoot with Felicia! With permission to borrow fields, we ventured in a captured some beautiful images. Thanks to Mom, Grandma and Grandpa for your assistance. You were all great! Thanks to Felicia for her ready smile and patience with modeling! As you can see, she did a wonderful job! I hope you all enjoy your preview!

Out AZA Blue!

2010-07-11T11:10:00.000-07:00

Last night, my husband and I celebrated our anniversary by going out to dinner at Out AZA Blue! All I can say is WOW! I remembered that the steaks were big, but had forgotten just HOW big. lol I couldn't decide between the Seafood Fettuccine and the Rib-Eye, so Randy and I both ordered steaks and then we ordered the fettuccine to share. We knew we were going to have leftovers to take home, but were still overwhelmed by the amount of food put in front of us! Here is a camera phone pic of my plate. Yep. I had leftovers. :-)

The portions are generous, the service is impeccable and the taste is out of this world! Everything put on our table was seasoned perfectly and tasted heavenly. If you haven't been to Out AZA Blue, you really need to go soon! You won't regret it! Chef Gabriel is an artist. The menu and information about the cafe can be found online at http://www.outazablue.com/. You can find them off Hwy 6 (Wilson River Hwy) at mile post 40 in Gales Creek, OR. (west of Banks) Here is the opening description from their website:

Award-winning 5-Star Chef Gabriel has brought his talents from schooling in Europe, and work in top-rated restaurants around the world, to this remote forest hideaway! Out AZA Blue Market & Café is located in western Washington County, about 20 minutes from West Portland, Oregon.

Make your next date night a trip to Out AZA Blue! You won't regret it...and you'll be back!

DANCE! How I spent Father's Day weekend...

2010-06-22T09:26:00.000-07:00

Last weekend was my daughter's first dance recital. I was one of the backstage mom's, so I didn't get to see her actually perform, but I did see her in class dress rehearsal and also took a bunch of pics backstage. I'm waiting on more of the parent's permission forms to post more of the girls, but for now, here are a couple of my girl. She was SO CUTE in her costume! And Forest Grove Dance Arts put on a great show!

Prices going up Sept 1st - get in on the current prices now!

2010-06-21T13:22:00.000-07:00

As a company, I have not raised prices in over 2 years. My costs have gone up quite a bit during that time as the professional labs and vendors that I use have raised their prices. Consequently, I was going to raise prices on July 1st, but have decided to postpone it until September 1st to allow my current clients and any new clients who are interested to get their session portraits at my current prices.

Anyone who books their session before September 1st will get to purchase their session portraits at my current pricing even if your portrait session or ordering session date are after the pricing change.

I have a limited number of appointments available, so please book your sessions as soon as possible to get the session date and time that works best for you.

I have two session fee options when you book your session:

Ala Carte Session: $100 and only includes my time and editing.

Blue Ribbon Session: $275 - you receive a $275 print credit to use toward your order. (When you purchase this session, I waive the normal $100 session fee so you save $100 up front.)

As always, I accept cash, check, VS, MC, DS and AMEX.

Talk to you soon!

Lori

REPRINT SALE - 50% OFF

2010-05-17T10:46:00.000-07:00

This is for all clients who had sessions prior to May 1, 2010. The sale runs through July 1, 2010. All gift size prints are 50% off the full price. Sale prices are as follows:

8 wallets - $15
5x7 - $15
8x10 - $27
11x14 - $49

You may order by phone, on your account or by email.

2010 Lights of Hope - Benefit Auction for Ethiopian Orphan Relief, Inc.

2010-05-09T12:43:00.000-07:00

Last night, I had the privilege of volunteering at the 2010 Lights of Hope Benefit Auction for Ethiopian Orphan Relief. (http://ethiopianorphanrelief.wordpress.com/) What an amazing experience! I met lots of wonderful people who continually give their time, energy and love to better the lives of these amazing children. Through the efforts of Ethiopian Orphan Relief and other organizations like Dove Adoptions International here in Banks, these children are given supplies necessary for life and health. The people who came to the auction and supported this effort are amazing too! As a small example, in just fifteen minutes last night, they raised enough money to provide 500 days of food for a group of orphaned girls in Ethiopia! I was overwhelmed by the generosity of these individuals and families who were willing to give so much to children they don't know. I have been blessed to have one such family as my neighbors and friends. They have adopted children themselves and work tirelessly to make a difference in the lives of other children through Dove Adoptions and EOR. Thank you Ryan and Krista for introducing me to your friends and family and allowing me to have a small part in the huge effort that you all are making. How can you not smile when you see these beautiful little faces? May we all find ways to give back to those less fortunate than ourselves. We have been blessed.

An inspirational evening - thanks to a super mom!

2010-04-15T15:38:00.000-07:00

Sometimes in this business that I love, I run across people who inspire me or encourage me without knowing it. Adrienne was one of those people. She has been given more than her fair share of challenges in life and yet, as you can see, she still has the ability to keep smiling. I watched her patience, her laughter and her joy in her children and was amazed at her resilience. Even after we all got stuck in a downpour of rain, she went running and jumping through mud puddles with the boys. She is a true SUPER mom! God bless you, Adrienne, as you raise your boys. I know that they are blessed to have you. Hope you continue to find your puddles to jump in after the rain storms. :-)

Megan!

2010-04-15T15:12:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd share a few images from Megan's senior portrait session for those of you who are not on Facebook. On this shoot, we improved our skills at avoiding mud bogs and bird-sized mosquitoes, and we were able to get some GREAT portraits also! LOL Megan's sister Mary was a great junior assistant, too. :-) Thanks for a fun day, ladies!

Part 2 of the fundraiser - MORE FOR YOU and MORE FOR THE STUDENT!

2010-04-06T12:19:00.000-07:00

Fundraiser Part 1: Pay $30 and you get a voucher for a free session and a 5x7 from that session. The student gets $20.

NOW I'm adding an ADDITIONAL OFFER!

Anyone who makes a deposit of $275 toward their order total will receive a FREE SESSION - AND - one FREE 8x10 from that session. The student will receive $50 toward their trip!

Makes you feel like smiling, right?! lol

Washington DC Fundraiser! - Special price for a LIMITED TIME!

2010-04-05T11:16:00.000-07:00

Is your FAMILY PORTRAIT outdated? Does your child want a portrait with their PET? Were SCHOOL PICTURES disappointing this year? Here's a great way to get the images you've been putting off!

For a very LIMITED TIME, I am running a FUNDRAISER to help fund my son's Washington DC Trip later this year.

For only $30, you get a voucher good for a 1 to 2 hour portrait session and one 5x7 from that session.
Only one voucher may be used per session. Limit two vouchers per family per calendar year. No expiration date!

This fundraiser is being used by some of the other DC kids, also, so if you know a child who is heading to Washington DC this year, you can support them while getting a great deal on a portrait session for your family. For each voucher sold, the child will receive $20 toward their trip!

Stories - 9 Brotherly love

2010-03-27T22:40:00.000-07:00

This one makes me laugh every time I see it. Everyone who sees it says "Oh, look how well behaved they are!" Weeeeellll, brothers Duke and Bear were not quite as angelic as they appear. :-) I think it was about 20 minutes of chasing, playing, re-posing and laughing for us to get this shot. Literally, it was pose...run...clap...click, click, click! They were a lot of fun, but really didn't want to sit still when there were so many people to play with. lol Look at those sweet faces. They really are good boys. :-)

Stories - 8

2010-03-24T10:02:00.000-07:00

This one is an example of finding solutions that work. We were shooting this little darlin' and her 2 yr old sister. (This is another one from the first official session I ever did.) She was 4 months old and tired and grumpy. No matter what we tried, she was crying harder and harder. Finally, I asked mom if she was usually comfortable in her car seat. She was, so I put this background over her car seat, snuggled her down inside it and voila! She was happy. Just look at that cute smile! It wasn't the set up or prop I had envisioned, but the result was super cuteness and that, after all, is our goal. :-)

New blog look in progress! :-)

2010-03-23T11:08:00.000-07:00

Hi, everyone! Welcome to the new Alleyway Photography blog look! I am still making changes and adding new things, so please bear with me as I do so. Keep an eye out for fun events and contests coming this spring and summer! Enjoy this beautiful day!

My "how old" contest - Winners!

2010-03-20T12:45:00.000-07:00

Well, nobody guessed it exactly right to win the 50% off, but Holly guessed closer than anyone else, so I'm going to award her one complimentary 8x10. Everyone else who entered the contest before today will receive one complimentary 5x7! Thanks for entering everyone! Keep an eye out for more contests!

The correct age was 6! I acheived the impression of an older person by shooting up at him. :-)

Stories - 7

2010-03-06T11:01:00.000-08:00

This is one of my favs (can you tell I have a lot?). It was taken a few years ago and I just love it. Can you guess how old the subject is? I will draw a winner from all the people who guess correctly and give that person 50% off their next session fee. Contest ends on Sunday, March 7th. You can guess by posting a comment either on my blog or on my Facebook fan page. Good luck!

My crazy week

2010-03-06T10:44:00.000-08:00

What a crazy week! For those of you who don't know, my 11 month old has been sick for almost two weeks and ended up in the ER on Monday night with a high fever and racing heart. Thankfully, he's doing much better now, but I'm behind on my posting. :-) Hope you're all enjoying this gorgeous weekend in the beautiful Pacific Northwest! I'm off to a senior shoot this afternoon. Yeah!

Stories - 6

2010-02-27T20:19:00.000-08:00

Well, you KNEW I would have to include my very own princess, right? I made this collage of my daughter Kerissa last spring. Grandma Mary gave her this beautiful princess dress and she dances every time she's in it. It was one of those things I wanted to remember forever, so we went out in the front yard and I just started shooting while she danced. I love this collage because it is exactly who she was at that point in her life...and, for the record, it hasn't changed much yet. The dancing has just gotten more intricate. lol

Stories - 5

2010-02-25T09:29:00.000-08:00

This one was one of those moments that was completely by accident. I was shooting this beautiful family at their home. Out behind their house they have a great garden with sunflowers, tall flowers, pumpkins, and many other things I couldn't begin to name or remember. lol The kids love to help in the garden. We were in transition from the front of the house to the back and were getting ready for a more posed family portrait. Their daughter went down into the garden and started using the hoe to do a little gardening. I was standing up near the back of the house and happened to turn and look down there to see where I wanted to set up the shot I was working on. Just as I did that, her little brother came into the frame pushing his little mower. It was such a precious moment, that I snapped the shot with no set up. I didn't even have time to check my settings. Unfortunately, that resulted in the shot being a little softer than I wanted, but I love it so much that I am including it. It's one of those shots that I would love to see as a painting or a canvas. I may have to play with it some day. :-)

2010-02-22T11:10:00.000-08:00

REMINDER! Session fee discount ends February 28th!

20% DISCOUNT off session fee applies to any type of Blue Ribbon Session on any future date. (Maternity, Newborn, Children, Seniors, Family).

The session fee has to be paid by February 28, 2010 in order for you to get the discount.

The Blue Ribbon Session fee is my "no session fee" session. You make a deposit toward your future order, and I waive the normal $100 session fee. So, any day it's already a $100 savings.

Until the end of February, you will save an additional $55 by paying $220 instead of $275, but you will still receive a credit of $275 toward your future order.

Don't have to pick your session date yet unless you want to.

It's like buying your self a gift certificate to use at any time in the future!

I'm looking forward to making memories with your family!

Stories - 4

2010-02-22T10:51:00.001-08:00

This one is from the first official session I did after opening my business 3 1/2 years ago and it remains a favorite. Emma was two at the time and very busy as most two year old children are. :-) So, I just gave her my big floppy hat and set her loose. I have found that following the little ones with my camera works best. They feel less confined and can just be their cute selves. The white fence provided the frame and her curiosity provided the expression. Adorable!

Stories - 3

2010-02-20T11:52:00.000-08:00

This one makes me laugh remembering it. This is Rose a few years ago. We were in an orchard and we thought it would be cool to get a photo IN a tree. This shot was taken while we were both laughing really hard because she was barely hanging on. She ended up rolling out of the tree right after this. Don't worry, it was only a few feet off the ground. :-)

Stories - 2

2010-02-18T07:35:00.000-08:00

This one is from a few years ago. If I remember correctly, this was Hannah's one year shoot. This shot was after almost two hours of trying lots of different things to get a happy look on her face. She was having a hard day and had been crying or fussy for most of it. We did get some other great pics in before this, but this is one of my favorites from that day. I got it by playing peek-a-boo through a white wooden rocking chair. :-) Playing with little ones is one of the ways you can get them to perk up or smile.

The first in a new series...Stories From the Field

2010-02-16T11:09:00.000-08:00

I was preparing for my booth at the NW Family & Kids Festival this weekend and in the process, I set up a portfolio slideshow of my work dating all the way back to the very beginning. As I watched the slideshow, I found myself smiling, laughing and a few times even getting a little choked up as I remembered the stories and experiences surrounding each image. So, I have decided to share. Each day or so, I will pick one and tell you the story. I hope you enjoy reading them. :-)

Here is the first one:

This is Olivia. At the time, she was about 4, I believe. I was at her house to take pictures of her two older sisters and her, but when I got there, she said she didn't want to have her picture taken even though mom had already put her in the dress you see here. Rather than pressure her, I opened up my box of props with necklaces, gloves, fans, fairy wings, ballet skirts, and hats in it. I told her she could try some stuff on if she wanted to and then I went outside to take some pictures of her sister. A few minutes later, she walked outside dressed like this. She didn't want to LOOK like she wanted her picture taken, so she went clear across the yard as far away as possible. She wasn't looking at me, but when I turned around and saw her, I got ready and then called her name. She looked up and there it was. One of my all time favorite shots! I love the little white tennis shoes, the props she picked, the expression, everything. So, now you know. Sometimes, its just that quick and if you're not looking, you miss it. I'm really glad I didn't miss this one! What do you think?

Genevieve is ONE! (I can't believe it!)

2010-02-08T01:17:00.001-08:00

I probably overdid it a little with the preview on this one, but this is my niece Genevieve. Her mom and I have been best friends for 20 years, so I'm Aunt Lolo. :-) I can't believe she is one year old already! This year has flown by SO fast. It might have something to do with the fact that I also had a baby in April last year. It was the first time in our 20 year friendship that we've had a baby the same year and NO we didn't plan it. lol It's been so fun watch her grow. She was already walking a few months ago, so now she's on the run. Isn't she ADORABLE?!

A cold, rainy day made better with laughs (and coats).

2010-02-08T01:10:00.000-08:00

Chris and her family braved the wind and rain to hang out with me and get some great family pictures before one of her sons was deployed. We were all cold and wet, but as you can see, they kept smiling until the end. Thanks for your patience guys. :-) I had fun with you!

Kalin!

2010-01-21T13:52:00.000-08:00

Kalin's session was number two on our "escape the rain" day. We barely made it. By the end of her session it was started to drizzle and my shoes had given up trying to keep my feet dry, but we had a great session. I hope you enjoy your images, Kalin! You were a great model!

Holly!

2010-01-21T13:43:00.000-08:00

I have been so lucky to have GREAT seniors to work with lately. The day of Holly's session was right in the middle of a week of wet weather, but somehow we managed to avoid the rain. Everything was soggy and we were soaked when we were finished, but it all worked out. We were able to get some beautiful shots! Thanks for being willing to work in the cold, Holly! You were a great sport!

DeeJay

2009-12-08T10:42:00.000-08:00

This was a super fun session! Despite the freezing cold, the sun was shining and there were plenty of goofball moments to make us laugh. Like...me almost sliding down the slick mud into the icy pond, "smiling" dogs, and DeeJay trying to smile naturally while lying down on frozen grass. Love it when it all comes together! lol Here's your preview DeeJay...hope you love it as much as I do!

Tiara

2009-12-04T16:01:00.000-08:00

Tiara's session was fun because of her. Thanks for the opportunity to share time with you, Tiara! I enjoyed our conversation. ;-) Hope you enjoy your preview....more to come.

Kayla's preview

2009-11-24T02:06:00.001-08:00

For this session, we braved cold, wind, rain, mud, and lots of friendly animals. :-) Thanks for being such a good sport, Kayla!

Family Mini-Sessions & New Faces Contest!!

2009-10-11T22:10:00.000-07:00

Family Holiday Mini-Sessions &

New Faces Contest

60% - 75% savings on portraits!

On Saturday, October 24th,

I will be doing mini-sessions

every 15 minutes from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Family Holiday Mini-Sessions

I know that this year has been tough for many families and not everyone is able to get the family portraits that they wish they could during this holiday season. So, this year I am offering a day of mini-sessions to allow families to get their family portrait at a discounted rate. I am also offering my custom Christmas cards that normally can only be purchased with a regular session.

All participants will receive 1 complimentary 5x7 of my (the photographer's) favorite portrait and local business coupons just for participating.

Anyone is welcome to come and have their family (or single, couple, child's, etc.) portrait taken in the beautiful Fall colors across from Hillside Bible Church outside of Forest Grove. It is first come, first serve unless you contact me to book a specific time slot. Then you will be given priority for that time.

***********************************************

New Faces Contest (new clients only)

I am also looking for New Faces from newborn to 17 yrs. old

for possible use on my website.

All participants will receive 1 complimentary 5x7 of my (the photographer's) favorite portrait and local business coupons just for participating.

The winner will receive a $100 coupon to use for any products or services my studio provides.

The only other requirement is that I am able to use your child's image on my website or for any advertising purposes such as Facebook, my blog, brochures, etc. I do NOT use your child's name when advertising.

The address is 49860 NW Clapshaw Hill Rd., Forest Grove

Directions:

Hwy 47 to Kemper Rd (across from golf course)

Go West on Kemper 1.5 miles to stop sign

Turn RIGHT on to Thatcher/Kansas City Rd

Immediate LEFT on to Hillside Rd.

Go approx 3 miles to stop sign

Turn RIGHT on to NW Clapshaw Hill Rd.

Church is on right - you can use their parking lot.

The discount package prices for both

Family Mini-Sessions

and New Faces Contest

are listed below:

Pkg A $25

2- 5x7's

Pkg B $50

2 - 5x7's

2 - 4x5's

8 wallets

Pkg C $75

1 - 8x10

2 - 5x7's

2 - 4x5's

16 wallets

When you purchase a package you may add on

additional discounted portraits:

4x5______$5 each

5x7______ $7 each

8x10______$12 each

8 wallets___$12 each

contact Lori for more information

info@alleywayphotography.com

Becca

2009-10-05T13:06:00.000-07:00

Another senior! I really love my job. Spending a few hours with great people and getting fun portraits at the same time. For this shoot, we went to a park and found a bunch of beautiful areas to shoot. Thanks for hanging out with me, Becca & Jodie! It was great! Hope you enjoy your sneak peek! I LOVE the beautiful shots we have!

The Barber Family

2009-10-05T12:59:00.000-07:00

What a great location we had for this shoot! Their home is surrounded by beautiful flower gardens, green lawns and cute kids. How could I go wrong? Thanks guys for a great evening! I enjoyed meeting you all very much and look forward to seeing you again. Here is your sneak peek...hope you love it! :-)

Tasha

2009-08-19T22:55:00.001-07:00

I have been looking forward to this session ever since I met this family at her sister's senior shoot last year. Once again, I had SO much fun with them! We had a lot of great options for backgrounds, so now I have a huge number of images to choose from! So far, I haven't been able to choose a favorite. :-) One of my favorite moments is when I realized that we actually COULD get a wheat field shot for mom! Hopefully, you like it J! And I have to mention the "Polaris"! LOL I'm looking forward to designing the coffee table album for you guys! Here's your sneak peek, Tasha! You're beautiful inside and out and I was privileged to be a part of your senior year memories! Enjoy!

Becca & Todd

2009-08-10T20:35:00.000-07:00

I had the BEST time at this wedding! The bride and groom were so much fun! And it wasn't just them. Both of their families and friends were great, too. I've known Becca since she was in high school and I am truly happy that she found such a wonderful guy to share her life with. From their "first look" image to their driving away shot, the whole day was beautiful and sweet! I also got to work with my favorite assistant photographer Amy. All around, a completely enjoyable experience! Congratulations, guys! I CAN'T WAIT to get your coffee table album finished! I have a lot to pick from! I LOVE MY JOB! :-)

Lorri & Matt

2009-08-10T20:26:00.000-07:00

We had a beautiful and (of course) HOT day for this engagement session. I think it was around 98 degrees. Hmmm...I'm sensing a theme here. It's August in Oregon. Lorri and Matt were wonderful and very easy to work with despite the fact that we were all quite warm. :-) Congratulations on your upcoming marriage! You guys were GREAT! Can't wait to show you the rest of your images!

Matt

2009-08-10T20:19:00.000-07:00

Thank goodness we changed the time of this shoot! It was originally going to be at 4:00 p.m., but since it was supposed to be near 100 degrees that day, we went for 10:00 a.m. instead. It was still hot by the time we were through, but we survived and got some great stuff! I can't decide if I like the first one in color or B/W. What do you think?

Aren't these kids cute?!

2009-06-07T18:19:00.000-07:00

I've been photographing these kids for three years. One of the main things I love about being a photographer is the opportunity to watch families grow and be a part of providing great memories for them. I can't believe Henry turned one already! It seems like just last week that I was taking mom's maternity portraits and his newborn session portraits. He is such a cute little guy! It was really fun to go out to their new house for his 1st birthday session and to include his big sisters, too. Here is a sneak peek for mom.

Kerissa in the clover field

2009-05-28T11:00:00.000-07:00

I have lived here in Oregon for years now and have always wanted to do a portrait session in one of the clover fields that bloom around here this time of year. My little girl is 4 this year and actually wanted to do this...which in itself is AMAZING! lol So we packed up the car with some pretty dresses and big hats and took off for a local field. I had a really hard time narrowing these down. :-D The only thing I didn't think about was how many honey bees would also be in the field. We managed to get these by picking spots with less bees and then moving to a spot close to the edge of the field. The bees were more interested in the flowers than Kerissa and she found some ladybugs, too, so she was happy. I can't wait to get one of these printed on canvas!

Kerissa - 4 yrs old

2009-05-22T10:07:00.000-07:00

And not to be outdone by her brother...here is our Miss Kerissa. She LOVES to dance and she feels like a princess in this dress.

Just for fun - Austin - 6 1/2 weeks

2009-05-21T16:27:00.000-07:00

Just had to share these snapshots of Austin today. He's 6 1/2 weeks now and already in 3 month outfits. Uncle Mark picked this one out for him, so here he is...just chillin'.

How YOU doin'?

What up, dawg?

My maternity session

2009-05-19T13:59:00.000-07:00

I know this is a bit backwards...I already posted my baby's first images...but I thought I would share my own maternity session with you. My sister helped me with it. She has been my family photographer for awhile and always does a great job! Together, we had a lot of fun trying things and getting some great shots.

My baby

2009-04-28T17:40:00.000-07:00

For those of you who don't know, we welcomed a new addition to our family on April 5th. His name is Austin and we think he's pretty cute. Here are a few images of our new baby with his biggest fans. :-)

So much fun...

2009-04-01T22:22:00.000-07:00

This senior session was a blast! I've known these girls for about 5 years and really enjoyed my time with them. They are beautiful inside and out. There were a lot of laughs, too...some at my expense, since I was about 8 1/2 months pregnant at the time. :-) Thanks, ladies, for a very memorable experience! These images will always make me smile!

Joe & Natalia

2009-03-01T19:04:00.000-08:00

Here is a sneak peek for Joe & Natalia. I'm looking forward to showing you the rest of them and designing your coffee table album! :-) Look how beautiful and happy you all are!

Jesse & Melinda

2009-02-09T16:52:00.000-08:00

It's so fun when business and pleasure come together. I had the privilege of photographing my friends Jesse & Melinda on their wedding day, January 19th. Though it was 30 degrees below zero...ok, maybe not that cold :-) ...we all made it through and were able to get some great shots! It was a beautiful, intimate wedding and a wonderful couple who I know are going to make each other very happy for a very long time!

Genevieve - 6 days old

2009-01-20T22:06:00.000-08:00

Well, here she is again...adorable Genevieve. As you can see, she couldn't hide her "smiles" even at six days old. These are a few of my favorites for mom to see.

Genevieve

2009-01-13T15:30:00.000-08:00

This beautiful little girl was less than an hour old here. As you can see, she is very alert & calm for her first time in the big outside world. I couldn't decide which image I liked better, so you tell me...color or black/white?

My kids

2009-01-06T16:33:00.000-08:00

Here are a few recent pics of my kids...they are growing up so fast. Kerissa is 3 1/2 and Eric is 11. My daughter gave herself a haircut last summer, but thankfully, it's growing out a little. :-D

my tough girl - this is all her idea - hamming it up for the camera:

outAZAblue Market & Cafe

2009-01-03T23:58:00.000-08:00

I had a wonderful dinner at a cafe last night, so I thought I'd share. We had dinner at outAZAblue (http://www.outazablue.com/) on Hwy 6, just 10 minutes west of Banks, OR, and just minutes from Forest Grove, OR, too!

Owner and Chef Gabriel Barber prepared a absolutely delicious dinner for the four of us and made sure to come out and chat with us while we were there. Sierra was fast and friendly as our server. I had the Grilled Rib Eye. It was moist, seasoned to perfection and served with seasonal veggies that were fresh and very tasty. Our friends who introduced us to outAZAblue said that they have been there many times and it is always wonderful. Maybe that's because Chef Gabriel retired from the 5 star Ritz-Carlton Hotel as Executive Chef right before he purchased this restaurant. The warmth and genuine friendliness of Chef Gabriel and his staff just added to the ambience.

If you're looking for great food and hospitality, go visit outAZAblue! You won't be disappointed.

For directions or a menu, visit their website at http://www.outazablue.com/.

Lyda Family

2009-01-03T23:33:00.000-08:00

This was one of my favorite shoots of this fall. The weather was threatening, but ended up being perfect. The colors were brilliant and the humor was in full swing. I've been friends with these guys for awhile now, so that just added to the laughs and made it even more enjoyable. We had a lot of fun and ended up with a great group of images that made a really cool coffee table book for them. Here are some of the favorites. It was hard to whittle it down to only ten. :-)

Whitney

2009-01-03T23:25:00.001-08:00

Here are a few from Whitney's session. She will graduate from Banks High School in 2009 where she is training with the Banks Fire Department. I have loved horses since I was a little girl, so it was fun to incorporate that into this session, too.

Tim

2009-01-03T23:12:00.001-08:00

Tim's session was my first one where the rain came down for most of it. I love all the different types of shots we had. From his pulling trophies he won at the Banks BBQ Truck & Tractor Pull, to quads, guns, chainsaws and dogs, we had quite the variety. Tim will graduate from Banks High School in 2009 where he is involved with FFA. He will be joining the army after graduation. Thank you for your service, Tim.

Ryan

2009-01-03T23:05:00.000-08:00

I've known Ryan for over a year and I was looking forward to this session. Despite the fact that what he really wanted to be doing was riding quads, Ryan patiently followed all my directions and we came out with some great images. Mom did a perfect job as my assistant for the day, too. :-)Ryan will graduate from Banks High School in 2009 where he plays baseball and plays drums in the band.

Sisters

2009-01-03T22:58:00.000-08:00

These adorable sisters were fun to work with. From playing peek-a-boo to giggling at silly faces, they did all the cute stuff they needed to in order for mom and dad to have some great memories. I've known them for a little over a year, so it was really fun. Here are a few favs.

Madison

2009-01-03T22:52:00.000-08:00

This was a very hot day! Luckily, we were able to shoot in a wooded area for the first half of the session. Madison was a good sport and did very well. She will graduate from Banks High School in 2009. We were able to get some great shots! Here are a few of my favorites.

Lexi

2009-01-03T22:41:00.000-08:00

Lexi's session was another fun one. We kept finding cool little spots around their property to get great shots. She will graduate from Banks High School in 2009 where she is active on dance team and yearbook. I truly enjoyed working with her.

My beautiful nieces

2009-01-03T22:27:00.000-08:00

I get to take pictures of these girls regularly, but I never get tired of it. It always involves lots of laughing and goofing around. Pretty soon, they'll have another baby sister to add to the mix. I can't wait!

Kevin

2009-01-03T22:15:00.000-08:00

Kevin will graduate from Forest Grove High School in 2009. He is in band, plays guitar and follows directions well. (He laughed at all my dumb jokes after I told him he had to.) lol

Here are a few of my favorites.