Jenny and Matt spent the entire engagement session giggling with eachother as we walked through the Pearl District.  It’s so much fun to spend time with people that are so open, genuine, and 100% in love. They’re the kind of people who’s happiness rubs off on you – within 5 minutes of starting their photos I felt like I was taking pictures of friends I had known for years. Later, as I sat down at my computer to edit their session I found myself smiling all over again and was struck by how good pictures can be when people aren’t afraid to have fun and be themselves in front of the camera. Good job Jenny and Matt – you guys are a hoot and I can’t wait for your wedding next month!

Here’s a few shots from a very fun recent engagement session that I did up at the Pittock mansion with a very fun couple. Mindy and David are two of the giggliest people I’ve met and their adoration for eachother is palpable. The softbox-like clouds made for some of the best outdoor lighting I’ve had this winter and the rain held off just long enough that no umbrellas were necessary.  I drove home from the session feeling like I had just watched a good romantic comedy, and I have a feeling that Mindy and David have that effect on people pretty regularly. For their whole session – here’s a link to their slideshow: http://www.alyssajul.com/#/mindy-david/

Well, the wet Oregon weather has created the need for some major improvisation lately, as its been too wet to shoot at my typical favorite locations.  To be honest, however, I really don’t think it would have mattered where I took Corey and Aaron last week for their engagement pictures because the camera simply adores them. 

Corey and Aaron met eachother in Australia, working in the land down-under for YWAM (Youth With a Mission). I absolutely love far away, romantic meeting stories like theirs. They’re planning on a Spring 2010 wedding, but because Corey is from Canada they’ve got to wait on their fiance visa paperwork to go through before she can stay long-term. Talk about anxiety! I would go absolutely crazy having to wait for the government to do something before I could plan my wedding. 

Here are some of my favorites from the day, a little wet out, but fun and portland-funky nevertheless!

Russ begrudgingly allowed himself to be dragged along to a  Halloween party with his friends. He didn’t have a clue that the party would change his life forever. As he walked through the door in his sheriff costume, he scanned the crowd. His eyes settled on Celia who just happened to have dressed up as a sheriff too. Maybe this night won’t be so bad after all, he thought.  Luckily, Celia and Russ were able to avoid a law enforcement turf war that night and instead, planted the seeds for a life-long relationship.

I am so stoked for their wedding next summer! We recently headed up to The Pittock Mansion in Portland for engagement photos. As usual, the grounds were breathtakingly gorgeous and we were blessed with some amazing lighting. Here are a few of my favorites!

An Alyssa Jul Engagement Session is always, always fun… But Kyla and Dax took it to all new levels.  Their laughter and playfulness made the session so comfortable, and the pictures so natural that  I felt like I was hanging out with friends that I had known for years. Dax is a stand up comedian in Portland, and let me just say that it definitely shows. In fact, both of them have the type of  bubbling personalities that quickly rub off on those around them, the life-of-the-party type that people feel lucky to know.

I smiled all the way home from Lake Oswego after the photo session. And even now, sitting at my computer editing their session I can’t help but giggle. Take a look at a few of my favorites and see if you agree! 

Recently I headed out to Lewis & Clark College to shoot Marisa and Eric’s Engagement pictures. I love, love, love shooting engagement sessions. There really is no better way for me to get to know a couple’s personalities and tastes before the wedding day and Marisa and Eric were no exception. They were so bubbly, fun, and obviously infatuated with eachother, making my job behind the camera an easy one.

Get this, Marisa and Eric had to plan their wedding twice! Originally the plan was to get married in Mexico but when the swine flu outbreak first started down there, they decided it would be wise stay closer to home.  I can’t imagine having to re-plan my entire wedding, but Marisa just grinned her infectious grin and brushed it off. 

I’m really looking forward to their wedding, they’re such a fun couple and up for anything. The reception is going to be downtown at the Bridgeport Brewery (which I’m ecstatic about), It’s a really fun place with such endless photo-possibilities!