The most unique MoscaPhoto engagement session to date!

It's just SO fun meeting new couples who are adventurous and willing to "get down and dirty" on their shoots. We initially meet with our couples to share stories, so as to get to know each other well... to become friends! We always bond with our couples, but sometimes, we really truly see eye-to-eye. Like with Wendi & Danny! We were joking around about being extreme photographers (right Sara?! :))), and then realized that we were serious about 1) wanting to snow shoe to ice caves in the middle of the forests on WA state; 2) being willing, able and excited to carry our equipment and go all the way.

Well... it happened!

Just yesterday, in fact. We met up around 9am in Hood River, in the Columbia Gorge. We drove to Trout Lake, WA, got our Snow Passes for the day and then ventured on forest service roads, all the way to the end of the plowed area. Then came the snow shoes. All of our gear was in backpacks, along with Wendi & Danny's change of clothes and food and water. Two miles down the road, we reached the Ice Cave!

There was no one there. No one around at all. We were the only 4 people for what seemed like miles around, which was perfect for our super private photo shoot with the two of them. We could shoot and not worry about having people in the background, and they could be free to be themselves without worrying about spectators observing. It was a perfect day!

Once in the cave, it became pitch black. Only the light from our head lamps and Danny's propane lantern allowed us to venture deep within it, to find the perfect spots to set up. The ground was covered in inches of thick ice. It was difficult and dangerous to walk anywhere, meaning we had to take our time when moving around. We only went about 80-100 feet into the cave, and it took us about 2 hours! Actually, on our way back out of the cave, I accidentally slipped and my camera's lens hit the ice... the metal hood of our 85mm 1.4 lens hit first and it dented. OOOPS! Its ok, that's why we keep hoods on lenses no matter what the conditions are. WHEW! :)

Remote flashes were set up, carefully, so that we could light up the dark cave all around Wendi and Danny, to make the darkness come to life. After all, we wanted to make sure we could capture light (albeit artificial) shining through and around the giant icicles!

On our way out of the cave and forest, we stopped by what looks like an old car dump, where old rusty abandoned cars lay in place since they were first left there. The one we chose to see up close, has a great hood and the roof still intact. Wendi and Danny jumped right at the chance to get in the car for a fun few shots. We love these people!! :)

What a great, adventurous day... WOW!

Wendi & Danny will be getting married soon and we can't wait for it!

Wedding day: April 9th 2011
Location: World Forestry Center, Portland OR

PS: here is an image Josh took of me workin' when in the cave... :)

Portland Oregon. Walking along the north waterfront with camera in hand.

Aahhh Portland, Oregon. Its a little town with a big city mentality. And its super photogenic. This set of images was taken strictly within a one square mile area, if that, at the north waterfront location, right around the iconic red bridge (the Broadway Bridge). This area includes our grand central station, the main train hug of the city, old mills and water warehouses, construction zones paving the way for new luxury condos. When the sky is clear of clouds and rain, the colors and vitality of the city really pop. Its one of classic portrait/engagement session areas, when we want to do an uber-urban one, and it a few miles away from our MoscaPhoto headquarters. Welcome to Portland! :)

~ Alice & Josh

A super sweet and cozy Portland wedding, relived.

Holly and Manny married last summer (7.18.2010) at Meriwether's Restaurant in Northwest Portland. Their closest friends and family attended and celebrated, making the day familial and absolutely one of the sweetest we've attended. Not to mention their engagement session a few months earlier! We set out in search of early tree blooms in the Pearl District, only to find them too premature to make an effect. So... we resorted to our beautiful bridges and architecture! :) Aaahhh yes, improvised photography. Love the challenge!

Here are a few images from both their engagement session and wedding day. As Josh and I prepare for a new set of couples to photograph, this 2011 season, we can't help but think back to our past experiences and past new-found friendships. Holly and Manny are two such new friends we are proud to have in our lives.

~ Alice & Josh :)

Some of our favorite engagement session locations!

Hi everyone! We are in the full swing of things with booking for the upcoming wedding season and scheduling super fun and adventurous and casual and classy engagement sessions... this coming Monday January 17th 2011 is the first of several coming up! As soon as Monday comes along, we will have SO much new material to show you on here. We can't wait!

I know that some of our clients are still brainstorming as to where to go for their shoot, so I am making a quick post with some photos of some of the most memorable and photogenic and beautiful locations we love to go to, for photos. Perhaps you can use this as an inspiration for your own? FUN! :)

Engagement sessions are a way to let it all hang out. Well... that sounds a bit weird. I didn't mean it in "that way" lol! What I mean is that with the wedding day being scheduled and prepared and organized and set, there is not much room to play with regards to going somewhere different and further away for a couples' shoot with us. Engagement sessions are a perfect time to think of the most ideal location that truly speaks to you as a couple! There will be no guests and no strict schedules to have to follow, so why not go all the way?

What inspires you? What location speaks to you? This coming Monday we will be driving up to Trillium Lake by Mt Hood to meet up with one of our 2011 couples to photograph their engagement session on snow shoes! The following Monday (January 24th), we will again embark on a snow shoeing adventure with yet another couple of ours, but this time we will be going to the Mt Adams area, trekking towards Ice Caves! Last summer, we had a blast hiking up to the top of a mountain that was covered in wild flowers, by Camas in WA, with yet another couple of ours, in a location where we could literally see 5 different mountains in the distance, all around us!

These are the most extreme examples of "the sky is the limit" for your engagement session with us, of course ;) How about the beautiful Oregon coast? Or the majestic waterfalls in the Columbia Gorge? Or perhaps you are a city-couple, who wants posh and trendy and more elegant cityscapes and twinkly street lights and beautiful architecture?

Its ALL beautiful! Josh and I will either suggest a location for you, or go with what you have in mind already. Either way, lets plan on something fun, memorable and photogenic!

Below are some images of some of our favorite places in the area. What do you think you'd like to do? Let us know! :)

~ Alice & Josh

Nehalem State Park, Oregon Coast, at sunset in the early fall.

Trillium Lake, Mt Hood Oregon, summer time.

Silverstart Mountain, north of Camas Washington, summer time.

Deep forests and woods in the mountains. The light is so beautiful when the sun shines!

Pacific City, Oregon coast. A dry day in January!

Eastbank Esplanade. Downtown Portland Oregon. Early summer.

The Pearl District, Portland Oregon. Summer time.

Cathedral Park, North Portland Oregon. Under the St John's Bridge. Winter time.

Pioneer Courthouse Square, downtown Portland Oregon. Winter time.

The Broadway Bridge, Portland Oregon. Fall time. Or any bridge in Portland, really! ;)

Beautiful historic architecture of NW Portland Oregon.

The Columbia Gorge on a clear day. 

Wooded Shoe Tulip Farm. Spring time, specifically from the end of March to mid-May.

Spring time in NW Portland Oregon, when all of the trees are in bloom!

LOTS more to think about! There are just some ideas. We're looking forward to taking advantage of the beauty that surrounds us here in the NW. See you soon! :)