Paul Rich Studio

New Blog - Secret Revealed

2008-10-27T16:50:00.000-07:00

The secret is out and this is something you have GOT to check out!

To view our new blog, simply click HERE

Website Updates

2008-10-21T00:18:00.000-07:00

We have some very exciting updates (and some surprise secrets) to share with you in the upcoming weeks. The latest news is that we have updated the Wedding Gallery section of our website. Alanna & Evan's wedding is now featured on our website! To view the latest update, simply click HERE, enter the site, and select Gallery I.

Josi & Kenny - September 20, 2008

2008-10-20T16:59:00.000-07:00

Holly and I travelled back down to the Abernethy Center for Josi and Kenny's wedding on September 20, 2008. While the previous weekend we photographed a wedding in the Veiled Garden, this time we were in Abigail's Garden. The Abernethy Center has a diverse range of options for weddings and it was such a treat to photograph there during back-to-back weekends but at different aspects of the venue.

KJ, Kenny's son, had the proud honor of being the Best Man in the wedding. When asked what one of his favorite parts of the day was, he quite simply replied, "The limousine ride!" The couple left a sratch-it ticket at each seat for guests to try their luck on. Were their any winners? The wedding was a lovely event and we are so excited for both of you. Congratulations!!

To view Josi and Kenny's wedding slideshow, please click HERE.

I love cartoons!!

Erin & Ron - September 14, 2008

2008-10-10T19:03:00.000-07:00

Erin and Ron exchanged vows in the Veiled Garden at the Abernethy Center on September 14, 2008. They had one of the largest -- if not THE largest -- wedding parties we have ever photographed! There were 10 groomsmen and ushers, a ring bearer, a flower girl, and 8 bridesmaids for a total of 20 people!! Photographing the entire wedding party was quite the feat.

Following the ceremony, guests walked over to the Ballroom for the indoor reception. Guests were treated to the experience of having their photo taken in an authentic photo booth. The photos were then hand mounted into a custom guest book for all to sign. It made for some fun photo opportunities for us as well, capturing guests as they made an array of silly expressions.

The evening concluded with an epic send off experience. The convertible was jam packed with balloons and completely decorated inside and out. It even came equipped with a helmet which read "Honeymoon Helmet." When Ron went to open the car door, he grabbed onto a handful of cake frosting that was secretly placed under the handle. There was a lot of finger pointing as to who put it there, but still to this day...no one will really know!

To view Erin & Ron's wedding slideshow, please click HERE.

Beth & Nate - September 13, 2008

2008-10-09T20:13:00.000-07:00

Beth and Nate planned an incredible wedding here in Portland while working and living in the state of Hawaii. They infused their wedding with Hawaiian elements and traditions with some Greek traditions stemming from Nate's family heritage.

The day began at Beth's parents house as a location for the women to get ready as the guys got ready at Hotel 50. A couple of limousines were used to escort the wedding party from both locations to the Pittock Mansion for formals. Thank goodness for tinted windows because as the guys and I arrived at Pittock Mansion so did the women. It was a close call but worry not -- the bride and groom did not see each other.

The couple exchanged their vows at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral. The ceremony was very unique and embraced many Greek traditions. Following the ceremony, everyone headed downtown for an equally unique reception at the Crystal Ballroom. For those of you who don't know, the Crystal Ballroom is a historical building (originally built in 1914) that has an enormous bouncing dance floor. Many refer to the experience as dancing on air. It made the perfect setting for -- you guessed it -- authentic Greek dancing!

A big thank you goes out to Jacquelyn and her staff at A Swank Affair for their assistance in making the day flow together seamlessly.

To view Beth & Nate's wedding slideshow, please click HERE.

2009 Availability Calendar

2008-10-08T12:28:00.001-07:00

Here is the most up-to-date version of our availability calendar:

Halloween Party : BOOO-GIE NIGHTS PART V

2008-10-04T13:00:00.000-07:00

When: Friday, October 31st at 8pm

Where: Lotus Cafe - 932 SW 3rd Ave Portland, OR 97204

Why: It's going to be a blast and I will be there documenting the entire event!

BOOO-gie Nights Part V, Portland's Naughtiest Halloween Party is back for it's fifth year!!

This year's theme is more: more prizes, more entertainment and more debauchery.

MORE DEBAUCHERY
Come start the debauchery early, well drinks will be covered from 8:00 - 10:00 pm. After that you're on your own.

MORE ENTERTAINMENT
The band Over The Edge will be shaking the rafters playing party rock tunes from Van Halen, Gin Blossoms, Ratt, Cheap Trick, Alien Ant Farm, The Romantics, Rolling Stones and more.

DJ George The Mixologist is the bomb and he will be spinning tunes in the legendary Card Room. This guy has more music than Itunes! He mixes new hits with old classics to keep your booty shakin' all night long.

MORE PRIZES FOR THE COSTUME CONTEST
Prizes will be awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners in the following categories: Sexiest, Funniest and Best Costume.

Pacific Beach Tan stepped up to the plate this year and donated some HUGE gift certificates. We have a 1-Year VIP Membership valued at up to $499, 6-Month VIP Membership and a 3-Month VIP Membership. BOO-yah, you gotta like that.

They will also be giving away tickets to, Portland's Biggest New Year's Eve Party, the 18th Annual Champagne Ball. $150 Value.

They will also have Concept Entertainment VIP Cards. These get you into all the concept clubs: Dixie, Barracuda, Thirsty Lion and Dukes for free.

PRIVATE PARTY
The password is another word for pirate's treasure: BOO-tay. You have to say it or you don't get in.

COVER: $10.00

See you there!

Melissa & Leo : Engagement Session

2008-10-02T21:06:00.001-07:00

Melissa and Leo are in the exciting phase of planning for a destination wedding in October of 2009. Should they get married in Cabo San Lucas? Or maybe Cancun? These are the kinds of difficult questions that Melissa and Leo are contemplating these days. They originally found me while searching around on the internet. They came across a BLOG posting by Creations by Ly - a phenomenal wedding planner here in town. Nadia had interviewed me back in June of this year to provide blog readers a more in-depth view of my studio and what got me involved in wedding photography.

Melissa, Leo, and I met up at the Ecotrust Building in the Pearl on Sunday for an engagement session. We had a blast walking the streets of downtown Portland, talking about the details of their destination wedding, and sipping a few cocktails at Oba.

To view a slideshow of Melissa and Leo's engagement session, please click HERE.

Cerise & Randy - September 6, 2008

2008-10-02T16:40:00.000-07:00

Cerise has an incredibly beautiful singing voice. She sang a lovely song last year at Laurie and Butch's wedding. I distinctly recall her approaching Holly and I asking for a business card. "I'm really hoping that my boyfriend is going to propose to me soon, and I just want to be ready," she told us. I thought that was so cute. So when Cerise contacted us to say that she was engaged and that she wanted us to photograph her wedding, I knew it was something she was planning for quite some time.

Cerise and Randy were one of the first couples to attend our Bride and Bride-To-Be Soiree where we invited newlyweds and newlyweds-to-be to our home for an evening of cocktails and hor derves. You could see it in Cerise and Randy's eyes - the excitement of their wedding to come. The day finally arrived and Holly and I were there to capture it all. Congratulations to Cerise and Randy! Thank you for the opportunity to photograph your wedding and we look forward to seeing you soon to begin discussing the design for your wedding album!

To view Cerise and Randy's wedding slideshow, please click HERE.

This photo looks familiar! :)

Cerise sang to Randy as she walked down the aisle - it was an amazing entrance to the ceremony!

Gretchen & Jason : Engagement Session

2008-10-01T21:39:00.000-07:00

Trust me that I have photographed many engagement sessions over the years. Many! And yet...I don't think I can recall a single session that has ever gone quite like the session I recently had with Gretchen and Jason. EVER! I met Gretchen and Jason through Jacquelyn at A Swank Affair. She recommended our services to them and when we met, we clicked instantly. I knew that we would be in for a real treat for the engagement session, but never thought it would quite go like this...

First off, while we were down by the waterfront, we ran into Vera Katz! You know...the former Mayor of Portland. She actually had a moment (or two) for a picture op with Gretchen and Jason. I couldn't believe it!

Then, we headed over to Broadway to grab some shots under the famous Portland sign. We were clambering around trying to find an ideal spot when all of a sudden -- an individual who must remain anonymous -- offered to turn on the Portland sign lights just for us to take some pictures! How generous is that?!?! Now the time of day was such that the lights do not show their true effect, but the point being, the gesture was VERY kind. Anyhow, there are some additional surprise photos in store for the wedding and I absolutely cannot wait. I'll give you a tiny hint. It has something to do with Mary! LOL!

Thanks Gretchen and Jason. I had an absolute blast! To view your engagement slideshow, simply click HERE.

Alanna & Evan - September 5, 2008

2008-09-30T19:21:00.000-07:00

There are literally hundreds and hundreds of amazing photos from Alanna & Evan's spectacular wedding. The couple was recently married at The View Point Inn in Corbett, OR on a most beautiful summer day. The ceremony was held outdoors with a sweeping panoramic view of the entire Columbia River Gorge as a backdrop. Cocktail hour was hosted on an outdoor patio that was lavishly decorated by West Coast Event Productions and included one of the most amazing cigar bars I have ever seen. Each cigar was individually wrapped with the couple's name and golden match boxes were on display that read: "09.05.08 A Perfect Match."

I want to personally thank Pam from Ink and Peat for providing the phenomenal flowers, Eric from All Wright Music for not only playing great tunes but for getting all the guests up on the dance floor for some great photo ops, and Jacquelyn from A Swank Affair for working with Holly and I since day 1 -- keeping us in the loop on all the preparations for this amazing event!

To view Alanna & Evan's slideshow, please click HERE.

Katy & James - September 1, 2008

2008-09-25T15:18:00.000-07:00

Katy and James were married at Bridal Veil Lakes on September 1, 2008. The wedding was documented by Becca, one of our associate photographers, and myself. We had the opportunity to do some really loose and fun formals -- with the guys going for a cd cover image and the women playing around with different jump style shots. Then, for the full wedding party, we made sure to include the ring bearer who was actually the couple's dog.

Following the ceremony, guests were escorted along the trail that follows the lake with various stations setup showcasing some of the couple's history together. This made a really nice personal touch to the wedding day. As the reception progressed into the evening and it came upon the time for cake cutting, Becca and I got prepared to document the event. I've been to enough weddings by now that I can pretty much predict exactly how cake cutting will go. But I have to admit, I was completely mistaken at this wedding... Check out the images below!

To view the couple's wedding slideshow, please click HERE.

James rowed over to the ceremony in a canoe with his brothers.

As the guys approached the ceremony site, they began bailing water from the canoe!!

Kim & David - August 31, 2008

2008-09-25T01:33:00.000-07:00

One of the great aspects of being a two photographer team is the ability to simultaneously document the men and the women getting ready. The differences that exist are oftentimes quite amusing. For example, while Kim and the women were getting their hair and make-up done, David and the guys were performing live with Rock Band. The performance was amazing!

Kim and David exchanged their vows in the Park Blocks at Shemanski Plaza. While getting ready for the ceremony I looked out into the crowd of guests and recognized a friend who I have known for 15 years! Gary is currently living in San Francisco and had flown into town for the wedding. It was quite the treat to run into an old friend.

The reception was an absolute blast with an amazing display of oysters on the half shell to kick off cocktail hour. 5 Guys Named Moe played rocking live music that left no one in their seats and a dance floor packed all evening long. The entire wedding day flowed together so seamlessly thanks to the hard work of Mike Piper from An Affair to Remember.

To view Kim & David's wedding slideshow, please click HERE.

Holly to Lecture at Lewis & Clark College

2008-09-22T18:27:00.000-07:00

Holly has been invited to participate in Lewis and Clark's Visiting Artists Series and will be giving a lecture on her work tomorrow (9/23/08) evening at 7pm. The lecture will take place in the Miller Center for the Humanities Building at 7pm. It is open to the general public. Here is an excerpt from the Lecture Series Event Calendar:

Holly Andres approaches her art in a multidisciplinary manner, and has worked in film, photography, sculpture and installation. Andres' newest body of photographic work, Sparrow Lane, recently premiered at Quality Pictures Contemporary Art in Portland OR, and this on-going series will exhibit at the Robert Mann Gallery in NYC in Oct.

In 2007 her much acclaimed narrative photo series, Stories from a Short Street exhibited at the DNJ Gallery in LA, the Jen Bekman Gallery in NYC, in 'Girl Machine' at the Honfluer Gallery in Washington DC, and at her hometown, The Missoula Art Museum. In 2006 she was represented in the Oregon Biennial at the Portland Art Museum and at the Annual National Juried Exhibition at Newspace Center for Photography. Andres' photo work has been showcased in Elle Magazine, the Portland Modern, on the cover of the Portland Mercury, PDX Magazine, and Art Ltd.-who recently profiled her as one of 15 emerging West Coast artists under the age of 35.

Julie & Alex - August 27, 2008

2008-09-18T15:20:00.000-07:00

Julie and Alex's destination wedding was the experience of a lifetime. For me, it was the first time being in Kauai and I have to say -- it is quite the tropical experience. With the beautiful ocean and tall palm trees as my backdrop, I set out to capture Julie and Alex's unique wedding.

When I arrived at the bride's room, the energy was buzzing all around. Julie mentioned that she was surrounded by people who she loves so much and all of whom had travelled so far and then with having the photographer arrive -- well that just made everything seem real. The wedding day had finally arrived! I think she went into just a tad bit of shock. We coordinated a first moment out by the water's edge underneath the shade of some palm trees and it was such a delight watching Julie and Alex see each other for the first time. It was one of my favorite parts of the day.

The ceremony site was out on a mini-peninsula that was surrounded by water on three sides. It was the absolute perfect location for the wedding with waves crashing up on shore as the couple exchanged vows with each other. The sights, sounds, and overall experience was just simply breath-taking.

Julie and Alex are having a reception here in Portland at Lakeside Gardens on October 4, 2008. I can't wait to reunite with the couple and showcase a slideshow of their Kauai wedding to all of their Portland guests. For this reason, we are not posting their wedding slideshow until after the Portland reception.

Here are a collection of images from Julie and Alex's wedding in Kauai:

Julie's first moment with dad.

Kaylyn & Brady - August 23, 2008

2008-09-18T12:19:00.000-07:00

Kaylyn and Brady were married at a private residence on August 23, 2008. I love the intimacy and casual atmosphere of a backyard wedding and this one was particularly special with beautiful gardens and a spectacular view of Mt. Hood. What is the likelihood of photographing a wedding for Kayla & Bryant (blog entry below) only to then photograph the wedding of Kaylyn & Brady the very next day?!?!? Luckily for my amazing name recognition skills I was able to keep my brides and grooms straight.

Holly and I really enjoyed capturing Kaylyn's expressiveness from the start of the day with her putting her dress on to the look on her face when she saw Brady for the first time and of course the amazing laughter that ensued once the couple was officially hitched. Here are some of the highlights of the day:

To view Kaylyn & Brady's wedding slideshow, please click HERE.

Kayla & Bryant - August 22, 2008

2008-09-17T21:41:00.000-07:00

Kayla & Bryant shared their vows at Elk Cove Vineyards on August 22, 2008. The sweeping view of rolling hills filled with rows and rows of grapes makes for an excellent backdrop for a wedding. The ceremony was held outdoors in the vineyard and the reception was in the Roosevelt Room where a set of French doors open out onto a 100 ft. deck where guests can mingle and enjoy the spectacular view. The evening flowed very smoothly thanks to all of the efforts of Rachelle and Donny with Delightful Occasions. Here are some of our favorites from the day:

The wedding cake was made by a friend of theirs who flew with the cake all the way from TEXAS!!!! Something tells me this does not fit in the over head!

Holly's TV Interview

2008-09-15T15:50:00.001-07:00

Holly recently had a solo showing of her personal work at Quality Pictures in Portland and was interviewed by Portland's CW. For those of you who missed the televised interview, here it is on YouTube! We will be posting more about Holly's upcoming exhibition in NY at the Robert Mann Gallery very soon.

Part I

Part II

Part III

Part IV

Alanna & Evan : Sneak Peek

2008-09-11T16:21:00.000-07:00

Alanna and Evan are off on their honeymoon in Maui and mentioned that they would be checking back regularly for a sneak peek at their wedding photos. The couple just exchanged vows this past Friday at The View Point Inn and here are some of our favorites from the day.

Congratulations Alanna & Evan! We look forward to visiting with the two of you when you return from your travels.

Employee of the Month : Holly Andres

2008-09-10T19:49:00.000-07:00

Please join me in congratulating Holly Andres for her achievement as employee of the month for the month of August. Holly has made a conscious effort to reduce her carbon footprint by turning in her car keys in exchange for a bike. She has been "car free" for over 3 weeks and is looking to extend her streak. With the continuation of her efforts, Holly and I will be taking a serious look at taking us from a 2 car family to a one car family. Holly's socially conscious and creative thinking has resulted in a significant savings for the business - she has reduced our expenditures on gas and parking. With her silver and pink helmet and basket full of cargo, Holly is clearly one of the cutest bicyclists in Portland. Next time you see her riding her bike, please make sure to toot your horn and wave!

Kate & Dan - August 17, 2008

2008-09-10T16:46:00.000-07:00

Holly and I have been wanting to photograph at Camp Colton for quite some time and we recently had the opportunity to do so at Kate and Dan's wedding on August 17, 2008. I began the day by meeting up with the women to document hair and makeup and then went over to a local bowling alley to catch up with the guys. There were some impressive bowlers in the group - especially after finishing off a few pitchers of beer. I then met up with Holly and headed over to Camp Colton for the ceremony and reception. Immediately following the ceremony, the couple was whisked away on a horse drawn carriage and we had the opportunity to spend some extra time together for pictures. It was a very unique experience. Here are some of our favorites from the day:

To view the wedding slideshow, simply click HERE.

Beth & Nate : Engagement Session

2008-09-10T00:00:00.000-07:00

For those of you who frequent my blog, you know that I was in Hawaii just last week for a destination wedding. Well, this week I am photographing a couple who lives in Hawaii but who is getting married here in Portland! Does this qualify as irony? I happen to think so.

Anyway, Beth and Nate just arrived into town on Saturday and asked to connect for a brief 1 hour engagement session. We met up at the Hoyt Arboretum and enjoyed sharing some stories about Hawaii. Beth wants to have a matted photo ready for her wedding this Saturday to have a signature matt available for her guests. So, we did the photo shoot on Monday and this evening I am posting images from the session on our web gallery so that Beth and Nate can choose their photo. We will then have a rush print made and ready just in time for the wedding. Here are a few shots from the session:

Sarah & Andrew - August 16, 2008

2008-09-08T21:54:00.000-07:00

Sarah and Andrew were married at The First Unitarian Church in downtown Portland on August 16, 2008. The way in which we connected with the couple is one of my favorite wedding stories. We originally photographed Melody and Mason's wedding in April of 2007. Melody and Mason really loved their wedding photos and shared them with friends at work. This led to us photographing Kari and Mike's as well as Laurie and Butch's weddings in late 2007. Sarah and Andrew happened to be next door neighbors to Melody and Mason so when they saw their photos, they too contacted us to photograph their wedding. In addition, just the other day, we photographed Cerise and Randy's wedding -- Cerise sang at Laurie and Butch's wedding and images from her wedding will be posted here on the blog in the upcoming weeks. Lastly, Sarah works at a local hospital and one of her co-workers Kindel just booked with us for her wedding in June of 2009. Needless to say, Holly and I have become rather popular amongst this group of individuals and feel grateful to all of those who have passed along the kind words regarding our work.

That said, here are some teaser images from Sarah and Andrew's wedding. To view the wedding slideshow, please click HERE.

Brandi & Toby - August 9, 2008

2008-09-03T21:14:00.000-07:00

Brandi & Toby exchanged vows on August 9, 2008 at The Fairgate Inn. Working on the preparations for the wedding with the couple has been a lot of fun and finally having the opportunity to photograph the wedding has been an absolute blast. Brandi has expressed a lot of excitement in getting to see her wedding photos as quickly as possible and so I have been sending a few teaser images along the way -- but as of today -- the wedding gallery has been officially launched! Thank you to all of the wonderful vendors for making this wedding a huge success and a special thanks to Dave from Bigler Productions -- as always, great working with you -- and Jordan from Blum -- what gorgeous flowers!!

To view the wedding slideshow, simply click HERE.

Back in Portland

2008-08-29T15:58:00.000-07:00

I arrived at the Portland Airport around 9am this morning, having pulled a crazy red eye flight, and just finished up the classic errands of food shopping, mail sorting, and the rest. I could hardly wait to take a sneak peek at some of Julie and Alex's wedding photos and as I did I already began missing Kauai. Knowing that Julie and Alex are still there hanging out in the gorgeous sun, I thought I would post a couple of teaser images in the off chance that they check their email at the hotel.

So, here it goes...

Post-wedding bliss:

Seconds before grabbing a taxi to the airport to come home:

Destination Kauai : Day #1

2008-08-26T15:12:00.000-07:00

When photographing a destination wedding, I always spend my first day documenting details of the area. It is a great way to get acclimated to the location and to adjust to the time zone change. Kauai is 3 hours earlier than Portland and because of an amazing night's sleep last night, I am becoming fully adjusted to "island time." For those of you who have travelled to Hawaii, you know exactly what I am talking about. Island time is a philosophy and a way of life around here where things happen when they are "supposed" to happen. For example, when I arrived at the airport late last night the woman at the Information booth suggested that I call Speedi Shuttle for transportation to the hotel. When I called, I was informed that a shuttle would arrive in 45 minutes. Not so speedy! I went back to the woman at the Information booth and told her I wanted to grab a taxi instead. She told me it was a wiser choice as Speedi Shuttle oftentimes does not even come by to pick you up even if you have a reservation. While climbing into the taxi that arrived just 2 minutes later, I thought to myself -- now why would she have even suggested that I call Speedi Shuttle in the first place -- that is when I realized I was on "island time."

So here I am living on "island time," getting acquainted with the area, and looking forward to the rehearsal dinner this evening where all the guests will have an opportunity to get together and celebrate this most amazing wedding experience. And by the way, "aloha" has already started to make it's way into my vernacular.

Late Night Download

2008-08-23T23:31:00.001-07:00

So Holly and I literally just got home from Kaylyn and Brady's wedding. While downloading the photos from their day, I came across the one below and just knew that I had to post it. Think they had fun at their wedding? Just wait until you see the rest of the photos. Stay tuned!

2 Weddings : 1 Day

2008-08-22T11:35:00.000-07:00

8/8/08 was a really big day for us at Paul Rich Studio. We had the opportunity to photograph not one -- but two weddings in just one day! Let's just say it was action packed and a whole lot of fun. Both weddings are posted below!

Holly & Kevin - August 8, 2008

2008-08-22T11:07:00.000-07:00

Holly and Kevin have known each other since 1st grade and finally tied the knot on 8/8/08! Their wedding celebration took place at the Pyramid Breweries MacTarnahan's Taproom. Holly and Kevin's son Jake was the ring bearer and he looked so unbelievably cute in his little tuxedo.

To view the wedding slideshow, please click HERE. I sent a link to the slideshow to Holly in advance and here was her response after watching the sneak peek:

"I am at a loss for words.. They are more beautiful then I even could have imagined. You truly capture our emotion, our love, my heart. I can't stop looking at them and I can't stop crying. I owe you so much. You gave us a lifetime of beautiful memories.... Paul I am in awe.... You are so talented and really it is so beyond that. I LOVE all of them and can't wait to see the rest. You are so fast and I really appreciate it. I have been dying to see them... You and Holly are in my heart forever!!!"

Congratulations Holly and Kevin! Thank YOU for allowing us to be a part of your wedding day.

Carrie & Erin - August 8, 2008

2008-08-21T23:41:00.000-07:00

Carrie & Erin were married at the St. Sharbel Catholic Church on August 8, 2008. After the ceremony, we went up to Mt. Tabor Park for a formals session. I love having the opportunity to photograph at the park. There are lots of picturesque areas and a great view of Hawthorne and downtown Portland. It was a pleasure having the opportunity to photograph Carrie and Erin's wedding.

To view the wedding slideshow, please click HERE.

Kylene & Jacob - August 3, 2008

2008-08-21T19:04:00.000-07:00

Kylene and Jacob exchanged vows on August 3, 2008 at Kruger's Farm on Sauvie's Island. We feel so fortunate that the couple found us through Abby Larson's Style Me Pretty blog. About 1 year ago, the same time that Kylene and Jacob were preparing for their wedding, Holly and I were hand selected to be listed as part of Abby's Little Black Book of Wedding Vendors. We feel so honored to be listed as one of just three photography studios to represent Portland, OR.

During our original meeting with Kylene, I recall her saying that details were very important to her. She wanted to make sure that all aspects of her wedding were covered because she was hand-crafting nearly everything! In fact, a U-Haul was required to transport all of her hand-crafted items -- from the vintage table cloths and family heirloom dessert dishes to the lawn games and Polaroid Gazeebo Booth -- guests were treated to a very personalized wedding experience. Amy and Sidarany with Blush Bridal Events did an outstanding job making sure all the details were in place and the entire day flowed very smoothly thanks to their amazing talents.

Congratulations Kylene and Jacob and thank you so much for the opportunity to document your truly unique wedding day.

To view the wedding slideshow, simply click HERE.

Destination : Hawaii

2008-08-20T12:24:00.000-07:00

I am flying out to the beautiful island of Kauai this Monday for Julie and Alex's destination wedding. The itinerary for the week includes a number of luncheon and dinner get togethers, plenty of swim time, and lots of celebratory cocktails -- myself included! Due to the large number of scheduled events throughout the week, I will have very limited access to email and voicemail. Please note that if I am unable to return your message while I am in Kauai, I will be responding to all emails and voicemails when I return on the evening of the 29th.

Mahalo!

Lynne & Matt - August 1, 2008

2008-08-18T21:16:00.000-07:00

As you may recall from an earlier blog post, Lynne and Matt waited in line at the Portland Building on New Years Eve to reserve the Shakespeare Garden for their wedding. Their advance planning really paid off and resulted in a beautiful wedding at a wonderful location. The setting was a perfect match for Lynne and Matt.

While it is very common for most couples to schedule their formals session prior to the wedding ceremony, Lynne and Matt wanted to stick with the tradition of not seeing each other until the actual ceremony time. The build up and excitement leading up to the ceremony was tremendous and when Lynne rounded the corner to enter the Shakespeare Garden, the look on Matt's face was absolutely priceless (check it out below).

Holly and I spent some time with the couple walking throughout the Portland Rose Garden to capture some very memorable photos of the newlywed couple. We then headed over to the Hotel deLuxe for the reception. The room was filled with close friends and family who made a point to clink their glasses on numerous occasions throughout the evening to observe the couple celebrate their love with a kiss. It was such a pleasure having the opportunity to photograph Lynne and Matt's wedding and we look forward to meeting up with the couple soon to discuss their wedding album design.

To view Lynne and Matt's wedding slideshow, please click HERE.

Monica & Danny - July 26, 2008

2008-08-18T16:49:00.000-07:00

Monica and Danny were married in Tigard, OR at the Saint Anthony Catholic Church on July 26, 2008. Among the many highlights of their ceremony were the world's cutest ring bearer and flower girls. The church was filled with gorgeous floral arrangements by Cat from Three Petals. Following the ceremony, guests travelled to the World Forestry Center for a cocktail hour and reception celebration. Holly and I coordinated a photo session at the Hoyt Arboretum to capture some special pictures of Monica and Danny and then captured the excitement as they were announced into Miller Hall for their reception. The hall was exquisitly decorated with additional arrangements by Cat and detailed accent lighting throughout. The room was transformed into an amazing visual spectacle. Here are some of our favorites from the day:

To view Monica and Danny's wedding slideshow, please click HERE.

Kara & Joe - Engagement Session

2008-08-15T21:21:00.001-07:00

Kara and Joe asked to have their engagement session at The Chapel Pub - the exact location of their first date. It was so neat to hear them talk about how they met and what their first date was like - it clearly brought back very fond memories for the two of them. When we arrived, the exact table where they held their first date was available and the bartender who served them was on staff. Serendipitous? I think not. Kara and Joe are so great together and I feel so honored to have the opportunity to document their wedding this October. Here are some of my favorites from the session:

Rachel & Marc - July 20, 2008

2008-08-02T13:25:00.000-07:00

For those of you considering an outdoor venue for your wedding, we highly recommend Bridal Veil Lakes. The location is nestled in the heart of the scenic Columbia River Gorge with lush greenery and gorgeous wildflowers throughout. Rachel and Marc's wedding was breathtakingly beautiful with the ceremony staged overlooking a lake. Following the ceremony, guests were treated to the music of a fantastic marching band who escorted the group to the reception. Along the way, Sangria was served as a refreshing treat. Then, as the sun dipped lower and lower in the sky, I grabbed the couple for some late day portraits. The romantic lighting that occurs during sunset is always ideal for a photographer, and what happens at Bridal Veil Lakes during this time of day is truly magical.

To view the couple's wedding slideshow, please click HERE.

Nicolette & Taylor - July 19, 2008

2008-08-01T12:33:00.000-07:00

Nicolette and Taylor were married at Kruger's Farm on Sauvie's Island. It is one of our favorite locations to photograph a wedding. The weather was absolutely perfect and Nicolette and Taylor were an absolute pleasure to photograph. Holly and I were there to capture the look on Taylor's face when he saw Nicolette in her stunning wedding dress. The two of them were so cute -- shouting out oooh's and aaaah's -- as they looked each other over and embraced multiple times. The ceremony was held underneath a gigantic oak tree. Nicolette and Taylor exchanged really touching vows to each other as everyone's eyes filled up with tears (myself included). The day continued on in celebration of their love and concluded with one of the coolest get away cars I have ever seen! Congratulations to Nicolette and Taylor! Holly and I feel so honored to have been a part of your day. Thank you.

To view the wedding slideshow, please click HERE.

Aimee & Nolan - July 12, 2008

2008-07-29T23:41:00.000-07:00

I always find it interesting how brides find us. Or in this case, how we find the bride. During some weekdays, I photograph the architectural interiors of houses as they are getting ready to be placed onto the market. I photographed the home of a woman who stated that someone in her office was getting married and that she was looking for a wedding photographer. I left my card and days later, I received a call from Aimee. Aimee was looking to get married sometime between late July and the end of August. She asked me which Saturday dates I had available and at the time -- the only Saturday free was July 12th. Without hesitation, Aimee said, "I'll take it!"

The Shelton family opened their home and their hearts to us and made us feel right at home. It was an honor and a privilege to be a part of Aimee and Nolan's wedding day. Nolan looked very sharp in his Marine uniform and Aimee looked absolutely stunning in her long flowing wedding dress. Congratulations to both of you and we hope you are enjoying your new home together!

To view the wedding slideshow, please click HERE.

Angela & Hunter - July 6, 2008

2008-07-28T15:13:00.001-07:00

Angela and Hunter's story of how they met is so unbelievably sweet. They met almost four years ago at Clark Community College. Angela walked into class a bit late and when Hunter saw her enter the classroom, he knew right away that he wanted to get to know Angela better. Over the next few weeks, Hunter tried to strategically position himself in such a way as to have an opportunity to strike up a conversation with Angela. The two spoke from time to time but Hunter was looking for something to really break the ice - a chance to get to know Angela even better. He noticed that she oftentimes came to class with gum. So, Hunter picked up some Extra "Polar Ice" gum and mustered up the courage to truly pursue Angela. And thus the romance began...

For those of you who are not familiar with Extra "Polar Ice" gum, it is quite distinctive in its bold turquoise colored wrapper. Angela and Hunter used accents of this color throughout the entire theme of their wedding. From the bridesmaid dresses to the groomsmens' vests, from accents on the wedding cake to the decor at each table -- colorful reminders of Angela and Hunter's unique first encounters were visible throughout the entire day. In addition, as guests left the church for the reception they were treated to some Extra "Polar Ice" gum. What a unique and fun way to celebrate the union of two truly great people!

To view the wedding slideshow, please click HERE.

Morgan & Joah - Engagement Session

2008-07-24T01:20:00.000-07:00

Morgan & Joah have great style and Holly and I are really looking forward to their wedding in October of this year. They are getting married at the Hotel deLuxe. The hotel's design and detailing is based on the architectural and decorative arts of the 1920's through the 1940's. Their wedding is sure to be a treat with plenty of great photo opportunities. We met up with the couple recently for their engagement session and had an absolute blast. Here are some of our favorites from the day:

To view the engagement slideshow, please click HERE.

Happy Anniversay!

2008-07-23T18:03:00.000-07:00

Today Holly and I celebrate our 3rd anniversary! I feel so fortunate to be married to such a wonderful woman. Holly's unyielding support and understanding has helped me pursue my dreams and has enabled us to manage a successful business together. We love spending time together on weekends photographing weddings -- watching couples follow down the same path we did just 3 years ago. As we listen to couples say their vows to each other, Holly and I take a moment to look at each other, smile, and feel the love that we have for each other. I want to thank Holly for being an amazing partner and a constant source of inspiration. She brings out the best in me and brings me a tremendous amount of joy.

The [AG]WPJA

2008-07-23T15:04:00.000-07:00

Paul Rich Studio, a current member of the WPJA, has now been accepted in to The Artistic Guild of the Wedding Photojournalist Association. The Artistic Guild of the Wedding Photojournalist Association [AG]WPJA is a group of international wedding photojournalists, who capture unscripted wedding moments as they happen, and excel in the art of post-production image processing. The [AG]WPJA is a division within the Wedding Photojournalist Association (WPJA); one which specifically promotes Fine Art Wedding Photojournalism. Holly and I are doubly honored to have been chosen to be a part of this group as we continue to push the envelope in our post-production work. We encourage you to take a look at the amazing talent that is displayed throughout the AGWPJA site by clicking HERE.

Kristin & Eric - July 5, 2008

2008-07-21T20:26:00.000-07:00

We originally met Kristin and Eric about a year ago while photographing Erica & Stephen's wedding. Shortly after the wedding, the couple contacted us to photograph their wedding. We were so excited about this opportunity and have been anxiously awaiting the big day.

Kristin and Eric's Hawaiian theme wedding was absolutely fabulous. The celebration kicked off with a bang the night prior with a phenomenal fireworks display (scroll further down to an earlier blog post) and continued on into the next day with a most spectacular wedding event. The gorgeous flowers by Lavish, the scrumptious dinner, the surprise stunt pilot whizzing by the party during cocktail hour, the incredible live music and dancing -- the list goes on and on... Thank you so much Kristin and Eric for the opportunity to capture your wedding day. We can't wait to see you again!

To view Kristin & Eric's wedding slideshow, please click HERE.

Website Outage

2008-07-21T14:00:00.001-07:00

Hey everyone:

Please bare with us as we work with our website design team in fixing some technical issues with our site. The site is temporarily down at this time but we anticipate being back up and running very soon. We will keep you posted. In the meantime, if you need to contact us directly, please feel free to call us at 503.475.3306.

Thank you -
Paul & Holly

Secret Revealed

2008-07-18T16:53:00.000-07:00

Many couples frequently ask us how in the world do we capture those large group photos of all the guests... While my answer typically involves some form of jet pack or helicopter ride, I figured it was time to come clean and show exactly how the magic happens. Truth be told -- there is a LOT that can be done with a simple 6 foot ladder...

Here is the result:

Here is the secret recipe:

Any questions?

Swept Off Her Feet

2008-07-15T11:36:00.000-07:00

Today I am working on the edit of Angela & Hunter's wedding images. I came across this image and it just makes me so giddy I had to post it right away. During the formals session, Hunter surprised us all by sweeping his bride off her feet and going for a casual stroll. Check back soon for updates -- we have a lot of work to show in the upcoming weeks (hint: we will be photographing 6 weddings this month).

Sarah & Todd - June 29, 2008

2008-07-10T19:51:00.000-07:00

Sarah & Todd's wedding day was jam packed with excitement. We began at the downtown Hilton with Holly documenting the women getting ready as I headed off to a separate suite to document the guys. Once the guys were ready, we hopped into a limousine to take some formal pictures in the Park Blocks. This gave the women some additional time to get ready. I coordinated by cell phone with Holly to bring the bride out to the Park Blocks for the couple's first moment. It was so lovely watching the two of them see each other for the first time that day. I then took off with the bride and groom down to the waterfront for some additional portraits while Holly returned to the Hilton to help me get setup for family pictures. When the couple and I returned to the hotel, everything was set for the formals. Have I ever mentioned how much I love working with my wife at weddings? She is such a rock star.

After the Ketubah signing and ceremony, guests were invited to a cocktail hour at Alexander's (which happens to be on the 23rd floor of the hotel). The restaurant has breath-taking views of the city and the drinks and hors d'oeuvres were absolutely fabulous. Holly hung with the crowd and I went over to the reception area to document the room's details. As the guests entered the room, the expressions on their faces told the complete story of how amazing the entire day had been. The dance floor was quickly filled and the partying went on and on well into the evening. Congratulations Sarah and Todd and thank you for such a wonderful evening. You did it!

To view the wedding trailer, please click HERE.

Breath of Fresh Air - Journal Entry

2008-07-09T18:08:00.000-07:00

You know those lessons that you keep relearning over the years? The real simple ones. Like when you go on vacation and you remember how important it is to take vacations more often. When you hang out with some close friends and remember how much fun it is being around your friends and that you should get together more often. Well, I relearned that going outside and getting some fresh oxygen into your lungs is a great idea.

Holly and I are simultaneously working on Sarah & Todd's post-production as well as the edit for Kristin & Eric's and Angela & Hunter's wedding images. Our hard drives are jam packed with photos from these last 2 weekends and we are jamming out in over drive. It is easy to succumb to the stress and feel overwhelmed. So, I decided to strap on some sneakers and go for a casual jog for a break and while I was outside I noticed how amazing the air smelled. There are so many amazing scents and beautiful gardens out there and I just had the most amazing time going for a simple run.

Whatever your day is like, make sure to step outside even if just for a few moments to take in some deep breaths of fresh air.

Happy 4th of July

2008-07-05T00:03:00.001-07:00

I spent the 4th of July with Eric and Kristin at their rehearsal dinner celebration. I am really looking forward to their wedding tomorrow and just HAD to post a couple of images from this evening's festivities. The fireworks display was out of this world!! Check back soon to see images from their wedding day.

Kim & David - Engagement Session

2008-07-02T22:54:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday was hotter than ever with temperatures reaching 100 degrees. We stayed cool though by hanging out with Kim and David in Mt. Tabor Park. It was such a nice treat having the opportunity to spend some time with Kim and David and to watch them interact and play for the camera. Holly and I are looking forward to their wedding at the end of August where we will be providing photography and videography coverage for the big day. Thank you to Kim and David for braving the weather and for making all of these fabulous images possible.

To view the engagement slideshow, please click HERE.

Alanna & Evan - Engagement Session

2008-06-30T23:06:00.000-07:00

Alanna and Evan are getting married at The View Point Inn on September 5th this year and Holly and I are very excited for their wedding. The location is absolutely stunning and we will have the pleasure of working with Jacquelyn from A Swank Affair. Holly and I met up with the couple last week for their engagement session and to discuss some of the details for their wedding. Here is a selection of images from their session:

To view the engagement slideshow, please click HERE.