As a photographer I often dream of sessions in my head that I would love to do. This gorgeous session was completely a fulfillment of that dream & was truly magical. When you put a historic kitchen, gorgeous light, a super in love couple, cookies & the cutest golden retriever all together you get cinematic magic.

Still looking for someone to capture your love story & be a part of your wedding day? Reach out!

Twelve years ago I started my journey as a photographer and a few years after dove into wedding photography. It’s been a love affair from the beginning and it’s been an absolute joy to capture and be a part of countless wedding days over the years.

Photography, for me is an expression of my joy, love and vision for my couples and clients. The longer I have done this job the more I’ve fallen in love with the beautiful emotion that is poured out to create what I truly see and feel at wedding days. It’s my truest desire to create heirloom pieces that can be passed down from family to family. Timeless fine art works that are not “on trend” but rather are a real expression of the day and the people I am seeing.

Years and years go into photography training and growth. Behind each professional wedding photographer is hours upon hours of work to get them to a place of artistic expression and genuinely authentic work. Training under other photographers, classes, styled shoots, reading books, studying other forms of art, are just a few things we can use to grow our craft. It’s an expression of love and truly never stops. I don’t ever “arrive” instead I am always growing, learning & bettering myself.

Inevitably, one of the biggest conversations in wedding photography is money and individual budget. It’s something all photographers have to be willing to talk about and my thoughts and opinions have come into focus over the years. For some reason there is often a misunderstanding about the cost of photography and what you are receiving when you hire a wedding photographer. What used to be a less common profession has now become commonplace with the emergence many years ago of the digital camera. The market for wedding photography is saturated and full of a whole range of prices and practices.

Over the years I’ve seen a unique thought process some people have about photography when discussing budgets. I’m often hearing a lack of understanding of just what it entails to be a truly professional wedding photographer. I could go on and on about the costs of running a business ( which are many), the thousands of dollars spent on professional equipment ( which we all have spent) or even, * gasp * , taxes. However this article is not looking to do that. Instead I want to focus on what you are truly receiving and investing in when you hire a professional wedding photographer with the experience to capture your day with excellence. I want to make a case for photography as heirloom pieces that can and should be passed down, printed out, hung on the walls of our homes and treasured for all time.

So what makes an heirloom. Heirloom is defined as “ a valuable object that has belonged to a family for several generations.” I genuinely believe that true story telling can create work that can be defined in this way. We can pass down these tangible testimonies of love to our children and grandchildren and allow them to be a witness to our lives. My truest satisfaction with my job as a wedding photographer is knowing my work can be shared.

The longer I have been doing this beautiful job, the more I truly see emotion and story. I have so much left to learn but I truly can say I love what I do and what I do, I do with excellence.

My heart here is to say, invest in your story.

It doesn’t have to be with me but with any creative you feel can best preserve your wedding day. Spread the cost of quality photography over your life and think about how little you are really spending to have these once in a lifetime images. Professional photographers are not just charging so much more than beginners or hobby photographers just because they can, they are doing it because they are trained, they put time and investment into becoming what they are. You would not walk into a high end furniture store that creates one of a kind pieces born out of years of hard work, trying and skill and expect to pay the cost of furniture from a chain store. Respect the craft and time put into this profession, understand the costs of running a business and realize that for every hour you are with your photographer countless hours are spent on their own working and growing.

Consider investing in your wedding photographs and truly seeing them for what they are.

Heirlooms.

This incredible shoot at the lovely wedding venue Vista 222 was such a dream! These two were just effortless in their connection & we spent our time going to some stunning spots around this gorgeous Southern Oregon wedding venue. The dress in this shoot was custom made by the incredible Stephanie Hardord Designs & is a work of art!

Looking for a Grants Pass, Oregon wedding photographer? I’d absolutely love to connect!

Luxury comes to Southern Oregon. The first time I saw pictures of this venue I was stunned. I knew immediately that I just had to photograph weddings here & help to get the word out on this lovely Southern Oregon Wedding Venue. I teamed up with several other vendors, including the incredible Events with Becca that styled this whole shoot- & I toured & photographed this gorgeous place. Tucked into gorgeous Ashland, Oregon this venue offers a sweeping and vast property full of beauty and so many amazing places to capture your wedding day - a wedding photographers dream! I hope this tour for potential brides & grooms will be helpful!

Some quick & helpful info from the website about what the venue offers:

-27 acres

-rose garden

-manicured lawns

-tables & chairs included in the price

-dance floor included

-bridal suite

More info here: Chateau Herbe Official Site

Looking for a photographer to capture your day, here or anywhere else? Reach out so we can chat!

NOW LETS GET STARTED….

From the Venue Owners:

The Chateau Herbe is a unique estate with a European flair nestled in beautiful Ashland Oregon. It had been one of thee best kept secrets until recently. As soon as Thaddeus and Rebecca saw it they knew it would make a stunning venue for brides who wanted a fairytale look.

The property boast hand carved marble statues, a replica of the Chateau Herbe in France, expansive manicured grounds and gorgeous views of the mountains.

We love sharing the property so others can enjoy Europe in Southern Oregon.

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NOW SHALL WE START OUR TOUR?

This stunning view at the front of the property, immaculately maintained and a true work of architectural art is a sight to behold and will be the first thing your guests see on arrival. I can only imagine all the magical weddings that will happen here. As a photographer I loved the lighting here. Beautiful light in the front here lends to that European feel in the images and captures such magic. While the front is in shade the back is in sun so you can time your wedding photos perfectly to take advantage of the full property.

Equally as gorgeous is the back half of the property where weddings take place on the lawn- on one end the back view of the chateau and at the other a lovely French inspired rotunda. On either side of the lawn you have gorgeous tree lined walks perfect for cocktail hour and an incredible trebuchet fountain.

Inside, options for taking bridal or couples images are endless, from the stunning getting ready room with lots of soft light to the timeless downstairs green room full of amazing pieces of art and furniture.

NOW….Scroll down to get a look at all of these amazing spots with a full picture tour and to get an idea what this new Southern Oregon Venue offers. Chateau Herbe in Ashland, Oregon is a true masterpiece.

Bonus: Scroll completely down to see an amazing video tour done of the property by Olivia Corin Films.

Vendors for this Shoot:

Venue- Chateau Herbe Ashland

Planning and Design - Events with Becca

Videography- Olivia Corin Films

Photography- Rachel Dale Photography

Florals- Penny and Lulu

Dress- Forever Yours Bridal

Tuxedo- Tuxedo Junction

Cake and Macarons- Buckmaster Sweets

Beauty- Janice Moon Artistry