Well, it has been about a week since I got back from Oregon; one of my favorite places to travel. The trip was quite good. My wife and I mostly went to see family in Grants Pass, OR; and of course, for me to photograph things of interest.

On our way down to Grants Pass, we stayed in Salem (yes, we're getting old; 10 hour trips aren't the same as 10 years ago). It gave me the opportunity to photograph the Oregon State Capital. This was one of those film occasions, it was great pulling out the 4x5 and adjusting for distortion "in camera". I also had the opportunity to photograph the Grave Creek Covered Bridge in Josephine County, later the next day. 4x5s are a lot of fun.

Before the trip; I messaged back and forth with a model that I met on ModelMayhem, she was from Medford, OR (half hour from Grants Pass). The model, Brandywine, and I met for my first ever glamour/nude shoot at her place and traveled to Mill Creek Falls, near Prospect, OR. The scenery was spectacular; large boulders, flowing water, and a beautiful model. We shot for about 4 hours, with multiple changes of clothing. My wife, Cheryl, assisted me during the shoot, mostly directing a gold reflector. This was Cheryl's first time assisting with a model/people/portrait set. She was a big help. The shoot was a huge success for me; I have received lots of feedback and requests for shoots.

Anyway, back to the trip.

We spent five days in and around Grants Pass. Cheryl has a number of cousins, an aunt and uncle, and most importantly her grandpa that live there. While we were there, I had a request to photograph her cousin, who is pregnant. She wanted some photos of herself "showing". I did a couple, they were closer to "portrait" style. I would like to have shot her a couple of days earlier, as the weather started to change nearer to her shoot. I wasn't setup for indoor shots, and we chose a park in Grants Pass to shoot. I got some decent photos, but was really hoping to spend a little more time on it.

We also headed down to Crescent City, CA. Another favorite destination of mine. One of my favorite lighthouses is located here; Battery Point. Cheryl's grandpa came with us and it was a great time for Cheryl, she only gets to see him once every one or two years. While we were in Crescent City, the fire department did a controlled burn of an old motel. It was great! I grabbed my camera and was walking around all over the scene taking photos. Photojournalism is interesting, as I am always trying to find the artistic side of a disaster to shoot. In the near future, I'll have some photos posted of the fire and firefighters.

On our way back to Spokane from Grants Pass, we stayed one last night in Seaside, OR. It was more a layover for getting to Spokane than a destination. We did decide to use the layover and go to Neahkanie Mountain near Manzanita, OR on the coast. Neahkanie Mountain has significant value to both Cheryl and I. Cheryl's dad passed away on my birthday, April 1st, 4 years ago. His ashes were spread on Neahkanie, so we try to come here once a year to pay our respects and reflect. The location was one of her fathers favorite places, and also the last place they spent time together on vacation. Something Cheryls family did regularly.

I always respected her father, in fact, he was something of a father figure for me, too. I learned a great deal from him and wish I could have learned more. A few years before his passing, he was intrigued by gold panning and treasure hunting; another reason for the location near Manzanita. History says that there was a shipwreck on this beach with a large cargo hold full of gold.

Manzanita is a great ocean location with a long crescent shaped beach that sits below Neahkanie Mountain. It is also relatively close to Cannon Beach and Hay Stack Rock. Anyone that loves the ocean, should visit this place.

I didn't shoot at all in Seaside and the surrounding area, as we were in a hurry to get back to Spokane for my brothers birthday. We did make the time to take our daughter, Jaden (almost 3), to the Seaside Aquarium before we left. She was intrigued by the creatures. The Seaside Aquarium is very small but child friendly. She was able to touch some of the sea life, feed some seals, and make some crayon rubbings of the mammals from raised metal engraving plates.

We were finally on our way home. Of course, wishing we could have stayed longer, if not semi-permanently. We made it back with just enough time to particpate in my brothers birthday.

Of course, it has been almost a week since we got back and we are still trying to find the time to unpack.

Branywine (ModelMayhem): [link]
NW Artistic Photography (ModelMayhem): [link]