Given that Shari and Justin helped me survive the trials of law school (Justin was always my most dependable hiking partner when it was time to escape the law library), I of course jumped at the chance when they asked me to create their family portraits this summer.

The venue was a family cookout on a large farmstead that Shari and Justin own in Beavercreek Oregon. We were joined by Shari’s grown kids (who were leaving for college that evening) and some extended family — who weren’t supposed to be part of the portrait session, but we were all having so much fun we couldn’t resist dragging them in!

Not unlike a lot of farms in Oregon. the setting is beautiful. But this place is unique and comes complete with a small pond (bull frogs and all), a wooden dock, and Justin’s trusty old-school tractor! Along with some farm tools that Justin described as “weapons of destruction,” that tractor of course found its way into several of the images!

I was truly honored to spend the afternoon with these friends capturing the memories of their family gathering, and creating a set of portraits that not only display this family’s unique personality but show off their love for each other and the place they call home.