Elementary School Portraits

I had the opportunity this year to help an elementary school family with school picture retakes of their two children. The parents were not happy with the results of the natural light photography of the traditional school photographer. So, I was able to step in and help them with some well-lit images of the two siblings (a boy and a girl). The images show beautiful catchlights in the eyes, while still retaining a balanced, natural, and outdoor feel that the parents were seeking. School pictures aren’t just for high school seniors! If you want beautiful portraits of your children to document their school year or their current age, I can help! Don’t miss this opportunity to capture beautiful images of this unique period in your child’s life.

Isabel | Fine Art Children Portraits

Creating fine art children portraits can be challenging when you have a high-energy five-year-old girl. But, Isabel had so much fun during her recent family portrait session, she decided she wanted a fine art portrait session of her own! With the Oregon winter weather upon us, we decided to take Isabel’s portrait session indoors. We used a wide variety of backgrounds, some creativity brought by Isabel;’s mom, and a bit of color theory to create a nice variety of images for Isabel. And while all of the images were designed to bring out Isabel’s personality, we also sought to create some fantastical images that transported Isabel to a land of the imagination.

Winter Portraits on Eagle Creek

This family’s idea for winter portraits on Eagle Creek came from 5-year-old Isabel. This past year, Isabelle’s older sister, Samantha, graduated from high school and headed off to College. Not just any college, mind you. Samantha decided to study history — in Dublin, Ireland. So she’s a bit far away. And this left one fiery red-headed, Oregon based child longing for a photograph of her entire family together. When Isabelle asked for a family portrait, the request took her mom by surprise. it made Katie and her husband, Josh, realize that they hadn’t made the time for a family picture since Isabel was born. The four of them live in Sandy, and they wanted something simple and close by. In other words, they needed a plan that would withstand the attention span of an energetic 5-year-old girl.

Headshots and Holiday Cards

“We need a holiday card photo…oh and headshot for me too,” was the request I received from Laurel in early December. But the odd combination didn’t phase me one bit. I’ve spent a lot of time with this awesome family over the years. They are always super relaxed, flexible, and a ton of fun to photograph! Quinn is a big soccer player. Sela is a ham. Laurel has a hilarious sarcastic wit. And Eric, the Chief Financial Officer of Blue Dog Bakery, is passionate about healthy dog treats. Needless to say, we can’t talk about their family and fail to mention their two dogs! Poor Bruno is the oldest of the two and does his best to keep up with energetic Bisou. Bisou is a small Boston Terrier who, as Eric explains it, was Laurel’s impulse buy. Apparently, it was love at first sight during a random visit to the local animal shelter. (I think Laurel and I are kindred spirits!)

Family Portraits on the Trail

Earlier this fall, I was privileged to capture this close-knit family’s portrait along the Cazadero Trail in Boring Oregon. Jane, Micheal, and Mia are the three remaining members of their mother’s familial line. Michael lives in Alaska, so they don’t get together very often. Hence Jane’s request for a simple portrait of the three of them together. Jane owns Fagans Haven Bed and Breakfast in Damascus Oregon. She’s also an expert quilter. And her bed and breakfast attracts people of that sort. If you’re into crafting (or even if you’re not) an be sure to check out Jane’s Bed and Breakfast! And while you’re in the neighborhood, have your portrait taken too! Whether you’re looking to update your family portraits or you need a professional headshot, we can help! Contact Brian Pasko Photography today to learn more!

Happy Trails

There’s nothing like a happy toddler chasing the family dog along national forest trails. Or swimming in the cool mountain lakes of the Pacific Northwest. In these days of ipads, cell phones, and other pervasive electronic gadgets, our family has made a concious effort to give our toddler an anundance of outdoor time — while limiting time spent in front of a screen. Family hikes and camping vacations are one way we make this happen. It’s a great opportunity to make lasting memories and capture some beautiful family portraits too.

Backyard Family Portraits

Earlier this summer, Winnie went searching for a photographer. She needed beautiful family portraits she could hang on the walls of her Happy Valley home. After stumbling upon my website, she scheduled a phone conversation with me to learn more. And it didn’t take long to discover that we were a match! Winnie and her husband Manuel have a beautifully manicured backyard. And they live in their home with Winnie’s 100-year-old mother! Winnie did not just want photographs of her with her mom and grandchildren. Instead, she wanted framed artwork that she could hang in her foyer and family room. She also wanted to gift canvasses to her son and daughter in law so that they would also have family portraits hanging in their home. Winne sought to intentionally create family portraits that her grandchildren will one day cherish and pass on to future generations.

Portraits on the Oregon Beach

Oregon’s Beach Bill was passed in 1967 allowing free beach access to everyone. It’s unique as far as state laws go, and it’s one of the many things that make Oregonian’s proud. It also makes my young daughter and her puppy very happy. The beach is a pretty amazing place to photograph. It’s the perfect setting for a family portrait, for candid images of children and dogs playing on the beach, or even for that standout personal branding headshot.

Orcas Island

Orcas Island is the largest island in the San Juan archipelago, a chain of islands located in the Salish Sea in Northwest Washington. One of my favorite places on the Island is Rustic Falls, a small waterfall along Cascade Creek inside Moran State Park on Orcas Island. The water gracefully cascades about 10 feet into a shallow pool. And a large tree rests at the top of the falls, providing for a unique and interesting photograph. This image, entitled “Forces of Nature” recently merited at the Professional Photographer Association’s International Print Competition.