Congratulations to all of the lovely people who popped the question, or eagerly responded, "YES!" this holiday season. I am so excited for all of you! As a wedding photographer here in Oregon (and traveling to Spokane monthly) I have a great grasp on what needs to happen next. I'm going to share a few links that you should save for your planning process.

First things first, you're going to need to pick a wedding date. Saturdays are far and away the most popular date, but did you know that if you get married on an 'off' day you can save up to HALF on things like a venue, photography, DJs, hair and make up - pretty much anything that isn't a physical good like food or cake.  This is because vendors want to fill up the free days on their calendar.

Once you have a date and a venue it's time to get busy. The next two things you need are a photographer to get the ball rolling on engagement photos, save the dates and planning for an awesome wedding! The other optional and highly recommended vendor that I recommend is a wedding planner. If you can afford it, do it! Here in Eugene I recommend Kandice at Green Eyed Girl Productions. Let them know Lacey sent you!

When it comes to choosing your photographer I hope you will give me a chance to grab a coffee and chat with you face to face. Choosing a wedding photographer that you really 'click' with should be a priority. Your wedding is important and we spend the whole day with you. Read more about choosing the photographer for you here.

You may want to check out my Engagement Photo Gallery. Here you can decide if you want to hire me for Engagement Photos al a carte or if you want to tie them into your wedding package.

If you want the best deal you'll head over to my Wedding Photography Page. Here you will find a portfolio of my favorite images, my packages, and my pricing for summer Saturday weddings. If you are getting married November - May or on a day other than Saturday don't forget to ask about my off season discounts.

While we're at it, how about you get to know me a little better. I'm on several social media platforms that I update regularly.

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Pinterest

I'd love to make some new friends and help make your wedding magical in the process!

The Jordan Schnitzer Art Museum on the University of Oregon Campus made for a beautiful backdrop for C & D's fall elopement. Weddings don't have to be a huge event with lots of people and expensive stressful decisions to make. These two lovely people decided all they needed were each other (and their adorable kiddo who was a real trooper despite having a tummy ache). My 2nd shooter and I had a wonderful time capturing this quick intimate wedding and can't wait for our next elopement!

If you are looking for a quick session to commemorate tying the knot without all of the timelines, coordinators, vendors, guests, catering,  and stress use my contact info below for a free custom estimate based on your needs. Just let me know when and where and we'll be there!

Click to See My Wedding Gallery

Click this link to learn more about my Wedding and Engagement Packages.

I travel between Spokane and Eugene frequently and I also offer coverage in Seattle, Idaho, Portland and the Bay Area for your wedding

coverage.

Engagement sessions are included in all of my wedding packages or available al a carte.

See My Wedding Gallery and Packages

This is an older post moved from my previous website. I am still very proud to have been selected as a recipient of the WeddingWire Couple's Choice award. I appreciate all of the support I have had over the last 15 years as a wedding photographer. Here's to another 15 years of weddings and elopements.

Fall Creek, Oregon

Bliss Hill, Chattaroy, Washington

Heceta Head Light House Bed & Breakfast, Florence, Oregon

In order to help things go as smoothly as possible I’ve compiled some tips and tricks you can use to prepare for your session. If you come prepared you'll either be on your way quick - or if you're having a great time you'll end up with plenty of poses and backdrops to choose from.

Pre-planning:

When you book your session let me know what you’re into.  Are you involved with any sports or clubs at school? Do you have a cat, dog, horse or turtle that your photos will be incomplete without? What do you enjoy doing outside of school? These are all things that we can use to make your photos unique to you. It’s unlikely that you’ll ever have another opportunity like this to do a photo session that so boldly encompasses exactly who you are. Do you love hunting and fishing? Are you captain of the volleyball team? Have you been doing something crazy like pyrotechnics your whole life? These things are an important part of who you are, why not include them?

What to wear:

• Avoid strong patterns (plaid, paisley, overly floral blouses, etc). They can be distracting. If you want to wear patterns layer them under a jacket or blouse.
• Avoid BRIGHT colors. Neon hues will reflect off of your face making you unnaturally colored. Bright shoes or pants are a better choice.
• Darker colors such as black, navy and dark green are generally regarded as slimming. Shirts with 3/4 or long sleeves are also considered flattering if you are self conscious about your arms.
• Light colors such as white/beige or light grey can dominate the photo and make you look ghostly if you are already pale or they will make you appear orange if you have tan skin. – Pair them with a some additional colors for best effect.
• Bring 3 different shirts, jackets or dresses. If you can dress in layers it will add variety. Don’t forget letter jackets and sports uniforms.
• Accessorize! Sunglasses, bracelets, scarves and hats all personalize your ‘look’. Pay attention to how your shoes go with your outfits – they will be in some photos.

Make-Up:

Less is more. Wear it light and natural for your session. Go easy on the eye make up especially. Skip the glitter, it will reflect light and leave you with shiny little spot marks. Some eye make-up has a certain ‘shimmer’ which is okay, but body glitter and lip gloss tends to reflect light unevenly. Consider bringing a matte or transparent face powder to cut down on shiny skin.

Gentlemen - if your skin is red or sensitive moisturize, don't shave right before your session or even consider a little make up.

Posing/Locations:

Don’t stress over posing, you might practice your smile in the mirror that morning, but otherwise I’ll help you pose once the session begins. The general rule is, “If it feels awkward, you’ll look awkward.” Always look for a comfortable natural feeling pose as close to what the photographer suggests as you can. If you have some poses that you know you like let me know and we'll make sure we include them.

As far as locations go, if you have a place that is special to you like the high school track, your favorite park or your family’s own backyard speak up. I’ve got a ton of great local suggestions.

The day before your session & morning of:

• Drink plenty of water. Being hydrated makes your skin vibrant and fresh and will ward off dehydration headaches.
• Get a good nights rest the night before to avoid tired eyes.
• If you aren’t feeling well please reschedule – You need to feel your best to look your best!
• Eat a small meal and bring a light snack prior, it will help stave off hunger but not leave you feeling bloated.

I realize this is a lot of information to digest, just take a deep breath and know that I am here the whole time to help you out. Let’s go out and have some fun while taking memorable senior portraits that you will be proud to show off!

Contact me today to book your session!

Lacey LaDuke Photography

Call me: (509)954-3885

Email Me: LaDukePhoto@Gmail.com

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/LaDukePhoto

Instagram: LaDukePhoto

Kari and her bridal party got ready for their rural covered bridge wedding at The Village Green Resort in Cottage Grove, just south of Eugene, Oregon and I was thrilled to photograph the process. I have attended many events at Village Green and I hadn’t had a chance to work with the venue until now. It was absolutely beautiful and the staff was incredibly polite and helpful. If you are looking for a classy venue that is easy to find right off of I-5 check them out! We had a wonderful time wandering around the gardens taking photos.

Keep your eyes peeled for a post or gallery from the actual wedding. The weather was amazing, the vendors were awesome and everything was super smooth thanks largely in part to the superior wedding coordination skills of Kandice at Green-Eyed Girl Productions. Look her up and let her know Lacey sent you!

Click to See My Wedding Gallery

Mount Spokane is a perfect spot for an outdoorsy rustic wedding that is close to town, but still feels miles away from anyone. P & L chose a picnic and day use area just down from the summit to hold their ceremony and reception. This spot holds special meaning for this bride and groom as they are avid mountain bikers and love being on the mountain. They honestly love it so much that they brought their bikes and rode off into the sunset together after a small ceremony attended by friends and family. Congrats you two, and many happy trails.

It is a long overdue post, but we also had a fantastic engagement session at Deep Creek Natural Area up near Nine Mile along the Spokane River in North Spokane. You can see those images here.

See The Entire Wedding Gallery

This sampling of images is a good example of the images that come in my $100 package that comes with 5 finalized digital images. If you'd like to see my packages they are available at this link.

Per usual Mirabeau Park in Spokane Valley is one of my favorite spots for photos no matter what the weather is doing. Every season has a ton to offer there in terms of scenic backgrounds in Spokane.

Scroll down for an update - this blog was written a while back and is getting a bit of a touch up to integrate it into my new web page format. Since this session they have added 2 new members to their family. I'll have to round them up in 2021 for some family pics over in Central Oregon.

Smith Rock State Park is on pretty much every Oregon photographer’s bucket list of pretty places to put their clients. I was so excited to work with J & R on their engagement photos and being able to meet up at Smith Rock on my way north to Spokane for a wedding was perfect. We wandered around the upper parts of the park and created some wonderful images. If you think these are pretty just wait until you see the wedding. They are tying the knot at Heceta Head Lighthouse on the Oregon Coast north of Florence in August.

A little 2020 Update: The wedding has long come and past, but I have failed to blog about it. Depression will do that. I'm hoping to share some photos from Heceta Head Lighthouse on a perfect summer day for an Oregon Coast wedding.

Here's a link to their wedding photos in case I don't get things posted in as timely of a manner as I would like. I highly recommend Heceta Head Lighthouse in Florence, Oregon (ish) for weddings. The views were amazing and the staff was great!

Like what you see? Do you have your own photography location bucket list? Let’s chat! Use the links below and send me a message for a free estimate. I love a good photo adventure!

Click to See My Engagement Gallery

Just a quick post to remind everyone that I am still available for 2020 senior portrait sessions. Here's a golden hour portrait taken here in Harrisburg down near the park. There are dozens of beautiful backdrop options within an hour of us. I welcome anyone in the Albany or Eugene area to shoot me an email and see if I can find the perfect spot for you that doesn't even require a travel fee.

Here's a link to the entire senior portrait session.

Packages start at $100 - See them here!

Lacey LaDuke Photography
LaDukePhoto@Gmail.com

Groomsmen at a military wedding at Oak Knoll near Eugene, Oregon.

Military Weddings: The Rules & Etiquette You Should Know

Military weddings are somewhat different than the regular ones. And that’s mainly because of lots of military traditions associated with it.If you’re a soon-to-be-married military couple, there are certain things you should know about the whole process and what to pay attention to when organizing the ceremony itself.

What Should You Wear?

If you’re serving in the military and you’re about to get married, the dress code should be adjusted and of same formality for all attendees of the wedding.That being said, all of the attendees who are also serving in the Army are welcome to wear their uniforms with all the insignia (medals, ribbons…) that were presented to them during their military career.However, this doesn’t need to be the case. There are some cases where brides (who’re in the Army) are about to pay credit to the military just by wearing military boots underneath her traditional wedding dress.One way or another, make sure to dress appropriately and to plan for your dress and/or suit in advance because you will definitely want your wedding photo shoot to go well.

What Should the Others Wear?

As it’s already been told, all the attendees who are also military members are welcome to wear their military uniforms. However, they can also opt not to do this. In that case, they should make sure that their suit is of appropriate formality and preferably in white.

As for wearing flower decorations (so-called boutonnieres), they shouldn’t wear them on their military suits. The bride is, however, welcome to wear a bouquet even if she’s wearing a military uniform.

Spicing it a little bit for those who are not serving in the Army is also allowed. For instance, you might want to present a challenge coin (best-made ones are from Embleholics) to everyone at the wedding party, which will make them feel a bit as a part of the military community also. Furthermore, this will serve as an unforgettable memory for them.

What About The Arch of Swords

Depending on how high you rank in the military, you can exercise marching beneath the arch of drawn swords or sabers after the church ceremony actually takes place.If one or both of you are commissioned officers in the Army, the arch of sabers or swords will be expected to be executed at the wedding.If you’re enlisted personnel of the Army or are uncommissioned, you can exercise a variation of an arch of rifles for example.Both things will make a huge impact on everyone present at the wedding and are parts of military tradition.

Where and How to Position Military Personnel at the Reception?

After the ceremony comes the reception. It’s very important to respect the seniority when planning how everyone should be seated.For example, it’s usual that military personnel should be seated by rank.One other thing you should consider doing is preparing a table of honor where all the military personnel present at the wedding will be seated.As for the wedding ceremony itself taking place in the church or a military chapel, military personnel should be seated in the front, just after the members of the family who should be in the front row.

You may have noticed this is a special featured post – We are hoping to feature more professionals from the wedding community, don’t be shy! This isn’t paid advertising just a chance to connect. Use my contact info below. If you would like to contact the author of this guest post you may do so here: Stephanie Bates, blogger at Military Travel Mama

Click to See My Wedding Gallery

Hello friends and new visitors to my photography blog! I am super proud to announce that LaDuke Photography has won a “Couple’s Choice” Award from one of the biggest wedding communities on the internet – Wedding Wire! Thank you everyone who has supported me on this crazy journey! Here’s to making 2019 another amazing year. Contact me today at LaDukePhoto@Gmail.com to check my availability!

Bliss Hill, Chattaroy, Washington

Fall Creek, Oregon

Heceta Head Light House Bed & Breakfast, Florence, Oregon

I may live in Oregon now, but getting to go home for photo sessions in Spokane is one of my favorite things. Just after Christmas back when things were different I got together with a long time friend and client to get them their first family photo session in years. I’ve done senior portraits and a whole bunch of adventure photography for them in the past, so I was super excited to add this. 

Click here to see my full family portrait gallery including my session packages and pricing.

Mirabeau Park in Spokane Valley has some great spots to shoot – not just at the waterfall. The waterfall is usually off in the winter anyway.

If you have a sure footed family you can head down to the Spokane River and use it as a wonderful backdrop. There is a sort of steep gravel trail to get to the water.

This munchkin is making her LaDuke Photography debut and she stole the show.

She was a real trooper, smiling and posing and having a great time even when the snow was beginning to fall and we could tell she was freezing.

 Do you want to know how to make this kid smile? Ask her anything about Unicorns!

That’s that folks, another blog in the books. If you’re based out of Spokane don’t hesitate to contact me. Despite the distance I don’t charge travel to Spokane because it will always feel like home and I love an excuse to visit. I especially love excuses to visit in the summer though, this shoot was chilly!

See My Entire Gallery – Weddings, Seniors, Families & Adventures

I love shooting real estate. I have worked with several agents, builders, property managers and private owners to help insure the maximum return on their investments by getting people off of the computer into your homes with warm and inviting images.

Prices start at $100 and include full size high def ready to print images as well as MLS sized images for online use. Turn around time is generally 24-48 hours depending on the size and status of the property.

800 sq ft, unoccupied – $100
800 – 1500sq ft, unoccupied – $125
1501 – 2000sq ft, unoccupied – $150
2000+ sq ft, unoccupied – $200

For a custom estimate contact me with the rough square footage of the property to be photographed and let me know if it is inhabited, staged or refer to the unoccupied price list above.

Licensed, insured and very professional, I’ve got great references!

I have called Harrisburg, Oregon home for almost two years now and in this time I have been re-establishing my portrait photography business after a rough patch (creatively speaking) and I am so happy to be here. This little town right between Albany and Eugene has so many great people and the photography locations are numerous.

Let’s explore!
Click here to see my full senior portrait gallery including my session packages and pricing.

All of these awesome senior portraits were taken within walking distance from my house. Isn’t this a great backdrop?

C and I had a great time wandering around by the river and the historic buildings that make up our quiet little city.

You can’t fake these types of locations, it’s all so great.

What’s my point? Well, obviously you should come visit me in Harrisburg for your next session. I love serving my neighbors as a photographer for Junction City, Monroe, Harrisburg, etc.

Don’t be put off by the fact that I am based out of Harrisburg, this just means I’m a stones throw away from Eugene/Springfield or Albany/Corvallis so I don’t charge travel in either direction. Let’s go see what we can find. Last minute appointments are welcome this time of year since we never know what weather to expect.

See My Entire Gallery – Weddings, Seniors, Families & Adventures!