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Happy Valley Senior in a field of Tulips

5/2/2019

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Happy Valley Senior photographer captures high school senior girl in a field of tulips
 The end of the school year is quickly approaching and I will be forced to let go of another Senior model team, losing them once again to graduation.  Fortunately though, I was able to squeeze in a dramatic cover worthy photoshoot at the Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm.  What I loved the most about this photoshoot was that it was a family affair, mom sweetly holding my light stand in place and Dad gently tossing this beautiful skirt in the air for an little extra drama. 
Happy Valley photographer snaps a photo of high school senior in a long flowing dress
For this particular styled senior photoshoot I brought two looks, one drama and one that screamed Dutch and needed to be matched with Tulips.  What is your dream senior photoshoot?  I want to help you bring it to life!
Happy Valley senior photographer takes a photo of high school senior girl in a field of flowers
Happy Valley Photographer takes a photo of high school senior girl laughing in a field of tulips
Happy Valley photographer takes a photo of high school senior girl in a smiling in a pretty red skirt
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All American Senior...

2/4/2019

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Happy valley photographer captures high school senior girl with the American Flag
I met Danielle for the first time in the office of my make up artist, Kelli Thomsen. I remember that she was wearing a t-shirt that stated specifcally "Jeep Hair, Don't Care," as she asked if she could ride with me to her senior photos so as not to mess up her hair. Instantly I was in love and my thoughts drifted to that song, American Girl, by Tom Petty as we chatted together, myself, her mom, and her awesome mom's best friend.  You know the one, right?
Oregon City High School Senior smiling and patriotic
"Well, she was an American girl
Raised on promises
That there was a little more to life somewhere else
After all it was a great big world"
-Tom Petty
and the Heartbreakers


Maybe it was the American flag she wanted to include in her photos.  Maybe it was her fresh smile and shining blue eyes. Or Maybe it was her love for accounting, fishing, and jeeps.  It could have been that we drove to take her senior photos at a location close to her heart.  I look forward to seeing where life takes this young lady and I am hoping that she keeps her word and comes back to be my accountant some day...because everyone knows that most creatives, myself included, could always use a great accountant. 


Happy Valley Photographer captures senior photos of Oregon City High School student smiling and happy
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The senior photos of a dancer...

1/25/2019

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clackamas senior photographer captures senior girl dancing ballet
I have the soul of dancer however I am abysmally untrained so when I had the opportunity to take the high school senior photos of a ballerina my whole heart danced with excitement.  I love incorporating the individuality and unique beauty of my seniors into their sessions. 

​  We spent about 10 minutes of our session dancing....well she danced, this happy valley photographer took photos. Her cellular phone was set off to the side playing some beautiful classical tune inspiring this sweet ballerina, Emma to dance.  Her mom shared with me that this is a hobby of hers, putting on her cell phone and dancing.  Isn't it a beautiful one?  



Dancing is like dreaming with your feet - Contanze

​
Another thing I loved about this senior photo sessions is that I get to capture so many different personality shots.  I love seeing so many different smiles and expression emerge from my seniors.  

Congratulations Emma!  June is just around the corner.  I can not wait to see what you do next and can not I wait to purchase tickets for your next ballet.

happy valley photographer captures high school senior girl laughing
oregon city photographer captures high school senior girl grinning
happy valley photographer captures high school senior girl laying on the ground
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How I stumbled into High School Senior photography...

1/18/2019

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Happy Valley Senior photographer captures studio senior photo
Often I am asked by both customers and other photographers how and why I specialize in high school senior photography.  Many times I have heard, "Especially girls!  They are so much drama."  Hmmm....I am not sure about that drama thing.  Possibly I have just been  super, fantastically lucky to have had only clients that inspire me to do my best, try new things, and like to have fun.  How lucky am I?  My time with my girls truly makes my heart sing and honestly, who doesn't want their heart to sing all the time?  I know I do.
clackamas photographer captures genuine smile of teen girl in senior photo
In all seriousness though, let's talk senior photos.  For example, let's take mine.  Now I do not want to age myself so I will not go into too many details but I will reveal that wore a navy blue tennis sweater....which was very much in style that year...I think???  Whatever, okay so I wasn't very cool.  I am getting of track here.  The whole point of this blogpost is that my high school senior photo experience left me feeling self conscious, creeped out, and embarrassed.  Thanks for choosing the weird, lonely photographer man in his 50's to take my photos, Mom. (Yes, that was sarcasm.)  I am not saying that he was at all inappropriate or asked me to do anything out of the ordinary.  I am simply saying that I did not feel comfortable and all of the photos reflect my uncomfortable feelings.  Bummer...senior photos happen only once.

I love watching my girls transform from unsure to confident.  To their unique selves in front of the camera.  I try my best to keep my sessions light and fun.  I spend the extra time getting to know each and every kiddo because I really do care that they enjoy their photo session.  It is important, it happens only once, and it should reflect your real smile.  It should be fun and make you feel beautiful.  

High school senior photographer captures a personality shot of a high school senior girl goofing around
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Why this Happy Valley Photographer LOVES weddings...

1/13/2019

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Happy Valley Wedding Photographer captures bride and groom after ceremony
I love a good wedding.  You know the ones....where you can just feel the love coming off of the couple.  That bright eyed, dreamy gaze the bride and groom have for each other.  How both Moms tear up when watching their kiddos get ready for the big day.  Oh geez, my heart is seriously getting mushy just thinking about it.  
Oregon city wedding photographer captures wedding detail shot
Justin and Alice tied the knot this summer at Rossi Farms in Portland, Or.  Justin's Mom handmade all of the flowers used in the wedding ceremony and we are not just talking about the bridal bouquet. She covered an entire arch with them.  It was incredible!
Lori Best Photography captures bride and groom at Rossi Farm
Even more incredible though was how relaxed everyone was.  Typically most weddings that I have been to have many folks scrambling around doing busy last minute wedding things.  Not here, no sirree.  Alice had meticulously organized and planned the whole event and it's set up with a very detailed and oddly not at all bridazilla-ee spreadsheet which appeared to have been followed to a tee.  She is just an organized girl.  

The wedding ceremony was short and sweet and both the bride and groom wrote their own vows which were incredibly personal and beautiful.  I am so happy and blessed that I got to be part of their big day!  Congratulation you two!


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Senior Model Club

11/7/2018

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Happy Valley Photographer captures fashionable high school senior girls laughing
This year I decided to expand my Senior Photo program and make it bigger.  I started a year long experience that allows for my girls to get comfortable in front of the camera while modelling for fashion boutiques.  I call it the Senior Model Club.  
Happy Valley Photographer captures sunlight girl in a fashionable jacket
Our first fashion experience was for Grapevine Fashion Boutique in Lake Oswego.  Their expert staff assisted my high school senior model team with styling.  Each girl selected one dressy look and one more casual.

Professional make up and hair is an absolute must for completing the fabulous looks!  We started our day in Southeast Portland getting pampered by the ever talented Kelli Thomsen Beauty.  Kelli worked her magic using her natural skin care products, adding false eyelashes, and giving the girls the camera ready looks.

Next we spent a melting hot evening in downtown Lake Oswego taking fashion photos and having a ball doing so.  We completed our first experience with ice cream...because ice cream simply makes everything better!



Happy Valley Photographer captures high school senior girl in fashion clothing
Clackamas High School Senior Photographer captures girl in front of a fountain
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A field of flowers in Happy Valley...

5/22/2018

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Happy Valley photographer captures sisters in a field of flowers
One of the many things I love about photography is the learning opportunities.  There is always a new lighting technique or something else to learn.  This year I have made it my mission to conquer the world of off camera flash.  I bought myself some new strobe lights and have been experimenting all winter.   My photography bag is now a wagon.  LOL!  Bringing lights, light stands, props, and my camera lenses and gear is not a small feat.  However the results are spectacular!
Happy Valley photographer photographs sisters in a field of flowers
One of my my favorite quotes about sisters and one I believe truly captures the essences of this photograph. 



"When traveling life’s journey
it’s good to have a
sister’s hand to hold on to.”



These two sisters are so sweet.  I could tell by the way they interacted with each other how much love and respect they have for one another.  Having fun, making each other laugh.  I was so honored to be able to provide photos to capture their relationship during their teen years.  The relationship between them is so sweet and they brought their smiles.
I love the way my new light modifier adds the perfect little catch lights in their eyes and provides such flattering light without looking unnatural.

Happy Valley photographer captures girl in a field of flowers
Clackamas photographer takes a photo of a girl laying in a field
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Pumpkin Ridge Wedding Love

5/14/2018

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Wedding days can be full of shenanigans.  That is just one of the things I love so much about them.  I love the silliness, the fact that everyone looks absolutely amazing, the excitement, the sentimental moments both large and small.
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That is one of the reasons that I got so excited to travel from Happy Valley to photograph the wedding of Tim and Sarah at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Course.  I had already gotten to know both the bride and groom in our consultations.  I saw how in love they are and how relaxed and laid back they were.  
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It is truly an honor and a delight to be part of a day so full of joy.  Just one more reason that I love my job!

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Award winning Happy Valley Photographer....

4/27/2018

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This year I entered my first photo competition.  I was both nervous and excited as when my photo came up for judging.  I could feel the butterlies in my stomach. I had no idea what the photos of others that entered the contest looked like, only that I loved mine.  All of the questions self doubt entered my head. Would it be anywhere close to good enough?  I thought so and now that I was seeing my photo up for judging I was uncertain.  Was I naive for entering a print competition with real photographers to judge?  

​ The contest was for high school senior photos only.  I saw my photo displayed with a medal.  Needless to say I was beyond thrilled.  Here is my Sync Print Competition Award of Excellence winning photo.
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Owning my own photography business can be tough.  Times like this make it exciting, and getting to know my clients make it impossible not to love.
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Happy Valley Senior Photographer watches personalities emerge

1/31/2018

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High school senior sessions are one of my favorites. I love getting to know and spend so much time one on one with each of my clients. I sit with them and chat during their hair and makeup session finding out all of the amazing things they have planned for the future.  Rarely do I get the opportunity to spend so much time with my clients.  

Sometimes when I am photographing a high school senior a different personality emerges with each costume change.  It is so interesting to watch the process from behind my camera. 
​

​This Sherwood high school senior photo session at Happy Valley Park and ended it in Portland. This particular high school senior started out our session as the goofy, sometime clumsy girl next store.  Always ready to laugh and smile sheepishly around turn while I took for photos. Some how by the end of the day she had morphed into a fashion model right before me eyes.  I loved every moment of your session Audrey and all of the personalities that emerged.  

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    Lori Best - mother, wife, and photographer.

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503-319-2493

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lori@loribestphotography.com
  • High School Seniors
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