I tell stories with my camera that typically involve people.  This story is about a place.

A girlfriend and I ventured down to Scottsdale for a weekend escape and were rewarded with much more than a fabulous pool side bar and tan lines.  Skipping the overwhelming number of turquoise and silver and otherwise general southwest tchotchke shops crowding Old Town, we partook of some A-mazing food, Taliesin West {Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter residence}, a pre-sunset hike in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, and an afternoon at the Desert Botanical Garden.

To my Northwest-via-East-Coast-eye, it’s a land of enchanting and exotic prickly things.  A place with warm light and warm colors. And after a winter spent in greyish-blue light, a trip to the southwest was like a trip to the spa for my eyes and creative senses.

Never ever have I seen SUCH devotion wrapped up in the body of someone so young.  To his beloved train.  Conductor Doyle.  And his amazing family.

Nate and his family came through town two years ago to pay his respects to the 4449 and I was fortunate beyond measure to share in the moment.  He had spent the better part of his young life ferociously battling the heartbreaking diagnosis of neuroblastoma and despite the special occasion, that day was no different.  Cancer doesn’t do vacations.

Fast forward two years.

Unless 30F and “ice rain” is your idea of a good time, today’s weather is less than inspiring.  So in my search for images to warm the soul {and nose}, I came across photos from a most delicious event I attended in August.  And wanted to share it with all {2} of you.

Plate + Pitchfork is a celebration of the abundance of amazing food + drink here in Oregon.  The brainchild of Erika Polmar, it’s a pairing of highly acclaimed local chefs with local farmers and wine makers.  Put them all together in a field on a warm summer’s eve, and you have the makings of a feast for the ages.

This was the last dinner of the season and was hosted at Viridian Farms, in the heart of Willamette Valley.  The warm up act was a sampling of appetizers and wine, followed by a tour of the farm from one of the two owners, followed by a sit down dinner in a field of flowers amidst an apple orchard.  The two chefs preparing the meal that evening were Chef Pascal Sauton from Milwaukie Kitchen + Wine and Chef Bernard Malherbe from Crooked House Bistro in Salem, with some incredible Pinot Noir from Cristom Winery to seal the deal.

If you don’t live in Oregon, you might be saying to yourself right now, “Is she for real?!”  And the answer is a most definite, “Yes, I am.”  Of course, it did start to rain as the sun began to set….but that didn’t stop the party.  And you can’t have everything.

…from me to you.  I am so very grateful for your business in 2012.  And wish for you all a 2013 in which you can do what you love.  Every. Single. Day.  As you have enabled me to do.  xoa

Because I told anyone who would listen, most of you already know I had the incredible honor of capturing my first cover shot for the Fall issue of 1859 Magazine.  And I showed anyone who walked through my front door that cover.  But for those of you not living in Oregon, {and don’t have the benefit of your own personally signed copy}, I also had the opportunity to photograph three other amazing individuals profiled inside that same issue.

Laurence Bennett, Production Designer for the Oscar Award winning movie, The Artist and Lillian Pitt, a Pacific NW Native American artist were two people who have each made a significant impact in their respective creative worlds and both of whom graciously shared far beyond anything I imagined… thoughts on their creative process, their inspiration, and just an old fashioned personal connection.  In addition, I photographed local equestrian jumper Rich Fellers {along with his Irish Stallion of Greek God-like proportions, Flexible}, who was bound for the Olympics within a matter of days.

In all three instances, I was beside myself with excitement to meet individuals whose passions have taken them to places I can only dream of at this point in my life.  And their humanness in the face of such success made them all the more awe inspiring.