http://www.weenophotography.com/

WeeNo Photography, Portland, OR (2025)

04/13/2021

As I dissect what I want in my business and where I’m going in it... I know one thing. ⁣
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I want to invest in women. ⁣
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I was raised by a single mom. I live with a strong single lady. My best friend is living her dreams in Berlin, single. My sister is raising her kids alone. I am surrounded by these amazing single women - and each time they choose to grow themselves I am in awe. ⁣
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I am surrounded by moms who run businesses. Who pour their heart into their art, and continue to grow themselves. I am surrounded by moms who mom so hard and spend so much growing their babes into these beings. ⁣
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Women are an amazing being. I know for sure that I want to invest more into my fellow women. Because each one I know is incredibly amazing. ⁣
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*Here is the lovely Grace. She just graduated with a degree criminal justice, and will now go to law school. She gives me hope for the future. She is strong. Beautiful. And oh so fierce.*

03/15/2021

I talk so much about truth, and declaring truth and capturing truth.. it’s where I’ve grounded myself. And if we are being honest sometimes I loose my truth. ⁣
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I loose my truth in my future. In my artist eye. In my confidence in who I am and what I produce. ⁣
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Yesterday I woke up and felt a deep weight Of grief and self doubt. I wanted it to hide, I wanted it to stay hidden in the depths of me instead of shining it’s bright ugly truth. I wanted to not speak of the self doubt, and in turn my stomach was starting to turn. I started eating all the things and my body just felt off. ⁣
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It was telling me hiding wasn’t an option. Hiding was the way to harm my body, and I needed to release it. So I did one of the most uncomfortable things I’ve done in a long long time. I hoped on stories and spilled the beans and then on top of that, asked for my community to show up and share my truth back with me. ⁣
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I’m still processing it. ⁣
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And yet, it’s hit me how in moments like that... it’s so essential for others to declare the truth about us and for us just to accept it. It’s hard to do. I’m still grappling. Yet, it feels nice to know I have an army fighting for my own truth. Declaring my talents. ⁣
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I want for me to have it all together. Never deal with self doubt, but that just isn’t realistic. I do know that I must do something different then bury it deep down. I must ask for help. Support. Love. ⁣
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And I must never give up, we must band together and start declaring the truths we see in others. Asking for truths to be told about us. Because, it’s in moments when you feel like you can move forward that those words matter the most. ⁣
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Thank you for showing up. Being my army. And declaring my truths when I can’t.

03/11/2021

We’ve been home for a year. ⁣
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And as I see that year mark I can’t believe it. I can’t believe that this is where 20/21 has taken us, that life feels like it stood still. But the kids are still growing. Life is still moving forward. There is still heartache, and love. ⁣
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I’ve learned much about myself this year. And one of them is how I love staying busy, and sometimes that means disconnection because I’m moving all the time. ⁣
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And one of the things has been how much I have loved spending this time with these crazies. That although this is not what was planned, I’d never been able to see them in this light before. ⁣
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And also my heart breaks for those kids who are not in safe secure places right now. ⁣
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There’s a pull. A pull of heartache and a pull of joy. ⁣
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And one thing I have learned in my adulthood is, life can be both. We can feel opposite things at the same time. We can lean into a certain political spectrum and still not agree with everything they stand for. We can be happy at home and grateful for our health and still in deep grief for those who have lost it all. ⁣
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This year I’ve slowed down. Been more present, and have been have humbled to my core, with much more growth to come. ⁣
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How are you? How are you dealing? What’s been your two feelings?

03/08/2021

A few years ago these two boys went and marched or really strolled and rode with me in the women’s parade.⁣
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A few years have past and as they have grown bigger and understand things the more, I’m understanding how important it is for me to SHOW them what women rights mean. ⁣
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I’m learning more and more what listening looks like. What believing women look like. What standing up and standing together looks like. ⁣
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This summer humbled me in a new way, and the same way that we must believe women we must believe black women. Women of color. Their voices are being suppressed. ⁣
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I am listening. Learning and learning along side these three. My baby girl will be a fighter and my hope is that her brothers will stand with her. Show that her voice matters, that they will respect her, and show her she matters. ⁣
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Today I celebrate many many women in my life. To many to even begin. And I’m honor of that we’ve made women’s faces in our loaves. ⁣
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May we all continue to celebrate, listen, hear and believe women. Especially those of color.

03/03/2021

You want to know a secret?⁣
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When family photographers only post photos of traditional families.... the narrative leaves only to think that that’s the only thing to mean “family”. ⁣
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Families look like many things. It looks like my family. Male/female/kids. But it also looks like a couple. Or a single parent. Or a single. Or a single with their dog. Or maybe just two best friends who are their people. They are all family. ⁣
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So if you are not a traditional family - please know.... you are important. You are seen. ⁣
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Families are not inclusive for married with children. ⁣
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Family can mean so many things... and so we are clear. ⁣
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I am here for you. Include you. Love you. Celebrate you. I see you. ❤️❤️⁣

02/26/2021

Life feels really busy right now. ⁣
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My heart seems to be full of the tiny little people surrounding my everyday. ⁣
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My days consumed my feeding. Cleaning. Talking and connecting. Teaching and cooking/baking. ⁣
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My soul seems to be a rest. ⁣
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This weekend we shot a tiny wedding in the sun. And even though I wasn’t sure - we went. We took a breath in that fresh air. And I did what I forgot I loved so much. We connected with humans on a new level. We soaked the sun. The scenery. We forgot for 5 hours what is happening to this world. The deaths. The heartache.⁣
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We shot that wedding and it was like a balm to my soul that I didn’t know it needed. ⁣
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I feel full. Content. Satisfied. Rested. ⁣
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And as I share these photos - I want you know. ⁣
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I am not a wedding photographer or Family photographer. ⁣
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I am a person who so deeply resonates with peoples hearts and souls that I will always shoot to capture the truth. The weight of the day. The weight of who you are. As a couple. As a family. As a business. ⁣
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This job is more then just making pretty photos. It’s what bring my soul peace. Your truth is what I capture. And that sun.. that beautiful sun is the most amazing thing. ⁣
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Photography is more then a stunning photo, It’s a feeling. A moment. A memory. It’s a moment captured for forever. It’s your truth. ⁣
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02/17/2021

I was awake at 2.30 in the morning last night - and went over all the things I didn’t do. And how I need to adult. And how life right now seems like all I should do is make bread and “teach my kids” with my beloved photography on the side. I felt crippled with shame at how I failed at this life. ⁣
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Thankfully I woke up - and woke up to a new day. Checked off a few of those things I needed to get done, and felt like maybe I could tackle it. ⁣
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I then opened my Instagram to this. ⁣
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To these words. (Last slide)⁣
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To be honest my business is one of the things I struggle with - I know I could be busier. But do I want to be? Do I want to be popular? Do I want to worry about the algorithm? Or how often I post. Or reels?! ⁣
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Somedays I do. And most days I don’t. I just feel the major pressure on what people say I should be doing to make successful business. ⁣
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But maybe... my idea of success is someone writing these words. The idea of capturing someone and making them feel at ease. Loved for. Cared for. And to make them feel valuable. ⁣
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Maybe my job as a photographer isn’t to be the cool one... but the one who brings Truth. Life. And rawness. Maybe I’m just meant to have my dear clients feel the most loved through their photographs. ⁣
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So this year I’ll explore more of that. More truths. More intentionality mixed with beauty. And more pushing to gather those raw pure unfiltered moments.

01/22/2021

Life this week feels really heavy. ⁣
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There’s many emotions. So much grieving and also a whirl of excitement. ⁣
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My tank is so empty after a year of quarantine... I keep trying to fill it. And I get bits... but gosh. I miss a normal life. ⁣
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I am a 7, and I get my bucket full through people. And conversations. And through going out and doing things. ⁣
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My body longs for new things. New challenges. New people. New adventures. ⁣
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Photographing people have kept me alive. And going. Photographing and connecting with humans keep me sparked. ⁣
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I will never take that for granted again.

01/06/2021

Here’s me, just 3 sleeps till I enter my MID THIRTIES.
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35 seems so familiar and yet so crazy because it felt like I was just turning 30.

I can genuinely say that I am learning to love me right where I am. Work through my s**t - and well just be happy and be unapologetically me. I am passionate. I’m loud. I am a strong. I am also empathetic. And love hard. And also love boundaries. ⁣I am a lot. I laugh. I feel. I have strong opinions and generally won’t let you go without hearing them. Life continues on- and I promise to always move forward and never backwards.
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12/31/2020

2020 became a reckoning. ⁣
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A reckoning of religion. Of country. Of heart. Of self. ⁣
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It feels like we’ve just been on lockdown, and also seems like my body now knows a mask so well that I dream with a mask on. I am jarred by scenes from movies with groups, and people entering places with no masks on. ⁣
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It feels like the protests we attended this summer, which became a normal were a reckoning that I’m still grappling. Because Black Lives Matter, and we still fight for equity. Equality and change. ⁣
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It feels like life at home, and homeschooling and making bread has become normal. Friends are now distanced or through a screen. Playtime is through FaceTime. And church is from the comfort of our own house. ⁣
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The fires brought me to a new place this year, i remember driving through the thick fog and feeling so suffocated. And frankly scared. ⁣
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I also remember how my husband and I have spent so much time together.. and have enjoyed it. Loved it in fact. I have done so much with my kids, learned about many things we wouldn’t have had the opportunity to do. ⁣
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My business has continued and for that I’m in awe. I have learned that people do cherish photos, and my photos. I have seen myself push and push in my own business... and my goals have changed drastically this year but also other things have happened. ⁣
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2020 was a dumpster fire - but maybe the reckoning we all needed. May we all be changed this year, grow. And learn. May we see beyond ourselves and continue to grow in love and sympathy and empathy. May 2021 bring respite, love and most of all kindness. ⁣
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Happy New Years my sweet dear friends. ⁣
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12/23/2020

Little did I know that Lincoln would start to mend our relationship. I remember asking my dad to come for Lincoln’s birth, and my dad driving. He told me it was because he wasn’t sure how long he would be here. He insisted he come early too... I was annoyed. ⁣
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Lincoln was late- 5/6 days I think.... and after an emergency c-section and my dad being in the room every moment he could..... I begged him to stay another week. ⁣
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I didn’t know we only had 9 months left. I didn’t know that only one of my kids would get to meet only one parent. ⁣
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It wasn’t what I wanted. And today - as we celebrate Lincoln, I wish I could have my dad here to talk about the time I was in labor puking up Mexican food. How him and Kellen decided to put power to our garage while I sat inside recovering from a c-section by myself nursing a baby. ⁣
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There are moments in life that hold both great joy. And hold a great grief. Today is one of those days, because I remember how proud my dad was of Lincoln. He looked at him different then anyone else, and I never felt so loved by my dad as when he looked at his grandson. ⁣
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The other two will never have any photos of them with my parents, but Lincoln will always have this. And the stories. And we will always think of him on Lincoln’s Birthday. ⁣
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12/19/2020

You know when things just work out, and when you walk away your astonished at how well it worked?⁣
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Well... after much grief and agonizing we found a new home for our Emma June. She wasn’t happy here with us anymore. To many dance parties, and to many small hands coming toward her. And after minimal noncommittal looking, she miraculously found her perfect home. Like sitting in the front seat kinda home. She is living her best queen life.⁣
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And then.... we all got sad. We missed the second dog, and we truly wanted a family pup. ⁣
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And by another miracle, we found a litter of mastiff pups available and they were from the best home in central oregon, .. These pups were born into a family with 4 small kids.... and it all fell into place. And felt so right (so right in fact our neighbors also got a pup from the same litter! 🤣)⁣
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On Thursday we brought her home, in hopes that she would bring us some Hope. Giggles. Cuteness. Love. And so much p**p. ⁣
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And so far, she has brought more joy then we thought. We are sooo grateful Emma found her perfect home with the most perfect people - and that we can get a pup to join us in our crazy.... and enjoy it and love it with us.
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Welcome Mavis Joan to the family. We love her and are remembering how little sleep you get with a new baby puppy 😴😴

12/16/2020

My oldest turns 6 next week. ⁣
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And sometimes I wonder how I can have a 6 year old. Let alone three kids. ⁣
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I never have felt like an adult. I don’t know quite what that feels like, but I imagine having my s**t more together. Or, looking older. Or feeling older. ⁣
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They never told me I would feel like an adult, I just assumed it was a feeling. That one day I would wake up, and say. Oh hey. I have a house. Kids. A freaking 6 year older, and yet... in so many ways I still feel like so young. ⁣
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Will we ever get that feeling of having it together? Or do we get to live this life feeling young, vulnerable and curious? We can choose to learn better coping, better ways of holding relationships and choose to be better people.... yet still have that young at heart feeling. ⁣
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My soon to be 6 year old has Taught me many many things, and being an adult isn’t one of them. And for that I’m grateful. ⁣
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Like Brene always says. Stay curious. Maybe that’s the key to adulthood, to know your not magically an adult.... but to stay curious and be more like the kids?!

12/08/2020

I can quickly cycle quickly between ⁣
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DO NOT TOUCH ME⁣
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IM SOO LONELY⁣
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I am so worn out that the idea of a day alone feels like a haven. And then, I’m so lonely that it feels like a day of hell. ⁣
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I can shuffle minute to minute in my moods. From exhausted. To tired. To impatient. To an angel. Then back to a crazy ass mother yelling at my kids to “just clean up! Do I look like your maid?!” And at that point, you know I’m just mad cleaning muttering all the annoyances that come flowing through my brain.⁣
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My days are filled with the same milk call from Lucca in the morning, to the ughhhh do we have to do school from Lincoln. And then the 3pm! Can we watch a show... PLEEASSSEEE?! Which I just am so tired of hearing their voices that I just say yes so I can scroll through Instagram. ⁣
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At that point I have to do another f*ing dinner. And start to wonder if I’ll have time/energy to work that night. ⁣
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Life, I believe no matter who you are is hard. This isn’t easy in quarantine. I never wanted to experience a year+ of lockdown. I know it’s hard. It’s so GD hard. ⁣
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I’m so grateful for the tools I’ve learned to cope. And also, I need more dance parties. I also need people. I also need people to stay alive so I can keep seeing them. ⁣
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I miss you. I miss seeing your face in person. Hearing your voice. Touching your shoulders and hugging you. I miss looking into the eyes of people and seeing the truth of them. Sitting with people in grief. In celebration. ⁣
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I am cycling through all the feelings everyday. And mostly. ⁣
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I just miss you.

11/29/2020

*Hear me out here.. at the end a surprise for you!*⁣
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It’s cyber Monday. Or small business Saturday or giving Tuesday. I don’t know.... honestly all these days give me anxiety and make me think I need to get something to get the best deal. And I hate it. ⁣
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But I also, really want people support small. I am small. I am able to support my family (along with that hot hubs of mine) by you hiring me. Believing in me. ⁣
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Photography is not a must, it’s not essential. It’s an extra. It’s an extra in many ways. ⁣
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With that said - photography is the only way to document what history looks like. It’s the only way we see what that day was like, how we looked and how little our babies were. It shows us where we came from. ⁣
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So I will be joining these days - not because I think you should buy another thing. But because I think investing in your families history is important. And sometimes we don’t have the means for it. ⁣
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I want you to invest in your history. So I will be giving $50 off a session for the January -March season!!⁣
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You can buy a gift certificate for someone you know wants photos but can’t get there. Or if your having a babe. Or maybe you just need to celebrate getting through 2020! So January 1 here we come. Photos to document you made it through the weirdest year of our lifetimes. ⁣
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I want you to know your history matters to me. And I see you. ⁣
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*Book now through December 5th to receive $50 off session. Email me, DM me, text me! Let’s celebrate no more 2020!*⁣
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11/23/2020

Family photos. Couple Sessions. Individual portraits. ⁣
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Que the sweating. ⁣
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A small amount of people actually enjoy getting their photos taken. We feel awkward and never know what to do with those damn hands. ⁣
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It can be stressful, and sometimes kids don’t get the memo that we just need them to chill and smile. 🤣⁣
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Here’s the thing, at one point photos were taken with no smiles because you couldn’t hold a smile as long as the shutter needed. And then we did the whole matching jeans and white shirts thing. ⁣
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Then we did the portrait studios, and then we did the whole adventure photos of families wearing the coolest outfits on top of the mountain. ⁣
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Family photos go in and out of style. And we all know that one awkward family photo we all had. *que my family in 90’s geometric western gear in Olan Mills* and they are all good. Because we have that memory. ⁣
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But I challenge is to think differently about photos. What if we loved ourselves so much that we were able to show up the way we were, cleaned up of course... and then just let the photographer do their job... not to make us look like we came out of a magazine. But to capture our family in the best way. ⁣
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Styles will always get outdated, but the connection of family will never. ⁣
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As I’m editing and shooting so many family and couple sessions this season, I just wanted to remind you that perfection is never the goal. The goal is and always will be to capture your essence. Your being. Your families own light.⁣
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Because we are all worthy of goodness. And we all deserve to see the light that we each bring to this world. ❤️❤️⁣
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11/18/2020

Small business shopping has been all over the IG these days. ⁣
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I hope the trend sticks. During the spring of this year, I wasn’t sure what my job would be. If I would be able to take photos of people. If my fall season would tank. ⁣
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Well... it didn’t. You all showed up, and honestly keep showing up. And my emails box is is getting a constant flow. ⁣
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And yes. The money is essential. But for small business, it’s also more about money. It’s about the soul. It’s about our heart. ⁣
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I don’t know any small business owner that doesn’t treat their business like a family member. ⁣
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Small business are essential to who we are. It’s what our livelihoods are, and also where our passions lie And this year has taught us, more then ever, that community is essential. ⁣
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Thank you to those of you who constantly are my cheerleaders. Who like an comment. Who send you friends my way, for sharing your photos on here. For hiring me. Thank you, because unlike any other job this one. It soothes my soul. ⁣
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I hope we continue to choose to invest in our people. In their business and hearts. In their families. Because, I know how much it means to me. ⁣
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Here’s just. FEW who have supported me in the past weeks. With so many more no pictured here. ❤️❤️⁣

11/14/2020

I don't post on here often - but thats not to say I haven't been working. I've gotten to take photos of so many families this year, safely of course. I'm so grateful for the people who have continued to trust me with their moments, their hard earned money and their family.

I've had a lot of time to reflect on my job this year.. and through the crazy of 2020 I've once again been reminded how beautiful my job is. xoxo

WeeNo Photography