A Snapshot Look at 2023

The wedding season is slowing down, but we may have a whole new way of looking at wedding photography to push us into the new year. Here now 5 trends people will focusing in on.

1. Wedding Highlights

Gone our the days of watching the whole ceremony. Now we are really seeing a movement towards shorter versions to play on social media and give a glimpse to those who could not make it.

2. Realistic Video Edits

At Photos By Orion creativity and storytelling is one of the best part of our jobs. Now many people turning to using actual clips of sound from the wedding accompanied by music bringing out the true emotions of your big day.

3. Veil Shots

Veil shots remain a classic favorite. They represent the grace and elegance of brides. We are always finding creative ways to showcase these treasured trophies.

4. Black and White Photography

Its timeless, versatile, distraction-free, and subtle. Black and white photography can evoke a mood – from nostalgia to sadness to yearning, black and white pictures somehow convey emotion in a way that color images simply can’t

5. Candid Pictures during the Ceremony

Then there is that magical moment that only comes once, but reveals a split second shot of emotion. From the vows, father and daughter march, and that picture perfect portrait seconds after your “I Do’s.” These are the picture of perfection recaptured in all there glory for everyone to reminisce and rewind in the days after the wedding. We are Photos By Orion, and for over 15 years we have been telling stories with star quality photography, videography, drone, and 360. Feel free to email or call us at contact@photosbyorion.com, or 503-385-1435.

Bloomin’ Bride

Love blooms brightly in this backyard wedding. The vows for Macy and Bret in West Salem went off without a hitch, and see all those bouquets of flowers believe it or not they are all made of wood. That’s right wooden flowers.

Too the naked eye and through are camera lens it’s hard to imagine that they are not real. The vibrant colors and details are incredible. The bride, Marcy, handcrafted all these pieces from scratch.

The flowers are made from Sola wood. Sola is very lightweight and soft and flexible. Marcy used the shavings of the wood, reshaping them, then using 15-20 pieces per flower to capture the elegance of the centerpieces.

Even the boutonnieres were carefully constructed, colored, and then covered with lacquer to keep them stable. Marcy’s time and energy were well worth it. She saved big and the best part like the sign says they last forever. Show us some of the creative ways you save. Send them into us at photosbyorion.com, or feel free to email or call us at contact@photosbyorion.com, or 503-385-1435.

Simple Ways to Say I Do to Sustainability

The eco boom is exploding onto the Wedding Spring Season. Couples are being more and more conscientious of waste and taking great measures to protect the environment. In fact In fact, The Knot guesstimates more than two-thirds of their subscriber’s plan or did use some form of sustainability on their wedding day.

Pinterest reports searches on their site for thrifted weddings has tripled. The shopping site, Poshmark, says demand for used wedding dresses $500 or more is reaching new heights.

That same trend is also taken in the planning. Karin Webster, owner of Blue Bonsai Printing uses only recyclable paper for her wedding invitations. Other ideas being put in place is scrapping paper all together and going digital, silk flowers rather than freshly cut flowers, compostable utensils, bowls, and plates, and even skipping those favors for the end.

When it comes to the food there are many things you can do to support sustainability; choose meals that are in season to cut transportation costs, deliver leftovers to a shelter, or let guests take the extras home in recyclable containers.

We talked about using silk flowers, but the other things you can do is work with your florist to see if there were any other events where you could possibly use flowers, reuse the bridal bouquets as centerpieces, or use a potted plant that can be taken home. Finally, donate flowers to a church or hospital.

You can even save energy by reserving a local venue and looking for a place that is LEED certified. You will be surprised how a little saving can go without putting a strain on your pockets, or wedding plans.

We would like to hear and see how you are showcasing sustainability. We are Photos By Orion. Please feel free to contact us at contact@photosbyorion.com, or call 503-385-1435. We are Photos By Orion. Telling stories with star quality photography, videography, 360, and drone.

5 Wedding Venues in Salem/Keizer that are Great to Work With

As a vendor, I visit venues (or places to host an event) regularly for all different types of events, and just like any other industry, some venues go above and beyond to make sure you have a great experience. I can, unfortunately, say there are several places out there that treat their couple well, but not other wedding vendors. I have worked with these places, and it is not all that fun! BUT some places are an absolute pleasure to work with. So, I have compiled a list of 5 places in Salem/Keizer that are good not only for the couples to work with but also treat other wedding and event vendors well, making them some of my favorite places to work with! These are in no order, and all are places worth checking out if you are looking to hold a wedding or event in Salem/Keizer.

Log House Garden at Willow Lake

Log House Garden in Keizer is one of those not-so-hidden gems in the city. Run by the Blake’s, the grounds are immaculately kept, they have an orchard that makes for amazing photos, and if you are respectful of the property, they grant you full access for the time of your event. Lanora has been in the wedding and event business for many years and is a fountain of knowledge when it comes to making your event beautiful and successful. As a vendor, Lanora always treats you with respect and thinks about not only what is good for her, but what is good for you too. This is a wonderful venue that I absolutely love returning to again and again!

Deepwood Estate

This venue is well known in the area, and for good reason. The grounds are kept by dedicated volunteers who do an amazing job. The society that keeps the house and gives tours are focused on preservation and keeping this piece of history for generations to come, and the event staff is so delightful to work with! Besides its popularity (and subsequent days it is off-limits to those not part of the event) this place is a photographer’s dream and is just as dreamy to work with as to photograph. Their rules are strict, but for incredibly good reason. They do work with you, both as an event planner and as a vendor, to give you as much free reign as possible while maintaining the integrity of the site. Very much a place I love working with over and over.

Willamette Heritage Center

Third on the list is the Willamette Heritage Center, also known as Mission Mill. Staff is extremely helpful but unobtrusive, and they give lots of leeway. A perfect spot for vignettes and getting great photos.

Salem Convention Center

Amazing staff that always take care of you, and your vendors. They make sure vendors get lunch/dinner, and have a place set for your vendors to take break. It has gorgeous lighting, large, great for big events. They also make you so feel special. They may have 5 events going on at the same time, but you would never know it with the care and attention you receive.

Keizer Civic Center

This historic and beautiful venue is hidden in the middle of the city. It features incredible garden spots that you can use as well. The staff is truly kind and helpful, and fun to work with. They are very responsive and versatile with their large rooms and smaller rooms that are perfect for breakout areas during an event.

Package Pricing

Wedding Photography Series Episode 2

When you start considering wedding photography, knowing what is included in a package and how to compare wedding photographers can be a super stressful choice! In this episode, Karin and Kathryn discuss why photographers make packages the way they do, how the photography style you choose can affect your package needs, and what can be covered in different amounts of time. Check out this video to get some tips to help you pick your wedding photographer.

Feel free to reach out at any time! We would love to talk to you about your wedding photography. Email contact@photosbyorion.com with any questions.