Julie Randall Photography Blog

Matt+Alyssa:Cathedral Park Engagement Session

julieran — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 17:24:08 +0000

I’ve known Matt for a few years, since before he met Alyssa, and it’s been such a pleasure watching their relationship. He’s just so clearly smitten with her, and of course, I can never get enough of smitten couples. These two were such troopers through some of the oddest spring weather we had in our rainiest-in-recorded-history March. We had sunbreaks, we had showers, we had everything in between. Cathedral Park in St. Johns was the setting for our shoot…

The next day we headed over to Lompoc’s Side Bar on North Williams for a few beers and a few more images…

Congratulations, Matt and Alyssa!! I’m so, so happy for you two.

Paige+Paul: Multnomah Falls Engagement Session

julieran — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 18:44:11 +0000

Paige and Paul are one of the hands-down cutest couples I’ve ever had the chance to work with. So much so that at one point we all wondered aloud if we should try for a few “serious” shots. But I’m a big fan of letting my couples’ personalities shine, and we just embraced it! Multnomah Falls provided a great backdrop for the two of them to cozy up…

KD+Wess: New Year’s Eve in Alaska

julieran — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:21:58 +0000

After having a day to drive around the Juneau area with my awesome sister (we saw glaciers, bald eagles, and lots and lots of snow), it was time for KD and Wess’ wedding, and to ring in the New Year!

KD’s gorgeous Badgley Mischka heels…

Downtown Juneau, Alaska covered in snow…

KD and Wess’ friends spent hours working on this gorgeous backdrop to decorate the ceremony space. It has to be one of the coolest things I’ve seen.

On the steps of Alaska’s capitol building…

KD created a gorgeous modern lounge area in the reception space…

Happy New Year!!

Congratulations, KD and Wess!!

Ceremony location: Baranof Hotel, Juneau Alaska
Reception space: McPhetres Hall, Juneau, AK

KD+Wess: Alaska Engagement Session

julieran — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 19:08:47 +0000

I’ve always been a traveler. I blame my parents for raising me like a nomad. So when KD got in touch with me about shooting a wedding in Alaska, I jumped at the chance. And then she reiterated: Alaska. In December. Cold? I’m from Michigan. I can handle it. And I’m so glad I did, because it was such a wonderful experience. I felt so incredibly lucky to have sunshine as we landed, and once I got settled at the hotel, I was off with KD and Wess for the engagement shoot. They picked an amazing spot on Douglas Island, across the channel from Juneau proper.

I’ll say this: Alaskans come from hearty stock. KD and Wess had no problem tromping around in the snow and even getting their feet wet. Love it.

Favorite shot of the day! I couldn’t believe we stumbled upon actual ruins in Alaska, but nevertheless, there we were.

Next up, their New Year’s Eve wedding celebration!

Hilary+Justin:Engaged!

julieran — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 19:52:27 +0000

Hilary and Justin were one of my first 2012 wedding couples, and I thought I’d throw a little engagement loveliness out here before everyone heads off for the holidays!
Way back in October we got together to walk around the downtown Park Blocks, the Art Museum, and take some photos of this adorable couple. Congratulations!

My favorite shot of the day!

Baby Love

julieran — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 19:40:31 +0000

Just a little bit of sweetness for the day before Thanksgiving. I know my friend Tricia (and fantastic hair stylist at Blu) is so thankful for this little bundle that came her way last month. Here’s Miss Tennessee…

Baby shoots don’t have to be fussy affairs! We got little Tennessee after she had just woken up from a nap and was good and happy. Clear off the bed, lay down some blankets, that’s all the backdrop the little ones need. Okay, so the gorgeous window light was the bonus…

Joel+Brenda: Cornelius Pass Wedding

julieran — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 19:07:35 +0000

I’ve known Joel and Brenda for a few years now, and I was so delighted when they asked me to photograph their wedding. I think all of us had a brief panic attack at seeing the rain that Saturday morning, but everyone pulled together like champs and we worked it out! Couples, we’re in Oregon: never fear the rain! Some trusty umbrellas, being okay with the fact that the bottom of your dress may get a little damp (which, let’s be honest…will definitely be the case by the end of the night anyway), and you’re good to go. With that attitude in mind, we set off for the Cornelius Pass Roadhouse…

Joel and Brenda both work in design, and I just knew their wedding would be full of sweet little details…

Yup, she designed those lovely little recipe cards.

Joel’s expression during First Look. Just kills me…

Thank you for indulging me, Joel and Brenda.

Dinner is served under a bright white canopy.

Another hand-made touch…

Of course Brenda designed this adorable cupcake menu!

This was one of those weddings where everyone was having *such* a good time. Love it!

Joel told me he particularly loves Brenda’s expression here…

Love a couple that boogies down at their wedding! Congratulations, you two!

Juli+Travis: Rose Garden Wedding

julieran — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 17:23:19 +0000

It was a seriously gorgeous September afternoon; the kind of late summer day that every Portlander knows is possible, but we had somehow all been cheated out of until then. We started off at the Nines, a swanky downtown Portland hotel, filled with beautiful light and gorgeous textiles and furniture. Juli’s Old Hollywood-esque gown found its perfect backdrop…

Such a stunning bride!

The way Travis kept looking at Juli throughout the day just melted my heart…

We then headed up to the Rose Garden for the lovely ceremony…

Juli’s Dad looking ever-so-dapper in his kilt…

My favorite shot of the day!

After the ceremony and some more photos, we all headed back downtown to the Davis Street Tavern, for cocktails and a delicious dinner.

Beautiful cheesecake by Davis Street Tavern…

Congratulations, Juli and Travis! I’m so glad I got to be a part of your lovely day.

Istanbul, Part 3: The Bosphorus, The Chora Church

julieran — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 17:22:51 +0000

On a gorgeous, sunny morning, we boarded a boat for the “tourist” cruise of the Bosphorus. A few hours long, the boat promised to take us north along the Bosphorus, all the way up to the Black Sea, with a break for lunch at the oh-so-charming Asian fishing village of Anadolu Kavagi. Let’s just say that the crowds, the endless surrounding of people, were all starting to wear on me at this point, but we managed to enjoy the cruise in spite of it. On the way up I decided just to observe and didn’t touch my camera (I’m pretty sure I was turned off by the tourist paparazzi, always swarming at the edge of the deck), but after a pretty great lunch of fried mussels, we hopped back on board (with better seats, I may add), and I decided to take a few photos…

Leaving the fishing village of Anadolu Kavagi, which is also famous for the ruins of Yoros Castle. Rather than hike all the way up there, Jeremy and I ate mussels. It’s all about priorities.

With the Bosphorus being the major artery between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean, there is constant shipping traffic. It’s pretty cool imagining where everything’s going…

I was struck by these power lines I first noticed while we were eating lunch. How many places in the world can you see power lines that bridge two continents?

Couldn’t resist. Our ferry captain gave these two a nice sendoff with the horn…

A brief pause at Kanlica…

The second bridge to span the Bosphorus, the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge…

On our last day in Istanbul, we ventured over to the Chora Church. While everyone visits the Hagia Sophia for its grandeur, history, and mosaics, the Chora Church is the one with the truly stunning display of mosaics.

The light inside the nave…the kind that fills you with awe. I can’t even describe the way it made the mosaics shimmer.

It’s hard to believe that everything that looks like gold…is, well, real gold.

Again, the light. Sigh.

Well, that’s about it from Istanbul. Hope you enjoyed my little travel essay! Next week it’s back to weddings…

Istanbul:Walking the City

julieran — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 17:07:37 +0000

To say we did a lot of walking in Istanbul would be an understatement, but it was so much fun. How else would we have discovered kitties all over the place like this?

The Blue Mosque sits stately behind a school basketball court. Corn on the cob vendors were *everywhere*.

Touring the underground Basilica Cistern, the Medusa statues are a big tourist draw.

Sadly, I did not have a 50KR piece on me…

Technicolor Turkish Delight in the Egyptian Spice Bazaar…

A neverending sea of people pour out of the Egyptian Bazaar.

From the Islamic Arts Museum, a pretty view of the Blue Mosque and the Egyptian Obelisk.

In Ortakoy, you walk along the Bosphorus (and admire the continent of Asia, from across the water). I loved this kitty, so intently watching the fisherman for anything they might leave behind, and the little fishing boats bobbing in the water…

In Topkapi Palace, the home of the Ottoman sultans for about 400 years, a true *divan*.

Topkapi Palace…

The tiles covering the every inch of the walls of Topkapi…

Oh hey, we got someone to take a picture of us! And it probably comes as no surprise now that I’m constantly drawn to details and patterns, and very sculptural shapes. I love a graphic pattern.

Exterior of Topkapi…