Salem, Oregon Photographer: Families | W Family

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I had so much fun working with this family!  1.)  Their outfits together were totally Pinterest-worthy  (uhhh, it is a challenge to figure out outfits for 10 people that coordinate- but aren't too matchy-matchy)  2.)  Mom & Dad have been married for over 20 years, and are still so in love. It was beautiful to witness!  3.) There were ALOT of laughs in our hour together!

Salem, Oregon Photographer | Family Portrait Session | Salem, Oregon location | Photo session outfit inspiration | Large family posing ideas | The Barn PNW Dayton, Oregon

I love these!  Mom & Dad with their girls <3

Salem, Oregon Photographer | Family Portrait Session | Salem, Oregon location | Photo session outfit inspiration | Large family posing ideas | Mom and daughters photography | The Barn PNW Dayton, Oregon

And where it all started <3

Salem, Oregon Photographer | Family Portrait Session | Salem, Oregon location | Photo session outfit inspiration | Mom and Dad portrait | www.shelbyblantonphotography.com

These girls!! <3

Salem, Oregon Photographer | Family Portrait Session | Salem, Oregon location | Mom & daughters portrait | Large family posing ideas | www.shelbyblantonphotography.com

W family, it was so much fun getting to work with you guys!  The love you have in your family was just beautiful.  Thank you for letting me capture these moments with you! 

Salem, Oregon Photographer: Product + Food Photography | Granny Fi's Shortbread

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Happy Thursday, friends!  Today's post comes with food photography featuring Granny Fi's Scottish Shortbread, AND a little story : )  Before I begin, here is a peek at Fi's famous shortbread-

Salem, Oregon Photographer | Traditional Scottish Shortbread + Coffee | Food + Product Photography | www.shelbyblantonphotography.com

Gahhhhh!! Everytime I go through these photos I want to eat them. Haha!  #Foodphotographerproblems ;)  Anyway.  Back to my story!  So, as you may know, photographs are EXTREMELY important to me.  Not just digital files.  But, PHOTOGRAPHS.  Beautiful, tangible pieces of art featuring the people or things you love most in life.  Since I believe in printed photos SO MUCH, I include 10 fine art prints in my portrait package.  Another thing you should know about me, I love spoiling people- especially my sweet clients!  SO, when my clients receive their prints from me (and any other products they order) I like to include a little thank you gift.  

Fast forward to Fall 2015 : )  I had been looking all over Salem to partner with a special bakery who's products that I LOVED, but also had similar business values as myself.  Working with a local business who has excellent customer service is HUUUUUUGE for me.  I contacted several bakeries in our area, but hadn't found the right one.  Then, one evening I went to an event with some girlfriends and I came across a little table with these shortbread cookies artfully placed on it.  The woman behind the table was super sweet, and I could tell that she just LOVES her job.  We tried a sample of her shortbread, and it was *prettttty* amazing.  Like, REALLY amazing.  She had so many fun flavors, so I bought a few!  As our evening progressed, we all set our stuff down to take a photo.  When I turned to grab my bag of items I had purchased from the vendors- MY BAG WAS MISSING!  Someone had grabbed my bag when we weren't looking :(  I was so bummed!  Sooo, I went back to the tables to re-purchase what was stolen from me, and when I went back to Granny Fi's table, Fiona was SO KIND, and gave me back what I had purchased from her- at no charge!! WHO DOES THAT!?  I was floored that someone who didn't even know me, took it upon herself to do something kind for someone else, without asking for anything in return.  At that moment, I knew I wanted to order client gifts from her.  Someone who has an incredible product- but more importantly- has a big heart.  I'm so happy to have met her!  

Salem, Oregon Photographer | Traditional Scottish Shortbread with Oregon Hazelnuts + Coffee | Food + Product Photography | www.shelbyblantonphotography.com

Probably one of the coolest things about this shortbread (besides the delicious melt-in-your-mouth quality!!!) is that she bakes it in all kinds of different flavors.  She has the traditional, hazelnut, lemon, lavender (one of my FAVES!), cinnamon, and several other kinds.  

Salem, Oregon Photographer | Lemon Scottish Shortbread | Food + Product Photography | www.shelbyblantonphotography.com

DOESN'T THAT LOOK SO GOOD!?  I can't get over them.  So, if you are my client, you can look forward to getting to try these yummy treats!  OR, Fiona is frequently at Saturday Markets in the Portland + Oregon City areas.  Check with her facebook to see where she will be next!  You can also order from her website + she ships!  www.grannyfis.com

Salem, Oregon Photographer | Lavender Scottish Shortbread | Food + Product Photography | Client Gift Ideas | Senior Graduation Announcements | www.shelbyblantonphotography.com

^ That is the lavender kind!  So, so good!  If you made it through my huge blog post today, THANK YOU!  You deserve some shortbread ;)  Hope everyone has a fabulous evening!  TOMORROW IS FRIDAY!  <3  XO!

Salem, Oregon Photographer: Fresh 48 | Baby M

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YOU GUYS, I AM SO BAD AT BLOGGING!  Oh man, I am the worst!  I'm going to be working on getting a few posts up from sessions I did back in Jan/Feb, just because there are too many beautiful babies/families for me NOT to share!  Proof:     

Look at that sweet little face cuddled up with Mama <3
Salem, Oregon Photographer | Fresh 48 | www.shelbyblantonphotography.com  

SEEEEEE!?  He is just precious!  This was a Fresh 48 Session at the Salem Hospital.  He is the first little one for these two, and he is SO loved.  Here's a few more from our session together:

TINY TOES <3
Salem, Oregon Photographer | Fresh 48 | www.shelbyblantonphotography.com  | Salem, Oregon Hospital Newborn Photography Session | Hospital Newborn Photos

I think one of my favorite things about Fresh 48 sessions, is the unposed/lifestyle feel to them. I always have a lifestyle/documentary photographer approach when I do portraits.  It is important for me to few traditional poses in, but the photos that tug on my heartstrings are natural interactions between the families I am photographing, and the sweet little details.

Salem, Oregon Photographer | Fresh 48 | www.shelbyblantonphotography.com  

These two photos below were a couple of my favorites.  His tiny fingers!  <3  As a Mama myself, that picture below of baby next to the hospital bed is so sweet to me, because it brings back memories.  I can remember that feeling of being in my hospital bed, and looking over at my own precious baby in the bassinet next to me.  THESE are the types of memories that I LOVE preserving for my clients.  

Salem, Oregon Photographer | Fresh 48 | www.shelbyblantonphotography.com  | Salem, Oregon Hospital Newborn Photography Session | The tiny newborn details | Hospital Newborn Photos | Lifestyle Newborn Session | Portland Oregon Hospital Newborn Photographer

And of course, Daddy and baby photos are just the sweetest.

Salem, Oregon Photographer | Fresh 48 | www.shelbyblantonphotography.com  | Daddy holding newborn at hospital | Hospital Newborn Photography Session | Oregon Hospital Newborn Photographer | Mastin Labs

Okay I'm out of here to go enjoy some of this gorgeous sunshine we are having!  I promise it won't be long until my next post!  : )  Enjoy your Monday, friends!  

Salem, Oregon Photographer: Lifestyle | Eggs

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When your sweet sister & brother in law give you fresh eggs from their chickens, and they are THIS BEAUTIFUL, you just haaaave to do a photoshoot with them!  Grabbed my favorite wood serving platter, fresh dill & a bowl, and ta-da!  Not only are these eggs pretty, they are soooo good.  Have you had fresh, local eggs?