Embracing Change: Matt and Felicity’s Love Story on the Oregon Coast

This journal entry is part of a series sharing the stories behind the images featured on my website banner—a collection of photographs that highlight meaningful moments from my career as a Pacific Northwest photographer. Working with Matt and Felicity at Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area was an adventure in every sense of the word, blending the dramatic beauty of the Oregon coast with the ever-changing weather that defines the PNW.
The session took place at Cape Kiwanda, a location steeped in natural and historical significance. We shot near the site of the iconic sandstone rock formation that had once been a landmark but had since been knocked over, leaving behind a poignant reminder of change and resilience. This sense of transformation became a central theme of the photographs, tying in beautifully with the couple's story. What made this session even more personal was Matt and Felicity’s deep ties to the wedding industry. Felicity’s family is involved in landscaping, and their wedding took place at her mother’s venue, grounding the day in both personal history and the stunning natural beauty of the Oregon coast.
Planning for the session was as dynamic as the weather itself. We traveled to the beach for a full day of photography, embracing the mix of stormy skies, bursts of rain, and fleeting moments of sunshine and wind. The unpredictable conditions gave the shoot an authentic PNW vibe, allowing each frame to capture the raw elements of the coast in their full glory. The technical aspects of this session pushed me to grow as a photographer. Inspired by the vastness of the coastline, I experimented with panoramic shots for the first time. Using wide framing and careful stitching, I crafted images that emphasized the sweeping scale of the landscape while keeping Matt and Felicity at the heart of the story. This marked a turning point in my process, as I began thinking beyond what I could see through the viewfinder, envisioning how the final image would come to life through editing.
In post-production, I leaned into this forward-thinking approach, creating seamless panoramas that highlighted the soft, moody tones of the PNW coastline. This session taught me to plan compositions with the end result in mind, focusing on how different elements would come together during editing rather than relying solely on what the camera captured.
Since their session, Matt and Felicity have continued building their life together in the Pacific Northwest, now with a little family of their own. Their story embodies the adventurous, connected spirit of the PNW and serves as a reminder of the beauty found in embracing change.
This session deepened my appreciation for the region’s landscapes and shaped my ability to think creatively and strategically in my photography. It stands as a testament to the idea that the best images often require looking beyond the present, imagining the full potential of a scene, and bringing it to life with intention and care.