Steve Smith Photography | Seattle wedding and portrait photographer

I’ve been meaning to put up this post for awhile but it got overlooked until now.  The day after the 4th of July we headed down south to Oregon for a few days.  Of course we checked out a few wineries on the way, all of them actually have the capability for weddings as well, but even better they all had exceptional wine!  The first stop was just outside of Salem, Zenith Vineyard; they have an amazing facility for weddings and also a great tasting room.  We especially liked their 2006 Justice Vineyard Pinot and 2006 Aden Vineyard Chardonnay.  Then about a half hour south just outside of Salem we visited Willamette Valley Vineyards, where we absolutely loved the 2008 semi-sparkling Muscat Frizzante, if you know someone who doesn’t like wine, buy them this, it’s delicious!

Then we arrived in Eugene where we would spend a couple days with Larry’s family before heading to the coast and then back home. While in Eugene we visited another winery called Sweet Cheeks, a spectacular winery location high above the hills.  It was a perfect day for enjoying a bottle outdoors on the patio and that’s exactly what we did.  The 2008 Rosy Cheeks wine was perfect with our cheese and cracker plate.

After a couple days in Eugene it was time to head to Tillamook located on the coast, to visit the farm of Oregon Coastal Flowers.  We met up with one of the workers and took photos of the hydrangeas that were just starting to bloom.  Oregon Coastal Flowers provides many types of wedding flowers, mostly Calla Lilies and Hydrangas to clients nationwide.   Of course no visit to Tillamook is complete without a visit to the cheese factory!  And the next morning we also visited Blue Heron for one final wine and cheese tasting before we left for the trip back home.

A couple of weeks ago I photographed the inaugual fundradising event hosted by Les Faeries Vertes (The Green Fairies).  This organization choose The Breast Cancer Sisterhood to be the beneficiary for this year’s event.  It was a great evening filled with colorful decorations, great costumes and food.  The breast cancer survivors gave everyone in attendance their wonderful stories of determination and courage. I was honered to attend this event, and happy to offer my complimentary services for the evening.

This past week has been an especially tough one for me and my family. On Sunday January 18, 2009 we said our final good bye to my mother, Barbara Jean Smith, also known as BJ.

She was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer last February and decided to fight the disease head on, even despite the odds. Her chemotherapy treatment was going well and the past nine months the doctors were amazed that the tumors were shrinking and the cancer marker count was continuing to drop even close to normal levels as she continued her treatments.  Things were going so well they booked a trip to Mexico, but sadly she would never get to go.  The day they were to fly out for vacation, she was admitted to the hospital.

My Mom was full of life and enjoyed being active.  She owned her own business for 17 years before retiring early and starting new hobbies with most of her time spent showing classic cars, but she also found time for gardening, and collecting handmade German marbles and antique bottles.

Because not much is still known about Pancreatic Cancer, I’d like to do my part and will make a donation of $100 for every wedding I photograph this year in my Mother’s memory.

We also have a page set up for her here if you’d like to make a donation in her honor. We love you mom, and you will always be in our hearts and souls.

Love Steve and Larry