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It’s been a while since my last Wanderlust Wednesday post! Today I’m sharing one of our family’s favorite lesser-known trails, Trappist Abbey in Carlton. We love this family-friendly hike near Newberg for the beautiful country landscape, views of wine country, and great mix of forest trails and oak savannahs. My husband’s from the northern California […]

Decorating has never been a gift of mine. I enjoy it, and I’ve definitely spent some time moving furniture around and buying new vintage quilts (okay, a LOT of time on that last one), but pulling a room together where it looks like a real grown up lives there? NOT something I was ever able […]

cozy minimalist myquillyn smith before and after

We had a pretty incredible vacation at Mt. Hood last week, and now that I’m finally done going through the photos…I had to share! I think our last REAL vacation was five YEARS ago! Woo! We were overdue! On our last vacation, which was to Bend, we rented a cottage on a farm on AirBnB […]

I’ve spent these last few weeks getting my systems set up again to start accepting portrait bookings for this summer—friends…I’m BEYOND excited to start shooting again! After 2020 collapsed in on itself, I grabbed a few sessions here and there, but between health concerns and suddenly homeschooling, I wasn’t able to take on as many […]

Hey friends! This is a crazy time right now, but you know what? LIFE is still happening! My son had a birthday last week. I’m getting inquiries from people bringing home new babies, or whose kids are having milestone birthdays–you know, the things I love to document for my families! While Oregon is under a […]

Maybe it’s just my Enneagram Type 1 showing, but my anxiety around the pandemic has been materializing in PROJECTS! I’ve been in the kitchen, baking cookies, cakes, and breads. I’ve decluttered and organized and cleaned. And currently, I’m working on a project that I think many of you might like help on: I’m working to […]

how to digitize old photos

Well, since we’re officially into summer now here in the Willamette Valley (even though today’s cloudy weather might have you thinking differently), it’s time to check spring OFF the list!  I love to recap each season here–what happened professionally and personally for me the last few months, AND go over my goals for the coming […]

oregon wine country wedding photography - newberg or rustic wedding

Ohhh, friends, I am so SO excited to share this post today recapping the Dream Bigger Creative Mastermind Retreat.  If you’ve been following me on Instagram, you probably know all about this creative mastermind retreat for Oregon wedding photographers that I hosted in Lincoln City a few weeks back!  This was a seriously needed soul-searching […]

creative retreat mastermind in lincoln city, oregon for wedding photographers

This last weekend at the beach for the retreat was a DREAM, but it’s so good to be home!  I love the beach, but tucked into the Yamhill Valley wine country is where I really feel at home in the landscape.  Let’s celebrate this magical little corner of the universe we get to live in […]

Bob and Crystal Rilee Trail In Yamhill County - Kid friendly hike with a view and flower field

Follow along for all the pretty on the daily: what I'm working on, my current favorite hikes around Portland, and what I'm reading!

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@samanthashannonphotography