A Summer Camp Wedding in the Oregon Woods | Documentary-Style Storytelling for Carly & Jeremy
When Carly and Jeremy reached out, they made one thing clear: they didn’t want their wedding to feel like a photoshoot. They wanted to be fully present—with each other, with their loved ones—and for their photos to reflect that. Their request was simple and beautiful: "Capture the real moments. The ones we’ll want to relive. The ones we may have missed."
Their wedding took place off-grid in Walton, Oregon, at a rustic summer camp tucked deep in the forest. No electricity. No cell service. Just tall trees, quiet trails, and the hum of connection. It’s also the very place where their love story began—where they spent summers cooking side-by-side as chefs in an incredible open-air kitchen. Choosing this venue wasn’t just sentimental, it was sacred.
A Wedding Day Rooted in Intention
The morning of the wedding, Carly and Jeremy got ready in separate spaces on the property, preparing for a first look tucked away on Trillium Trail—a fern-lined path they both knew by heart. I met them in that quiet pocket of the woods, where salmonberry bushes brushed their shoulders and dappled sunlight spilled through the trees. Their first look was raw and emotional—no posing, no pressure. Just two people grounding themselves in each other before the day began.
As we made our way back toward the ceremony site, we paused for a few bridal portraits. This is where the lifestyle side of my photography came into play—I offered soft direction and natural prompts, encouraging them to connect with each other, not the camera. The result was a set of photos that felt like them—easy, genuine, and alive.
A Ceremony Beneath the Redwoods
The Trillium Trail led us to a clearing surrounded by a circle of redwood trees. It’s here where their loved ones were waiting, seated within the sacred ring of trunks. Carly’s bouquet and Jeremy’s boutonniere were handed to them by their mothers at the end of the trail, a quiet ritual before they stepped into the next chapter together.
As they walked down the aisle—arm in arm, accompanied by friends playing string instruments—they were met by Carly’s twin sister, who stood ready to officiate their intimate, emotional ceremony. The tears, the laughter, the way they looked at each other—it was all real. And I was there, quietly, capturing every moment as it unfolded.
Community, Celebration, and an Ice Cream Truck in the Forest
The celebration continued with signature cocktails, lawn games, a lively photo booth, and a reception dinner set among the camp’s garden beds. Guests gathered at long family-style tables, where heartfelt speeches and happy tears flowed freely.
Then came a surprise that made the entire forest light up with joy—an old-school ice cream truck made its way down the dirt road to the camp. Everyone lined up like giddy kids, chasing the nostalgia of their favorite frozen treat. And just when it seemed like the evening couldn’t get more magical, a live bluegrass band set up and serenaded the forest. People danced under the trees, wrapped in string lights and pure joy.
Why I Love Documentary & Lifestyle Wedding Photography
Carly and Jeremy’s day is exactly why I believe in this approach. Documentary-lifestyle wedding photography allows space for truth—for quiet exchanges and big, bold feelings. It’s about preserving not just how your wedding looked, but how it felt.
And with a lifestyle touch, I can help you feel confident and comfortable when you need it—guiding you into moments that reflect your real connection, rather than stiff poses or awkward smiles. Their gallery tells a story from start to finish: the deep woods, the laughter, the handmade cocktails, the music, the love. It’s not just a collection of images—it’s a storybook they’ll flip through for the rest of their lives.
💬 Kind Words from the Groom
After delivering their gallery, I received this message from Jeremy—and honestly, this is exactly why I love what I do:
“Hi Leanna, we just had a chance to check out the photos today!
They're amazing, thanks so much. There were some shots that, in retrospect, we really wished we had gotten. But then it turns out you totally got them! So thanks for getting the photos we didn't even know we wanted yet!
It was fun to go through and remember our interactions with our guests, and also to get little glimpses of moments we hadn't been around for.
Your style really fit the vibe of our wedding, and we were so happy to work with you.”
✨ That’s the magic of documentary-lifestyle photography—capturing what matters most, sometimes even before you realize it.
