Crystal the Artist

Get creative. Be bold. Do uncomfortable things. I am in a season of returning to me. All rough and tumbly on the outside, but back to the core center of who I have always been. Years ago, (in my stay at home moming era) I used to be really friendly to my neighbors, because, well, I could. I had the bandwidth. So many awesome connections with extraordinary people were made that way. Both, lifelong friends and memory holding (now distant) connections still remain. But life happened. You know how it goes. It just gets faster and more complicated and busier and (damn) more painful. And sometimes when life gets painful, all we can do is retreat. So I did. The pandemic helped a lot with that drawing into myself process. When the world shut down, it was actually a really big relief to me in the beginning. I could let go of so many things I felt responsible for because every single thing stopped (just about). I had no excuses to not cut out the unnecessary chaos because there was SO much neces...

A smile so sweet, A child so dear. Snug in a blanket, Alive with no fear. May all the dear children, Receive grace for the year.

The mysterious moment of anticipating what is almost here.    The safety of being held by family that has always supported your health and growth.    The bliss of freedom to be.   Senior portraits are always a delight :) 

Still Relevant DON'T ROCK THE BOAT  The left. The right. It's the war we fight. What have we become when we've lost our sight? When we close our eyes and ignore the cries We don't see their value because we believe the lies. I know better. It's you who's wrong. And we'll die for our song. We'll carry our tune to the grave as we heap on shame. It's a hard job, but someone's got to do it. So we cast the blame. Stand down, and not too tall unless you're first weak and small and low... low enough to see. the. need... Sit down and dwell there, and smell there, and feel there. Cast your heart completely bare there. Then speak up for the oppressed, the poorly dressed. They are hungry,  so make sure you feed them. What have we become when we ignore the cries, and we enjoy the lies that feed our wars, and not our children? What have we become when we close our eyes, and fai...

These precious dreamers, as they lay, Their bright eyes soon will seek the day.   A mother's love is grounding care, And a steady presence means Father's near.   Safe and sound, in peaceful dreams, Slumber there, Do not weep.   With love surrounding and every need met with gentle, calming peace.   It is this moment we catch in time, A remembrance of life's small size.   We pause here And simply breathe.  These precious dreamers, are all we need.

  Life. Oh, life. Here I sit, once again. My head, A constant monologue of thoughts writing themselves into a beautiful narrative. And yet, When I sit, They insist on playing hide and seek. Like a knowing parent, I sigh, relax and smile. My words are not far. I will not fret. I will rest,  And when they are ready, I know They will return to me.

When I was younger I trained to compete in track and field events. I say that I trained because when it came to my time to run the hurdles I always chickened out. In my head there was a picture playing on repeat. Mid-jump my foot catches on the hurdle and I tumble to the ground unable to finish the race. It is regrettable to say that I never gave myself the chance to realize a different ending. Within the last 12 months I have seen some amazing things happen in my life. My dance with mental health will always ebb and flow, but now I can fully embrace just how strong and capable I truly am. The last year had its challenges standing tall like hurdles set for a race, but this time I firmly planted my feet on the ground ready to run. And I didn't just run. I flew over each marker without misstep. I made it past the finish line unscathed. Here I am in a new season with my mental health, a proud veteran of a war nobody else could feel. The relief and the lightness of release into somethi...

The sweet momentum of love and harmony radiates powerfully through her.    She shines and sparkles in cascading light--fully reflected through the prisms of her beauty.     Her spirit and her body a place of refuge,   for more than one who calls her mom.      Together, they will embrace the future while delightfully dancing to the rhythms of laughter.   It is through a woman that not just a child, but a family, is born. 

Yesterday was for road tripping to Eugene on a last minute call as second shooter for a wedding. While I can't share the images, I do have to say that the drive down to Sweet Cheeks Winery was absolutely stunning. I love rolling hills and mountain views, farmland, and acres of green in luscious Oregon.     The wedding was spectacular and so sweet. There was a first look with private vows between the bride and groom, a food truck, a mariachi band, and a lively bunch of friends and family. The photos are amazing and I wish I could share more.     Here are just a couple because I have to give a nice shout out to Sweet Cheeks Winery . So fun being a guest with a purpose last night!

I cannot express enough the gratitude that I have for this incredible care team. In their own words, " Canyon Medical Center is Portland Oregon's only naturopathic Birth Center & Primary Care Clinic, making our facility one that truly offers complete and convenient care for people and families of all ages."       I wish I had my own babies at this clinic. Look at that fun loving, knowledgeable and sweet birthing team! My family is fortunate enough to call some of these doctors our own. The personal attention that we receive at each office visit goes above and beyond the typical care you might find elsewhere.     My hat is off to the wonderful front office staff and administrative workers! They keep the wheels turning so many families may continue to receive exceptional services at their warm and welcoming medical clinic. For more information about the services they provide, please visit Canyon Medical Center's Website or call them directly at (503) 252-812...

I forgot I was afraid of heights. That isn't in the set of questions when you're offered upgrades to your entrance fee. "Excuse me ma'am, before you pay, I need to ask you... are you afraid of heights?" No. That is not a complimentary interrogation question for tourists. I was asked, however, if I would like a photoshoot on their swing wearing a fancy dress rental with a ridiculously long train for the perfect photo opportunity. Upcharge. Upgrade. Paid service. The front desk attendant motioned to a set of cobblestone steps leading down to the dress shop near the swings. It wasn't until I was making my decent down to the deep ravine made up of scenic rice fields in central Bali that I remembered my fear.  As I approached the dress rental counter I tried my hardest to swallow my fear of heights. I settled on a beautiful, iconic, bold red gown that I wasn't quite sure would fit me, even though I was told, "all dresses are the same." The wait for th...

Doted on. Wanted. Held. Adored. Sheltered. Celebrated. L O V E D That's what we all want and need.  Parents that show up a little frazzled with arms ready to comfort and provide. Warmth. Compassion. Care. Acceptance. This boy is already ahead of the game. Fragility and innocence protected. Tiny toes adored. A miracle fully expressed, sought, and seen. An awe inspiring world awaits you, little one. Go forth. Be brave. Grow. Explore. You already have everything you need.

The day was magical. Sunny, with a chill as the sun went down, illuminating the clouds above. Friends and family gathered around the track cheering on their favorite athletes. The calm of the evening only disrupted by the occasional bang at the start of each race. Peace, joy, determination, frustration and disappointment, the mingling of an emotional dance, telling a story of triumph and loses. It was an honor to get to photograph this senior as he glided over the high jump bar and across the finish line for each of his races. The scene gave my body and mind a reset as I sat observing humanity at rest and recharging through the enjoyment of life. It was beautiful.  

With the photography season coming to a close in the suburbs of Portland, and Autumn going out with a colorful burst of love from nature, I get to sit here catching up on my blog today. It makes me happy seeing families that I have been able to photograph over the last 14 years of shooting portraits, as well as to establish client relationships with new people. Photography remains fun and exciting for me. The day is bittersweet, with such lovely weather and all the time in the world, and no more sessions in the books this year. I'd rather be out shooting this day away! That's your invitation to keep me busy as we dodge the upcoming rainy season and light change with daylight savings time! If you are still needing pictures done this year, I am happy to work with you to make magic for your family photos happen! Here's a little sneak peak of my last session at a park in Tigard! The color is still there, holding out to sneak in a few more sessions!  Email crystaltheartist.onlin...

I can't believe that it has been a year since these senior portraits were taken a year ago in Tigard. I am reflecting back now on just how bad my blogging has been over the last few years! So many different photography jobs have come and gone without a trace, so I hope to get my photo sessions up to date at least! Here's a little snippet of our session from last year! Contact me at crystaltheartist.online@gmail.com to book a session this season.

Well, it's been a hot minute since I've written anything fresh here. While I would love to sprinkle glittery joy all over this piece of writing and take the time to smooth any rough edges that might offend someone and/or give another person any reason to gift me with another label to disqualify anything I say, yeah, that's just not me anymore. Positivity is great. Hope is great. Encouragement is great. Uplifting others is great. There is a time and place for all of that, but there is also a time and a place to sink to the bottom and rediscover a vulnerability that propels you to act in accordance with your genuine self in response to the current situation you are facing. I'm a wordy writer, I know. I wish I was a simpler writer, but life and my thoughts are truly complex and intermingled in depth that is not easily expressed with simple thoughts. So here we go! Today is Christmas 2023. This marks the 10 year anniversary of the hardest and most profound experience I have...

I had a dream this morning and although I don't have time to write it all down, I don't want to forget the key takeaways. It showed me that the most attractive thing to me that I find in people is their compassion for others. I will always stand with those who choose to see humanity without judgment. It is so hard sometimes, you know, like when anger is justified. But the bottom line is we're all human. Whatever differences there are between us and the horrendous neighbor of ours, we can be thankful for what we have been given in life that helps us act better, do better, live better AND we can acknowledge that other people's actions are evidence that we live in a multifaceted world where people live through extremely different experiences that shape them into who they are. I don't blame you if you won't back the actions of those who take no responsibility for shaping their minds and hearts to do more good in the world, but at least don't be a jerk to those w...

This morning the grief hit me like an unexpected and unrelenting freight train. My plans were forgotten, my determined spirit lost into oblivion. As the waves of sorrow kept on flooding over me, I welcomed the hurt and the remembrance of all that I had lost. I gave myself permission. "It’s okay to hurt, it’s okay to feel, now is the time to grieve." Twenty-four years ago, to this day, I lost my mother to a long fought battle against cancer. I was only nine at the time and was without a clear understanding of what that would mean for the rest of my life. There were so many things I could not have known. I didn’t cry then. Not when I was told the news. Not at her funeral (at least not genuinely). Not in the arranged counseling that followed. I was relieved that her suffering was over and that she was now resting in peace. I didn’t want to talk about it. I just wanted life to continue on and to not dwell on the fact that my mom had just died. She had set me up for success and I ...

I held my fist so tight. My hand was clenched upon my dreams. They sat inside a darkened cage. The walls were firmly pressing in. Inside the life was fading. Then in a moment of sweet grace, I heard the whisper stated, "Let go." My hand obeyed. With an outstretched palm I sat in wonder. I yearned for my hope to stay and for a moment I thought it would. Then the wind came and swept away my treasure. I watched it leave and fly away. How beautifully it danced upon the breeze. Out, away, far from me, it vanished into the open sky and followed the horizon. I could no longer call it mine. My heart, it wept. My strength was gone. My outstretched palm slowly fell to my side. It was alone and growing colder. And when I forgot why I stood, and where my feet were planted, I felt a hand in mine. A gentle pull beckoned me to follow. With one foggy step, one heavy step, my feet walked with no plan or intention. My only comfort was the man whose shapeless form seemed like a familiar strange...