THE MCDOWNERS // PORTLAND
I have had a photo crush on Jenny Downer for years. I remember seeing her work for the first time and it left me in awe.
I was a bit starstruck the first time we met, and since then we have foraged a friendship. She is constantly creating
inspiring work and I feel lucky to call her friend. When she asked me to photograph her family, I was beyond thrilled.
They handed me a jar of homemade pickles, we hopped in their awesome-mobile and they took me on a southeast Portland
adventure: velvet couches, world maps, and walls of antlers at Seek The Unique; fried chicken, miso twinkies and rice tots at
Boke Bowl; their reflections in puddles; their faces in fox masks; the four of them together, walking through a December day.
We said goodbye that afternoon, and the rain and the sun continued to mix together in the sky. I have always been a fan of Jen’s,
and now I adore her family as well. McDowners, you rock my world.
*see Jenny’s incredible work here.
SHELBY!!!! You have given us such an incredible gift in these photos! You are ooooozing with the most glorious talent, my friend. I love every single image beyond words. Thank you thank you thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh my goodness. This is beautiful. You are pretty rad yourself, Shelby!
love these.
Love these. Love all your work! Your composition and use of negative space is really great, and the emotion and personality that you capture – Superb.
Those masks are pretty great too! If you know where I can find some for my family, I’d love to know:)
this shoot is just rockin! love that one of the husb with his face barely there, framed by white. you da bomb.
Love all of it as well were the house ones taken @ your home? Very kool place.
Shut. Up. Shelby these are PHENOMENAL! Seriously, dude, some of your best work ever. What a true gift to the McD’s. xo
Doooooooooood.
Shelby, you are crazy. McDonwners, you are STUNNING
holy shit, these are so great. sam’s eyes are magic!
Love the puddle and that last one! Nice work, Shelby.
love the water reflection shot. Nice portrait of the family ‘standing in the air’. I like his ‘beer’ tee xD
thanks alan! i know–his beer tee is awesome. i kinda want one…
These are all so lovely! Especially love the shot of Zoe on the couch. 🙂
thanks so much kelsey! 🙂
Being the spouse/partner of a photographer isn’t easy. It’s like I have to share my lovely with some form of camera (yes, even on dates I find that a hug or a flirtatious attempt to grab my lady often finds my hand touching an SLR body instead of the intended body… Needless to say, I’m not the best at feeling at ease in front of the lens (I’ve always been one behind the lens).
After meeting you in person, and with Jen speaking so highly of you, How could I be anything but totally excited to get into the groove and let you work your magic?
In a world that is filled with chaos and uncertainty, it’s more important than ever to seek out a photographer that tugs at your heart strings, making that connection, hiring them, and taking a moment out of your life; like our photo shoot – a tiny moment in time, the blink of an eye, the click of a shutter, that captured ‘us’.
Thank you so much! I hope to have more opportunities to introduce you to other gastronomic delights in the future…
rob! i love your words and i adored being with you four that day–you guys are the best. i am still having friend chicken dreams…x
I have a different favorite every time I look! There isn’t a single one that I don’t LOVE! And I have HIGH FREAKING STANDARDS! :o)
this makes me the happiest photog in da’wurld. x
You are magic baby girl…..wow.
you are the original magic, frida.