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Tag Archives: Serravision Photography

Posted in Photographers of Portlandby

Meet Serra

Serra is the owner and primary photographer for Serravision Photography. Serravision Photography makes it simple and natural to remember the best parts of life and strengthen your family through modern story-based photography. We all have stories, so you’re welcome to start your journey with us at any time. Some of the best moments to take the plunge are when you’re pregnant or have a new baby, to celebrate new or treasured relationships, birthdays, and other milestones in your family’s life. Serra also specializes in adoption stories.

About Serra

A northwest native, I spent 5 years in Boston learning the art of high-end photography as well as earning a master’s degree in documentary video and media art.  In 2008, I moved back to the Northwest to practice my art.

Over the years, my education and my passion for family have overlapped to form the documentary-inspired lifestyle photography that I create today.

I believe in joy, and I see it everywhere. Many of my clients start out hesitant. “I would love to do this,” they say, “but I just don’t know if we are that interesting. “To that, all I can say is “Do you trust me? Let me show it to you.”

Hiring a photographer is like making a friend. You don’t want to hire just anyone! You’ve got to choose someone whose work you like, but also someone you like and trust as a person.  If I’m going to get true images of your family, I will have to become part of your life!

If you love my style, and would like to get to know me, I sincerely hope you will reach out and join my revolution.

Her Family

I’m an adoptive mom to a 4-yr-old and grateful for almost 13 years with the best partner I could ask for. We live in Portland with our two adolescent ragdoll cats.

My kiddo is a kinetic ball of energy. He loves to run and jump, ride his scooter, play with any kind of sports gear (lately he’s into his wiffle ball/bat and hula hoops), and ride his bike. He and I like to color in coloring books together, and work on jigsaw puzzles.

Things Serra LOVES!






  • Making Things
  • Fresh Berries
  • Woodland Rivers

Tarvel

We’ve begun a tradition of going to the Oregon Coast for a camping trip the week after school lets out. We love spending time outdoors together.

Posted in Family & Childrenby

two moms with their preschool son and daughter sitting on the couch with musical instruments Mothers rule because they:

  1. keep going even on little sleep.
  2. laugh in times when they feel like crying.
  3. make the world better with a simple smile.
  4. see the beauty in their child’s creativity
  5. want to make a difference
  6. sacrifice their own needs
  7. will listen to the whole story, even if it takes forever and starts multiple times.
  8. drive here and there and everywhere and back to here and there and everywhere again.
  9. invent amazing meals from limited ingredients.
  10. understand the art of playing games at the right pace so that everyone has fun.
  11. have the ability to translate toddler language.
  12. can find the one clean pair of socks in the house.
  13. can make broken things work again.
  14. know the exact variations on voices that make stories come alive.
  15. believe in their kids and their dreams.

 

Serravision Photography works with families to create custom storybooks featuring their life and their words.

From Serra:
My formal training is as a documentary filmmaker. I am a storyteller who uses photography as my tool. I love making client’s stories come to life, and I make it happen with minimal effort on your part. It’s a bit like magic!

Free consultations always.

#seeyourjoy
#getinthepicture

Posted in Family & Childrenby , , , , , , , , , , ,

Toddler is playing peek-a-boo behind a newspaper which, poignantly, is all about the upcoming election

This session happened the day before election day. The whole world was on edge. And, in this house, we were taking a break from the world and playing a rousing game of peek-a-boo by the fire! I love that the mood of the day is written all over the paper he picked up to hide behind. And I also love how much unbridled joy exists on his moms’ faces, because HE is what its all about. <3

Serravision Photography works with families to create custom storybooks featuring their life and their words.

From Serra:
My formal training is as a documentary filmmaker. I am a storyteller who uses photography as my tool. I love making client’s stories come to life, and I make it happen with minimal effort on your part. It’s a bit like magic!

Free consultations always.

#seeyourjoy
#getinthepicture

Posted in Newborn & Babyby , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

It

I can’t even with this photo. From the smooshy newborn face to mom’s loving attention to the hand in the heart tattoo… even the lighting feels beautiful to me, despite the fact that it’s fluorescent overhead light. You’ve gotta work with what you’ve got and, in this case, I think we did A-OK.

 

Serravision Photography works with families to create custom storybooks featuring their life and their words.

From Serra:
My formal training is as a documentary filmmaker. I am a storyteller who uses photography as my tool. I love making client’s stories come to life, and I make it happen with minimal effort on your part. It’s a bit like magic!

Free consultations always.

#seeyourjoy
#getinthepicture

Posted in Weddingby , , , , , , ,

collage of rustic wedding detail photos for a wedding album

I know what you’re thinking… What is this, a wedding photo? But we never see weddings in your feed Serra!

True. Because I rarely accept them. When I do, it’s because we have history. I’ve known this bride since she was 5 years old. I watched her grow through elementary school, through middle and high school, and I’ve kept up with her story as she became the lovely woman she is today.

I watched her relax and brighten in the early stages of this relationship, and it was so obvious how happy it/he has made her. And when I was asked if I would be there to capture her big day of course I said yes – with joy.

So many congratulations my dear Kari. So excited to see where YOUR joy takes you next. <3

Serravision Photography works with families to create custom storybooks featuring their life and their words.

From Serra:
My formal training is as a documentary filmmaker. I am a storyteller who uses photography as my tool. I love making client’s stories come to life, and I make it happen with minimal effort on your part. It’s a bit like magic!

Free consultations always.

#seeyourjoy
#getinthepicture

Posted in Family & Childrenby , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
mom and toddler blowing bubbles together, laughing Close-up photo of a toddler with berry juice all over his face

There’s a special place in my heart, and in the hearts of most northwesterners, for the summer here in our part of the world.

Oregon summers, although they can mean hot sunny weather, ice cream, and swimming like in many other places, are a special time when families can experience a lot of joy outside together. Summer is berry season. It’s river season. It’s bubble season.

What represents summer in Oregon for your family?

Serravision Photography works with families to create custom storybooks featuring their life and their words.

From Serra:
My formal training is as a documentary filmmaker. I am a storyteller who uses photography as my tool. I love making client’s stories come to life, and I make it happen with minimal effort on your part. It’s a bit like magic!

Free consultations always.

#seeyourjoy
#getinthepicture

Posted in Family & Childrenby , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

A photo collage featuring a young boy and a yellow tulip - the text reads "Flowers are born in the dirt. They rise up and bloom where they

I have been having a blast creating photo mosaics and posting them over time on instagram. You may also know this phenomenon as the “Grid Collage”.

Have you seen this technique and wondered how to make it happen? It takes a little planning, but anyone can learn to do it. How fun would it be to create a grid collage out of one of your own family’s pictures? This article is what got me started: https://thepreviewapp.com/perfectly-split-instagram-grid-4-easy-steps-twigyposts/

As she says at the end of the blog, “This method may sound a little crazy or time consuming…and it can certainly feel that way in the beginning.  But, I promise you.  Once you get the hang of it…you will love it!”. She was not joking…

Discovering this way of posting was what got me hooked on instagram. It’s so much fun! If this kind of photo geek-ery tickles you as much as it does me, maybe you’ll join me! See what other antics I’ve been up to. :)

Serravision Photography works with families to create custom storybooks featuring their life and their words.

From Serra:

My formal training is as a documentary filmmaker. I am a storyteller who uses photography as my tool. I love making client’s stories come to life, and I make it happen with minimal effort on your part. It’s a bit like magic!

If you place a high value on your family, and on creating a sense of unity and belonging for yourself and your children, you will love this unique way of looking at lifestyle photography.

Free consultations always.

#seeyourjoy
#getinthepicture

Posted in Family & Children, Newborn & Babyby , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Mom flying toddler/baby through the air while his Mama watches, laughing

Every time you point your camera, you’re about to tell a story. What story do you want to tell? This image is all about the fast life of a toddler. Boundless energy shows on his face, while his moms, positioned behind him, are clearly happy…and just a touch exhausted. 😂

 

Serravision Photography works with families to create custom storybooks featuring their life and their words.

From Serra:

My formal training is as a documentary filmmaker. I am a storyteller who uses photography as my tool. I love making client’s stories come to life, and I make it happen with minimal effort on your part. It’s a bit like magic!

If you place a high value on your family, and on creating a sense of unity and belonging for yourself and your children, you will love this unique way of looking at lifestyle photography.

Free consultations always.

#seeyourjoy
#getinthepicture

Posted in Portraits & Headshotsby , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

former professional ballerina walks through the surf at Manzanita Beach

This is a throwback to last summer. I really wanted to share this image, because it feels like she is leading us into the summer <3 I love how her bright orange dress contrasts the blue sky.

The subject of this image is a woman who was a professional ballerina when she was younger. I had so much fun spending time watching her grace of movement in this magnificent location that just happens to be special to her heart.

Serravision Photography works with families to create custom storybooks featuring their life and their words.

From Serra:

My formal training is as a documentary filmmaker. I am a storyteller who uses photography as my tool. I love making client’s stories come to life, and I make it happen with minimal effort on your part. It’s a bit like magic!

If you place a high value on your family, and on creating a sense of unity and belonging for yourself and your children, you will love this unique way of looking at lifestyle photography.

Free consultations always.

#seeyourjoy
#getinthepicture

Posted in Family & Childrenby , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Two preschool boys wearing bright colored red and yellow snow suits play in the snow outside in a portland oregon park

Snow is rare in the Northwest. So when there’s snow – even if it’s just half an inch – there’s no messing around!

It’s all or nothing.

 

Snow in Portland is a precious commodity. We’re lucky to get a day or two of playable snow in an entire winter. Last year, the snow was too powdery to make into snowballs or snow men, and then it turned into ice for days on end. So imagine the delight for kids this year when the perfect packable snow fell and stuck right here in PDX!

Last year, at just over 2, the little guy in red was VERY skeptical of snow. He was ok with being pulled in a sled, but did not really want to stand in the snow, even with boots on. The year before, he was horrified by it. It was tantrum-inducing and not at all intriguing. This year he’s all in – feet first, face first, it doesn’t really matter! Without a question, he and one of his best buddies ran out and started playing hard. And I was lucky enough to be invited to witness the joy.

 

 

Serravision Photography works with families to create custom storybooks featuring their life and their words.

From Serra:

My formal training is as a documentary filmmaker. I am a storyteller who uses photography as my tool. I love making client’s stories come to life, and I make it happen with minimal effort on your part. It’s a bit like magic!

If you place a high value on your family, and on creating a sense of unity and belonging for yourself and your children, you will love this unique way of looking at lifestyle photography.

Free consultations always.

#seeyourjoy
#getinthepicture

Posted in Portraits & Headshotsby , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

black-history-month

Serravision Photography specializes in teaching families how to improve the pictures they take of their kids, and in capturing lifestyle photography of families : step into your life and experience the truth, the joy, and the beauty that is already present every day.

#seeyourjoy
#getinthepicture

Posted in Photographers of Portlandby , , , , , ,

how to capture the eclipse - a brief infographic that covers the basics of planning your location, protecting your eyes and your equipment with glasses and filters, learning to bracket your exposure for drastic light changes, and most importantly staying present to the experience.

Are you seeing this?

The simple answer is “No.”

I am not seeing the same thing you are.

On Monday morning, everyone in Oregon will experience a solar eclipse. For about a third of the state, for varying amounts of time, it will reach totality. Understandably, the focus for many of us is on the sun and the moon. After all, the moon crossing between the Earth and the sun is what creates our experience of an eclipse!

But even though we will all watch the same cosmic event, we will all watch it from our own unique perspective. And that is what’s really interesting about this event.

Learn how to safely document this experience and capture truly meaningful images – even using only your smartphone – today in Serravision Photography‘s article: Am I the only one seeing this? – How to photograph the eclipse.

We hope you’ll share your story in pictures!

 

Serravision Photography works with families to create custom storybooks featuring their life and their words.

From Serra:

My formal training is as a documentary filmmaker. I am a storyteller who uses photography as my tool. I love making client’s stories come to life, and I make it happen with minimal effort on your part. It’s a bit like magic!

If you place a high value on your family, and on creating a sense of unity and belonging for yourself and your children, you will love this unique way of looking at lifestyle photography.

Free consultations always.

#seeyourjoy
#getinthepicture

Posted in Family & Childrenby

two-year-old boy playing in the kiddie pool and laughing

“Don’t tickle my tummy!” he shouts.

Then, “Tickle my tummy again!!” Oh, to be a toddler…

This child is two and a half now, and we have known each other since he was only a few weeks old. The power of focusing on relationships first is that there’s no pretense. No prodding, or directing. No need for negotiations or bribes like there always were when I worked in the studio world…This little boy is at an age that many people are terrified of.

Because at two and a half everything has to be on his terms. And yet, he is engaged fully with me. He truly wants me to play with him! That authenticity is what makes the child’s true spirit shine through. It’s through that connection that we are able to see his true joy.

And, now that he has a new baby brother who is taking a lot of attention, these joyful memories are going to be all that much more important for him and his family.

 

Serravision Photography works with families to create custom storybooks featuring their life and their words.

From Serra:

My formal training is as a documentary filmmaker. I am a storyteller who uses photography as my tool. I love making client’s stories come to life, and I make it happen with minimal effort on your part. It’s a bit like magic!

If you place a high value on your family, and on creating a sense of unity and belonging for yourself and your children, you will love this unique way of looking at lifestyle photography.

Free consultations always.

#seeyourjoy
#getinthepicture

Posted in Family & Children, Maternity, Newborn & Babyby

Lesbian couple hanging out and laughing outside their home with their newborn baby and two black and white cats.

#1: Do you like them as a person?

In order to walk away with pictures that will trigger good memories, you need to have a good time taking them! You need to be comfortable with your photographer, and enjoy being around them.

#2: Does their work make your heart happy?

Make sure to look at your photographer’s portfolio. Do you like their work? All of it? If some of it sits the wrong way with you, that is a huge red flag that you might be hiring the wrong photographer. You should love everything they put out! That is the only way to feel confident that you will love the work they do for you, too.

#3: How much is this worth to you?

Just like with most things, the more you pay for family pictures the more you will get out of them. Are you wondering why some photographers charge a lot more than others? It’s usually for two reasons. First, they have enough experience to know that they can deliver on their promise. Second, they are running a legitimate business and doing things by the book, so they have calculated what they need to charge to pay their business expenses.

For more tips, including the number 1 question to ask yourself before selecting a photographer, and the number 1 mistake people tell me about, click through to the original blog, “What To Look For In A Family Photographer: The Important Stuff”

Serravision Photography works with families to create custom storybooks featuring their life and their words.

From Serra:

My formal training is as a documentary filmmaker. I am a storyteller who uses photography as my tool. I love making client’s stories come to life, and I make it happen with minimal effort on your part. It’s a bit like magic!

If you place a high value on your family, and on creating a sense of unity and belonging for yourself and your children, you will love this unique way of looking at lifestyle photography.

Free consultations always.

#seeyourjoy
#getinthepicture

Posted in Newborn & Babyby , , , , , , , ,

Black and white photo of a newborn sleeping on his tummy with a blanket and mom

This image of mom’s hand on her baby’s back has a calm feeling of connection. Because of the non-traditional angle, the focus of the image is really on their relationship more than it is on either mom or baby.

So you have a baby at home…awesome!

You may have just realized that you desperately want to share this new baby with the world but you can’t seem to get a good picture of them. What gives? You obviously SEE how beautiful your baby is. In fact, it’s almost impossible to get over the feeling of awe you feel. So why don’t any of your pictures seem to come close?

Don’t worry, it isn’t just you! Most people are no good at taking pictures of babies. And it isn’t necessarily because it’s super hard to do it – it’s that we are not used to doing it. With a few simple things in mind, you can dramatically improve the photos you take of your baby.

  1. Find good light
  2. Get the angle right
  3. Think about the story you’re telling
  4. Make sure there’s nothing crazy in the background

Sound too good to be true?

For some easy tips for taking pictures of your newborn as well as a list of commonly overlooked photo opps, click through to the original blog, “Newborn Photo Tips – Hooray, You’re A Parent!”

Serravision Photography specializes in teaching families how to improve the pictures they take of their kids, and in capturing lifestyle photography of families : step into your life and experience the truth, the joy, and the beauty that is already present every day.

#seeyourjoy
#getinthepicture

Posted in Family, Family & Childrenby , , , , , , ,

happy mom and two kids playing on a see-saw in the park Do you feel like it’s too late to start taking family pictures?

Many of us struggle with this idea of it being too late to start something. Too late to learn something new, or start a project, or write a journal, or make a new tradition.

For me, I think this ties into a sort of “perfectionism” – wanting to get it “right” from the start.

The thing with life is, though, that there’s never a clear start. When does your family story begin? When you’re a child and dream of having a family? When you are pregnant or exploring? When your first child comes home?

Your story starts now. It always has.

 

Click through to the original blog, “Do you feel like it’s too late to start?”

 

 

Serravision Photography specializes in teaching families how to improve the pictures they take of their kids, and in capturing lifestyle photography of families : step into your life and experience the truth, the joy, and the beauty that is already present every day.

#seeyourjoy
#getinthepicture

Posted in Maternityby

Awesome joy-filled "maternity" photo of family, dad is holding their toddler son upside down and pregnant mom is laughing.

And how to make sure you love them.

 

1. Your body is amazing!

You may be one of the lucky ones who loves being pregnant! You might be sick every day. Being pregnant might be everything you dreamed of, or it may not be what you expected at all… No matter your path, trust me. This is guaranteed to be something worth looking back on.

2. You can never get to go back.

Whether you love being pregnant or not, it is a major (and temporary) change in your life!  Humans remember things they focus on, and forget (or don’t even notice) the rest. Photos give you a way to look at your life through new eyes. They give you a way to keep connecting with the moment.

3. Do it for your child. 

These memories belong to all the people who love you, not just to you. The more time passes the more you will want to share this journey. With your partner, and especially with your children. As time passes, you will meet new friends you meet down the road who didn’t know you while you were pregnant. You never know when you’ll want to (or be asked to) share these remarkable memories.

4. This is your life. 

This is about capturing who you are right now. It’s about you as a whole person. It is about more than just the shape of your belly. It’s about your life changing in an unimaginably big way. It’s about remembering a time, just like any other, that is impermanent. It’s about who you were before, and it’s about who you are becoming. It’s about your joy. So when you approach maternity pictures keep that in mind, and make the pictures about more than just how your body looks during pregnancy. Make it about your relationships and the activities you love. Make it about the funny foods you enjoy, or the odd exercises you’ve taken up. Make it about you.

5. Sharing your story is fun.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again.

You don’t have to take pictures of your pregnancy.
You get to take pictures of your pregnancy!

And I’m here to help you do it right.

 

Photography Tips and Tricks Header Image Click through to the original blog, Why You Should Take Maternity Pictures, to read more and get ideas for what moments to capture and tips for how to make sure they come out beautiful!

 

 

Serravision Photography specializes in teaching families how to improve the pictures they take of their kids, and in capturing lifestyle photography of families : step into your life and experience the truth, the joy, and the beauty that is already present every day.

#seeyourjoy
#getinthepicture

Posted in Family & Childrenby

lifestyle photographer Serravision Photography celebrates world kindness day by allowing her toddler to play with his food Unexpected Kindness is the most powerful, least costly, and most underrated agent of human change.
Make someone’s day today. November 13 is World Kindness Day.


Join in this fun game started by Red Tricycle:
Take a photo of your kids doing something silly with peas
Post and tag with #ParentsForPeas  #SeeYourJoy #WorldKindnessDay on Instagram, Twitter and/or Facebook.

Serravision Photography specializes in teaching families how to improve the pictures they take of their kids, and in capturing lifestyle photography of families : step into your life and experience the truth, the joy, and the beauty that is already present every day.

#seeyourjoy
#getinthepicture

Posted in Family & Children, Maternityby

Pregnant mom, husband, and son race each other down the sidewalk

Maternity photos are all about celebrating how amazing your body is! They should express your spirit. They shouldn’t be awkward, posed, or done in a studio. The whole point of lifestyle photography is to see people in context. Families play together, people love each other, and life never stands still. That’s why I love this pregnant mom running a race with her toddler and husband! It’s the life they live every day, and it’s beautiful.

Serravision Photography specializes in teaching families how to improve the pictures they take of their kids, and in capturing lifestyle photography of families : step into your life and experience the truth, the joy, and the beauty that is already present every day.

#seeyourjoy
#getinthepicture

Posted in Family & Childrenby

This is a spread from the book Serravision Photography made for her son

How a professional lifestyle family photographer documents her son’s first year of life.

Monthly baby photos for the baby’s first year are part of our fabric these days. If you are on social media, you’ve seen them. If you have a baby, BOY have you seen them! People desperately want to hold onto these times. They want to remember the small details. They want to see the changes from month-to-month. They want to see how quickly their child changed.

As a lifestyle family photographer, I got to see all of this first hand when I had my first baby. And here’s what I believe about what is truly important to capture when documenting baby’s first year….

Lifestyle family photography is all about everyday situations. When toddlers are involved, and you’re walking through the Hawthorne district, that could mean just about anything. I love how his “ride bikes” hoodie and orange pants perfectly match this alley. That’s just how cool real life can be. And my job is to turn it into a story. My job is to make art out of the everyday moments.

Serravision Photography specializes in teaching families how to improve the pictures they take of their kids, and in capturing lifestyle photography of families : step into your life and experience the truth, the joy, and the beauty that is already present every day.

#seeyourjoy
#getinthepicture

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