My name is Angela and I'm the artist behind the images of Angela Smith Photography. I'm a wife, mother of two young children, and lover of all things photography.

I am located in Sherwood, Oregon and service the greater Portland Metro area. While I enjoy photographing subjects of all kinds, I have found that my passion lies in capturing life's most treasured moments - the miracle of a newborn, the confidence of a high school senior, a young couple in love, and a bride's tears of joy on her wedding day.

I want to thank you for visiting my blog. Please kick your feet up, grab a cup of coffee, and share my passion with me!

Wednesday, December 1

Broach bouquet

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Friday, November 19

Britnee : 2011 Senior

I'm a bit behind on my blogging...

Okay, maybe that's an understatement. I think I could blog every day until 2012 and still not be caught up. At least I'll have something to keep me busy during the slower time. :)

Britnee is another one of my beautiful class of 2011 seniors, and like many of the others, the camera loved her! See for yourself...

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Thursday, November 18

7 day old Knox : Portland Oregon Newborn Photography

I love it when my clients know what they want, and Knox's mom did not disappoint. We planned most of what we were going to do for her newborn session during our maternity shoot, then I (we) eagerly waited for little Knox's arrival.

Knox was a photographer's dream in every way. He pretty much slept through the entire session, didn't fight my poses too much, and was cute as can be!

I love how mom and dad brought some items from home to really personalize their session. The white chair and blanket are from Knox's nursery. :)

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Wednesday, November 17

So I never forget

It wasn't even a month ago that I sat here on my couch, laptop perched on my legs, and swore I'd never see it. Of course, deep down, I knew the light was there somewhere, but I was too buried in work to see it. My heart broke as time after time I sent my kids upstairs to entertain each other instead of taking the time to play a game, build with legos, or paint a picture as they had asked. It broke even more when they just stopped asking. I know that they are not going to stop growing while I sit at my computer all day editing this session or that wedding. I know that too soon, the day will come when they no longer want to play, snuggle and read with me. I know that next fall, my youngest will start kindergarten and my home will be empty and lonely, even if for just 2 1/2 hours a day.

I worry that I will look back and have regrets. Regrets about not enough zoo trips. Regrets of replying too often with "just a minute." Regrets about missed opportunities to turn a bad experience at school into a valuable life lesson.

I also want to make sure I'm absolutely clear on one thing.

Without a doubt, I love my job. LOVE.

I realize what a blessing it is to have people pay me to do something I love so much. I realize what a blessing it is that I am able to provide extra money for my family from the comfort of my home. I realize what a blessing it is to have my children home with me while I work instead of a stranger's home. Whole heartedly, I get it.

And today, sitting on my couch, laptop perched on my legs, I can see the light. I am trying so hard to be caught up by Thanksgiving, and it's going to be close. I may have few things carry over. You know what? I'm okay with that. What I'm not okay with is getting up from this couch to find my children have grown up and I've missed it.

So I'm taking today off. Instead of working, my daughter and I went to church, had a lunch date in my car, and talked. We snuggled on the couch, had hot chocolate and played a game on my iPhone. This afternoon, I'm going to spend some one on one time with my son. I think we'll go out for a Starbucks and I'll turn that bad thing that happened at school today into what will hopefully be a life lesson about how to deal with disappointment.

I took these pictures of Addison playing on my iPhone so I never forget. How little she was. How she curls her toes. How she smiles.

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Monday, September 20

2010 Susan G Komen Race for the Cure

Yesterday, Team Nadine hit the pavement for the Susan G Komen Race for the Cure, along with nearly 40,000 other participants. This was the first year Team Nadine registered as an official team and we raised over $900 combined for the Susan G Komen Foundation.

We started the day with a quick stop at our local Starbucks, then headed to Washington Square to wait for our shuttle.

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We found a nice gentleman to take a few pictures of our team.

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Our team consisted of my best friend Misty, my mom Sandy..

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..My son Brady and my cousin Amy..

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We lost my mom's mother to breast cancer over 6 years ago. This was my mom's first year participating in the race and I'm excited to have her on my team.

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This was Brady's second year racing with me. He did a wonderful job and managed to find a sucker to carry him so his legs could have a little rest..

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My beautiful mother..

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I can't say how special it was to have my mom at my side this year. The girls came up the night before the race and we toasted to our team and my grandmother. Then, we stayed up way too late sharing memories of our beloved Nadine.

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Team Nadine at the finish line!

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Brady 2010

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Tuesday, August 31

A letter to Nadine

I can't stop thinking about you. It must be the time of year, with the race just around the corner and all. Whatever the reason, you've been on my mind a lot. I miss you more than I can express and the way you lived your life is a constant reminder of the way I want to live mine. You are withouth a doubt someone who made this world a better place and I'd like to think at the end of my life, I might have done the same.

Granmda 1

You were such a beautiful woman. Not only in your appearance, but deep down into your soul, you were beautiful. Kind, loving, giving, patient, generous, loyal.. The list goes on.. One of my favorite things about you was your sense of humor. I will never forget the year that you drew Curt's name in the gift exchange and gave him the gift of snowman poop. His reaction of not being certain if you were serious or not only made it better. I think about times like these and it makes my heart ache. Because I miss you, of course, but also because I'm left wishing I had taken more time to talk with you. And to listen.

Granmda 2

I wish you had been able to see and hold my children. I try to remain thankful that I got to share the news of my first pregnancy with you - I realize it's more than my younger cousins will have - but I can't help but feel ripped off somehow, and a little jealous of my older cousins who got to have you in their children's lives.

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I admire how content you were. You lived simply, and you were content. Your home was small, and the only one I have ever known you to live in. And you raised five children there. Most days, I struggle with the two I have. I cannot imagine raising five - especially in such close quarters. Yet you did it, and you did it well. I don't think I've ever heard you complain either. About anything.

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I adore your faith and loyalty. Mom gave me your Bible and it's one of my most treasured posessions. It sits proudly on my mantle and once in awhile, the kids and I will sit down and look through it. I love the family tree section and wish it was filled out more completely. And I love that it has your handwriting in it.
I told them the story about the fifty dollar bill that you found in it. About how you were worried about your finances, so you opened up your Bible to pray, and there it was. That's one of my favorite stories.

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I'm grateful to have you and Grandpa as an example of what a marriage should be like. I doubt it was perfect (although I can't ever remember seeing you fight). I'm certain there were difficult times. But through it all, love remained. You treated eachother with love and respect and you built a strong foundation on which to raise your family. You welcomed others into your home and helped those in need.

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I hope you know how often I think about you. Your clock hangs in my dining room and every time it chimes, I smile. I can't see a rosebush without thinking of your beautiful rose garden (and you pruning in your bra). :) I sometimes call my daughter by her middle name, just so I can say yours, and I wish I had just given her your name as her first like I had wanted. I wish I could tell you how much you meant to me, although I'd like to think you knew.

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Friday, August 20

Kylee : Senior

She's beautiful, funny and creative. Her smile is contagious.

This evening, I met up with Kylee and her mom Lori in the Pearl District. I love working with girls like Kylee - she was so easy to talk with and such a natural in front of the camera. But I'm sure it's hard not to be, when you're as gorgeous as she is.

I know I'm jumping ahead a bit in my editing, but I wanted to put a little peak up for Kylee and Lori. Thank you both so much for an enjoyable evening. I truly enjoyed our walk and conversation - enjoy your peek!

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