Ariel Dawn Photography

05/25/2026

https://www.arieldawnphotography.com/blog-bend-oregon-photographer/a-beautiful-winter-day-for-engagement-photos-at-smith-rock http://www.arieldawnphotography.com/blog/

A Beautiful Winter Day for Engagement Photos at Smith Rock Ariel Dawn PhotographyMay 25, 2026Engagement PhotosComment Facebook0 Twitter Pinterest0 0 Likes

04/29/2026

Cassidy & Owen | Cascade Mountain Engagement Session ❄️

Cassidy and Owen’s wedding is coming up this May and I am so giddy to photograph their day 🤍

Owen had Cassidy laughing the entire session—which made everything feel so effortless. This is exactly why I love photographing couples like this… when you’re this natural and comfortable with each other, the candid, in-between moments just happen. No forcing, no overthinking—just real connection.

We planned this session right after fresh snow hit the Cascade Mountains, and it gave us the most incredible backdrop with the North Sister showing off in the distance. Overcast skies created the dreamiest soft, even light—one of those rare Central Oregon moments where everything aligns and you can capture it all in a single frame.

P.S. Cassidy and Owen were claiming they didn’t know how to do a dip kiss… but from this photo I’d say they might be pros. What do you think? 😏

Ariel Dawn Photography
Bend, Oregon Wedding Photographer & Videographer

04/23/2026

There’s something really special about holding these in my hands… ✨

My new wedding business cards just arrived, and every single one features a real moment from last season 🤍

From FivePine Lodge to Sisters, Aspen Lakes Golf Course, Sunriver Resort, Rock Springs Ranch, Pole Creek Ranch, and Westcliff Lodge in Hood River… these are some of the most incredible venues in Central Oregon and across the state—and I still can’t believe I get to document love stories in places like this.

But what makes these cards mean the most to me isn’t just the locations… it’s the people.

Every image on these cards is from a real wedding last year. Real couples. Real eмоtions. Real memories I had the honor of being part of.

So many amazing clients. So many unforgettable days.

And now… they’re the face of my brand.

Because what I do isn’t just about how your wedding day looked—
it’s about how it felt.

The deep breaths before you walk down the aisle.
The way your partner looks at you when no one else is watching.
The laughter, the chaos, the quiet in-between moments.

That’s what I’m capturing—through both photo and film.

Not just how it looked…
but how it felt 🤍

— Ariel Dawn Photography

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04/22/2026

Golden hour at Aspen Lakes is always a favorite. 💛

And yes… that video? That’s me in my natural habitat—driving the golf cart like it’s part of the job (because it kind of is 😄).

One of my favorite things about shooting at Aspen Lakes is getting to take my couples on a little adventure around the property—chasing the best light, hitting all the hidden gems, and making it feel effortless and fun along the way.

You don’t have to know where to go or what to do—I’ve got you. You just get to be present, soak it all in, and enjoy the ride (literally 😉).

Because when you’re relaxed and having fun, that’s when the real magic shows up ✨

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03/03/2026

Tess & Matthew’s wedding day in downtown Bend was one for the books 🤍 They were one of the very first couples to be married inside the newly restored Historic St. Francis Church, and the ceremony was absolutely breathtaking. The white altar, restored windows, and monogrammed tile aisle made their Catholic wedding feel timeless and classic. After their ceremony, guests walked over to McMenamins Old St. Francis School for a joyful reception filled with incredible food, heartfelt toasts, a packed dance floor, and the sweetest moments with family. We even snuck away to Drake Park for summer portraits overlooking the Deschutes River and mountain views — one of my favorite Bend wedding photo locations. This one was extra special for me — I was 8 months pregnant and it was my final wedding of the season before baby arrived 🤍 What a beautiful way to close out the year. You can view their full wedding day here: [Insert Blog Link] If you’re planning a wedding at Historic St. Francis Church, McMenamins Old St. Francis School, Drake Park, or anywhere in Bend and Central Oregon, I would love to connect. https://www.arieldawnphotography.com/blog-bend-oregon-photographer/historic-st-francis-church-wedding-mcmenamins-old-st-francis-school-reception-in-bend-oregon http://www.arieldawnphotography.com/blog/

Catholic wedding at Historic St. Francis Church in Bend, Oregon with a reception at McMenamins Old St. Francis School and portraits at Drake Park by a Bend wedding photographer.

01/24/2026

Hello and happy New Year ✨
Figured it was time to step in front of the camera and say hi 🤍

2025 was a year that stretched me, shaped me, and surprised me in the best ways. It was our biggest wedding photography + videography season yet 📷🎥 Couples trusted us with some of the most meaningful days of their lives, flying us in from all over to document their stories, their families, their love. That kind of trust is never lost on me. My hope with every client is that you walk away with images you love and the feeling that you gained a genuine friend in the process.

And beyond the lens… 2025 also brought me into motherhood 🤍
A home birth. A 72-hour labor. No drugs. Just breath, surrender, trust, love, and a room full of support. It was one of the most powerful experiences of my life 🌿✨ We welcomed our daughter in late October, and she has brought more depth, softness, and purpose into our world than I knew was possible 👶🏼🤍

As we step into 2026, we’re learning how to balance artistry, business, and raising a tiny human — slowly, intentionally, one step at a time 🤍 Thank you for the patience, the support, and the continued love as we find this new rhythm ✨

And one more exciting evolution…
After over a decade of shooting weddings and families, I’m officially giving my brand + commercial work its own home ✨ My partner in life and creative, Louel, and I have launched — a space dedicated to bold, intentional photography and video for businesses, brands, and makers 🤍 This work lights me up deeply, and I’m so excited to expand into it more intentionally ✨

New year. New season. Same heart 🤍
Still here. Still creating. Still wildly grateful ✨

01/14/2026

If you’re planning a wedding in Bend, Oregon—this is your sign 🤍
This wedding was photographed in the heart of downtown Bend, with portraits in Drake Park and celebrations at McMenamins—two iconic Central Oregon wedding locations that offer timeless scenery, natural light, and an effortlessly romantic feel.

One of the most common questions I hear from brides is:
“Will our wedding photos actually feel like us?”

The answer comes down to three things:

• Location & light – Places like Drake Park offer soft greenery, river views, and beautiful light that photograph incredibly well throughout the day.
• A photographer who guides you – You don’t need to know how to pose. My job is to direct you naturally so your photos feel relaxed, real, and flattering.
• Storytelling over stiff posing – Your wedding photos should reflect connection, movement, and emotion—not just a checklist of poses.

If you’re getting married this year (or planning ahead for next year), now is the time to book your wedding photographer. Bend and Central Oregon wedding dates fill quickly, especially for summer and fall weekends.

If you’re searching for a Bend wedding photographer who values timeless imagery, natural moments, and a calm, guided experience—I’d love to connect.

Inquire through my website to learn more about wedding collections and availability:
www.arieldawnphotography.com

01/08/2026

Popping champagne 🍾 and ringing in the New Year to say congratulations to all the new fiancés out there!✨
The holidays are officially over, which means one thing—it’s prime engagement season. If you got engaged over Christmas, New Year’s, or a cozy winter getaway… its time to get excited about wedding planning 🤍

Whether you’re planning to get married in the next few months or a year from now, now is the time to book your engagement session and secure your wedding photographer. Experienced photographers book up quickly—especially here in Bend and Central Oregon.

✨ A few planning tips (and why they matter):

• Book your photographer early – Your photographer helps shape timelines, lighting, locations, and the overall flow of your day. The earlier you book, the more support you’ll get during planning.
• Schedule your engagement session first – Engagement photos help you get comfortable in front of the camera and give you images for save-the-dates, your website, and announcements.
• Think about season + scenery – Central Oregon offers epic mountain views, lakes, forests, and high desert landscapes. Choosing the right season makes a huge difference in the look and feel of your photos.
• Choose a style you truly love – Timeless, adventurous, romantic, documentary—this is the moment to invest in a photographer whose work feels like you.

If you’re newly engaged and searching for a Bend, Oregon wedding photographer, I’d love to help you plan something beautiful—from engagement photos to the big day and everything in between.

Inquire through my website to get started:
www.arieldawnphotography.com

01/07/2026

Winter in Bend has my heart right now ❄️ The Cascade Mountains covered in snow never get old, and I’m truly soaking in these slower 🐌 winter months. At the same time, summer bookings are already rolling in—and this is exactly when experienced photographers begin to book up.

If you’re searching for a Bend, Oregon photographer, now is the perfect time to start researching the style, vibe, and experience you want for your photos. I love creating imagery that feels natural, elevated, and timeless, often guiding my clients to stunning mountain views and beautiful Central Oregon landscapes 📍

Whether you’re planning a wedding, engagement session, or lifestyle portraits, I’d love to connect and help bring your vision to life.

Reach out through my website to inquire about working together:
www.arieldawnphotography.com

09/09/2025

✨ Small Business Spotlight — Consciously Curly Co ✨ We’re all about uplifting Bend’s vibrant community of creatives—and today we’re thrilled to highlight Consciously Curly Co, a woman-owned natural haircare brand making waves right here in Central Oregon. We met at the NWX Farmers Market, and I instantly fell in love with her clean, exotic, ultra-hydrating products. As a local photographer and the founder of Central Oregon Creatives, I knew we had to collaborate. From shampoo bars and curl gels to the signature Coconut Elixirs, these products are loaded with nourishing botanicals like shikakai, plant keratin, tremella mushroom, goji berry, and bamboo—all made to thrive in our dry climate. Check out the full blog + gorgeous product photos below. 📸: Professional product photography by Central Oregon Creatives 🛍️: Shop her amazing curl care at consciouslycurlyco.com

Spotlight on Consciously Curly Co — A Natural Haircare Gem in Bend, Oregon Ariel Dawn PhotographySeptember 8, 2025Ariel Dawn PhotographyComment Facebook0 Twitter Pinterest0 0 Likes