Joni Shimabukuro Photography - Events - Wedding, Portrait and Special Events in Portland, Oregon

It felt like witnessing history. Barack Obama energized this crowd that the national news reported was the largest gathering for this campaign with an estimated 75,000. The highlighed area is the stage where he, his wife Michele and their 2 daughters waved at the crowd.

Again Portland Center Stage produced a glamorous event in Hollywood Style - all the way down to the Walk on the Red Carpet! Of course you had some that did not want the paparazzi there. Hey isn't that Nicole Kidman, or at least its her twin! To view more images of the event, please click on this link: 08pcsgalga

Eric from Hybrid Moon Video phoned me and announced "It's that time again!" It had been a year since he surprised his wife Heather with a candy photo designer handbag and cosmetic bag with images of their new puppy, Helmut. Eric said "time for some updated photos!" I think you'll agree that their pup is too cute for words...

Francoise Weeks invited me to photograph her wonderful floral art designs that were showcased at a bridal event organized by Holly Javis, event planner extradorinaire (email her at hitchedweddings@yahoo.com). Francoise's signature style is to create pieces that are representative of our great Northwest.

The staff of Tiffany's were extremely personable and so approachable. Don't be afraid to go in and speak with them. They are very knowledgable.

Other wedding vendors showcased that day were:

Divine Design Bridal Boutique           Event Cosmetics   All Wright Music

Hybrid Moon Video                            Voila Catering             JaCiva's Bakery

Holland Studio Photography

Covering for their regular photographer who was on assignment in Poland, I had the opportunity to cover the ACLU of Oregon's Annual Fundraiser Dinner.

For those of you who don't remember the Watergate break-in and the Senate hearings that followed - educate yourself. The state of our country today in terms of the protection of our civil rights is "Worse than Watergate" according to Mr. Dean. What an eye-opening experience!

These are one of my favorite events to cover - why? Who doesn't love fine dining and fine wines?! I'm giddy with the thrill of meeting our local celebrity chefs and winemakers. The following are slideshows of the dinners that I got to cover:

Carafe Bistro w/ Bergstrom Wines - click here for dinner slide show

Clyde Common w/ Rex Hill Vineyards - click here for dinner slide show

Fenouil w/ Adelsheim Vineyard and Long Shadows Vintners - click here for dinner slide show

Meriwether's Restaurant w/ Apolloni Vineyards and Reininger Winery - click here for dinner slide show

Park Kitchen w/ J. Christopher Wines and Buty Winery - click here for dinner slide show

Ten 01 w/ Bishop Creek Cellars and L'Ecole No. 41 - click here for dinner slide show

This was the 8th year of this event and I have to say that it just gets better and better and should be on your list as the "must attend" event for next year. To view a slide show of my favorite images of this event, please click here. To view more images of this event, please click here.

Even Portland Center Stage has an "edge-y, wild and fun" side. This night, PCS patrons were treated to free flowing cosmos and lemon drops and playing the latest hottest tech games and toys - "Guitar Hero" and the Wii's tennis, golf and bowling. Here's a taste of what the night's festivities looked like but to view more images click here.

A few years ago, Michele and Breon relocated from Colorado to Portland for a change in lifestyle. They wanted to slow down their busy lives where they hardly spent time together and thought about starting a family. Welcome their new addition Hayden - one of the "longest" 3 month olds I've ever seen! With Mom having a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and Dad, a martial arts competitor and owner of bodybalance, I think Hayden will be filling out very soon!

Holly Heidebrecht out did herself again and hosted a fun evening with great wine and food catered by Chef John Paulk of Mezzaluna. And this GNO had some extra zing with some very handsome servers to greet the guests. Not that hottie servers would be enough but Holly got some of her wonderful vendors to donate the prizes that were drawn that evening. To view the digital album of that evening, click here: 07 GNO

Thanks to my friend Melanie, I had the opportunity to return to Hawaii and do some portraits shoots.

My first shoot was of the Serna family. We selected a fountain by Kapiolani Park for the location. Avery, Trevor and Courtney were so goofy that day, it felt like the opening for a "Friends" episode.

My second assignment at Ko Olina beach to photograph a sweet very shy little girl named Mia - she just makes you say "aw."

Next was McKenna, who is an old pro with me. Her location was the Royal Hawaiian Hotel as background - yes it is the famous pink landmark of Waikiki. Do you think McKenna misses Portland - hmm, warm balmy breezes with soft grains of sand between your toes - I don't think so!

Fourth are The Kam's with Dalan and his charismatic smile. He loved blowing and chasing bubbles and getting tickles from Dad and Mom. Dad is Wayne - my talented cousin - the jeweler.

Last but not least are my cousins, The Ezuka's, who put me up or is it put up with me? I got lucky and got to meet "bama" who loves her grandkids Zachy and Ella and kept them wholly entertained. We were all there for Zach's 4th birthday celebration.

What else to do on a cold rainy day but make spicy black bean tortilla soup! This shy family didn't want the typical staged family portrait - my type of client! They love to cook together as a family so that was the activity that we captured. To see their family book, please click this link: Frerichs

I photographed Leigh and Curtis's wedding back in July 2004. I was thrilled to meet the latest addition to their family, Daniel born May 30 this year. He is such a smiley face and can make you light up when you see him.

What an awesome day at the beach for Kathy & Q's wedding at Cape Lookout beach. Q surprised Kathy by arriving ahead of her and created an aisle and altar with logs, rocks and shells on the beach - Ah. Friends joined in on the wedding celebration at the reception held at The Cooper Spur Resort. Being trend setters (Kathy is an awesome stylist at Platform Salon), the cake were tiered platters of ice cream sandwiches with a yummy assortment of flavors by Ruby Jewel. Click on the following link to view their digital wedding album: Kathy & Q

This year's event was held at the Madeleine Parish Hall in NE Portland. And an added event was a Kid's Fun run followed by gelato at the finish line. To view image from this event, click here. If you are interested in purchasing prints, please email me: joni@joniphoto.com

Winners of this package at this Classic Wine Auction event were treated to a spectacular evening of wonderful food and drink and the phenomenally fabulous voice of Linda Hornbuckle supported by groovy sounds featuring Janice Scroggins on keyboard. This event was sponsored by Trillium Family Services Board, On Deck Sports Bar, Mt. Hood Beverage Company, Southern Wine/Spirits West,and Sysco. Click here to view images from the event: CWA @ On Deck If you are interested in purchasing prints, please email me: joni@joniphoto.com

New York came to The Pearl this evening. Attendees in formal black tie attire were treated to street performers as found in the NYC subway systems, artists drawing caricatures like found at Sardi's, and those NYC cabbies honking their horns! Click here to view images from the event: GALA

This was the line up for the 2 evenings that I covered for Classic Wine Auction's Winemarker Dinner events. To view images, please click CWA Winemaker Dinners

NARAL Pro-Choice Oregon held their 2007 Celebration of Choice banquet at the downtown Hilton. This event was star-studded with Oregon's political celebrities, such as Gov. Kulongoski, Sec. of State Bill Bradbury, and most of our state Representatives and Senators. The banquet honored activists, past and present, with a modern day hero, Dr. Susan Wood, who spoke about her experience as the Director of the Food and Drug Administration Office of Women's Health fighting political battles regarding an emergency over the counter contraception. To view images from this event, please click the following link: naral banquet

Joni covered this event organized by Doernbecher Friends at the Oregon Convention Center. There were some awesome auction items, including a fabulous trip to Paris! If you missed the event or wish to recap the fun memories and see the "who's who" that were in attendance, please click on this link: 9th Annual Auction

Joni will be showcasing her talent in designing portrait collages. Six of her framed collages will on display at the Beaumont Starbucks located on NE Fremont at NE 46th. 503-282-0147. The show will last until October 15th so don't miss it!

This is the second year that Joni has covered this fundraising event for the St. Andrews Legal Clinic (SALC). To view a slide show of this event, please click this link: salc2006

Joni covered this fun-filled evening held at the Melody Ballroom to raise funding for NARAL Pro-Choice Oregon. To view a slide show of this event, please click this link: naral

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is hosting the 2nd Annual Man & Woman of the Year event. A portrait package donated by Joni will be an auction item.

Bradley-Angle House is having a fundraising/auction event on May 21, 2006 and will have a portrait package donated by Joni as an auction item. For more information about this organization, go to http://www.bradleyangle.org/

The Police Activities League (PAL) is having a fundraising/auction event on May 13, 2006 and will have a portrait package donated by Joni as an auction item. For more information about this organization, go to http://www.palkids.org/

The Irvington PTA is hosting its annual auction on May 12, 2006 at Irvington Elementary School. I will have a portrait package donated as an auction item.

The Holy Family School 2006 Auction will be held on April 22 at the Multnomah Athletic Club (MAC). I will have a portrait pakcage donated as an auction item. For more information call 503-777-9071 or email hfsauction@comcast.net.

Power Zone Pilates is hosting a workout event with a silent auction on Saturday, April 8th from 9 am - 3 pm. I will have a portrait package donated as an auction item. For more details, click here to download the 160 kb pdf

Platform Artistic Salon located in the hip Pearl District is hosting a one-day only hair styling benefit for Schoolhouse Supplies. Get a new makeover from the hottest stylists in town and at the same time help out a great cause. All the proceeds from this event are generously being donated to benefit Schoolhouse Supplies. I'll be covering the event so maybe I'll get a red carpet shot of your hip stylish look! Please contact Platform for your appointment. Don't wait - space is limited!

This is Schoolhouse Supplies 6th Annual Celebrity Spelling Bee and Live Auction being held at the Portland Art Museum's newly renovated Grand Ballroom. See local celebrities such as Mayor Tom Potter, columnist Margie Boule and defending champion Portland Monthly Publisher Nicole Vogel compete. You can also bid on cool items in the first live auction! Or if you are shy, there is a silent auction with equally great items. I'll be there covering the event and also have a portrait package donated as part of the "Bee a Celebrity" Package. Its a great night of entertainment and fun and you will be helping out a great cause!

The Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center (ONLC) is holding its annual fundraising event at the Multnomah Atheletic Club on Sunday, November 13, 2005 at 4:30 p.m. Admission is $50 per person. A portrait package has been donated by Joni Shimabukuro as an auction item.
For more information, contact the ONLC at 503.224.1458 or www.oregonnikkei.org.

The Women's Council of Realtors is hosting an auction for benefit Oregon Association of Realtors HOME Foundation (Home Ownership Made Easier). This event is at the Multnomah Athletic Club on Thursday, November 10, 2005 from 5-9 p.m. Admission is $20 in Advance and $25 at the door. A portrait package has been donated by Joni Shimabukuro as an auction item.
For tickets contact Judy Eberle at 503.329.1345.

The owners, Holly Heildebradt and Judee Branch, of the NW 23rd Avenue location of Compleat Bed & Breakfast are hosting a night of fun, miggling, eating and shopping with your friends and soon to be new friends! Scrumptious bites created by John Paulk of Mezzaluna to delight your discerning palate!

To view the images from this event, please click this link: GNO

As Linus from the Peanuts cartoon says -"Happiness is a warm puppy!" The Guide Dogs for the Blind hosts their annual Fall Luncheon at the Downtown Portland Marriott at 11:30 a.m. The most anticipated event of this luncheon is when puppies are introduced to their new raisers. The puppies will undergo their important basic training for becoming a guide dog candidate. Joni Shimabukuro, an avid dog lover, is donating her services by photographing this event.

To view the images from this event, please click this link: GDB Fall Lunch

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