Jared Birt Photography

This year Polaroid announced it was going to stop producing instant film, spelling the end for the classic Polaroid camera. 

We have lived in Portland for just over three years now and have loved every minute of it. There is something endearing about a city that thinks it is a small town. There is always some place new to explore, eat at or bike to. Portlanders keep a perspective of culture, art and diversity. They love fashion, being unique, quality coffee, organic food, local brewed beer, biking, the outdoors, books and music. The city definitely attracts its flavor of different people from all over the world. If you haven't visited the rose city I highly recommend the trip up. For those of you who have just moved up here...welcome, and I ask that you help keep Portland a clean and simple city to live in. 

About ten miles south of Cannon Beach is a beautiful secluded little surf beach called Short Sands. On Sunday morning we loaded up the Element and headed out to spend the day there with Justin & Austie Eckley. Our main objective was to be complete goof-balls and spend most of our time in the water surfing. As it turned out the waves weren't so great that day so instead we played football, took lots of pics, ate enough junk food for the whole year and had one too many laughs. The weather was so warm which was great because as most PNW folks know, the Oregon coast tends to be a little cold and cloudy. It was such a perfect, warm day. I can't wait to make it back there sometime this fall when the waves are big.  Thanks Justin and Austie for coming along and for having so much fun with us.

Saturday was my 29th birthday. I have to say that it was the first time I really thought about my age. For those of you who know me, know that I am a "kid at heart" so I guess I never have to worry about getting "old." The truth is I am actually very excited for the next ten years and to be getting a little older. I think the thirties are really going to be the best time ever. So many great things happened this last year with getting my first studio, traveling to places I never thought I would go, growing closer with my wife, developing my art and moving into our first home. The list goes on and on. I have a lot to be thankful for and need to stay thankful even during the hard times. Thank you everyone for the birthday wishes. I wish you all a great rest of the summer.

Rebekah took this head shot of me to commemorate the day.

Why do I photograph weddings? There are so many great reasons. One big reason for me is that I strongly believe in marriage, what it means and what it stands for truly. Today is our third year wedding anniversary. We celebrated it last weekend by heading to the coast to relax and getting are anniversary date tattooed in roman numerals. This year has been amazing and I have been so blessed to have my wife as my best friend. I think we will make it a yearly tradition to write each other hand written letters and get tattoos :) I love you Rebekah you are one amazing person and one amazing wife.

This year for Easter we went down to Beka's parents house in Dallas. We spent the night playing games on the Wii and watched Slumdog Millionaire for the third or fourth time. On our way home we took a long detour along the oregon coast and up to Cannon Beach. The drive was so beautiful and relaxing except when I almost ran into a big milk truck passing through Tillamook. When we got to Cannon Beach it was so cold and raining we seriously walked out to the beach took a photo and ran back to the car and headed to a coffee shop. Sadly our favorite Sleepy Monk coffee shop was closed. It's always worth the drive and crazy weather to go to the coast. I am so thankful we have it and I will never get tired of going.