Last year wrapped up my eighth year photographing weddings and engagements and it was a wild, rewarding ride. I kicked off the year with a few winter weddings in and around Portland before jetting off on a month-long trip to Europe to photograph an elopement in Switzerland and explore a few other countries that were on my bucket list, including Greece, Croatia, Germany and The Netherlands. Upon my return, the busy season ramped right up and I felt as though I settled into the follow of shooting easier than I have at any other point throughout my career. In some ways, I felt as though I was on auto-pilot but in the best way possible because the process of documenting weddings just came so much more naturally. I got to enjoy spending time with couples out on the Oregon Coast, in the Mt Hood National Forest, at waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge, up in Seattle, down in California in Sonoma and Sequoia National Park, and closer to home in downtown Portland. I racked up a lot of miles both on the road and in the air, I burned a ton of calories lugging gear, and I got plenty of red eye staring at my computer screen culling over 100,000 images. Given the tremendous physical and mental effort to run this business and create these images, it’s incredibly rewarding to compile what I feel are the best of my efforts. I live for those one in a thousand images that for whatever reason speaks more eloquently than the rest. But at times they can get lost, diluted even, among all the rough drafts or failed attempts at creating something unique and special. Having them all in one place is a reminder that I’m not half bad at this and inspires me to keep searching for and capturing throughout the coming year those fleeting instances that would otherwise be but memories that fade with time. 🙂 — KC
Maria Newman
Kyle, 2018 looks like it was an absolutely wonderful year for you! I am so in awe of your ability to capture such fun, lively moments. Your documentary style is such an inspiration!
Kate Ames
Seems like there are so many awesome stories behind all these photos! Especially the couple covered in cupcakes as if they were paintballs! I’d love to hear about that one! Can’t wait to see what you capture next year.
Daron
an incredible collection of images – each one really makes you feel the emotion behind it, preserved in such beautifully crisp detail! very well done!!
Cat Dossett
These posts are always my favorite! And I love getting to compare them to years prior. You shot some seriously amazing people in some stunning places! Looks like quite the incredible year
Alexandra Celia Mason
What a year, full of so much emotion and new perspectives. Your nature shots also stopped me in my tracks. Super powerful imagery!
Marcela Pulido
Yesss these are so great, Kyle! Can’t wait to see what you create in 2019.
Kyle Carnes Photography
Thanks for the kind words, Maria!
Kyle Carnes Photography
Kate, instead of a cake cutting they did a cupcake catapult. All of their guests took turns firing this foot tall wooden contraption that was set up on a table. It was hilarious!
Briana Morrison
Wow, looks like a crazy fun year! And what is that cupcake photo and the paintball suits?! Best cake idea ever! haha