CARRIE SCHLECHT
P H O T O G R A P H Y
My name is Carrie
CANDID COUPLES & WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST.
I believe the best photographs aren’t the perfectly posed ones. They’re the ones that instantly take you back to how it all felt. The way you looked at each other when you thought I wasn’t shooting. The ridiculous laughing. The quiet in-between moments. The wind, the movement, and all the little pieces of the two of you that can’t be staged.
Whether we’re wandering Cannon Beach, exploring the Columbia River Gorge, or chasing beautiful light somewhere around Portland or Southwest Washington, your session should feel more like an adventure together than a photoshoot.
I’ll give you direction when you need it, but I’m never going to spend an hour forcing you into stiff poses. My job is to create space for you to actually be yourselves and photograph what happens in between.
Whether these are simply photographs of this season of your life or the beginning of your wedding story, I want you to walk away with images that feel unmistakably like you.
PORTLAND & COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE ENGAGEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER
YOUR PHOTOGRAPHS BECOME THE HEIRLOOMS THAT OUTLIVE THE DAY
Your engagement deserves more than beautiful photographs — it deserves to be remembered exactly how it felt. I create candid, cinematic engagement photography for couples throughout Portland, the Columbia River Gorge, Cannon Beach, and Southwest Washington, preserving the laughter, movement, quiet moments, and connection that make your story yours.
Feel the love through the stories I’ve had the honor of documenting.
PORTFOLIO
Every love story deserves to be documented with intention. These three galleries showcase the heart of my work—timeless, emotional, and deeply personal wedding photography for couples who value storytelling as much as stunning imagery. From the Columbia River Gorge to luxury PNW venues like Skamania Lodge, each celebration you’ll see here reflects my commitment to capturing your day exactly as it feels. I only accept 17 weddings per year so I can fully invest in every couple, support you through the entire process, and deliver an experience that’s as meaningful as the photos themselves. If you’re planning a wedding in 2026 or 2027 and want a photographer who will be fully present, hands-on, and devoted to your story, this is your sign—your date may still be available, but not for long.
J + A
John & Aubrianna’s wedding at Skamania Lodge was one of those days that reminds me why I do what I do. Nestled in the misty heart of the Columbia River Gorge, their celebration felt equal parts magical and intimate—every glance, every laugh, every quiet moment wrapped in the beauty of towering evergreens and soft mountain light. As I photographed them, it was impossible not to feel the joy they radiated, and capturing that emotion in a way that feels true to who they are is what I love most.
R + L
The morning of Lisa and John’s wedding at The Benson Hotel was full of genuine, unscripted moments—coffee cups on the counter, last-minute vows being practiced, friends stepping in to help with ties and dresses, and bursts of laughter echoing through the hallway. At Hunt & Gather, the day unfolded naturally: hugs, happy tears, spontaneous dancing, and the kind of imperfect, joy-filled chaos that tells the story of a real wedding day. These are the moments I live to capture—the in-between frames that show who you are, not just how everything looked.
D + M
David and Meredith’s wedding at The Griffin House felt like one long, joy-soaked breath of fresh Gorge air. The day unfolded in the most natural way—friends wandering in and out of the getting-ready spaces, heartfelt toasts happening long before the ceremony, and the soft hum of excitement drifting over the cliffside. Nothing felt posed or rushed; instead, every moment carried its own quiet meaning. Their ceremony overlooking the Columbia River was full of emotion that didn’t need staging—tearful smiles, tight hand squeezes, and the kind of laughter that comes from people who know your whole story. As the sun dipped behind the cliffs and the night settled into dancing and conversation, it was clear this wedding was about connection above all else. These are the days I love to document—the unpolished, deeply human moments that make a wedding truly unforgettable.