Kate Ames Photography - Portland, Oregon

Emma M.

Gahhh what can we even say about Kate? That her photos feel easy and natural and yet somehow incredibly polished? That she is kinda the coolest and kindest person you could meet and you’re secretly like “please be my new best friend” but then you’re like “play it cool, play it cool…” ?That she will wholeheartedly absorb all your priorities and directions (we don’t care about long portrait sessions, we hate that background, we like these colors/edits) while infusing her own strong gut instincts, talent, and vision? All of that and more. We just received our sneak peek photos, and we are so blown away by her ability to capture the beauty and poignant moments in our wedding weekend.

Some highlights of working with Kate:

- First, we loved Kate’s down to earth energy. She is direct but generous, and this made us feel that we could trust her to cut the fluff and get to the good stuff.

- She has a way of giving you a prompt if you feel awkward or aren’t sure of what to do with yourself, but never made us feel forced or posed - if anything it always felt like she was making space for us to open up and show our truest selves to the camera.

- She was super receptive to the look/edit that we were going for - our photos felt like us and were the right tones of brown and blue etc, but also felt like her.

In short, we were blown away by our engagement photos and wedding photos, and would hire her again in a heartbeat. We felt so so lucky to work with her and recommend her wholeheartedly. Kate, we can’t thank you enough!

faded E. F.

I had the pleasure of working with Kate this summer as a wedding florist, and I couldn't have been more impressed.
Kate’s energy is effortlessly laid-back, friendly, and inviting, making everyone around her feel at ease. Beyond her warm personality, she’s a true professional. If you’re searching for a photographer who turns fleeting moments into timeless memories, look no further—Kate is the one.

Mallory W.

All you need to know is that Kate can ride a bike and take stunning photos simultaneously. Simply put, she did more than capture our Mt. St. Helens elopement. She took a personal stake in it and guided us every step of the way. When we wanted an epic setting, Kate came ready with ideas (even scouting our location in advance). She was flexible, easy-going, supportive in stress, and made us laugh while we warmed up to the camera. Not only does she have incredible artistic abilities and creative vision, but her responsiveness and professionalism gave us easy confidence in the process. Who needs a wedding party when Kate is the whole kit and caboodle, like your funny and kindest old friend.

Kate will capture your day beautifully as it unfolds, telling the story of what it is like for those who aren't there in-person. Kate's photos still drop our jaws, and we're wildly proud to share the memories that she captured so flawlessly.

Reviews from friends and acquaintances include: "these are the most beautiful wedding photos I have ever seen," and "I am OBSESSED with these."

We could not have asked for a warmer, more personal photographer to capture our leap into marriage. Trust us when we say that you'll be endlessly grateful if you choose to work with Kate.

Jessica F.

Kate is an incredibly talented photographer and a true joy to be around. We met Kate on the wedding day, and were immediately put at ease by her fun, calm, professional attitude. She directed us thoughtfully through poses while also capturing genuine moments that reflect the overall spirit and atmosphere of the day.

We were already impressed by our interactions with Kate, and then she delivered a sneak peek that blew us away. Each image is framed artfully and edited beautifully. The gallery boasts tons of images that capture nuanced moments, natural poses, and even the tiniest details of the day. Her mastery of light and location truly creates a sense of ambiance and emotion that will be incredibly valuable as memories fade and we look back on them over the years. I will also say, her online portal makes communication, payment, and downloading/sharing images a breeze.

Kate, this year has been crazy, but we are so thankful for the change in plans that allowed us the opportunity to work with you. If you are looking for a photographer in Portland or abroad, she is THE best!

Vy L.

Kate is an incredibly kind and talented artist. It was such a dream to have her capture our elopement. As awkward as we both were, she made the day very comfortable and fun for us. She has a sharp eye for details, amazing creativity, and is able to anticipate and troubleshoot problems quickly. It was quite windy on our elopement day, and Kate was able to work so well around the wind, and even used it to our advantage! Needless to say, the photos turned out so raw and stunning. Her edits are breath-taking to say the least. The turn-around time was also quick, and the portal to view/download is very user friendly, and easily shareable with our loved ones! Thank you Late for allowing use to relive this very special day for many years to come!!

Rachel G.

Kate was our photographer for our engagement photos and our wedding and did an incredible job!! She’s totally professional, fun, and has an eye for great photos. Every time I show anyone our photos they only have the best to say about her work.

ravyn N.

After researching like a mad woman on every social network there is to name, I finally found Kate’s photography page on Instagram. Not only did I love Kate’s work and her personal touch on editing, I loved her website and what she had to say about herself and her love for photography — And the best part about it was she lived up to her words!
We met Kate for coffee before booking her and soon set up a date for our engagement shoot where we met out in Hood River. Kate came prepared and full of inspiration for our shoot and we spent hours driving around Hood River together. Kate made my fiancé and I feel so comfortable during what can be a sort of awkward experience, and I was shocked how amazing our engagement photos came out. We had so much fun with her and her photos truly represented “us” and I loved every one of them! I cannot wait to see what amazing moments she captures at our wedding.

Stephanie J.

Hiring Kate was one of the best decisions we made while planning the wedding. She did both our engagement photos and wedding photos and we are so pleased with both! She’s so sweet and really easy to work with. She made what can sometimes be an awkward, difficult task (being in front of a camera) feel easy and natural. She listened to what my husband and I wanted, and really captured such beautiful moments that feel authentic to who we are as a couple. I can’t recommend her highly enough!