This should be a season of yes

Yes to the proposal. Yes to the dress. Yes to champagne toasts, and visions of happily-ever-after, and adding a pro-grade espresso machine to your registry just on the off-chance someone will actually snag it for you.

So why do you keep hearing no?

“With how unreliable the weather is, do you really want to risk an outdoor wedding?”

“Travel is limited to within a 45-minute radius of Portland.”

“That’s a cool idea, but here’s the problem…”

Maybe your vision for your wedding day isn't realistic. Or maybe you just need to work with someone who will give you the confidence to make (and stand by) the decisions that are truly right for you.

Did I just hear a yes, please? Then this is the photography experience for you. 

Here’s what to expect

While no one can truly promise you a "stress free" wedding day, I can promise you that I'm all in. In addition to being your photographer, I'm also an excellent itinerary adherer, people whisperer, and conflict diffuser. Slide the weight of tricky family dynamics, inclement weather plans, camera aversions, and perpetually-late wedding party members onto my shoulders. Six years of professional wedding photography experience have taught me how to manage sticky situations with grace...and how to get gorgeous shots no matter what. 

Here are 10 other things I bring to the (reception) table for my couples:

from Marina Goktas Photography 

I handle the logistics of your engagement shoot and wedding portraits so that you can actually enjoy the photography experience! Expect me to assist by developing a timeline, providing outfit suggestions, offering vendor recommendations, and doing a ton of research. Location scouting, near-obsessive weather report checking, and sunrise/sunset monitoring are all in my wheelhouse. 



Thorough Session Preparation

With so many incredible locations in and around Portland, it’s easy to get analysis paralysis when deciding where to go for your engagement portraits. After getting to know your vibe, I’ll send over a list of personal recommendations that are right for you. 



Location Recommendations: 

Let me guess: You're a little camera shy, you don't think of yourself as photogenic, and you have no idea what to do with your hands...ever. I've got you covered! Throughout your engagement shoot and on your wedding day, I'll provide you with the guidance you need to feel natural, comfortable, and—most importantly—completely like yourself.



Posing Guidance: 

From the flowers you carry to the jewelry and sentimental items you select, the little details of your wedding day are just as important as the big moments. I’ll make sure you remember it all by creating a beautiful flat lay featuring your invitation suite, rings, and other details. 



Flat Lays: 

 Planning a wedding takes a TON of time. Why wait any longer than necessary to start enjoying your photographs? Your gallery will be ready within eight short weeks, and you’ll also receive sneak peeks right after the wedding! 


Speedy Turnaround Times: 

Your heirloom wedding album will be carefully designed and crafted to tell the story of your wedding day. Gorgeous museum-quality prints are also available. (Hint: They make the perfect gift for parents and grandparents!) To make it as easy as possible for you to share your wedding images with friends and family from all over, you’ll also be presented with a private online gallery, highlight slideshow, and custom-engraved USB with all of your photos.



Print and Digital Images: 

I can’t be in two places at once, but I can do the next best thing—bring a second photographer with me to your wedding. By choosing this option, you’ll receive even more comprehensive coverage of your wedding from a variety of angles.



Second Photographer:

I’m proud to use top-of-the-line equipment that’s appropriate for every possible circumstance we might face on your wedding day. I carry a Canon 5D IV, Canon R5 and Fujifilm X-T3 body with several lenses, as well as a Profoto off-camera flash and Magmod lighting equipment. To protect the gorgeous shots we capture, your images will be saved on two hard drives, in an online gallery, and via cloud storage. 




Gear + Backups: 

The truth? Stress isn’t invisible. On camera, it translates as tension in the shoulders and face. That’s why I maintain a sense of calm and orderliness no matter what circumstances are thrown my way on your wedding day. Your goal should be to remain as present as possible, and I’ll do everything I can to help you achieve it.



Calming Presence: 

My signature classic + timeless editing style ensures that your wedding pictures will look just as good 50 years from now as they do on your wedding day. 




Classic Editing Style:

“Marina took [our] engagement and wedding photos and we were just in awe at how beautiful they turned out! On the day of our wedding photos, it was raining off and on, but Marina stayed positive through it all and had such good vibes! It really made the experience so enjoyable. We fell in love with our photos and were so blessed to have had her capture such beautiful moments.” —Vivea, Bride

“We recently had the opportunity to work with Marina at a styled shootout where my husband and I were the videographers. Marina was so amazing to work with! It was obvious how talented she is both as a photographer and as an educator, but what was great about Marina was seeing how comfortable she made everyone feel. We hope to work with her again and would definitely recommend her as a photographer!” —Misti, Videographer 

“Our photos turned out amazing!! Also they were a blast to take. I was really nervous before we started but the time really flew by! Her happy attitude made taking photos one of my favorite times during the wedding. Marina is a great photographer with a real talent for bringing out people's personalities and showing them in her photos. 10/10 I would definitely recommend her.” —Nilla, Bride

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

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THE 6 step PROCESS

THE NEXT STEP

1. initial inquiry

From the first "hello" you drop in my inbox, I'm here to help. I'll start by getting to know you and learning what you want to achieve on your wedding day. Incredible portraits? A frame-worthy family photo? Your priorities are my priorities, and I'll always encourage you to make the choices you truly want for your wedding day. After officially reserving your date on my calendar, expect to receive a set of guides and vendor recommendations in your inbox. 

This is the start of something good

2. engagement session

After picking the perfect location and outfit, we'll spend a couple of hours together taking amazing photos you can use to announce your wedding or create save the date cards. You’ll also receive a sneak peek within 24 hours that’s perfect for sharing on your favorite social media outlet! 

And now the fun begins!

3. Wedding prep

In between your engagement session and wedding day, I’ll send over a questionnaire so that we can start chatting about timeline specifics, special details, important shots, traditions, and anything else I need to know about your big day. I’ll touch base several more times in the months that follow to ensure I’m up-to-date on any changes or timeline additions. 

4. Wedding day

Months of planning have led up to this day—now it’s time to capture unforgettable images that will help you remember it forever! 

5. re-enter your memories

Your photos will be delivered via a private online gallery within six weeks, along with a slideshow featuring the most special + spectacular moments of your day. Instant downloading capabilities make it easy to share your images on social media, and you can also send your link to friends and family. Then it’s time to work on your heirloom album and prints!

Unusual does not equal impossible

“If I could go anywhere for our engagement photos,” she said while scrolling through Pinterest during our consultation, “I’d choose the Alvord Desert in southern Oregon. But I know it’s not possible.”

It was too far. It was too frivolous. And it would require an entire weekend away. What photographer would be willing to go the extra mile on their behalf—and then another 290 of them? 

*Enthusiastically raises hand*



How Dimitri + Heena’s portrait dreams became reality

With the help of Google and a map of Oregon, within three hours we had the basis of a plan: an overnight stay at Crystal Crane Hot Springs followed by a trek to the desert for a sunrise shoot. Thanks to the scenic beauty of our location, two outfits, one changing tent, and a bouquet were all we needed to create a variety of dramatic shots.
 
The moral of the story? Around here, ideas that lie outside of the typical portrait box are welcomed with a “Yes, please” and “Here’s how we’ll make it happen.” 

Which of your wildest dreams can I help you bring to life?

See more from this shoot on the blog

“I was absolutely stunned by how beautiful our engagement photos turned out! My fiancé and I never take photos and are very uncomfortable in front of the camera (we only have a few decent photos together), but Marina made our photo shoot so much fun! We even got to travel to my dream location that I thought wasn't going to be an option because it was so far (+6 hour commute). She was so understanding of our needs and how special this was to us and just made the entire session beyond what I could have ever asked for. Thank you for everything you do!” —Heena, Bride

“We recently had the opportunity to work with Marina at a styled shootout where my husband and I were the videographers. Marina was so amazing to work with! It was obvious how talented she is both as a photographer and as an educator, but what was great about Marina was seeing how comfortable she made everyone feel. We hope to work with her again and would definitely recommend her as a photographer!” —Misti, Videographer 

“Our photos turned out amazing!! Also they were a blast to take. I was really nervous before we started but the time really flew by! Her happy attitude made taking photos one of my favorite times during the wedding. Marina is a great photographer with a real talent for bringing out people's personalities and showing them in her photos. 10/10 I would definitely recommend her.” —Nilla, Bride

SIGNATURE WORK

The calendar is currently open for 2021 and 2022 weddings.  Send a quick note below to see if I'm available for your wedding date and we can start talking about what options are best for you.

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