Renee Bruhn, Makeup Artist

We weren’t expecting the nightmare of 2020 but it did force us to look at the ugliness in our systems, our behaviors, our thoughts and our feelings. I have loads of jumbled thoughts about exhaustion, rest, privilege, justice and sacrifice but I just want to keep it simple here and say: we belong to each other and need to learn what that means and requires of us. Nothing changes if we don’t.

Here’s a shoot from early this year (or the year before? What is time?) with and . Looking forward to creating more beauty with lovely people when things are safe again. Happy New Year ✨

I have admired Erica’s initiative and outspokenness in serving and standing up for others since I met her about ten years ago. In the last couple years I’ve really taken notice of how she works nonstop (literally this lady takes no breaks) for her business and her family, how she fearlessly calls out by name the companies that perpetuate injustice in her industry and BIPOC community, and set an example of generosity and joy in the midst of a devastating pandemic. I was thrilled out of my mind when I learned fu***ng specifically chose her to be one of five women honored for their courage this year. This was in partnership with and featured in (which, obvi also is a huge thrill for me to have my work in!).

I can’t wait to see what does next, because I know it will be big. I’ve been telling her to be our west coast because we need her to keep fighting for what’s right. Please honor and support her work by following her and visiting or if you’re not in town, buying a gift card for when you visit (after the pandemic!).

Hey White people,
The United States was founded on the principle of White supremacy. We justified the genocide and looting of an entire continent of Indigenous people. We then stole Black people to build our nation for us, looting the benefits of their labor and enacting genocide on their bodies, minds and families for generations.
We have always had our knee on BIPOC and gaslighted them for the effects of our violence and looting, for not succeeding in a system we rigged to benefit our own kind. Don’t trick yourself—we never unrigged it. We are a nation that values capitalism over everything; this has always been about preserving white wealth.
TL;DR: Reconstructing our attitudes and beliefs about the Black experience means nothing if we do not put our money where our mouth is, as a nation and as individuals. Link to Portland directory of Black-owned businesses in bio. @ Portland, Oregon

Oh hey there, I’m back. My life has been/is crazy and I went MIA again but I want to pop back and share a photo from this shoot from last spring with some of the most amazingly talented, dedicated and chill people I’ve ever gotten to work with.

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Excited to announce that soon in collaboration with , we will be launching a video tutorial on botanical couture! Stay tuned...
Extended botanical comb with honeysuckle, succulents, kangaroo paws, fennel, seedpods of clematis, blueberries, seedpods of clematis, mini phalaenopsis,... Photo
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I’m so old that my high school friend has a high schooler, but whatever, this isn’t about me—lucky inherited ‘s Kate Winsletesque beauty, and I got the honor of getting her ready for prom. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

So I just got done preaching about natural beauty and then did this. 😅 😂
I was SO NERBS💦 concocting this faux braid addition and beaded flower decorations while watching ‘s show; she started talking about how creativity takes vulnerability and it really hit home. 😭 I really admire people that put themselves out there, risking judgment; honestly, repetitive, insistent courage is the only way we do great things, isn’t it? ⚡️

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I mean, not bad for a lunch hour shoot, right? I’m so lucky to get to work with a solid team who was so easy to collaborate with. I was able to go to work this morning, step out for a little bit of an extended lunch break to bang out some killer photos and then headed back to the office to finish off my work day. And yes... some may be surprised to know I do have a full time job along side my photography. Gotta pay the bills year-round people lol.
Big thank you to for planning and styling. You make it so painless to work together. for always being my go-to for HMU and slaying it. Flowers by , yey! We finally got to work together! for their beautiful rentals, I can always count on you and to for opening up their space for us to shoot in! You guys gotta check out the venue if you are looking to get married in Portland/Washington. It’s right on be water and the views are unreal. And how amazing is this gown by ? And our model was so great in front of the camera, I could not take a bad photo if I tried.

I was talking to about my past and she said that our bodies hole on to trauma in ways that talk therapy can’t access and we need other means to heal. Blew my mind. Also her natural radiance blew my mind. Photo by

As I've grown as an artist, I've been more and more drawn to less and less makeup because I want to truly see the *person* and not a product or a technique. The subtleties of well-placed light and color ought to draw our eyes to unique features, in contrast to the trends that mask and contour a person into uniformity.
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Photographer: Megan Holloway,
Gown: Claire La Faye via The English Dept.
Veil: Annie Ekstrom Bridal
Hair Piece: Elizabeth Bower
Florals: Natalie Parks
HMUA: Renee Bruhn
Ring: By Angeline
Model: Michaela Abel

Parisian purple shoot featured on Style Me Pretty last year; it was the first shoot ever in which feels like such an honor! Did you know you can rent that beautiful space for your photoshoots, workshops, and special events? You could even elope there on a rainy day any time of year and still have amazing photos because of the incredible light. ✨🙌🏼✨
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Venue: .co⠀ .

Bride and bridge are essentially the same word so obviously a photo with both is an automatic win. Love this shot of Kate by

In tears all afternoon watching Q***r Eye; what's your favorite episode of the new season? 😭😭😭
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Styling and photography by
Flowers and bouquet by
Ribbon by
Dress from
Models are .r.a.c.e_f.a.c.e and

Okay, I know this doesn't really show the hair and makeup, but let's just take a second to appreciate that back jewelry on that hella fit back.
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Beautiful photography of by