A Majestic Live Painting at Chateau de Lis: Styled Shoot in Oregon City.
Oregon City, OR
Some weddings (or in this case, a styled shoot) feel like stepping into a painting. This styled shoot at Chateau de Lis in Oregon City was exactly that — a day so cinematic, so quietly grand, that capturing it on canvas felt less like work and more like a privilege.
The planner
This styled shoot was put on by Arianna Kemper with AK Events co. I love working with Arianna, everything she touches turns to gold.
The models
Ashlyn and Luke are, by every measure, a striking pair. As models, they carry themselves with an effortless elegance that translated beautifully into every moment of their wedding day. But what struck me most wasn't their looks — it was how completely at ease they were with each other, as if the whole castle had been built around their love story. Ashlyn and Luke got married at this exact venue a few years before, and it was so special for them to be back reliving memories as a married couple.
The Venue: Chateau de Lis, Oregon City
Chateau de Lis is the kind of venue that needs no embellishment. Its stone walls, sweeping grounds, and old-world architecture do the talking. For Ashlyn and Luke, it was the perfect backdrop — majestic without being cold, romantic without being fussy. The kind of place that makes you feel, the moment you arrive, that something important is about to happen.
The day itself was warm, slightly humid, and kissed by a gentle breeze — the kind of summer air that carries the scent of fresh flowers and wraps everything in a soft, golden haze. There was an elevated quality to it all, a sense that time was moving a little more slowly and a little more intentionally than usual. Guests and vendors moved through the space with a sense of wonder, and the whole day carried the feeling of a memory being made in real time.
The Painting
As a live wedding painter, my role is to quietly witness and permanently preserve. At this styled shoot, I created a large-scale live painting of Chateau de Lis itself — the sweeping facade, the lush surroundings, and the couple at the heart of it all. Watching the painting come to life alongside the wedding felt like a beautiful kind of parallel: two things becoming whole at the same time.
Adding in the couple after painting the background
After getting my reference photo, I added in the model couple while photographers watched, and the models were whisked around the venue for the perfect photo.
I also had the honor of participating in the Chateau de Lis open house, where I painted live portraits for guests — a chance to bring the same spirit of artistry and presence to a wider audience, and to show what live wedding painting can look and feel like in this extraordinary space.
Why Live Wedding Painting?
Photographs capture a moment. A painting captures the feeling and the atmosphere. There's warmth, texture, and intention in brushstrokes that a camera simply can't replicate. A live painting adds a layer of artistry to the day that guests feel in real time, and that the couple will cherish for a lifetime.
A Day That Deserved to Be Art
The moment they see themselves!
If this styled shoot and venue taught me anything, it's that some days are simply born to be painted. The castle. The warm breeze. The flowers. The couple. All of it conspired to create something that felt, from beginning to end, like it had always been destined to hang on a wall somewhere beautiful.
Interested in having your wedding day captured live on canvas? Contact me here to learn more about live wedding painting and portrait experiences.
Venue: Chateau de Lis — Oregon City, OR
Vendor tag:
Planning & Design: @akevents_co
Venue: @chateaudelis
Rentals: @ardeneventcollective
Florals: @Ivysagefloral + @bellabloomflorals
Signage & Stationery: @lifein.letters
Draping: @runestoneevents
Food & Beverage: @portlandcateringcompany
Live Music & DJ: @jrmusiccollective
Live Painter: @artsyadventurist
Hair & Makeup: @thewildflower.co
Models: @lukeandashlyn
Attire: @_stephaniemai
Content Creation: @wolfeheartcaptures
Cake: @dreamcakespnw
