Kathryn Elsesser Photography Blog

Food and Wine

A Portrait Shoot at Phelps Creek Winery

April 11, 2019

As I write this, the trees are starting to flower and leaves are now sprouting. So it just seems just shy of miraculous that I was only
recently shooting for two different clients in the snow!

My photoshoot for Phelps Creek Vineyards a couple of weeks ago started with sitting in the back of the truck to help weigh it down in order to make it up the slippery and snowy road to the winery. It was definitely an adventurous start to the day! It was also the Club Member pick up party day and there was quite a bit of bit of buzz going on as well. Even with all that activity, I found them to be a warm and hospitable family.

I knew beforehand that a truck figured in as a part of the
winery’s identity, a gorgeous red International that at the time
was somewhat buried in the snow! I have a soft spot in my
heart for old vintage rigs and this one had to be featured.

Winemaker Alexandrine Roy, Rosie, founders of Phelps Creek Vineyards, Lynette Barss-Morus and Bob Morus with their red vintage International Flatbed truck on a snowy afternoon at the winery. — Alexandrine Roy, Rosie, Lynette Barss-Morus, Bob Morus

Portrait of Bob Morus, founder of Phelps Creek Winery sitting in his Red International flat bed truck. — Bob Morus, founder of Phelps Creek Winery

While still a commercial pilot, Phelps Creek Vineyards has been Bob’s passion since the late 1980’s. That passion is evident in their lovely wines.
With a breathtaking view, the vineyard produces fruit that truly highlights the Burgundian style wines cultivated by their French winemaker Alexandrine Roy.

Lynette Barss Morus general manager inside vintage red International flatbed on a snowy afternoon in the vineyard at Phelps Creek Vineyards in Hood River, Oregon — Lynette Barss Morus

Bob Morus and Lynette Barss Morus owners of Phelps Creek Vineyards in their production area at the winery in Hood River, Oregon — Bob Morus and Lynette Barss Morus

French winemaker Alexandrine Roy looking at vines on a snowy afternoon at Phelps Creek Winery in Hoodriver, Oregon. — Winemaker Alexandrine Roy

French winemaker, Alexandrine Roy is taking one last look before returning to France. She is the Director of Winemaking for Phelps Creek Winery bringing a Burgundian influence to the Oregon Pinot Noir.

Portrait of winemaker Alexandrine Roy with her Phelps Creek Rose at Phelps Creek Vineyards in Hood River, Oregon.

Assistant winemaker Ira Kraft for Phelps Creek Vineyards in Hood River Oregon. — Assistant winemaker Ira Kraft

A portrait of Phelps Creek Vineyard's Enologist, Bill Swain holding a glass of the winery's Pinot Noir. — Enologist, Bill Swain

Food and Wine

Yes, Wine and Indian Cuisine Go Together

February 27, 2019

Traditionally pairing Indian cuisine and wine together has not received much recognition. While not a big presence in India, there are a number of vineyards and tasting rooms in India and the country is now experiencing a growing interest in wine tourism. Apparently grape and wine production goes all the way back to the Bronze Age, introduced to the region by Persian traders.

Portland now boasts a number of wonderful Indian restaurants, ranging from those that promote street food to that of a more classic traditional style. Writer Mark Stocks in his recent article that he wrote for the February issue of Oregon Wine Press, Spice it Up, takes some of the guess work out of trying to figure out which wine to pair with various dishes.

It was a delicious topic to photograph. I initially took one approach, with a bright orange background as I always think of gorgeous primary colors of yellow, pinks, oranges and red.

Then I had second thoughts and went for a totally different look. Which meant I needed more food which was not really a big problem because I love Indian food. But then I became obsessed at to what color napkins I should use. I then spent too much time actually visiting fabric stores all over the city trying to find the perfect color. I returned back to the studio not entirely happy with my finds. Then I remembered a project from years ago, a Christmas stocking, when I used some silk, the exact color I spent the day looking for and I had just the right amount left over!

Styled Indian Dinner featuring menu from Swagat Restaurant — Styled Indian Dinner

Styled Indian Food Dinner featuring food from Swagat in Portland, Oregon — Styled Indian Food Dinner

Cover of Oregon Wine Press February 2019

Vineyards and Wineries

The Sparkling Wine Renaissance In Oregon

October 21, 2018

My recent collaboration with wine writer L.M. Archer for the October issue of Oregon Wine Press, features the burgeoning bubbly production in Oregon, that could potentially rival Oregon’s lofty Pinot Noir reputation. After having photographed the sparkling wine producers it was fascinating to read the finished article. Extremely well written, it is a wonderful narrative of the current direction that sparkling production is taking. Instead of providing a synopsis, I urge you to go and read it yourself!

Andrew Davis of Radient Wine with his mobile bottling truck parked at Anne Amie Vineyards, in Carlton, Oregon

Andrew Davis of Radiant Sparkling Wine Company with his mobile bottling truck

Thomas Houseman Winemaker for Anne Amie Vineyards

A group portrait of innovative sparkling wine producers at Argyle Winery

Johan Vineyards in the Van Duzer Corridor AVA in RickReall, Oregon at sunset

Dan Rinke and Morgan Hall at Johan Vineyards at sunset.

Merlot at The Pines 1852 Vineyard in The Dalles at Sunset and Mt. Hood in the background at sunset

Merlot vines at The Pines 1852 Vineyard in The Dalles at Sunset

Too often the vineyards and wineries in the Columbia Gorge do not receive as much recognition as the Willamette Valley. I personally was not that familiar with them as well. It was very rewarding to meet Lonnie and Sierra Wright and visit the vineyard site, where nearby Zinfandel vines were planted in the 1890’s!

Sierra Wright with her father Lonnie Wright owner of The Pines 1852 Vineyards

Analemma Wines

Lifestyle, Vineyards and Wineries

Natalie Estate Winery, a boutique winery in Newberg, Oregon

July 21, 2018

This past spring I photographed for Natalie Estate Winery, a small family run business located in the Chehalem Mountain AVA in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, the setting is beautiful and feels very remote. They offer an extensive range of varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese, Meritage, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Syrah, Zinfandel, Pinot Gris, Rose of Pinot Noir. In order to make these wines their fruit is sourced from the Willamette Valley and select locations in the Pacific Northwest. I was especially taken with their 100 % Petit Verdot, often used as a blending grape in red blends. This is especially welcome to those whose tastes for wine expand beyond Pinot Noir. Boyd, the winemaker and his wife Cassandra Teegarden are the owners. When guests visit they personally greet you and offer complementary small bites as they pour wine for you. Boyd and Cassandra are genuinely warm and informative allowing for a fun wine tasting experience at their winery.

Early spring morning at Natalie Estate Winery

Sunrise at Natalie Estate Winery

Boyd Teegarden winemaker and owner of Natalie Estate Winery during bloom.

Boyd Teegarden winemaker and owner of Natalie Estate Winery

Natalie Estate Winery 2015 Sangiovese

Business Portrait, Lifestyle, Travel, Vineyards and Wineries

A photoshoot for The Walls Winery in Walla Walla

April 20, 2018

Walla Walla is one of my favorite wine destinations and I was excited to photograph for The Walls Winery, a relatively new winery. Everything about this winery is done with perfection, resulting in that exquisite bottle of wine. I initially did a series of portraits of the owner Mike Martin and business partner with winemaker Ali Mayfield as well as the core winemaking staff.

The Walls Winery

Mike Martin owner and partner at The Walls Winery in Walla Walla

Mike Martin of The Walls Winery

Winemaking at The Walls Winery

Mike Martin of The Walls Winery

Grape Harvest for The Walls Winery

Curiositas

Red Hills AVA in Washington

Business Portrait

Business Portraits for the Montavilla East Tabor Business Association

March 12, 2018

Over the last 2 years I photographed over 50 businesses for the Montavilla East Tabor Business Association. While I did not photograph all the businesses on the website, I did photograph the majority. This was an especially rewarding project because I live in the Montavilla Neighborhood. It is really a great cohesive neighborhood with an increasing number of wonderful places to shop and eat. I enjoyed meeting the various business owners who are contributing to the vibrancy of my hood. As this was a grant funded project, the goal was to create images that presented a human face to their storefront in a limited amount of time. These are some of my favorites.

Business portrait of Kim Kandel, owner of Gracious Goat skin care products locally made in Portland, Oregon

Portrait of Edward Esposito at New Dimension Denture

Square Deal Remodeling

Khadro Abdi of Allee Amin East African Cuisine

Todd Dennis owner of East Glisan Pizza Lounge

Baking Bread at Fressen Artisan Bakery

Staff at Lewis Rents

Business Portrait of Bret Branter owner of Mr Plywood in Montavilla Business District

Si’s Auto Body Repair

Celestrial Awakenings in the Montavilla Business District in Portland, Oregon

Food and Wine

Big Sky Landscaping

January 12, 2018

During the late fall I photographed for Big Sky Landscaping. Their designs and work are outstanding. Their attention to detail in both the plantings and the hardscapes is remarkable. With the trend, especially in the northwest to create outdoor living spaces as a larger part of the home, Big Sky does a great job.

The most important way t0 approach this type of photography is to pay attention to the light, as it is with most forms of photography. So the early morning or evening light is the most appropriate time to best showcase their designs. This particular assignment was difficult because it is extremely windy in October in the town where I photographed. So working around blowing leaves was a bit challenging.

Big Sky Landscape

Big Sky Landscaping

Lifestyle, Travel, Vineyards and Wineries

Vineyard Photography in Oregon’s Illinois Valley

August 10, 2017

This past spring, I took a road trip to take photos for a feature story for Oregon Wine Press. I had never been to the Illinois Valley before and was excited to visit a new wine growing region in Oregon. Driving down from Portland the area seemed quite remote and beautiful with stunning views of the Siskiyou Mountains. Unfortunately once I got to my destination it rained almost every day with the exception of one afternoon when I went to visit Deer Creek Vineyards. It was not until then that I was fully able to appreciate how special this area is. Because I had never stayed in a tree house before I made arrangements to spend one night at Out’n’Abut Treehouse Tresort. I loved it and it was delightful to go to sleep up in the trees.

Out ‘N’ About Tree house in the Illinois Valley, Oregon

Deer Creek, Bridgeview, Foris and Augustino Estate are all located near Cave Junction.

Bridgeview’s vines are planted along the Sucker Creek, which has recently become problematic as the vineyard is losing valuable land to the creek.

BridgeView Vineyards along Sucker Creek.

Rene Eichman 3rd generation wine maker and co-owner continues the European winemaking tradition.

Rene Eichmann winemaker and co-owne of BridgeView Vineyards in the Illinois Valley in Southern Oregon barrel tasting his Pinot Noir

Rene Eichmann winemaker and co-owner of BridgeView Vineyards in the Illinois Valley in Southern Oregon

Cellar Master, Joe Imholz at Bridgeview Winery inspecting wine

My one day of sunshine was happily spent at Deer Creek Vineyards with its breathtaking views of snow capped mountains. Owners Katherine and John Bryon restored this 1988 vineyard in 2010.

Deer Creek Winery in the Illinois Valley

Augustino Vineyard, the southern most vineyard in the valley is a relatively new comer to Oregon with it’s treehouse tasting room. Also boasting beautiful views of the Siskiyou Mountains, the porch of the tasting room is a great place to spend time enjoying their wine.

Augustino Vineyards at Rock’n’ranch

Augustino Vineyards at Rock’n’ranch on a cloudy morning

Augustino Vineyards at Rock’n’ranch

Foris Vineyards in the Illinois Valley, Oregon

The tree house tasting room Augustino Vineyards at Rock’n Ranch.

Wine and Cheese in the Tree house tasting room at Augustino Vineyards in the Illinois Valley, Oregon

Augustino Vineyard in the Illinois Valley, Oregon

Stephanie Pau recently joined Foris Vineyards as the vineyard’s new winemaker. She is the 4th, in the 30 year history of the winery. I am looking forward to trying her first vintage.

Foris Winery's winemaker Stephanie Pao barrel tasting.

Wine maker Stephanie Pa0

Food Photography

Product photography for One Fork Farm Caramels

March 20, 2017

David Herzog sprinkling Oregon’s Jacobsen salt over freshly made One Fork Farm Caramels in Mcminnville, Oregon

4 packages of One Fork Farm caramels

David Herzog owner of, as well as caramel maker for One Fork Farm Caramels, makes an outstanding and delicious product. So of course I was more than happy to photograph for his company. We decided to go with a “rustic” approach with the images that would complement their branding and packaging. It was also fun to style the caramels with the ingredients used in the various flavors. David wanted to create a product that used locally sourced ingredients such as Woodblock Chocolate, Jacobsen Salt and Portland’s Eastside Distilling. I would be hard pressed to choose a favorite.

David Herzog cuttling his One Fork Farm Caramels for packaging.

Vanilla Bean One Fork Farm Caramels

One Fork Farm Below Deck Coffee Rum Horchata Caramels

Wild Honey One Fork Farm Caramels

Velvet Chocolate One Fork Farm Caramels

Food Photography, Lifestyle, Vineyards and Wineries

Photographing the 2017 Oregon Truffle Festival

March 14, 2017

From truffle inspired dinners to participation in actual truffle foraging with trained dogs there are many events associated with the Oregon Truffle Festival. It is a truly a unique event in the United States and draws people from across the country. The Truffle Festival expresses a sense of place like no other event. Against a backdrop of Oregon Wine Country and covering a span of 10 days it celebrates the rich bounty of Oregon wine, culinary delights and of course Oregon Truffles.