Kathryn Elsesser Photography Blog

Food and Wine

November 11, 2021

Soaring Falcons Protect Vineyards From Prey

Harris Hawk flying through the rows of vines at Blakeslee Vineyards in Oregon's Willamette Valley

Alina Blankenship working with her Harris Hawk as it flies through the rows of vines at Blakeslee Vineyards in Oregon’s Willamette Valley

Managing vineyards presents all the same challenges as other types of agriculture. One concern for vineyards is the need to protect their fruit from song birds. One successful means to that end is to use especially trained falcons. September issue of Oregon Wine Press I photographed Justin Robertson and Alina Blankenship professional falconers for Sky Guardian Falconry.

It was fascinating to watch Justin and Alina work with their feathered staff. I am not a wildlife photographer, so I found trying to photograph flying birds quite challenging.

Portrait of Master falconer, Dramatic portrait of master Falconer Alina Blankenship with one of her falcons at Blakeslee Vineyards in the Willamette Valley.

Dramatic portrait of master Falconer Alina Blankenship with one of her falcons at Blakeslee Vineyards in the Willamette Valley.

Harris Hawk flying through the rows of vines at Blakeslee Vineyards in Oregon’s Willamette Valley.Sky Guardian’s Falconry abatement for Oregon Vineyards

Master Falconer Justin Robertson with a Gyrfalcon at Blakeslee Vineyards.

Master Falconer Justin Robertson holding a Gyrfalcon at Blakeslee Vineyards.

Alina Blankenship playing affectionately with one of her falcons.

Tools of the trade. Gloves and hood used for falconry resting on vineyard vine.

Artist Portraits, Business Portrait, Fashion, Fine Art Portrait, Landscape

Portraits of Jazz Vocalist Billie Eidson

December 16, 2020

Oregon Jazz Vocalist Billie Eidson

I have had so much fun photographing practicing attorney and new comer to the local Jazz scene, Billie Eidson. Our session was a very much collaborative process. When I learned that we could have access to a vintage non-working Range Rover in the middle of a field it was easy to figure out where to stage the session.

Portrait of jazz vocalist , Billie Eidson singing in a field in Oregon’s Willamette Valley.

Portrait of jazz vocalist , Billie Eidson

Portrait of jazz singer, Billie Eidson

Portrait of jazz vocalist , Billie Eidson

Billie has been extremely busy and is currently in the process of producing a CD. I was able to grab some shots of the recording process at Dead Aunt Thelma’s Studio.

Jazz Vocalist Billie Eidson recording at Dead Aunt Thelma’s Studio

Food and Wine

December 16, 2020

Jazz Singer Billie Eidson

Portrait of jazz vocalist , Billie Eidson

Food and Wine

Oregon Winemakers from Kansas for Kansas City Magazine

March 7, 2020

Sometimes photoshoots with more than 2 or 3 people can be like herding cats, but they can be so much fun, as this particular one was for Kansas City Magazine. I was grateful to work with writer Michael Alberty who recommended me for this story on winemakers and owners from Kansas. I think we were all surprised that we were able to gather as many as we did. Only Ed King from King Estates was not able to join us.

Oregon Winemakers for Kansas City Magazine

Group photo of Dan Duryee of Lady Hill Winery, Boyd TeeGarden of Natalie’s Estate, Hilary Berg and Chris Berg of Roots Winery, Jerry Sass of Sass Winery, Scott Shull of Rapter Ridge and Brad McLeroy of Ayres Winery. Photo taken in the production cellar at Ayres Winery.

The art director from Kansas City Magazine wanted the group shot to be taken outdoors. Unfortunately, the winter weather in Oregon was not accommodating so I had to find a place that I would be able to have an indoor alternative. Brad McLeroy owner of and winemaker for Ayres Winery agreed to host us.

Even though it was raining, I did make everyone stand outside for a portrait that was not used. I can’t believe how long the dog just there , he was like a professional model! Meanwhile, I had a hard time with the people to stay focused on the job at hand!

Group photo of Dan Duryee of Lady Hill Winery, Boyd TeeGarden of Natalie’s Estate, Hilary Berg and Chris Berg of Roots Winery, Jerry Sass of Sass Winery, Scott Shull of Rapter Ridge and Brad McLeroy of Ayres Winery. Photo taken in the production cellar at Ayres Winery.

Vineyards and Wineries

Photoshoot for 00 Winery

August 24, 2019

Founders Chris and Kathryn Hermann

It was such a privilege to photograph for 00. Chris and Kathryn Hermann have assembled a talented team insuring that their wine is always outstanding. I love their wine so much that I remember the first time I had their Chardonnay and how amazed and surprised that this was not a White Burgundy from France, but a local Oregon chardonnay.

A bottle shot of 00 winery’s EGW chardonnay

Their website describes this wine as “”A very complex and powerful chardonnay with ripe-nectarine, lemon and grapefruit aromas, laced with cool, stony notes, as well as flint and attractively restrained oak. The palate has mouthwatering, intense fruit with such attractively concentrated, pithy-grapefruit and white-peach flavors with beautifully wound flesh that pervades the crisp, long and gently toasty finish. Really superb chardonnay. Drink or hold.”

I am looking forward to trying their new vintages that their winemaker, Wynn Peterson Nedry crafts.

Wine Maker Wynne Peterson Nedry

A portrait of winemaker Wynne Peterson Nedry

French winemaker and consultant Pierre Milleman

Ewald Moseler

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.