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Vancouver, WA Photographer | A Few of my Favorite Things – My Primary Gear for 2018

by Missy Fant Photography | Feb 3, 2018 | Gear Reviews

I am what you would consider a gear nut. I love trying out new gear, techniques, and different uses of everyday things to see how (and if) they can be used in my photography. I get asked about my gear quite often by artists looking to capture most weddings. When...

missyfantphoto

Photographer. Chaos Wrangler. Memory Maker.
Serving up bold and badass work.
Hit the link. Let’s make some art.
https://linktr.ee/missyfantphoto
Last nights engagement. Hauntingly Beautiful. Last nights engagement. Hauntingly Beautiful.
As a business owner and as a human being, I want t As a business owner and as a human being, I want to be clear and consistent: I stand against state violence and the killing of people by government agencies — always have, always will. Today in Minneapolis, another person lost their life during a federal immigration enforcement operation. Details are still emerging, but what is already clear is this: lethal force by the government demands transparency, accountability, and independent investigation — every single time. No agency should operate above scrutiny, and no community should be left grieving without answers. This is not about politics as a game. It is about human lives, civil rights, and the dangerous normalization of force used by the state against civilians. History shows us that when people are told to stay quiet in the face of injustice, harm only spreads. Standing up, speaking out, and demanding accountability is not radical — it is civic responsibility. Silence is how tyranny grows. I will continue to use my platform, personally and professionally, to oppose these acts and to stand with communities calling for justice, restraint, and the protection of human dignity.
Generational studio shoot? Check. Even if it mean Generational studio shoot? Check. Even if it means borrowing my neighbor’s studio for a hot minute, having options matters when you’re bringing multiple generations together. Clean light, cozy space, zero stress. That’s the goal. Want to step outside after for a few frames with your pup? Absolutely. Being in a historic building means pets can’t come inside, but it doesn’t stop us from popping outdoors for those tail-wagging portraits. And being just a block from Esther Short Park makes that part easy, green, and honestly kind of magical. Studio structure + outdoor flexibility = portraits that feel like real life, just a little more polished.
Your wedding doesn’t need a Saturday guest list, a Your wedding doesn’t need a Saturday guest list, a sunny forecast, or anyone else’s approval. It just needs you two. Get married on a Wednesday. In the middle of winter. When the trees are bare, the air is sharp, and the world feels quieter. Let it be intentional. Let it be intimate. Let it be a day that feels like you chose each other on purpose, not just a date on a calendar. Break the rules. Skip the expectations. Build a celebration that fits you like your favorite jacket. Because the most powerful weddings aren’t about tradition. They’re about love, commitment, and doing it your own damn way.
Headed out to Yoga Ridge for their launch and to c Headed out to Yoga Ridge for their launch and to create their brand photos, and honestly… what a way to kick things off. There’s something very full-circle about documenting a space built around care, breath, and strength while I’m over here contorting myself into photographer goblin poses for the shot. 📸🧘‍ I’m very excited to try their hot yoga soon. My body deserves a recovery plan after years of crouching, twisting, balancing on rocks, and doing whatever it takes to get the frame. If hot yoga can undo even half of that, I’m in. And because timing loves drama, my wedding season officially starts tomorrow. New brands, new beginnings, and straight into love stories I get to document. Let’s go. My calendar waits for no one.
History AND nerd moment activated. The new season History AND nerd moment activated. The new season of Fallout kicked off with a backdrop that made me do a full point-at-the-screen move: the old Arne’s Royal Hawaiian Motel. They put the dinosaur there for the show, but much peak desert Americana. Sunbaked, weird, wonderful. Not long after filming, the motel was demolished. One more roadside relic erased from the map. When I passed through Baker in late winter of 2024, I made a stop to explore what was left. Crumbling concrete, open sky, and that unmistakable feeling that you’re standing in a place that’s already half memory. That’s the magic I keep chasing with a camera. Exploring spaces with history. Photographing places before they’re repainted, remodeled, or removed entirely. Freezing a moment in time before it disappears, whether it’s a desert motel, a historic venue, or a fleeting slice of someone’s story. Because sometimes the most powerful photos aren’t about what’s shiny and new. They’re about what almost slipped away. #exploremore #adventure #adventuretime #abandoned. #fallout roadtrip
I was asked by Debbie (https://www.instagram.com/d I was asked by Debbie (https://www.instagram.com/debbiemarvin_caringart?igsh=dWN5cG5qcjR3bjdp ) to put this on my Facebook wall instead of a story—so here it is. Let me be crystal clear about where I stand. I stand for all humans. I stand for human dignity, due process, and basic rights—regardless of where someone was born. And I stand firmly against the rampant overstepping of the law by ICE agents, which has included intimidation, unlawful detentions, family separation, and actions that go far beyond what accountability or justice looks like. That behavior is horrifying and absolutely uncalled for. Yes, laws exist. And yes, no one is above the law—including law enforcement agencies. When an agency operates with cruelty, dehumanization, and violence baked into its enforcement practices, calling that out is not “being above the law.” It’s demanding that the law be applied ethically and humanely. Debbie is welcome to her opinion. But let’s not pretend this is a neutral debate about “rules.” Supporting systems that oppress, harm, and kill people in the name of enforcement is a choice. Silence or defense of that harm is also a choice. As for me and Missy Fant Photography: I will always stand on the side of humanity over cruelty, compassion over punishment, and accountability over unchecked power. She blocked me shortly after that message, so it seems she didn’t want to have a conversation or back her own stance.
I’ll be at the Wedding Show over at @thehistorictr I’ll be at the Wedding Show over at @thehistorictrust on February 1st, and you do not want to miss this one. If you’re planning a wedding (or freshly engaged and soaking it all in), come wander through some truly stunning venues, get a feel for the spaces in person, and connect with some amazing local vendors who know how to bring a day together beautifully. Whether you’re deep in planning mode or just starting to dream, this is such a fun way to gather ideas, ask questions, and picture your day coming to life. Come say hi, explore the venues, and meet some great people while you’re at it See you February 1st!
Proof that 2025 wasn’t just work Between running Proof that 2025 wasn’t just work Between running my business, I made space for: Vegas (conference life) Two weeks road-tripping WA & OR—yes, including the Wallowas on horseback Exploring San Francisco on a work trip tag-along And actually taking time off to chill with my family Work hard. Play hard. Rest when you can. Hello, 2026—let’s go
AI is a tool. A damn good one, actually. It can he AI is a tool. A damn good one, actually. It can help you outline ideas, tighten your messaging, brainstorm captions, and save time when your brain is already running six tabs deep. 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞. Your voice. Your lived experience. Your weird little details that make people trust you. Could I have created this image with a long AI prompt? Maybe. But AI wouldn’t know her. It wouldn’t know her tattoos, her style, the way she carries herself, or the story she tells just by existing in her own skin. It wouldn’t capture the real human standing in front of the camera, the one your clients actually connect with. And honestly, that’s what made this session so good. We had some really solid conversations about branding itself, not just how it looks, but how it works. She’s an expert at helping businesses build brands with intention, clarity, and longevity, and it shows in everything she does. If you’re a business owner who wants to build your brand the right way, go check out Kimberly Gayle. She’s currently booking branding clients, and yes, you absolutely want her brain on your side. https://www.boldlyemerge.com/ Branding isn’t about perfection. It’s about presence. 𝐀𝐈 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐮𝐩, 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮, 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮. That’s exactly why I’m officially launching my monthly branding image subscriptions. Consistent, human, real imagery that grows with your business. Not stock. Not generated. Not generic. Just you, showing up as yourself, on purpose. Let’s make your brand feel like a person again, because it is. Rain or shine. Coffee encouraged. Community always welcome. https://missyfantphotography.com/commercial-image-subscription/
It’s that time of year where I can come up for air It’s that time of year where I can come up for air, while also finishing up editing my last wedding of the year. This is the season where I love revisiting some of my adventures from the year, sharing them here, and quietly hoping a few of you feel inspired to go wander a little too. Each August, my family takes about a week or so off and we almost always point the car toward a road trip. This year turned into a full two-week ramble through eastern Washington and Oregon. The kind of places that live off the main highways, get skipped by many, and absolutely deserve more love. I have so many spots to share, especially if geological history makes your brain light up, but I’m starting with one we hit on the way back. Why not kick things off at the beginning? Because this place feels like the start of an adventure all on its own. We stopped at Hot Lake Springs, just outside of La Grande. We did it as a day trip, staying in a super chill Airbnb up in the hills where we could watch the sun melt into the valley at night. The small fee to soak in the tubs was absolutely worth it. Warm water, wide-open views, nervous systems fully exhaling. Inside the historic building? Slight creep factor. In the best way. Definitely haunted energy. There’s preserved history throughout that gives you this quiet, echoing sense of everything the place has been through. One of the original buildings burned down years ago and is still up on the hill, though blocked off now. We couldn’t get close, but even from afar it felt like a chapter you could almost hear. Also, I absolutely need to plan a friends weekend here with the sole goal of doing nothing. No agenda. No rushing. Especially since there’s basically no service. Just soaking, snacks, long conversations, and letting time lose track of us for a bit. If you’re looking for a place to slow down, unplug, and let your thoughts wander before heading deeper into your own adventure, this one’s a solid north star. More hidden gems coming soon.
Makayla and Ryan | Letting the Park Lead | A Mount Makayla and Ryan | Letting the Park Lead | A Mount Rainier Engagement Session This Mount Rainier engagement session wasn’t about checking off locations. It was about following the road, skipping the crowds, discovering hidden waterfalls, and letting the Pacific Northwest set the pace for something real and unforgettable.... https://missyfantphotography.com/2025/12/18/makayla-and-ryan-letting-the-park-lead-a-mount-rainier-engagement-session/
With the amount of business I’ve been incredibly l With the amount of business I’ve been incredibly lucky to have this year, I’ve also been able to do something that matters just as much to me as the work itself: give back. In the words of my dad, “The best thing you can give someone is your time.” This year, I’ve been able to donate time and photography services to organizations and events doing real, meaningful work in our community: • YWCA - https://www.ywcaclarkcounty.org/donate • Humanities Washington - https://www.humanities.org/donate/ • Habitat for Humanity - https://www.ehfh.org/donate/ • Clark County Historic Museum - https://clark-county-historical-society.monkeypod.io/give/support-clark-county-historical-society • The Historic Trust - https://www.thehistorictrust.org/donate/ • Council for the Homeless - https://councilforthehomeless-bloom.kindful.com/ • Pride Block Party - https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=E8CZJLXTHG2A2 • Clark County Pride - https://clarkcountypride.com/donate • Clark County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue - https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=QZGMBUXKLN5Y6 • Ohana Self Defense - https://givebutter.com/ohana-sponsor • The Diner – Meals on Wheels - https://www.mowp.org/donate/ I’ve included donation links for each of these foundations, so if you’re able and feel called to support them directly, the opportunity is right there. Community care works best when we all pitch in where we can. And to my couples, families, seniors, business owners, and organizations who hire me for weddings, portraits, and commercial work: thank you. Every commission you trust me with helps make this possible. Your support doesn’t just create images for you, it directly fuels my ability to show up for nonprofits, community events, and causes that need visibility and care. Photography isn’t just about pretty images. It’s about visibility, storytelling, documentation, and support. If my work can help amplify missions, raise funds, preserve history, or simply show people that their work matters, then that’s time well spent. This is why I do what I do, and I’m deeply grateful to be part of a community that believes in showing up for one another.
Being able to help the people who help everyone el Being able to help the people who help everyone else is something I don’t take lightly. I recently had the honor of photographing search and rescue teams. The folks who head out when the weather turns, when daylight disappears, when someone doesn’t come home on time. They train hard, show up without hesitation, and put community first every single time. Grateful to play a small role in supporting the people who run toward the hard stuff so the rest of us can make it home. If you’re a nonprofit doing the work that holds communities together and you need images to support your fundraising or marketing efforts, I’d be honored to help. Reach out and let’s make visuals that work as hard as you do.
If you haven’t eaten lunch yet… I’m genuinely sorr If you haven’t eaten lunch yet… I’m genuinely sorry for what you’re about to see. One of my favorite parts of my job is teaming up with local restaurants to make their food look as good as it tastes. I get to bring their dishes front and center, show off the heart of their menu, and create images that help them connect with the folks who already love them and the ones who haven’t found them yet. These shots aren’t just for scrolling either. They’re headed for menus, websites, and all the places where “what should we eat?” decisions are made. Supporting local, telling their story, and making you hungry in the process.
Bryson | La Center Class of 2026 Byson’s senior p Bryson | La Center Class of 2026 Byson’s senior portraits took us through downtown Ridgefield at sunrise, dodging the holiday crowds and soaking up that quiet-before-the-world-wakes vibe. The sunlight showing up felt like a small miracle and a very welcome break from all the rain we’ve been swimming in lately. Brick, sidewalks, soft light, all the good stuff. After wandering downtown, we made our way to the boat launch along the river, where the calm water and open sky gave us a totally different feel without ever leaving town. Huge congrats to the Class of 2026, and especially to seniors like Byson who are already checking big milestones off the list. Senior year comes fast, and those yearbook deadlines have a sneaky way of showing up before you’re ready. Friendly reminder that some schools still have time to submit senior portraits, so if you’ve been putting it off or thought you missed your window, it may not be too late. Reach out, check your school’s specific deadline, and let’s make sure you end up in the yearbook looking like yourself, not a last-minute panic photo.
Jeanae // Fort Vancouver High School, Class of 202 Jeanae // Fort Vancouver High School, Class of 2026 Senior year energy, but with a future already taking shape. Jeanae is headed toward early education, which means classrooms full of tiny humans are about to get a whole lot more patient, kind, and fun. Class of 2026, you’re officially on deck. And Jeanae, the world needs more people like you.
You know that generational photo session you’ve be You know that generational photo session you’ve been daydreaming about? The one where everyone actually shows up, Grandma tells the same story she’s told since 1984, and the kids somehow behave long enough to capture proof that your family exists in the same timeline? Yeah… that one. It’s easy to keep pushing it to “someday,” but here’s the thing: moments stack fast. Kids level up. Parents become grandparents. And these seasons deserve to be documented before they slip quietly into the vault. If your heart’s been whispering we should really do this, consider this your sign from the universe. Or the cosmos. Or the Pacific Northwest fog rolling in like an ancient wizard muttering “book the dang session already.” Let’s gather your people. Let’s make images that feel like home. Rain or shine, your story deserves to be told. Ready when you are.
Photographer-to-photographer real talk: Can we ple Photographer-to-photographer real talk: Can we please stop pretending you have to niche down to be successful? Because… no. You don’t. And I sure as hell didn’t. Also? You do not need to spend THOUSANDS on “workshops” just to have someone on a stage tell you the same thing with a slideshow and a hype song. Their “success” is literally you paying them to tell you to shrink your business. Hard pass. (But do go to them to fill up your tank of creativity) Here’s the truth: Why on earth would you build a business you don’t actually enjoy? Why give up the stuff that lights you up, inspires you, and makes you excited to pick up your camera? You’re allowed to love weddings and newborns. Dogs and seniors.Brand work and elopements in sideways PNW rain. All of it. Every messy, magical bit. So embrace your awesome. Create what you love. THAT is the real magic. And it’s way more fun than forcing yourself into a tiny little photography box. END RANT #MissyFantPhotography #PhotographerTruth #CreateWhatYouLove #MultiNicheMagic #PNWPhotographer #BadassBizEnergy
While everyone else thinks I’m living in a world o While everyone else thinks I’m living in a world of nonstop holiday parties right now… surprise! I also snuck in my last wedding of 2025 this weekend. Nakaiya & Alan tied the knot up at The Hilltop at Anderson Lodge, and let me tell you — it POURED. Like… classic PNW “did we accidentally get married inside a cloud?” levels of rain. But we stayed warm, stayed dry (…mostly), and still managed to sneak outside for some family photos between the showers. Totally worth it. Their little guy, Sebastian, was the real MVP — demanding to be in almost every picture with Mom to taste-testing the cake to make sure it passed inspection. Quality control king. The reception was pure cozy perfection: their closest friends and family gathered inside the lodge, sharing delicious pasta, playing board games, and keeping the vibe warm and intimate while the rain kept soaking the forest outside. Even with the weather doing its thing, the day was full of warmth, laughter, and the kind of love that rolls with whatever the PNW throws at it. Huge congratulations, Nakaiya & Alan — thanks for letting me capture your beautiful, soggy, wonderfully chill day.
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Reviews
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ChaRee DiFabio 3 months ago
Missy has taken our family photos over the years and we are never disappointed. She is smart, kind, ambitious and an outstanding photographer!
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Laurie N 3 months ago
Missy made my daughter’s senior photo shoot a truly joyful experience. She’s not only an exceptionally talented photographer but also has a gift for drawing out genuine smiles, even from the most nervous subjects. My daughter is incredibly camera shy and was worried she’d look “awkward,” but from the moment we met Missy, she was at ease. I’m so glad we chose the package with all the digital images—Missy captured so many stunning shots, I couldn’t have chosen just a few. I can’t thank her enough for making the process fun and beautifully capturing such a pivotal moment in my daughter’s life.
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Kristin Nordberg 4 months ago
Missy Fant took beautiful photos of my child. She was wonderful to work with, friendly, and fun. She suggested delightfully photogenic spots around Vancouver, WA. I highly recommend her.
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Jackson McCoy 6 months ago
Missy is truly amazing! Due to unforeseen circumstances we had to find a photographer for our May 2025 wedding with only about a month to spare and we were so lucky to come across Missy. She immediately put us at ease with her humor and down to earth personality.
Day of the wedding she arrived early, took amazing photos, stayed a little late to get some final shots of us with our family and almost immediately sent us a sneak peek of some of the pictures.
If you are in need of someone who obviously loves their work and puts their all into each and every picture, Missy is your best friend!
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