Photography by Hilary

Photography by Hilary Hi there! My name is Hilary. Thanks for stopping by! I am a devoted wife and a nurturing mama bear of 3 (or 6, if we count the furry companions). Talk to you soon!

I am a self-taught portrait photographer, whom services the Salem, Oregon metro area, and beyond (formerly known as 'Pinao Images by Hilary'). My family inspires my work. I love to capture life’s fleeting moments through my lens. I tend to wear my heart on my sleeve and wear occasional quirkiness like a badge of honor. Silly moments, spontaneous laughter, and movie quotes pepper my days (my husban

d and I share a habit of quoting film references in our conversations often, turning ordinary chats into cinematic goofiness). I would label myself as a kaleidoscope of passions and pursuits, one who thrives on life’s rich palette, or a symphony of laughter, adventure, and flavors. In addition to spending time with my family, my interests involve, but are not limited to, the Jeep life, music, dancing, wine, sun, the ocean, travel, cooking, ice cream, catching up on my fav shows or binge watching old ones. While my love for photography started at a young age, I didn't get more serious about it until 2012. It was then, that I started my business. I feel that photography is something that goes beyond the lens. It transcends mere pixels and prints. It’s a time capsule. Each image is a moment that is frozen in time, a story, a documentary, a record of existence, a feeling, and for some, other than a memory and material things, it's all that is left behind. I also believe that photography isn’t just about preserving memories; it’s about offering a fresh perspective on how we see the world. My portfolio dances between color and black n’ white. I have a penchant for capturing raw, unfiltered moments—the candid glances, the unguarded smiles, tears of joy. Though my work presents both color and black n’ white, I favor black n’ white portraits as they evoke emotion, revealing the soul beneath the surface. In front of my lens, vulnerability blooms. I strive to create a sanctuary where authenticity reigns. Quirks, weirdness, and imperfections are celebrated. Whether you’re a whimsical dreamer or a fierce soul, I invite you to step into the frame, let laughter echo, and embrace your true authentic self! Couple things to note: I do not have a team. It’s just my camera and I. Occasionally, I may be able to provide a back up/secondary photographer. Additionally, photography isn’t my sole livelihood (though it is my heart's pursuit) - I do have a full time job outside of it, which could impact my availability at times, and also impact the return time on photos delivered (however shouldn't impact by much ;) ). All that said, let’s create memories together—affordably, authentically, and eternally.

Yesterday I had the joy of photographing the wedding of this  adorable couple. Truly one of my favorite pairs I’ve ever ...
06/08/2026

Yesterday I had the joy of photographing the wedding of this adorable couple. Truly one of my favorite pairs I’ve ever worked with. The coastal forecast threatened rain, but the skies surprised us with a mix of soft clouds and bursts of harsh sunlight—bittersweet, but we made it work!
After getting ready, they shared a private first look and exchanged heartfelt vows, just the two of them. Then it was time to bring in their loved ones for the ceremony and reception. Their ceremony ended with both the bride and groom taking celebratory shots—unexpected, awesome, and iconic. Oh AND.. the groom owns a pair of Crocs in just about every color. It’s no surprise that he changed out of his boots and into his Crocs after the ceremony. 🤣 Totally relatable!
The reception was everything at once: lively, emotional, tear‑jerking, and entertaining. I have to give a shout out to their DJ—this man was animated, full of energy, and even hit the dance floor in different costumes depending on the song. If you want someone with a big personality who keeps the party alive, he’s your guy!! Reach out if you want his contact info.

Congratulations to Jen and Kurt. Wishing you both nothing but the best as you begin this new chapter together. 🩷

06/06/2026

It’s wedding day on the Oregon Coast! 🌊💍
The forecast is calling for rain and it’s going to be a bit chilly, but thankfully the rain is expected to taper off before the main events begin. We’re keeping our fingers crossed 🤞and hoping Mother Nature gets the memo!
If you’re willing, would you please send a little good luck our way—whether that’s prayers, positive vibes, good juju, crossed fingers, or whatever it is you believe in. We can absolutely work with cloud cover, but we'd love to leave the rain behind for today.

Here’s hoping for dry skies, happy hearts, and a beautiful day for the bride and groom. ❤️

This young man was an absolute standout during his cap n' gown session — truly one of the easiest seniors I’ve ever work...
06/03/2026

This young man was an absolute standout during his cap n' gown session — truly one of the easiest seniors I’ve ever worked with. I’d tell him the pose, the action shot, the vibe I was aiming for, and he’d nail it instantly. No second explanation needed. It felt like he’d done this before. Honestly, it was refreshing.
Isaiah is well‑mannered, sweet, humble, and carries himself with a quiet confidence that makes a great first impression. This high school varsity football play has big dreams ahead, considering a future in Psychology or Nursing. Both are fitting to his character.
He’ll be passing his cap down to one of his younger brothers, who starts high school next year. It made sense to capture a photo of him doing just that.
Isaiah, congratulations on your upcoming graduation. 🎓 Thank you for trusting me to capture a piece of such an important milestone. Best wishes on all your future endeavors. ✨

Despite the chilly winds, I had such a great time photographing this stunning 2026 West Salem High Senior during her cap...
05/31/2026

Despite the chilly winds, I had such a great time photographing this stunning 2026 West Salem High Senior during her cap‑and‑gown 🎓 session. Her love, who happens to be my nephew, was present, and kept the session lively as always.This young woman has been busy. She served on the yearbook committee, worked on the school newspaper 📰 , played sports 🎾, held a part‑time job, and still managed to maintain high academics. She’s driven, focused, and there’s already talk of a future in journalism — and I can see why. Oh, and did I mention she was voted Prom Queen 👑 at the Senior Prom? And if you saw her decorated graduation cap in my previous post, then you already know she’s got creative talent too. There’s no doubt she’s headed for big things.
Thank you, Kyra, for allowing me the opportunity of capturing your cap‑and‑gown photos and be part of such an important milestone in your life. 💕

Cap and gown sneak peeks from last night’s session are coming soon, but I had to share her decorated cap in the meantime...
05/31/2026

Cap and gown sneak peeks from last night’s session are coming soon, but I had to share her decorated cap in the meantime. It’s so creative and super cute! You can’t see it clearly in this photo, but the edges are outlined with what look like tiny crystal studs. She put so much thought and effort into it. 🩷
I don’t remember cap‑decorating being a thing when I graduated (and no, I’m not revealing what year that was 😉). Apparently it did exist, but it definitely wasn’t as popular. I love that seniors now get to personalize their caps and make them even more memorable.

Looking forward to another cap‑and‑gown session tonight with a soon-to-be graduate!

Yesterday was my nephew’s last day of high school, finishing up all his grade school years. In just 5 days he'll be walk...
05/30/2026

Yesterday was my nephew’s last day of high school, finishing up all his grade school years. In just 5 days he'll be walking across the stage at graduation 🎓!
To celebrate this milestone, we squeezed in a little last minute impromptu cap-and-gown session of this Prom King 👑 —despite the sniffles and watery eyes (thanks to the seasonal allergies and all🙄🤪).
I’m proud of you ‘Nephewson’ and I can't wait to see where this journey called life takes you. As you step into this next chapter, chase your dreams, embrace new opportunities, and never stop being you!

Yesterday evening, I had so much fun capturing this 2026 McNary High Senior 🎓at Minto Brown Park in Salem! The unexpecte...
05/25/2026

Yesterday evening, I had so much fun capturing this 2026 McNary High Senior 🎓at Minto Brown Park in Salem! The unexpected wind definitely gave us a challenge between her hair and tassel, adding a little extra time to the session, but it certainly didn’t stop us from getting the shots we wanted. By the end of it though, she was more than ready to kick off those heels!
We spent some time talking about her future plans, and while she’s still figuring out exactly what she wants to do, she’s strongly considering a career with the Portland Fire District 🔥
To top the evening off, a doe deer even stopped by to watch us for a bit and say hello from a distance — such a fun and unexpected little moment during the session!
Thank you so much, Samantha, for trusting me to capture such a special milestone for you! Wishing you nothing but the best in this next chapter of life! ✨

05/25/2026

Cap n’ Gown 🎓 Mini Session this evening!
Let’s go! 🙌🏻

Hilarious!🤣.
05/24/2026

Hilarious!🤣.

This past Saturday, I had the honor of stepping in for another local photographer who had unfortunately fallen ill but h...
05/21/2026

This past Saturday, I had the honor of stepping in for another local photographer who had unfortunately fallen ill but had a proposal session scheduled. Opportunities to capture such a special moment don’t come around every day, and I’m so grateful I was available to help document it for this adorable couple. My daughter, whom I also mentor in photography, was present and was able to capture the moment on video.
The soon-to-be bride believed they were simply attending a family get-together at a vineyard since the groom’s grandmother was in town, which was true, buuut for other reasons 😉 . As they both sipped on the wine they had gotten from the vineyard tasting room while standing looking out towards a stunning view, he decided to make his move. She was so in shock from the surprise that I don’t even think she realized she had that glass of wine in her hand the whole time. Of course, I couldn’t say anything because I didn’t want to interrupt such a personal moment. Happy tears were shared between the two of them, and of course… she said “YES!” 💍
As a proud Swiftie, it was only fitting that the ring box had a personalized Taylor Swift theme (well done, Preston!). The groom was understandably nervous leading up to the proposal, but he did an amazing job pulling everything together.
Soon after, additional family members arrived to congratulate the newly engaged couple and take a few more photos together.
Preston & Sky- It truly was an honor and privilege to capture such genuine emotion and such an unforgettable milestone between you both. Now the fun part begins — wedding planning! 😊 If you find yourself in need of a wedding photographer for your big day, I’d love to chat with you both. Wishing you both many blessings and all the happiness as you begin this exciting new chapter together! ❤️

(Note: Video quality may appear a bit distorted as that tends to happen when uploading on FB.)

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Salem, OR

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