Our Story

Who We Are

Forever Ties PDX is a luxury wedding photography and cinematography company based in Oregon, specializing in high-end and destination weddings across the U.S., Latin America, Europe, and Hawaii.

Our work is built around presence, emotion, and the understanding that a wedding isn’t just a day—it’s a story that deserves to be felt years from now.

Founded by An Cortes, the company has grown into a trusted name for high-end weddings and destination celebrations across the West Coast and internationally.

We approach every wedding the way a filmmaker approaches a story—intentionally, patiently, and with respect for the moment as it unfolds. Nothing is rushed, nothing is forced. The focus is on creating space for real emotion, then shaping it into something visually striking and timeless.

Our style blends a documentary eye with an editorial finish. Light, movement, sound, and pacing all come together to create films and imagery that feel immersive rather than staged. It’s not just about how your wedding looked—it’s about how it felt to be there.

Over time, our work has taken us far beyond Oregon. We specialize in destination wedding videography and photography, traveling for weddings throughout Latin America, Europe, and Hawaii, as well as across the United States. Each location brings a different energy, and we understand how to adapt, observe, and create within it without losing consistency in quality.

We tend to work with couples who value intention. People who care about the experience, the artistry, and the long-term meaning behind what’s being created. This isn’t about volume or quick turnaround—it’s about delivering something that holds weight.

Forever Ties PDX is built on trust, direction, and a commitment to creating work that lasts. When you look back years from now, the goal is simple—

not just to remember the day, but to feel it all over again.

Mission Statement

Who was Emmett Till?

Donate to the Emmett Till Foundation
Black and white portrait of a woman wearing a hat and a collared shirt with a necktie.

Emmett till was a 14-year-old African American boy who was brutally lynched and murdered in Mississippi in 1955.

Emmett Till's death was the result of a false accusation made by a white woman who claimed that Till had made advances towards her (she claimed he whistled at her at a convenience store). This accusation, which was later revealed to be completely fabricated, Despite the lack of evidence, Till was abducted and brutally murdered by two white men who later admitted to the crime.

The fact that these two men were not convicted, despite admitting to the murder, highlights the white privilege and deep-seated racism that exists within the justice system. It is a stark reminder of the injustices that Black people and minorities have faced and continue to face in America.

But there is another important chapter to Till's story. The woman who falsely accused him later admitted that she had made up the story, yet Till's fate had already been sealed. Her admission underscores the long history of false accusations against Black men and minorities that have led to violence and death. Despite admitting she had made the whole story made up, the woman to this day has not faced any consequences.

Emmett Till's story is a powerful reminder of the devastating impact of racism and bigotry on minorities who often lack the resources to defend themselves in a system that is designed for them to be incarcerated. However  it also reminds us of the importance of speaking truth to power and holding those in positions of privilege and authority accountable for their actions. The real root of evil white privileged individuals accusing minorities of crimes they did not commit to a justice system that is proven to be against minorities. Why are we bringing this up? 

We want people to be fully conscious and aware of the consequences that minorities are at risk for, before falsely accusing them of things they did not do. Instead of falsely accusing these minorities, we need to bring awareness and teach instead of  treating them like criminals. At the same time raise  awareness to the fact that there is predatory behavior in the community, and it is a real issue and it should be fixed and not covered; furthermore to identify real predators and not slander minorities who are wrongly accused . Education is the key to  correct those behaviors. This is the real issue, real predators should be held accountable but understanding that falsely accusing others makes it harder for real victims to come out and state their truth. 

Let us continue to honor Till's memory by working to dismantle the systems of oppression that still exists, and create a community who focuses on being just and equitable for all. A community that won't fall under such evil and falsely accuse people for the simple fact they do not like them.

We also want to talk about the power of community and how we can use it to create positive change. Our communities are made up of individuals with different backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences.

We've all experienced times when we felt that our culture or heritage was misrepresented or exploited by others. It can be frustrating and hurtful to see our traditions and values distorted or appropriated without our consent. That's why we created this movement, to educate everyone on the importance of consent, identify real predatory behavior on both sides, males taking advantage of females and females fabricating stories for their own ego. To speak the truth to protect our culture and celebrate our differences.

This movement isn't just about reclaiming our culture. It's also about embracing our differences and recognizing that diversity is a strength.

By coming together as a positive and inclusive community, we can support each other and create change. We can challenge negative stereotypes and educate others about the beauty and richness of our cultures. Rather educate people on how to act. We can also work to address issues that affect our communities, like discrimination, inequality, and social injustice.

So let's stand together and show who stands against us what we're made of. Let's celebrate our differences and use them as a source of strength and unity. Together, we can create a community where everyone feels valued and respected, regardless of their background or beliefs. We don’t have to shun someone for believing in something different. Black ball or make up false accusations of someone simply because they don’t think the same way we do. Dancing should be about dancing and embracing everyone’s background. 

We also recognize the importance of giving back to important causes, especially those that help to protect and uplift marginalized communities. This is  why we're donating most of our profits to the Emmett Till Foundation, a non-profit organization  dedicated to promoting racial justice and equality, by protecting African Americans and other minorities that have been falsely accused, wrongfully charged, and convicted of crimes they did not commit.

We believe that by coming together as a community, we can create positive change and make a difference. We can stand up for what's right, protect our culture and traditions, and support important causes that make a meaningful impact.

Thank you.

Dance Community:

This movement is about sharing our passion and uniting communities through dance. We are committed to keeping the space free of judgment, bullying, or shaming of any kind. Bring your good energy and leave any negativity at the door. This is a space for connection, learning, and growth. Our floor is for dancing, not drama. 

To help create an environment of community and connection, we have a Social Etiquette Class at the beginning of each event to share our expectation of respect on the dance floor. This includes understanding appropriate touch and gracefully accepting a no. This is a safe space for all our members to come together and enjoy dancing. 

Social Grace, such as social cues, respectful guidelines, as well as traditional acts that are appreciated by both Follows and Leads, on and off the dance floor.

In caring for our community, most of our profits will be donated to the Emmett Till Foundation,  a non-profit organization  dedicated to promoting racial justice and equality, by protecting African Americans and other minorities that have been falsely accused, wrongfully charged, and convicted of crimes they did not commit.


“May All Beings Be Safe, Happy and Free”