Sparks Lake {Bend, Oregon} Maternity + Family Session

I first met Maggie years ago when I was working childcare at Barre3 in Bend, Oregon. Maggie was an instructor and although she has moved on to other endeavors (she’s a fabulous real estate agent!), we have kept in touch via social media.

Maggie reached out to me for a maternity/family session and I was thrilled when she picked one of my favorite spots-Sparks Lake. Mountain views, water, wide open spaces-Sparks Lake provides the most amazing backdrop.

I can’t wait to meet the new addition to the family soon-a baby girl!

{Benji is ONE!} Cake Smash Session in Bend, Oregon

I love seeing my returning clients, it always feels like no time has passed! The P family first hired me a year ago to photograph Benji’s newborn session. They hired me again in the fall for some family photos, and just recently again for Benji’s cake smash!

We had just had a crazy snowstorm here in Bend, Oregon and feet of snow was still covering the ground when it was time for Benji’s session. The family was unsure about using their home, so I suggested White Aspen Creative, a photography studio, which had just re-opened in a new location. The space was perfect and I love having it as a backup when weather is less than desirable.

Enjoy these photos from Benji’s 1st birthday cake smash session!

Baby E | Newborn Photography in Bend, Oregon

Well looky here, first blog post since February! 

I shared a few photos from this session on my Instagram but it just wasn't enough, so here you go! Photographing families with their new baby is really about the best thing ever. Thanks Harris family, for inviting me in to your home!  ~Yvette 

Baby I | Lifestyle Newborn Photos in Bend, Oregon

I have been so behind in blogging and thought to myself, what better way to get back on the train then to share this sweet family? They welcomed their second baby, a sweet little girl into their home just this past November. How awesome is it that grandma was able to visit and get in on some photos? 

Baby Ines' mom is a fabulous blogger who shares some amazing recipes. You can check out her stuff here: http://www.accordingtoelle.com. Enjoy!

The J Family | Old Mill District | Family Photos in Bend Oregon

I have known the J family since my oldest son was in preschool with Liam. Since the day we met, Lisa and I have been close friends. Do you have one of those friends who just "get you"? Lisa's mine. The boys now go to different schools so we don't often get to see each other as much as we'd like.  I was so honored to be asked to photograph their family again. The Old Mill District in Bend, Oregon was the perfect backdrop for this fun session. I love the urban feel to it! We are so lucky to live in such a beautiful place-there are endless fields, woods and natural scenery. It was fun to step out of my norm a little :) 

Next time you're looking for fall family photo locations, consider the Old Mill District in Bend for a little bit of everything!

The Nobles Family | Newborn + Family Photos | Smith Rock, Oregon

You may remember these two from a session I did at Shevlin Park in Bend, Oregon, from a year ago. It was just them, and a "just because" session. They have since expanded their family by four feet: twin girls! David and Valentina contacted me not too long ago for an outdoor session with their twin girls at Smith Rock which happens to be one of my favorite places to photograph. We ended up having to reschedule because of all the smoke from the fires. Smoke + newborn babies = no, no. Luckily, the day we rescheduled for ended up being just slightly hazy and at risk from the weather cooling soon, we decided to go for it and boy, were we not disappointed! 

You know how there are some people who were just meant to be parents? David and Valentina are those kinds of people. The entire session was so calm and relaxed (the complete opposite of what I was as a first-time parent.) I am seriously impressed with these guys. Selah and Evie are a couple of very lucky sisters. David and Valentina, you guys are awesome and I can't wait to watch the girls grow :)

The Ward Family | Maternity Photos | Smith Rock Oregon

I knew as soon as we exchanged that first email that Rebekah and I would jive. She just "sounded" like such a friendly person, plus she was up for meeting at one of my favorite places-Smith Rock. 

I could hear Rebekah and Dale's little girl, Clara, chatting away as soon as soon as I arrived. Clara didn't need much warming up to me and she even showed me her new baby doll, appropriately named "Baby". At the end of our session, Clara even gave me a kiss on the cheek! 

I'll leave you with my favorites from this lovely maternity session. Smith Rock certainly is a breathtaking backdrop for any photo session. I cannot wait to find out of the newest member of the family will be another little girl, or a boy! What do you think it will be?

The P Family | Family Photos at Shevlin Park | Bend Oregon Photographer

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, this session was so much fun! I really feel like I say that about all my sessions, but I really do have the best clients who make our sessions so enjoyable.

When Terri mentioned she wanted some shots of her family and their two dogs, I had no idea they would be bringing bears to our session! Ok, maybe not bears, but two very large dogs. They each weigh about 200lbs!!! I'm pretty impressed though, they were so well behaved and sweet. Had it not been 90 degrees during our session I would have LOVED to snuggle up with the dogs. 

We met at Shevlin Park which is one of my favorite places to shoot. There's such an array of beautiful areas to photograph in this large park. Whether it be the meadow in front of the Aspen trees, which by the way is absolutely breathtaking in the fall when the colors change, or the multiple bridges available, and even quaint little spots by the water-there is no shortage of beautiful scenes. I couldn't have asked for our session to go any smoother-the dogs were great,the kids were great, and the weather was perfect  :) 

Thanks P family!

Michael & Joella ~ Bend, Oregon Photographer

Funny that I should be posting a snowy winter session just as it's finally starting to warm up here ;) 

I first met Michael and Joella last September when I signed up to train for the Happy Girls Half Marathon through Fleet Feet of Bend. Michael and Joella were my coaches! 

Joella reached out to me about needing some professional photos for an upcoming marriage and family therapy conference she and Michael were speaking at. Michael and Joella are marriage and family therapists at Cascadia Institute located in NWX here in Bend (www.cascadiafamilytherapy.com). 

 After a few setbacks no thanks to the weather, scheduling conflicts and life getting in the way, we finally set a date. Turns out, the date we decided on was the same day a huge winter storm was set to roll in. I was expecting disappointment and having to re-schedule our session (again), but instead, Michael and Joella were game and excited for their snowy winter session-a score for me because I'm always up for a bit of an adventure! 

We drove up to Mt. Bachelor with Michael and Joella's dog, Abbey, in tow to find the weather cold but so beautiful! We had a pretty impressive snow season here in Oregon and there was no shortage of the fluffy white stuff. We finished our time together with some fun couple(y) photos and of course, we had to include Abbey. You'd have no idea Abbey is an older dog judging by her bounding around in the snow-she looked like a puppy! 

During our last communication a few days ago Joella shared with me that "Michael just said “Its time to schedule our summer session”'. It makes me so happy to hear that clients had a good time at their session and love their images! 

G Family | Bend, Oregon Photographer

Wow you guys, I'm really sucking at this blogging thing. Maybe one day I'll be on top of it. Let's face it, with three young boys running amuck there's not much time for the "extras" in this business. 

Now, for the G family. I loved everything about this session from the get go-except for me getting my car stuck in the snow on their street. Thankfully my husband wasn't too far away and I was able to ask him to help dig me out! 
K is the sweetest person you'll ever meet. Her husband was days away from leaving to move to Japan (how cool, right?) and she was going to be staying behind to take care of their little girl, manage her business and tie up lose ends here in Bend before joining him in Japan. She's a rockstar for sure-I admire women like her. 

Their house was absolutely perfect-a photographer's dream and I may have squealed a little inside when I walked in. Little Miss. A was the cutest and completely took to me, no shyness whatsoever and I loved being able to include the dogs, they're family too, right?

I like my family sessions to be as relaxed as possible and though I have a mental checklist of shots I want to capture, I generally go with the flow. I was so excited mom and dad were open to getting Miss A in that gorgeous farmhouse sink for a little bubble bath session toward the end. Dad picked that sink out when they bought the house and he is very proud of it! I just love the simplicity. 

Thanks G family for a super fun morning together! They are now reunited in Japan-best of luck to you guys there! I travel, just putting that out there ;) 

xo 

{Announcing…} Bend, Oregon Photographer

{Announcing}

I'm so happy to announce that YSP is now offering Milestone Minis and a Grow With Me package! 

Milestone Minis are a 30 minute session at your chosen location in Bend, Oregon for babies 3-18 months. These short but sweet sessions are the *perfect* way to capture your little one's milestones. Did your little one just learn to crawl or walk? Book a milestone mini to capture these special moments! Your session fee includes 8 hand edited digital images delivered via a password protected gallery along with printing rights. 

Also new, the Watch Me Grow package! The Watch Me Grow package is perfect for parents who want to document their baby's milestones from birth to their first birthday. With this YSP package you get a newborn session,  mini milestone sessions at 3, 6 & 9 months AND a one hour session at age 1 with family included. You will receive print ready images printable at any size with print release. 

More details here :)

Want to book, have questions or just want to say hi? Drop me a line 541-647-0255 or contact me here!

a look back at twenty sixteen.

Wow-what a year!

I wanted to get this post up before the end of the year; my FIRST year officially in business, a year of successes, break-throughs, lots of ups, some downs, but most importantly, a year of privilege. Privilege because being invited to capture the memories of so many families, being invited into their homes and into their lives, to capture these moments forever IS a true privilege. I am so lucky!

Twenty sixteen was a year of growth and personal struggles trying to balance family and work life. Having been a stay at home mom for the last seven years where parenting was the biggest challenge (and boy, is it a challenge some days!)  I won't lie, there were days I came home from a shoot during the busy season to my husband pulling his hair out keeping our wild boys in check. 

The thing is, I LOVE photography. I love capturing a season in time for a family. It's no secret that family is #1 in my book and documenting a moment in time for them is my passion. Looking back at photos of my own family and knowing the memories I preserve will be cherished forever gives me all the feels <3

I'd like to thank my husband for his never-ending support. He truly is my biggest fan, my biggest cheerleader. Without him there would be no Yvette Seile Photography.

Finally, an enormous thank you to all my clients I've had the pleasure of photographing this year. It's been amazing meeting you and sharing our time together. I can't wait to see what next year will offer and hope to see you all in 2017! 

Jundt Family ~ Sparks Lake, Oregon

Wow, you guys. I'm so way behind on blogging. Running and growing a small photography business + raising 3 boys = no time, but here goes!

When communicating with the Jundt family they expressed an interest in a family session with a view of the mountains. Immediately I thought of Sparks Lake. I'd been wanting to have a session up there forever, but most of my clients have wanted to stay closer to town. The trek up there, granted very beautiful, is a little more lengthy than most would like. 

Little Addie and Charlie (mom & dad too) were such troopers! The sun was still setting later than what is convenient with little kids, but they were fantastic. I was told by Addie that they do a lot of hiking so taking a walk to explore a little was right up their alley. The light was just a photographer's dream! 

Thanks Jundt family for our evening of adventuring! 

What to Wear Guide for Family Photos-Bend, OR Photographer

So, you've booked a session with your favorite photographer but now you have no idea what to wear! More than any other question, clients ask me what they should wear for their family session. Putting together outfits can be a daunting task, but hopefully this tips and tricks guide will help you! 

• I always recommend to start with one base outfit and build from there. Usually it's mom's chosen outfit that dictates the flow of the color palette.  It seems to be so much easier that way, and moms are usually the reason why the session is happening in the first place anyway.
• Wear what you feel good in! Too often we choose an item of clothing because we love how it looks, even if it is uncomfortable. If you are not comfortable in what you're wearing, it will show. 
• Long gone are the days of each family member matching (think everyone in jeans & white shirts). Instead of matching color, coordinate color. Choose two or three main colors for the wardrobe and add maybe an extra pop of accent color. It's important to express yourself, too, kids especially. 

• Dress appropriately for the weather. If you live in Central Oregon you know it can be 70's and sunny one day, and low 50's, windy and cloudy the next. Don't put your little girl in a short sleeved summer dress for a 55 degree fall evening session. Similarly, don't put your son in a wool sweater for your session when temps will hit the 80's!
• Avoid fluorescent colors. I know they're in style at the moment (especially for kids), but soon that style will be old news. They can also photograph very harshly. Of course, neutrals are fantastic as well.

• Layer & accessorize! Layers can add such fun dimensions to images. Cardigans, belts, hats, scarves are all fantastic options! Don't forget that statement necklace, earrings..

• Lastly, keep in mind where your shoot is taking place. If your session is in a wooded, grassy area, avoid wearing green, as you'll blend in too much with the scenery. Same with blues and ocean/lake/water backdrops. 

Fall Family Session Winner! Bend, Oregon Photographer

We have a WINNER!

Congratulations to Lindsay Haley Corder for winning a free fall family session!  Make sure to contact me so we can start planning your session!

Thanks to everyone who participated and helped make this contest a success! 

*winner chosen using random.org, a true random number generator.

 

Mommy & Me / Daddy & Me Mini Sessions - Bend, OR Family Photographer

I'm so happy to announce Mommy & Me or Daddy & Me Mini Sessions! These images make the perfect gifts, just in time for Mother's Day and Father's Day! 

Moms or dads and children only, please-no families. If you are interested in a family session, please inquire using the "Connect" tab on the website.

In the event of rain, or let's face it-posible snow (ah, the joys of living in Central Oregon!), April 23rd will be the backup date. When you secure a spot, please make sure you are available both dates.

Time slots available are as follows:

3:00, 3:30, 4:00, 4:30, 5:00, 5:30, 6:00

To book please email Yvette at yvetteseilephotography@gmail.com or comment in the event on Facebook. A $25 non-refundable retainer is required to secure your time. 

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