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?

{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! 

Hansen Family ~ Old Mill District, Bend Oregon

When I posted a sneak peek on my Facebook page of the Hansen family, my caption said that families that come back to me is the biggest compliment I could ask for-and it's not joke! I'm so happy the Hansen's asked me to photograph their sweet family again this year. Last year, the session took place on their gorgeous property, but this year they wanted to branch out a little. The Old Mill District was the perfect spot and boasts a little of everything-some nature scapes, some industrial (as industrial as Bend can get… :) ) and a little mix of the two. 

The girls are full of personality and I LOVED spending my time with them. With my own household full of boys, it was a treat to hang with the girls for a while. Thanks again Hansen's for hanging out with me on a most gorgeous October evening! 

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.