{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!

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 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!

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!