oregon family photographer

Salem Oregon Family Photographer - fall family mini sessions are right around the corner!

As you may or may not know, I only offer mini sessions for families on specific dates in the fall. Mini sessions throughout the year are reserved for newborns, maternity, individuals, and couples AND are only offered on weekdays. Fall Minis are on weekends and are open to everyone, but families get first dibs.

Anywho, my mini sessions dates will be as follows for 2026 (subject to change):

  • Saturday, October 17th & 18th (outdoor location TBA)

  • Sunday, November 1st (outdoor location TBA)

  • Sunday, November 8th (Studio location in downtown Salem)

If you would like to book a mini session, just send me an email at kelwardphotography@gmail.com!

Salem Senior Portrait Photographer - Mollia and her adorable family!

This was a first and I thought it was just the SWEETEST thing ever! Mollia really wanted to include her immediate family (including her little sisters, for whom she is a role model), as well as the matriarchs of her family (grandmas and aunt). We shot these in the studio I use in downtown Salem, which was really because it had plenty of room and air conditioning (it was a HOT day)! Don’t worry, we got other shots too (both in the studio and at a park)!

Salem Oregon Family Photographer - cute little outdoor family session

We did this session on a beautiful Spring evening in Salem, OR. This little family is so easy to work with and photograph, which isn’t always the case when there is a tween involved. ;)

Salem Oregon Senior Portrait Photographer - Myrick, Class of 2025

Yes, this is a high school senior (not a 30yr old country music singer). Myrick is a great kid, with a good head on his shoulders, and I’m excited for his future. His Mom, who I have known for over 40 yr, taught him how to hunt and brought him to his session, so it seemed fitting that we do a photo with his rifle .

Good luck in the real world, Myrick, and good job, Katie, for raising such a great kid!

Salem Oregon Family Photographer - annual photos with Tiffany & her boys!

I’ve been photographing Tiffany and her boys for over a decade now and I have to say…it’s like they were MADE for the Autumn! I mean, look at them! Even their hair and eyes match the season.

Salem Family Photographer - annual fall photos with Anna, Ken, and Asha!

I know I say this every time, but I looooove working with the same families year after year! It’s such an honor to be chosen as their family photographer and it’s really incredible to watch these families grow and change. This family is a special one, though, as I’ve been photographing Anna & Ken since they got engaged, and I’ve watched them deal with some really hard things (like Anna’s metastatic breast cancer). Little miss Asha has brought so much joy their lives and I just love seeing that.

Anyway, thanks to all of my clients who keep coming back. Your loyalty means more than you can imagine in a business like this!

Salem Family Photographer - cute little family session in b&w

Asha took hardly any time at all to warm up during their family session. Within a few minutes she was laughing, playing, and enjoying here time with Mom & Dad.

Pacific Northwest Family Photographer - at home session with two littles!

Anyone who has ever had 2 kids under the age of 2 knows how incredibly difficult it can be to get out of the house, let alone on time. Then there’s the hour long car ride, down to a photo studio, trying to keep them from falling asleep in the car, worrying about diaper blowouts, etc. So, every fall I take a little road trip up to Vancouver, to photograph some of my favorite clients!

Salem Oregon Family Photographer - adorable b&w family session (studio)

I adore this little family and love when I get to see them each year! The kids are beyond cute and I can’t decide which I love more…their big, brown eyes, or their pinchable cheeks! Side note: This session was from 2 years ago and I can confirm that this little baby is still rocking those cheeks!

Salem Family Photographer - adorable little family at deepwood museum & gardens

I am always behind on blogging, but this is a little ridiculous. Somehow I forgot to share this session, which is from two years ago! Nevertheless, check out adorable little Asha, with her parents.

Salem Oregon Family Photographer - b&w family portraits (studio)

I love shooting outdoors, but sometimes (usually due to weather) shooting in a studio is a necessity! Families, especially those with young children, tend to have more fun when they’re not freezing cold or soaking wet. As you can see, this adorable little family had a great time during their indoor fall mini session!

Side note: I no longer have my own studio, but I still have access to several others (including the one in these photos) that are available as hourly rentals. So, if you like the look of this space, let me know when you book your session!

Salem Oregon Family Photographer - Newborn Asha

You may recognize these parents, as they’re long-time clients of mine. I also posted some of their gorgeous maternity photos recently, which you can see HERE and HERE. In those posts, I explained that Anna found out during her pregnancy that her cancer had returned, hence the chemotherapy while pregnant.

I met baby Asha at my studio in 2022, when we captured these precious photos. Ken brought one of his guitars and played some beautiful music for his little girl, who obviously loves it (look at that smile!).

Salem Oregon Family Photographer - fun & colorful studio session

The color coordination within this session brings me so much joy! The green hair matches the green shirt and then the purple necklaces (against the green shirt) matches the purple hair! I love their style and the love these kids have for their beautiful Mama.

Vanvcouver Washington Family Photographer - backyard session with K & A

These photos are from last year’s session and boy has this little guy grown a lot since then (I recently did their annual Fall photos)! I met up with this family at their Vancouver home on a foggy fall morning, which worked really well with their colorful outfits! We took a quick stroll along the path behind their home, which was perfect for their session!

Salem Family Photographer - time flies

I know I say this all the time, but time really does fly. I started photographing these two “kids” when they were barely out of diapers and all of a sudden, they’re both actual adults! They were kind enough to do one last session with their Mama (my dear friend, Michiko) last year.

Salem Family Photographer - flannel shirts & lots of love

While flannel shirts are practically a PNW wardrobe staple, they mean more to this family. Jennifer’s mom, who died shortly before their family photos last year, loved flannel shirts. So, it only seemed fitting to honor her in this way. Plus, they look cute as heck!

This session took place at Deepwood Museum & Garden (previously known as Deepwood Estate). I shoot at this venue a lot because I love the variety and the fact that we can usually shoot there in the rain, thanks to the tree cover, gazebos, and a few other little spots. Plus, it’s close to my house, which is a bonus.

Vancouver Washington Family Photographer - family session, at home

Isn’t this little guy just the cutest? I mean, look at this perfect little lips, curious eyes, and amazing hair! I photographed him at home, with his parents, one last time before he became a big brother, a few months later.