Salem Family Photographer - urban session w/ teens

Family portraits are something most of us think about pretty often, when our kids are babies and toddlers. As they get older, though, it seems we do family portraits less and less often. Maybe it’s because the changes we see in them aren’t as quick as when they were young or maybe it’s because life is busier or simply because it’s more work as they get older. Whatever the reason, though, I am here to remind you that it’s important to photographer your children (and your family), even as they get older. As a mom with three teenagers (they’ll be 14, 18, and 20 within the next few months!), who definitely slowed down and capturing photos of her kids as they gold older, I can say that I wish I had kept on shooting, like I did when they were two.

Photographs are important to this family and I’m honored to have been photographing them for years and years (I even did an amateur maternity session when Mama was pregnant with the oldest)! They’ve been through a lot, but they just keep on going…with smiles on their faces!

Ojai Family Photographer - that's a lot of kids!

SEVEN. That is how many children my friend, Sarah, has. She is raising them by herself, I might add. She’s been through a LOT over the last few years, but especially the last six months or so, and her strength is truly remarkable. She’s doing an impressive job with a family this large, including one that is special needs. Congrats to her oldest daughter (pictured below on the far left), who recently go married!

Anyway, I had the privilege of photographing her seven awesome kids (they really are, I swear!) last year, when I was down in Ojai, California. I stayed in the most amazing airbnb, which also made for the perfect portrait session backdrop! I am hoping to get back down to California (Los Angeles/Malibu) sometime in 2020, so if you’re interested in booking a wedding, elopement or portrait session with me (boudoir, family, headshots, etc.), email me ASAP at kelwardphotography@gmail.com!

Salem Boudoir Photographer - Oregon girls are tough and that's all there is to it!

These photos were taken in December. Outdoors. No, not on a rare, warm December afternoon (we don’t have those, haha), but on a typical (i.e. cold!) winter morning here in Salem, Oregon. Not only was this gorgeous Mama willing to strip down in public (secluded, but still public) for her outdoor boudoir session, but she did it without so much as a single “brrrrr” or even a hint of complaint. I kept assuring her we were almost done, but she was all, “Oh, I’m fine. Don’t even worry about it!” She’s not my only client like this, either. You know who you know, my outdoor boudoir clients! I love all my clients, but these outdoorsy girls are something special.

Salem Senior Portrait Photographer - India, Class of 2020 (part 2)

India, a senior at South Salem High School, wanted to do some of her senior portraits amongst the fall leaves, but of course the yearbook deadline is weeks before the leaves even turn! Side Rant: Why do high school yearbooks have such early deadlines for senior portraits these days? Back in my day (insert bitter old man voice here) we didn’t have to have them in until spring and we still got our yearbooks on the last day of school! ANYWAY…In order to get some photos done in time for the yearbook, but also embrace the autumn colors, we broke India’s session up into two parts. The first was held in early fall, against both the urban backdrop of downtown, as well as the “we are still holding on to summer” color palette of Deepwood Estate (Click HERE to see part 1). This session (part 2) was held at Bush Park, near the art barn, later in the fall. Another bonus, aside from seasonal color changes, from breaking your session up? Two different hairstyles!

Scio Wedding Photographer - Jackie O. inspired bridal portrait

This was just a candid shot of Riane, on her wedding day, but something about it just has this awesome, vintage vibe. She’s naturally elegant and I think her posture and all of the little details just remind of of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis on her wedding day.

Portland Wedding Photographer - urban elopement inspiration on film

This styled shoot, which is still one of my favorites, took place a few years ago in the Pearl District of downtown Portland, Oregon. It was a very minimalistic shoot (translation: I didn’t feel like hauling a bunch of props and crop all over downtown Portland), but thanks to the location and amazing models, it turned out beautifully. I shot the entire session on medium format film, using my Bronica ETRS and Fuji 400h film.

Happy Anniversary to us!

Yesterday marked 21 years of marriage with my seriously amazing husband, Ben. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO US! I had planned on writing out a long blog post, but time got away from me and here we are.

Anyway, we had some photos done by River Wynn Photography when we were in La Grande recently and I’m basically sharing them every chance I get because I love them so much. Ben and I both attended Eastern Oregon University, so the college is a sentimental place for us. For that reason, we knew we had to do some photos on campus. River also took us a few minutes out of town, up to a gorgeous location with a view of La Grande. It was perfect.

Salem Boudoir Photographer - modern day super hero

She’s not wearing a cape, but this woman is a real life superhero. And no, not just because she’s wearing Captain America undies. Sarah recently donated a kidney to a stranger! Yep, true story. Anyway, bragging on her seemed liked a good enough reason to re-share this session, which was shot on square format film (Bronica SQ) in my studio. Keep being your badass self, Sarah!

New Mexico Boudoir Photographer - big ink in albuquerque

I’ve already posted boudoir photos from this session, but wanted to share these two shots separately, as they were made specifically to show off her huge tattoo. This piece, which was done by Johnny at True Grit Tattoo in Albuquerque, is a rendering of a painting that my client did a few years ago. We shot this in the garage of my airbnb, with the garage door open. Nope, I wasn’t staying out in the country. I was in a suburb with lots of houses around, but this girl was bold AF and ventured out to the garage without a care in the world! She has since received more ink, so I think we’ll need to do another session when I visit next year!

Scio Oregon Wedding Photographer - Riane & Andrew's Neal Creek Resort Nuptials

Riane & Andrew had a beautiful summer wedding at Neal Creek Resort in Scio, Oregon in the summer of 2018 (yep, still behind on blogging). I had never been there and the venue is no longer available for weddings, so I’m glad I had an opportunity to do a wedding there. The ceremony was held on the floating gazebo, while guests observed from the land. The couple had adorable, heart felt touches throughout the property (including engagement photos, done by yours truly), which really personalized the day.

After getting ready, Riane’s bridesmaids surrounded her in prayer, before sending her out to do her first look with Andrew. The bride donned a unique convertible gown by Kate Miles. If you recognize some faces in these photos, it’s because Kate Miles is the groom’s sister, so you’ve seen her, as well as some of her family members in past photos of mine. The brides wore a beautiful shade that I’d describe as a color between coral and pink. The groom wore a three pice suit in a fabulous shade of navy, while his groomsmen wore vests and ties. All in all, the whole group looked smashing.

As the guests made their way to the reception, I went with the newlyweds up the road (in Andrew’s truck) to do some sunset portraits in a location that felt like the top of the world! Upon their return, the couple hit the dance floor for their first dance. They started off with a slower ballroom dance, until Riane twirled right out of her dress’s long skirt, revealing a shorter number underneath, which lead to a much faster western swing. Boy can these two dance!

Oregon Boudoir Photographer - on location in Salem

I photographed Rachel in my guest room. Yes, I have a studio, but I have been wanting to test out the light in this room for months. My oldest moved out and I quickly transformed the empty room into a teeny tiny guest room. I found a cool old bed at the Habitat thrift store in Salem and painted it black, so I wanted to see how that photographed as well (CLICK HERE to see more shots of the bed, in my Halloween blog post). I loved the light in the room, although it was VERY dark with only natural light.

Scio Oregon Wedding Photographer - R & A, sneak peek

I usually take at least one intentionally out of focus shot at weddings (and usually boudoir too). Sometimes it looks cool and other times, not so much. I love how this one of Riane & Andrew turned out! This was from their summer wedding at Neal Creek Resort (um, in 2018…I’m still super behind on blogging, but I’m actively working on it, so stop judging me!)

Pacific Northwest Photographer - Easten's Senior Portraits

I’ve known this kid since he was in diapers. Literally. He may not remember me from that long ago, but his mom and I go way back. Anyway, here are some b&w photos from his session.

I have already posted most of the photos below, but since I lost all of my blog posts when my website crashed, I thought I’d go ahead and include them in this post as well. Easten, who was in the class of 2019, has already graduated high school and is now officially doing adult things , like working and paying rent!