Getting Creative || Family Portrait Photography || Bend Oregon

I adore this quote and sometimes have to remind myself to go have FUN!

Creativity is intelligence having fun. 

~ Albert Einstein

Shot with my iPhone - posted to my Instagram account:

@kteichrowfamily

A Classic Family Session || Bend Oregon Photographer

Have you thought about what your goals are for your family photography session, or why you go through the trouble to hire a professional?

For some, it's to create beautiful artwork for their walls to enjoy. 

For others, it's an annual checklist because its simply "what you do." 

For me, as a mom and a photographer, my goal for family photography is to create images that tell the story of my client's lives, the real story. My goal is for the images to freeze time, if only for a moment, so you when you look back at your prints you'll remember not only the sights of your life, but the smells, taste and sounds as well. 

I strive for classic imagery, and while you may reflect in 20 years and see "that hairstyle" or some item of clothing popular at the time - what you'll really see come through are the relationships and personality of your family and children, not a trendy camera angle or photoshop filter. 

Good, classic, photography. 

Thank you, Phillips family, for trusting me to create these heirlooms for you.

Now Booking Summer Family Portrait Sessions || Bend, Oregon Photographer

They grow so fast. Life is busy.  Where did the time go?

The clichés are true, I know, as I'm living it now. 

We long to hold on to the fleeting moments of our children’s childhood. We have intentions of honoring those big and little moments, but life has a way of moving forward. Photography is a way we can hold on to the past, while allowing life to move beautifully forward. 

Photography is a means to capture those moments, and prints, wall art and albums are a way to pause honor those moments and relationships. 

Professional photography is, indeed, an investment, but it’s an investment in heirlooms for your family – which will be enjoyed and honored by generations to come. 

Where do you start? Choose that style of session that suits your family, and then give some thought into what you'd like to create from those images. Consider something beautiful for your walls, an album to cherish for ever, or prints to share with family.

Choose your photographer wisely - as the moments will, indeed, last a lifetime.

Now booking summer family sessions.

Falling in Love... all over again || Bend Oregon Photographer

For me, storytelling photography has been a personal passion, and I've been honored to carry that story through to other families and businesses as well.

Reflecting back on images, and being able to read the emotions of what we experienced is an incredible gift for anyone.

I know I'll look back on this evening and my heart will melt a little in remembering a sweet farewell as my husband packed up the boys to drive Sam to Grandpa & Grandma at the coast, and Max to his first week away from family to attend a basketball camp four hours away - and how I completely lost it as the truck drove away...

I was totally surprised by my reaction and reaching out to my husband – I texted him.

What came next rocked my world, melted my heart and made me fall in love all over again – with my son...

Don't put off 'til tomorrow - the photographs I can capture TODAY!

Just because you're moving tomorrow - doesn't mean you can't do a family session today, right?

Capturing family photographs can be as simple as hiring a photographer to drop by and take some pictures. At least that's MY style of photography. Now, granted, my dear clients had some adorable clothes already picked out for general spring use (in fact, their 5 year old asks every time Mama buys a dress - "Is this for Kimberly?") - but she wasn't afraid to invite me over, the day before they move out of town, to capture their family - and their youngest's first birthday pictures.

While backgrounds, props and studio lighting can result in beautiful photography (and I DO create those types of images as well, to be sure), sometimes just hanging out at home, in your own element, will create real-life memories of your children's childhood. Known as Lifestyle Photography, these folks will look back on these images in 5, 10 and 30 years, and remember what it felt like to be a family. They'll remember what it felt like to live in this house - even though a few of these kiddos are too young to remember vivid details. They'll be able to look back on the photographs and FEEL their childhood. I've been told time and time again - being able to take pictures in your own home is very relaxing and easy for the kids to feel comfortable.

I love that.

So, in the end, don't put off til tomorrow - the photographs that I can capture for you TODAY.

You won't be sorry.

Sweet Austin's Newborn photos || Bend Oregon Photographer

Since I'm not eating dessert these days... I thought I'd share a little bit of sweetness here!


Eight day old Austin - she's such a doll! Daddy thought it would be fun to photograph her with her giant bear - so we rigged up a few (ultra sturdy) clamps to hold the bear's arms in place, and created a sweet little nest for her. They're my favorite:

Here she is all nestled in for a cozy nap - 

I love that you can see her little foot peeking out underneath her!

And finally, she stayed asleep just long enough, and deep enough, to capture this image: 

Congratulations, Mama & Dad, on your first baby! Let the adventure begin!

Announcing Holiday Gift Sessions || Bend, Oregon Photographer

Are your family photos held hostage by your computer? 

Your memories deserve to be out in the fresh air!

Holiday gift sessions come with prints ready for you to put in frames & ENJOY 

the moment they come home to you!

Gift Sessions are 20-minute mini sessions on location. I drop in, have some fun with your family... 

and you wind up with images you’ll love forever. Due to the nature of these sessions, time frame is strictly adhered to. Additional time is available at additional cost, and based on my availability. 

Available sessions:

The ELF Session is $195 and includes your session fee and (3) Gift Prints (8x10 or smaller)
The ANGEL Session is $295 and includes your session fee and (6) Gift Prints (8x10 or smaller)
The SANTA’S HELPER Session is $395 and includes (3) 5x7 prints and up to 20 high resolution digital files.

Call me today to arrange YOUR gift session!

Sometimes smiles just take time || Bend, Oregon Photography

Patience is a virtue - and in the case of the Baker session, it paid off in spades. Every family photo session is different, and with small children, you never really know how the kids will react to being put through the session paces. Nine times out of ten, it's fairly simple and I don't have to resort to every trick in my bag. 

As you can tell from the first two images below... Little brother was not at all interested in engaging with me. "No Eye Contact" was key to keeping the tears at bay. The family was wonderful and had a "We'll take what we can get" attitude.  We were nearly through with the session, on the mantle of their new fireplace, when I reached deep into my bag of tricks, so to speak - and found it! The one that worked... 

Once I broke that barrier, he was all mine... and we managed to capture a happy & engaged little construction worker with his family. 

Still cute, but little brother isn't leaving dad's arms. 

Sigh. Maybe not today... 

We did it! Smiles, all around!

Cutest construction worker ever.

Busy little worker.

All smiles!

Settling in - and ready for what's next! || Bend, Oregon Photography

Finally, yesterday, my little office/ client meeting space/ kids hideaway has blossomed.... and I'm so excited to share its progress.

I feel like my blog is a butterfly - who has been tucked away in a cocoon of moving and settling in over the last several months. While I have certainly kept my camera busy capturing memories for my beautiful clients as well as my own family - you certainly couldn't tell from here.  There is still more to do in the office (oh, that horrid flooring!) but my black and white gallery wall has found its new home, shelves are installed, and there are only 3 small moving boxes left to settle into the cupboards & filing cabinets. 

Now its time to buckle down in a fresh work space, and hopefully find a few gems from the past months to share here - and let this little blog spread her wings again...