Oregon Portrait Photographer - hello, 2024!

HELLO AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I am excited to announce some changes at Kel Ward Photography. Please read below for more information.


#1 - NO MORE (traditional) WEDDINGS!

After fifteen years, I’ve decided to retire from shooting traditional/regular weddings! I am still booking intimate elopements, courthouse ceremonies, vow renewals, and some receptions, though, as those are my favorite (and far less stressful). I have adored working with my wedding clients over the years, but weddings are exhausting (physically and mentally) and I’m getting old. Haha!

Anyway, I’m looking forward to working with couples who are getting married without all the bells & whistles (bridal parties, bouquet tosses, and 45 minutes of posed portraits, etc.). I love courthouse ceremonies and backyard or beach nuptials (like in the photo above), but I would also love to photograph some beautiful destination elopements around the world!

Please CLICK HERE to check out my updated portfolio, which reflects this big change!

#2 - NO MORE STUDIO!

In case you missed it, I recently moved out of my studio! I’ve had a few different studios over the last decade, but the last seven years were spent in the same one, above Great Harvest, in downtown Salem. When my landlord informed me was selling the building, I had mixed feelings. The space has served me well, but my busy schedule and changing client needs meant that I was no longer using it on a regular basis. I’d been toying with the idea of moving out, but just couldn’t commit one way or the other, so it was actually a relief when the decision was made for me.

For the time being, I do not plan on finding another full-time studio. Most of my current clients prefer to shoot outdoors, but I do have access to several hourly studios in the Salem, Portland, and Corvallis areas, if needed.

#3 - BIRTH PHOTOGRAPHY IS BACK!

Due to my busy schedule, I have been unable to take on any birth clients over the last two years. I’ve taken some things off my plate, though, and am thrilled to be documenting births again! I’m available immediately for scheduled inductions and cesareans and will be available for “on call” births, starting July 1st.

To view some of my favorite birth stories, CLICK HERE!

#4 - PRICES HAVE BEEN UPDATED!

I didn’t make any big changes to my pricing, but I did add some more options for portraits and headshots. You can view my 2024 pricing by CLICKING HERE.

Salem Oregon Photographer - goodbye, 2023!

I just want take a moment and share some of my favorite photos from this past year (minus boudoir, of course). My 2023 was very busy, but so full of LOVE! Thank you, to all of my awesome clients, for making this year so fantastic!

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.

Salem Oregon Photographer - cozy camper christmas!

I’m currently on vacation! Well, technically it’s more of a “staycation,” but I’m off work for a few weeks! I had a very busy year and didn’t really get a chance to do any creative/personal work, so this little holiday themed shoot in our camping trailer was exactly what I needed. Once I wrapped up all of my client work for the year, I went out to the trailer (in our driveway), turned on some Christmas music, made myself some cocktails, and decorated the tiny space. It was just what I needed to unwind, espeicially after such a busy fall season, This seems to have become an annual thing for me, although not always with the same trailer.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

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 Oregon Family Photographer - at home session with a family of 19!

I met Loui (in the white turtleneck sweater) my freshman year of college, when we were on the same cheerleading squad. Eventually, we became roommates and then lifelong friends! Shortly after meeting Loui, I met Amber, when I was her high school cheerleading coach. Loui ended up marrying Amber’s brother and here we are, nearly 30 years later, doing a big ‘ol family portrait session!

Salem Maternity Photographer - stunning, bald, inspiring

I think these photos speak for themselves, but for a little context…this beautiful mother-to-be was going through chemo and decided to do some photos without her wig.

For anyone who is curious…these two are now the proud parents of an adorable little girl! Anna has metastatic breast cancer, but she is stable and doing well.

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.

Salem Maternity Photographer - beautiful family maternity session! LGBTQIA+

I’ve been photographing this couple since they were engaged and I have loved watching their family grow. The are now a family of four (I’m just way behind on blogging) and their two kids are so darn cute! Anyway, we got some beautiful photos at Deepwood Museum & Gardens (formerly Deepwood Estate) during golden hour.

Cannon Beach Senior Portrait Photographer - downtown stroll, with a bonus bug!

This girl could not be any cuter and I love that we got so much variety, all in the downtown area of Cannon Beach! I’ve known her since she was born and I can’t believe she’s already graduated from high school (class of 2023).

Salem Portrait Photographer - goodbye, studio!

In case you haven’t heard, I recently moved out of my studio! The landlord sold the building, so it was not something I chose. I’ve been in this space for 7 years and it has served me well. I loved the evening light that came through the large windows (as seen in the photo below), the exposed brick, the amount of usable space, and how greaty my landlord was. Saying goodbye to Studio 343 (that was her nickname) was definitely bittersweet. I have not used the studio very much over the last two years, so it makes sense for me to let it go, but I’m still going to miss it.

For the time being, I do not plan on renting a full-time studio, as my schedule doesn’t allow me to do a lot of studio work. However, I will have access to part-time studios in Salem, Portland, and Corvallis, which I can rent hourly, when needed.

Salem Boudoir Photographer - b&w studio boudoir

I had a great time, photographing Anna at my studio. She has the most beautiful eyes and flawless skin! She was also a good sport and agreed to dance and twirl around in one of my studio pieces (which is available to all of my clients),

Salem Maternity Photographer - cancer & pregnancy

I started working with Anna & Ken back in the Spring of 2017, when I did their engagement session. Their plan was to get married that Fall, But Anna was diagnosed with breast cancer. Because the wedding would be right in the middle of Anna’s chemotherapy treatment, they decided to elope that December and then wait until the following year to have their wedding and reception. I had the honor of photographing both of those events, which were absolutely beautiful for so many reasons.

So, they got engaged, eloped, had a big wedding, and kicked cancer. Fast forward to the summer of 2021, when Anna and Ken found out they were expecting! This was awesome news, but Anna found out partway through her pregnancy that her cancer had returned. :( Thankfully, Anna is a badass and went through chemo again, but while pregnant this time.

For most of her maternity photos, Anna wore her wig, but she knew she wanted to do a few shots without it. This woman always looks gorgeous, but I can’t even express to you how beautiful and strong she looked without her wig. She was breathtaking.

Baby Asha just celebrated her 1st birthday and she is absolutely thriving (and so adorable). Anna’s cancer is metastatic, but she’s stable for now…and has a full head of beautiful hair!