Corvallis Family Photographer | A Playful Family Session at Mary’s Peak

A Real Family Session at Mary’s Peak

There’s something about photographing families near Corvallis that feels wide open.

It’s hills and hiking trails. It’s tall grass that brushes against your legs. It’s space to run without anyone telling you to slow down.

Mary’s Peak is one of those places.

It’s a well-known hiking and exploring area just outside of Corvallis, with sweeping views and open landscapes that feel expansive without being overwhelming. It doesn’t feel curated. It feels natural.

As a Corvallis family photographer, I love locations that allow kids to move. Mary’s Peak does that beautifully.

And this session there was exactly why.

A Real Family Session at Mary’s Peak

This family books photos as an annual tradition. But this year, there was an added layer — that quiet realization that their kids are growing faster than expected.

They have toddlers and elementary-age kids. That in-between stage where they still want to hold your hand, but they’re already racing ahead on the trail.

We met at Mary’s Peak in the late afternoon. The light was soft and even, filtered by open sky and rolling hills. The wind moved through the tall grass. The kids didn’t stand still for long.

The session felt playful. Chaotic. Movement-based.

Which is exactly how it should feel with kids this age.

They introduced me to their new puppy first. That was non-negotiable. Then we started walking the trails.

The grass brushed against their legs and made them laugh and squirm. They twirled in their dresses without being asked. They climbed small hills and ran back down them. Their parents followed, half laughing, half pretending to keep things organized.

Nothing about it was stiff.

We let it unfold.

Why Corvallis Families Book Family Photos

Most families don’t book photos because everything feels calm and under control.

They book because they suddenly notice the shifts.

The way toddlers start speaking in full sentences.
The way elementary-age kids don’t want to hold hands quite as often.
The way each year feels shorter than the last.

For this family, it was both tradition and urgency.

They’ve made it a habit to document their life every year. But this year felt especially important. The kids are changing. The puppy is new. The dynamic is evolving.

Mary’s Peak became part of that memory.

What a Session at Mary’s Peak Actually Feels Like

Before this session, they had the same worries most parents share.

“Our kids won’t cooperate.”
“We don’t know what to wear.”
“My partner hates photos.”

Those concerns are normal.

Especially when you’re investing in something that matters.

Here’s what actually happened:

The kids ran.
They twirled.
They climbed.
They introduced me to their dog like he was the star of the show.

And instead of trying to control it, we leaned into it.

When you embrace the chaos instead of fighting it, the experience becomes easier. Lighter. More enjoyable.

The photos become better because everyone feels comfortable physically and mentally.

No one is forcing a smile.

They’re just being themselves.

What Makes This Feel Uniquely Corvallis

Corvallis has a particular rhythm.

It’s a college town, but it’s also surrounded by nature. There’s a deep appreciation for hiking, exploring, and spending time outdoors.

Mary’s Peak captures that perfectly.

Open space. Rolling hills. Views that stretch for miles. Trails that feel like an adventure.

It’s not manicured or polished.

It’s real landscape.

And that open space gives kids room to move, which gives parents room to relax.

That combination is what makes sessions near Corvallis feel different from city-centered shoots.

Digital Photography That Keeps Up

This session was photographed digitally.

No heavy setup. No elaborate lighting. Just natural light, moving subjects, and an environment that did most of the work for us.

Digital allowed me to keep up with the movement — the running, the twirling, the spontaneous puppy introductions.

The goal wasn’t perfection.

It was preservation.

Standout Moments From This Session

The kids proudly introduced me to their new puppy.

Walking through tall grass that itched their legs and made them giggle.

Twirling in dresses at the top of a hill with the wind catching the fabric.

Parents walking the trails while the kids darted ahead and back again.

Those are the images they’ll look back on.

Not the perfectly posed ones.

The ones that feel alive.

What Families Walk Away Feeling

Relieved.

A little surprised at how easy it felt.

Grateful they didn’t wait.

When you stop trying to control every movement and instead let your kids show up as they are, the session shifts.

It becomes less about performance and more about memory.

If You’re Looking for a Corvallis Family Photographer

It’s okay to worry about whether your kids will behave.

It’s okay to second-guess what you’re going to wear.

It’s an investment, and you want it to go well.

But if you embrace the chaos — if you let your kids wear what makes them comfortable and stop trying to control every moment — it becomes easier.

The experience is more enjoyable.

The photos feel more honest.

And years from now, you won’t care whether everyone stood perfectly still.

You’ll care that this season was documented.

If you’re ready to plan a family session near Corvallis, I’d love to hear about what this year looks like for you.

If you’re looking for a Corvallis family photographer who embraces movement, open space, and a little chaos, I’d love to connect.

Mary’s Peak and the surrounding hills are such a beautiful backdrop for documenting this season of life.

You can contact me here to start planning your session:
https://amandajae.com/contact

Salem Oregon Family Photographer | A Real Family Session At Bush’s Pasture Park

A Real Family Session at Bush’s Pasture Park

There’s something about photographing families in Salem that feels steady.

It’s not chaotic like a big city. It’s not overly curated. It’s neighborhoods, fields, backyards, parks you’ve walked a hundred times. It’s grandparents visiting. It’s kids who know exactly where the good climbing trees are.

As a Salem Oregon family photographer, I’m drawn to families who care more about connection than perfection. The ones who want to remember how this season actually felt — not just how everyone looked standing in a line.

Bush’s Pasture Park is one of my favorite places for that.

And this session there was exactly why.

A Real Salem Family Session at Bush’s Pasture

When this family reached out, they weren’t looking for something elaborate.

They wanted photos that felt like them.

We met at Bush’s Pasture Park in the morning. The oak trees gave us soft, even shade. The open grassy areas let them move without feeling confined. There was no pressure to stand still.

We walked through the grass, climbed the stairs at the old house, took some walking paths, and meandered through the giant rose garden. 

The sun was warm and bright. The light wrapped gently around them — not harsh, or dramatic, but warm and honest.

Nothing about it felt staged.

And that’s the point.

Why Salem Families Book Family Photos

Most Salem families don’t book because they need something trendy.

They book because:

• It’s an annual tradition
• A new baby arrived
• A milestone birthday is approaching
• Grandparents are visiting
• Or they suddenly realize how much their kids have changed

That “time is moving too fast” feeling is real.

And Salem is full of families quietly wanting to hold onto this season.

Whether it’s a milestone birthday session in an open field at sunset or a relaxed morning wandering through Bush’s Pasture, the reason behind the photos is almost always to preserve something fleeting.

Where I Love Photographing Families in Salem

Salem has more variety than people expect.

Bush’s Pasture Park
Soft light, old oak trees, an old Victorian home, a giant rose garden, orchards, and plenty of space to roam. Great for young families and extended groups.

Downtown Salem
Brick textures, quieter streets in the morning, subtle urban feel without overwhelm.

West Salem
Open fields, tall grass, softer golden sunsets. Perfect for movement-based sessions.

Backyards
Some of the most meaningful sessions happen at home. Gardening, swimming, and playing in the sprinkler. Real life.

Nearby orchards and flower display gardens
Especially beautiful in late summer and early fall.

I always choose locations based on how your family actually interacts. If your kids need space, we choose space. If you’re more home-oriented, we stay close to that.

What a Family Session With Me Actually Feels Like

It’s not stiff.

It’s not 90 minutes of “look at the camera.”

It’s lightly guided, but mostly observational.

I’ll give you small prompts — walk together, sit close, let the kids climb on you. Then I step back and let things unfold.

There’s movement. There’s chaos. There are moments when toddlers refuse to cooperate.

And that’s okay.

Some of my favorite images come from in-between moments:

A grandmother kneeling to tie a shoe and staying there longer than necessary.
Parents laughing when their toddler runs in the opposite direction.
A quiet hug under the oak trees that no one realized I was photographing.

The session is calm. It’s unhurried. And it’s built around who you actually are.

What Salem Parents Are Nervous About (And Why You Don’t Need To Be)

Almost every parent says one of these things:

“My kids won’t cooperate.”
“My partner hates photos.”
“We don’t know what to wear.”
“We’re awkward.”

Here’s what I can tell you honestly.

Kids don’t need to cooperate.
Partners don’t need to love photos.
You don’t need perfect outfits.
You don’t need to know what to do.

You just need to show up.

I’ve photographed families who felt “awkward” and left saying, “That actually felt easy.”

Because we’re not trying to create something unnatural. We’re documenting what’s already there.

What Makes My Approach Different

As a Salem Oregon family photographer, I focus on:

Connection over posing
Movement over stiffness
Storytelling over smiling-at-the-camera

I shoot digitally and on 35mm film, depending on the session. Film adds a softness and honesty that feels timeless without being trendy.

Sessions are intentional but not long. I don’t believe you need two hours of forcing it. We work efficiently and gently, which keeps kids engaged and parents relaxed.

I don’t aim for perfection; I aim for something that feels like your family.

Standout Moments From Recent Salem Sessions

A quiet hug under the oak trees at Bush’s Pasture.
Kids running barefoot through open grass in West Salem.
Parents laughing through full toddler chaos instead of trying to control it.
Golden sunset light catching in tall grass during a milestone birthday session.
Grandparents sitting close while the kids climbed into their laps.

Those are the images families come back to years later.

Not the ones where everyone stood still perfectly.

What Salem Families Walk Away Feeling

Relieved.

Connected.

Grateful they didn’t wait another year.

And often surprised at how natural it all felt.

They tell me, “That felt like us.”

That’s the goal every time.

If You’re Looking for a Salem Oregon Family Photographer

If you want photos that feel relaxed, honest, and rooted in real life — I’d love to talk.

You don’t need perfect outfits.
Your kids don’t need to sit still.
Your partner doesn’t need to love the idea.

This season won’t last.

The best way to start is to reach out via my inquiry form. Tell me about your family and what this season looks like for you.

Real life is enough.

If you’re searching for a Salem Oregon family photographer and want photos that feel relaxed, natural, and true to your family, I’d love to talk.

Bush’s Pasture, your backyard, open fields — we’ll choose something that fits you.

You can contact me here to get started:
https://amandajae.com/contact