Elise Souders Photography

Elise Souders Photography Family photographer specializing in telling your unique story.

Imagine family photos that capture core memories in your photos - not just smiling at the camera.Like this family that v...
09/03/2026

Imagine family photos that capture core memories in your photos - not just smiling at the camera.

Like this family that visits Well Rooted Produce almost weekly in the summer time.

Core memory. Documented.

Bend family photography | Bend Family photographer | activity based sessions | lifestyle family photographer | lifestyle photos

Not ready to let the last strands of summer go just yet. Family vacation memories on 35mm film - the west coast will alw...
08/26/2026

Not ready to let the last strands of summer go just yet.

Family vacation memories on 35mm film - the west coast will always hold a deep piece of my heart.

Also didn’t expect to use this song - but Dolly. 💜

Bend, Oregon Photographer | PNW Coast | Newport, Oregon | 35mm film | documentary family photography

If you let yourself feel the moment - ⁠Forget about the wind, the camera. Laugh with your whole belly.⁠⁠Wrap yourself in...
08/24/2026

If you let yourself feel the moment -
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Forget about the wind, the camera. Laugh with your whole belly.⁠
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Wrap yourself in the glimmers of joy that enter your life - ⁠and feel comfortable being seen having fun with your kids.

Then taking family photos can feel happy, and your pictures can look like real memories.

But I don’t leave this to chance. The burden of performing isn’t on you.

There is no performance here.

I guide you through the planning, and then create space for you to be yourselves.

By the time you show up, I know what’s going to make your kids smile. I know how you feel about being in front of the camera.

And we’ve got a plan.

But most importantly - I know what is most special to you *right now* so that my camera shutter is clicking on what’s going to matter to your heart 10, 20, 30 years down the road.

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⁠Images taken at Deschutes County Fair at Deschutes County Fair & Expo
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Motherhood Photographer | Bend, Oregon Photographer ⁠| Bend family photographer | storytelling photography

When to book your newborn photoshoot?⁠⁠Find a newborn photographer in your second trimester.⁠⁠Ask if you can bundle mate...
08/20/2026

When to book your newborn photoshoot?⁠
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Find a newborn photographer in your second trimester.⁠
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Ask if you can bundle maternity & newborn photos together when you book.⁠
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Which style of newborn photos fits you best?⁠
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🏥 Fresh 48 Photos are taken within two days of birth, in your birth space.⁠
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✨️ Studio newborn images are posed and use props.⁠
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🏠️ Lifestyle newborn is generally a cozy photoshoot in your home. ⁠
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Get the full breakdown in my latest blog - link in bio. Share with a pregnant mama you know! 🤰⁠
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| Bend, Oregon Photographer | Bend Newborn Photographer | Cozy, in-home newborn photographer | lifestyle newborn photography |

I failed recently.⁠ All of these photos were rejected.⁠I submitted them as a personal essay to a photography magazine. T...
08/14/2026

I failed recently.⁠ All of these photos were rejected.
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I submitted them as a personal essay to a photography magazine.

They are 35mm images of small, everyday moments in my own family’s lives - all taken through the duration of our IVF journey.
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At first, I was heartbroken by the rejection. I just wanted to forget that they weren’t accepted.

But then I sat with it for a bit - especially the words I received from the editor: ⁠
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“While it’s a pass at this time, I really acknowledge you for sharing something so personal and beautiful as your IVF and infertility journey. I see the vulnerability required to put yourself out there in this way with something so close to your heart.”⁠
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Photography is more than just securing session dates on a calendar, accepted submissions, or awards.

It’s an art that allows us to bridge what’s inside our minds and hearts to the outside world. ⁠
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Willingly leaning into vulnerability connects us and gives us the ability to share our stories.⁠
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So maybe it’s not so much a failure, after all.⁠
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Bend, Oregon photographer | Bend family photographer | documentary family photography

Reasons family photos at home might be a better fit for you…if you have kids under 2you need time to warm up in front of...
08/12/2026

Reasons family photos at home might be a better fit for you…

if you have kids under 2

you need time to warm up in front of a camera

you don’t want to watch the weather constantly

you want to hit the ‘easy’ button with prep

you want the biggest childhood memories on camera

I could go on… so read the full breakdown in the blog. Link in bio 🏠

| Bend Family Photographer | family photos at home | lifestyle family photography in your home

Should you schedule fall family pictures?⁠⁠Let’s get real for a moment...⁠⁠If you’re just looking for photos on your hol...
08/07/2026

Should you schedule fall family pictures?⁠
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Let’s get real for a moment...⁠
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If you’re just looking for photos on your holiday cards, you probably already have some pretty great family moments from this year on your phone camera roll.⁠
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But if you’re feeling the year slip away & haven’t taken photos together as a family, that’s different. Pictures together to remember this moment are worth it.

Questions to ask before booking fall photos - and real photoshoot ideas that feel like your family, not a catalogue. New on the blog - link in bio.

P.s. I have space for four family sessions this autumn season. So if you want to dig deeper and capture family memories - I’m your gal. 💛

It takes about 4 weeks for me to help you plan a session that gets to the heart of your family. August is the time to book - then get back to enjoying the rest of summer. ☀️

| fall family pictures | Bend Family Photographer | unique fall photoshoot ideas |

Seeing all of the greenhouse sprouts that I photographed in March come to harvest now is a different kind of full circle...
08/06/2026

Seeing all of the greenhouse sprouts that I photographed in March come to harvest now is a different kind of full circle.⁠
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If you haven’t visited Well Rooted Produce & U-Pick yet, you’re really missing out. The fields are bursting with color & the farmstand is full of the most delicious fruits and vegetables I’ve ever had.⁠
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And as a parent, it’s amazing to watch my kids pick food and gobble it down that same day. (I got my six year old into cucumbers from Well Rooted Produce’s fields. Just saying.)⁠
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And this color... 😍 I’m in love.

| Bend, Oregon Photographer | storytelling for businesses | Central Oregon | produce farm

Weird thing that has helped me as a parent…Years of getting dirty, wet, muddy & totally gross covered in (you name it, I...
07/31/2026

Weird thing that has helped me as a parent…

Years of getting dirty, wet, muddy & totally gross covered in (you name it, I was covered in it) through college studying marine science and my early career in zoological animal care. 🦈 🐙

It was totally training for my hardest job:
Boy Mom.

Cause let’s be real, when you’re solo parenting two wild boys through three weeks of summer - things get loud.

The house gets dirty.
The kids get dirtier.
Life gets a bit feral.

And your benchmark of a good day is that the house didn’t burn down. 🤣

July photo diary of a busy mom.

Documentary family photography | Bend, Oregon photographer | documentary photographer | summer adventures | boy mom life

🎡 Family Fun at the Fair - Open Model Call ⁠⁠Model call opening for family fun at the county fair, to be in the evening ...
07/01/2026

🎡 Family Fun at the Fair - Open Model Call ⁠
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Model call opening for family fun at the county fair, to be in the evening of July 31 or August 1 at the Redmond fairgrounds.⁠
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Looking for: a family with 2+kids, ages 6-13 years old, to have fun together. Think cotton candy, rides, lots of smiles & laughs! 🍭⁠
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The participating family must:⁠
✅️ sign a model release⁠
✅️ purchase their own fair admission & activity tickets⁠
✅️ follow styling guidance⁠
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As a thank you for your time, your family will receive a complimentary photo gallery.⁠
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➡️ Apply through the County Fair Model Call link in my bio. ⁠
(no DMs to apply, please - but happy to answer questions that way!)⁠
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Deschutes county fair | summer family fun | Redmond Fairgrounds | candid family photos

Address

Bend, OR
97701, 97702, 97703, 97707–97709

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 3pm
Tuesday 9am - 3pm
Wednesday 9am - 3pm
Friday 9am - 3pm

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