Brasada Ranch Family Photographer

Brasada Ranch, Powell Butte, Oregon

16986 SW Brasada Ranch Road Bend/Powell Butte, OR 97753

Brasada Ranch is a modern, luxury ranch resort with stunning views of the Cascade Mountain Range. Amenities include exceptional golfing, high-end accommodations, relaxing pool and spa, family horseback riding and farm-to-table dining in the high desert. A favorite location for luxury wedding celebrations, couples retreats or idyllic family vacations in Central Oregon. Located just 30 minutes from Bend, Oregon it is an effortless escape from the city or simply straight from the Redmond Airport (15 miles away).

What is the Best Time to Schedule Your Golden Hour Family Session at Brasada Ranch

Summer / Autumn are my favorite months to photograph at Brasada Ranch, with the wide open skies, the iconic trestle bridge and sage brush lined paths, you can’t go wrong with planning a photo session at Brasada Ranch no matter the season.

Typically I schedule my outdoor portrait session in the evening when the sun is golden and closer to the horizon. Summer sessions can be scheduled in the morning with early morning temperatures above freezing. When you reach out and book we’ll discuss the ideal time to schedule your session depending on the season and your schedule. If a golden hour session just won’t work with your timeframe, there are pockets of open shade we can use or opt to embrace the sunny days in Central Oregon.

Summer nights are long in Central Oregon and the sunsets much later, so keep that in mind if you have littles and want to try to keep them on their bedtime schedules. Spring and Autumn are great for an earlier setting sun. That being said, morning sessions can also be a great time to schedule a session, though early spring, autumn and winter will be chilly, so plan to bundle up.

If we time it right, there are some large trees by the pond that are gorgeous in the fall!

Family photos near the trestle bridge at Brasada Ranch.

Why Booking A “Golden Hour Session” is a Great Idea

Booking a golden hour photo session is a preferred time to schedule your outdoor session at Brasada Ranch. While it’s not the only time sessions can be booked, there is a brief period about an hour before sunset and an hour after sunrise(known as golden hour or magic hour) when the light is lower in the sky, minimizing harsh contrast and strong shadows. I don’t think there is a photographer who disagree that it can be a beautiful time to capture family photos.

What to Wear to Your Family Session

My favorite advice for deciding on family photo outfits is to wear what you feel comfortable and confident in! If you feel good, you will look good, I promise. Once you decide on YOUR outfit, try coordinating everyone’s outfits with yours. Once you’ve booked a session with me, I’ll share some additional tips on deciding on what to wear which includes:

Dress for the weather. If you schedule a session in the the late fall, don’t wear summery clothes. You don’t want to be covered in goosebumps and children tend to melt down quicker when they are cold.
Accessorize. Think cute shoes, hats, bold jewelry. My repeat clients like to bring a secondary stylized outfit for some editorial type photos and I’m here for it!! If you want to bounce some ideas off me- let’s get creative.
Add color. Try styling neutral outfits with a pop of color.

Teen girl in white and blue floral dress smiles at the camera at sunset.

A family of four with their little black dog is photographed at Golden Hour on the trestle bridge at Brasada Ranch.

Young girl in white dress poses on the bridge at Brasada Ranch.

Reasons to Book Your Photo Session While on Vacation

You can be fully present. Most people will agree, when the clock strikes vacation mode and there are less distractions and it can be 100x easier to be present with your family. There are no chores to be done, no appointments to hustle to or distractions from the daily grind that may make scheduling a family session feel a little hectic and hard to get on the calendar.

It’s a fun activity for the entire family. Ok, I know some may not feel this way(looking at you, dads), but family photos is an experience and a pocket of time to get silly, to sneak in some extra hugs with one another and enjoy the moment. It’s my goal to make sure everyone feels comfortable (even the shy folks) and relaxed in front of my camera.

Photographers know the best spots. No need to sweat it if this is your first time to Brasada Ranch. Your photographer knows the area and will help suggest the best spots. A family photo session during vacation can also provide inspiration which comes with being photographed and exploring a new environment. Some fun features of Brasada Ranch are the trestle bridge, the fishing pond, earth tones of the high desert including sage brush and tumble weeds.

Your vacation memories deserve to be remembered. Time is fleeting and memories fade. Hiring a photographer while on vacation will let you relive these moments again and again.

Let’s Get Creative. Plan an editorial or documentary styled family session.

Shot focused on young boy dressed in cowboy boots, denim and fringe vest. Parents are holding his hands but faces are out of frame.

Vacation is the best time to do something a little different… a little out of the box… a little out of your comfort zone. Family photo sessions don’t have to feel boring with plain outfits or stiff poses. Family photos are the best time to HAVE FUN as a family! If you are looking to do something a little different, why not plan an editorial or documentary styled shoot?

What Style Sounds More Fun to You?

Editorial Shoot. Think magazine vibes. Focus is on elements like fashion, poses and dramatic light to tell the story. This may feel a little more posed and a little more dramatic but could equally be playful by adding unique elements like western-styled outfits or bright, flowing dresses, flower crowns and suits for the entire family.
Documentary Style. Think candid moments, raw emotion and imperfection. Images are unposed and document moments together as a family. Some ideas could be documenting the family as they go on a horseback ride or spend the morning together drinking cocoa at the cabin before floating the lazy river.