Eugene, Oregon family photographer: Denae, Hitesh, and Family

My first session of 2018 was a bit of a grab bag: a combination of family photography and one year birthday cake smash. It was a lot of fun and great to ring in the new year by working with this sweet and beautiful young family! 

Denae and her husband Hitesh brought their three children—big brothers Ranvir and Keshav and little sister Zaia—to my photography studio in Eugene, Oregon the day after New Year’s. Denae is originally from this area, but she and her family now live in California. They travel up to Oregon a couple of times a year to visit family though, so it was natural for her to reach out to a Eugene, Oregon photographer for some professional family photos, as well as some fun celebratory photos of a cake smash for Zaia, to celebrate her turning one year old. 

I’m very glad Denae did ask me to be their photographer, and that she and her family were able to make time during their trip to come into the studio. We got some great pictures! They really are a wonderful looking little family—handsome boys and such a pretty baby girl. I especially loved Zaia’s big brown eyes. They’re so dark and lovely, and framed by those long lashes they really are stunning. She’s going to grow up to be every bit as pretty as her mom!

Zaia wasn’t a huge fan of her cake, but that’s honestly not that unusual with kiddos this age. I always manage to get some cute pictures, even when babies aren’t thrilled about it, but so much sugar all at once can be a little overwhelming! Zaia only got a tiny bit of frosting on her hands and face before she decided she was done with this whole birthday cake smash photography thing. She did love the balloons we used as props though, and had a great time playing with them, so she still had fun!

The family photography portion of our session went really well. I got some super cute shots of Zaia and the boys, as well as some family pictures and parents-only shots. Ranvir and Keshav had all the natural energy of little boys, but they were very well-behaved for me and so adorable in their matching outfits. They have such sweet smiles! Zaia wasn’t so sure about smiling for the camera, but she’s little and cute enough that her curious, wide-eyed baby expression is just as good! And Denae and Hitesh look perfect together. I love the pictures of them as a couple, and with their brood gathered around them!

It was great to be the family photographer for Denae, Hitesh, and their kids! This is a great group. Mom and dad have their hands full with these three energetic littles ones, but it’s clear they’re doing a great job of raising them. They are obviously very happy and it was a pleasure to work with them, get to know them, and create some beautiful photographs together.