Born in Portland, Maine, my family moved to the sunny state of Arizona when I was five years old. I spent many years balancing my time between competitively swimming on our local swim team, playing the saxophone, and loved spending time in the great outdoors. I have fond memories of visiting my Nana in Sedona multiple times a year, and camping at Pinery Provincial Park in Canada.

While I enjoyed my childhood and teen years in Arizona, I was ready to move on after I graduated high school. After spending a term at the University of Arizona, (go Wildcats!), I decided to accompany my mom and move closer to family here in Silverton. I have not turned back since. I found Silverton to be charming, and while small town living was much more suitable for me, I initially enjoyed visiting the nearby coast, snowy mountains, and arid Central Oregon. Calling Oregon home came very naturally to me.

After attending Chemeketa Community College, and then graduating from Oregon State University with a Bachelor’s in Psychology, my passion for photography led me to begin working at a locally owned photography store, the Shutterbug. By the time I left there, I had worked my way up to managing one of their flagship stores. My passion for photography stuck with me, and I have had my own photography business, Whitney Ulven Photography, since 2010. While spending most “spare” time photographing local families and weddings, I am also humbled to have been noted in national and international publications. My work has been used in advertising for a few small companies, such as Amazon, Sony, and of course Milk Bone. They must know how much I love animals…

I met my husband, Mike, in 1998 and put that psychology degree right to work. After coming home from our first (blind) date, I immediately told my mom, “he is definitely not my type.” He will be the first one to tell you I have been eating those words since then. We began married life in 2002 with (2) Jack Russel Terriers, and slowly graduated to (3) amazing children: Bryn, Cole, and Sam. While balancing our days between school, soccer games, basketball, and a shared love of camping in the great outdoors, they keep us on our toes. I wouldn’t change a thing.

Outside of occupying my time carrying a camera and working in real estate, you will likely find me working on our small farm at home. In 2014, we began Ulven Farms, where we are growing 18 acres of Hazelnuts, as well as raising high quality Aberdeen Angus beef, heritage pork, chicken, and free-range eggs for ourselves and others. We all call the family farm home.

I enjoy giving my time. While previously serving on the board of Silver Falls Soccer Club as secretary, and currently serving on the board of directors for the Silverton Food Co-op, I am also involved in our local Rotary Club. Through my various volunteering activities, I have learned I really enjoy serving and giving back. Real estate seems to be a natural fit.

There isn’t a day that goes by that I’m not grateful for this life we have worked hard to create. Let us work hard for you to help you create the life you dream of.