Colorado Family Photographer

I like those too! My goal is to create at least one classic smiling family portrait with everyone looking at the camera for every family that I photograph.That said, I also want to set realistic expectations. While I work hard to guide and encourage those moments, no specific image is ever guaranteed, especially when we’re working with younger kids who might not be able to get the perfect photo that day. My focus is on creating a relaxed experience and capturing genuine connection, even if that perfect posed moment takes a little flexibility.

Yes! I love capturing candid moments alongside more classically posed images. During our session, we’ll play games, act silly, ask questions, and have plenty of fun together, all of which helps coax natural interactions and genuine reactions from your family.
I enjoy capturing a blend of gently guided, camera-aware portraits with unposed moments mixed in, so you’ll walk away with a variety of images that feel both polished and real.

No, digital files are not included as part of the session fee and are purchased separately, just like prints.
Any digital files you order are fully retouched, just as they would be if ordered as a print, and you’ll receive both a high-resolution, full-size color image and a black-and-white version of each JPEG file purchased.

As a general rule, no, families do not choose the time of day for their session.
It’s very important for family sessions to be scheduled to take place about an hour to an hour and a half before sunset, when the light is soft, flattering, and consistent with the work you see throughout my portfolio. Photographing earlier in the day, especially in the bright Colorado sun, creates harsh light and shadows that significantly affect the look and feel of your family photos.
While sunset sessions can feel late, especially during summer for families with young children, photographing in the best light allows for calmer, more natural interactions and stronger images overall. Sessions scheduled significantly earlier in the day produce a very different result and are not something I typically offer.

Nope, Colorado is way too pretty to spend our time indoors! I photograph 100% on location, making use of some of Colorado’s most scenic outdoor settings. If photographing indoors is a must, there are some options for renting indoor locations. Just ask me about those and I can send more information for you.

I don’t set a strict limit on the number of family members included in a session. Most family sessions last about an hour and a half, which allows plenty of time for a variety of groupings and interactions.
I’ve photographed many extended families and family reunions, and I’m very comfortable working with larger groups. That said, as the number of people increases, the variety of images for each individual or immediate family may naturally be more limited within that time frame.
If you’re planning to include a larger group, feel free to reach out so we can talk through the number of people involved. In some cases, adding additional time at a prorated rate can help ensure everyone is photographed thoughtfully and without feeling rushed.

The short answer is no, but the longer, more complete answer is that you will see all of the images that meet my artistic standards. This means that I will go through and select all of the keeper photos for you to see and remove any images that did not turn out (ones with technical deficiencies, duplicates, bad expressions/eyes closed etc…) which leaves you with the absolute best images from your session.

After your session, I’ll select a small handful of favorite images to share as a sneak peek on the blog. These preview images are fully retouched so you can see what the final, finished images look like.
The rest of the images from your session will receive a light, proof-level edit and be presented in an online gallery for you to view and make your selections. Proof images are gently edited for consistency and color, but they are not fully retouched.
Any images you choose to purchase are then fully retouched with the same care and attention as the sneak peek images. Below is a visual example showing the difference between a photo straight out of camera, a proof image, and a fully retouched final image.

straight out of camera

proof/basic edit

fully retouched

Family sessions typically last about 1 to 2 hours, depending on the size of your group and the flow of the session. This allows plenty of time to move through different groupings without feeling rushed.
I aim to have your images ready to view in an online gallery within approximately three weeks of your session. Turnaround time can vary slightly depending on the time of year — I’m generally faster from January through mid-summer, while late summer through the end of the year tends to be busier.
If you have a specific deadline in mind, it’s best to let me know prior to booking so I can honestly assess timing and let you know if I can meet your specific deadline.

This is Colorado! It’s hardly ever so terrible that we have to change plans for our outdoor session. That said, even the most beautiful places have the occasional off day.
If the weather isn’t cooperating, my first recommendation is usually to reschedule or adjust the timing of the session. For families visiting from out of town where rescheduling isn’t possible, we can often embrace the conditions with a little flexibility — using umbrellas, finding sheltered outdoor spots, or when possible exploring creative indoor options.
In the very rare case that no workable option exists, I’ll refund any retainer paid and cancel the session altogether. In over 20 years of photographing families in Colorado, I can count on less than two hands the number of times that’s happened and some of my most memorable sessions have actually come from less than ideal weather.

I’ve put together a detailed guide with photo examples from real family sessions I’ve photographed, covering how to plan what to wear for your family photos as well as tips on colors, patterns, and how to coordinate outfits.

Yes, I love when families incorporate their furry best friends into their session. There are some locations that don’t allow dogs but we can pick one that does if this is important to your family.  

This isn’t something I offer at this time. I am more than happy to photograph your newest and cutest as part of a family session but generally recommend waiting until they are around 6 months old or sitting up on their own before booking a session with me.

I’m so glad you asked! I would love to photograph your family. To get started, Contact me here and tell me about your family, where you’ll be, and when you’re hoping to schedule. I’ll follow up with my availability and a session fee quote.
To officially reserve your date, a 50% session fee retainer is required at the time of booking. The remaining balance is due at the end of your session after we’ve photographed your family.