Figuring out what to wear for family photos doesn't have to be overwhelming. This complete guide covers everything, colors that photograph beautifully, how to coordinate without matching, outfit ideas for moms, dads, kids, and babies, plus Colorado-specific guidance for every season and location. From mountain meadows to red rocks to golden fields, here's how to dress your family so you can stop stressing and just show up.

You don't have to match. In fact, please don't. This guide breaks down how to coordinate your family's outfits so everyone looks connected without looking like a catalog ad. Learn the anchor piece strategy, how to build a palette, why texture and layers matter, and specific guidance for moms, dads, kids, babies, and extended families. Plus realistic tips for busy parents who don't have time to overthink it.

Family photos hold entire seasons of our lives, yet in a digital world, they’re easier to lose than we expect. Online galleries and cloud storage are helpful, but they aren’t always permanent.

This post gently walks through three simple, realistic ways to back up your family photos so they’re cared for long after the moment they’re taken, in a way that honors both your memories and your real life.

The colors that photograph beautifully in July aren't the same ones that work in October. This guide breaks down the best color palettes for spring, summer, fall, and winter in Colorado, plus location-specific guidance for mountain meadows, red rocks, golden fields, and snow. Learn which colors pop, which ones disappear, and how to choose a palette that works for your family and your backdrop.

Garden of the Gods is one of the most romantic places in Colorado Springs to propose. From glowing red rocks at sunrise to hidden overlooks at sunset, it’s a landscape built for unforgettable love stories.

This guide shares the best proposal spots, from iconic landmarks to quiet corners known only to locals. With timing tips, celebration ideas, and real examples from Cade & Nicky and Kyle & Raquel, you’ll find everything you need to plan your own perfect proposal.

When Tabetha’s longtime photographer stepped back from sessions, she was determined not to let go of her tradition: annual birthday photos for her daughter, Lileah. In her search for a new family photographer in Colorado Springs, she was drawn to the candid, emotive style that felt closest to what she’d loved before, and what she hoped to keep building as part of her family’s legacy.

This session wasn’t about stiff poses or perfect smiles. It was about catching the details, Lileah’s curls in the sunlight, the laughter as she ran down the steps, the way her mom pointed and whispered, “That’s it. That’s why we’re here.” In this post, I share their story, what to look for when choosing a candid family photographer, and why birthday photo traditions can become one of the most meaningful ways to preserve your family’s history.

When Casandra won my 10-year anniversary session giveaway, it marked the start of a long-awaited dream, finally stepping in front of the camera with her family. We chose Garden of the Gods, one of the best locations for family pictures in Colorado Springs, for its dramatic red rock formations, mountain views, and easy-to-access trails.

From laughter on the mesa to quiet moments framed by golden light, this session felt warm, natural, and full of connection. In this post, I share Casandra’s story, what makes this location ideal for families, and how we created a gallery as timeless as the landscape itself.

Dreaming of a wedding day that’s wild, free, and entirely yours? Colorado might just be the perfect place. Whether you’re envisioning a private vow exchange on a mountain peak or an intimate ceremony surrounded by golden aspens, this guide covers everything you need to know, from self-solemnizing your marriage to picking the dreamiest locations. 🌿

As an elopement photographer and guide rooted in the heart of Colorado, I’m here to walk you through every step. If you’re ready to skip tradition and create a day that feels like coming home, dive into the full guide and start dreaming up your perfect Colorado elopement adventure.

Family photo sessions don’t have to feel stiff or forced. Imagine hiking through the stunning foothills of Colorado Springs, laughing, and connecting with your loved ones while I capture it all. This blog is all about turning your photography session into a true adventure, something that feels as natural as it looks.

I’ll share how you can choose the perfect spot, get your kids engaged in fun activities, and even let go of any expectations to simply enjoy the moment. It’s about more than just pictures; it’s about making memories that feel as real as the mountains around us. Curious? Keep reading to learn how we can turn your family session into a true adventure.

Dubsado is turning 10, and they’re celebrating with a massive sale! For a limited time, you can save 60% on your first year with Dubsado, yes, you read that right! With the code “heyo,” you can take advantage of this amazing deal and streamline your creative business like never before. From automating workflows to managing projects and client communication, Dubsado has everything you need to keep your business running smoothly and efficiently.

I’ve been using Dubsado for years, and it has truly transformed the way I handle the backend of my business. If you’re a photographer, designer, or any type of creative business owner, this tool will help you save time, reduce stress, and make sure no detail falls through the cracks. Don’t miss out, this offer ends soon!

When I was asked to lead a mini session on street photography at the 2018 Dear Photographer Elevate + Grow Workshop in Portland, Oregon, I was humbled and honestly beside myself. The group of photographers that frequent the Dear Photographer community are inspiring, uplifting, and downright amazing (just take a look around their Facebook Page and you will see what I mean). I am blessed to be able to take part in such a lovely group. The Elevate + Grow 2019 Workshop that will take place in Austin, Texas is already sold out and I am excited to say that I will be there. This will be my fourth year running with these girls and can I just say how thankful I am to hang my hat in their group.

AnneMarie and her crew have changed so much over the years. Their family has grown and I am thankful to have been there for the changes. When I first met them, their youngest boy was only two or three at the most and now they have a baby sister to hang out with too! As a mama to five babes, I completely get that documenting your family as it grows can be a daunting task. I will tell you, friend, it is so worth it. To help ease the stress I have some suggestions on the best way to get started (and some reasons for a session, so you don’t have to find your own, haha!).

Decide what story you want to tell. Do you want to document every year of your children's lives? Or do you want to focus on specific milestones? Knowing what story you want to tell will help you narrow down which photos are most important to document and that will help guide your decisions around photography and professional sessions versus home photos. Some clients love to meet up with me every few years to document their children’s growth. Some meet up during pregnancy and birth and then when babe is a bit older. This family met with me when they were a family of four, then when mama was pregnant, and now they are a fam bam of five! There are so many reasons to jump in front of the lens. They are all valid and you are worthy of having your family’s love documented in an authentic way.

Having a connection with your photographer is important, friends. Creating rapport and a comfort level that feels good is something that should be strived for. This helps me, your photographer, document your authentic moments, naturally. Connecting with your photographer also allows them to understand your vision for the session and what’s important to you. I truly believe that the more you get to know the person documenting your heart, the better experience overall you are likely to have. I want to document your essence and tell your story through your gallery. Period.

When you have a connection with your photographer, they will be able to understand what you are trying to highlight and will be able to provide you with a gallery that reflects that. For me, the perfect gallery should be able to not only capture the physical details of our time together but also the emotions and personalities of your children that you know and love so well. When looking for a photographer, it is important to find someone who you feel comfortable with and can trust to create with you and document your authentic love and connection.

Erin and Bobby met with me for both their maternity and their newborn sessions. We explored Cheyenne Canyon for their maternity session and then snuggled up in their home for my time with baby Sawyer. I love working with clients through their life stories. Engagement, wedding, maternity, newborn, family, and then back through the cycle with each new babe. Seeing their family change and grow. From being madly in love to seeing how amazing your partner is at growing a whole person (and an organ, thank you), to holding that babe in your arms, to chasing them around on the mountainside, I want to be there for it all. I want to build that relationship with you. It’s not just about photography. It’s about your heart (and mine).

Let me tell you a story about this girl. This sweet mama here. She booked her newborn session with me and I was so excited to see babe when they arrived. Fast forward to a few months after she booked the newborn session, her husband, Bobby, reached out to me. Turns out Erin tried to take her own maternity photos and it just wasn’t what she envisioned. Bobby wanted to know if I could sneak them in last minute. Yasssssssss is almost always my answer when its past clients (I also did their couples photos) AND babies are involved because I love them so.

The trip to Rocky Mountain National Park was fueled by a family session referral from another local photographer. I got to meet up with Sarah and her family in the mountains because the super sweet Katie Mitzelfelt of Katie Mitz Photo (go check her out because she is amazing!) recommended me. Thanks, friend!

This was a last-minute addition to my schedule and I had only been to Rocky Mountain a handful of times before but knew the area I wanted to shoot in fairly well. With COVID and all the capacity limitations that came along with it in the summer of 2021, I was lucky that sunset was later in the evening so I could get to where I needed to be without a permit, which was pretty damn awesome.

My daughter, Emma, and I left early so I could scout out the perfect spot for their extended family that would be doable for everyone and still looks amazing. Emma and I stopped at a few locations along our way but they weren’t it. When I find a location that is “it” I get super giddy and excited. I will literally jump up and down and run around thinking of all the things that I can do within the space. Serious. Ask her.

When a couple reaches out to me to book me for their wedding, the first thing on my mind is, when can we meet? It is important for you to get to know your wedding photographer and you can do that by booking an engagement session with them too and that is just what Caroline and Tommy did. Your wedding photographer is spending quite a bit of time with you on your wedding day, it makes sense to make sure you vibe together well. An engagement session (along with pre-wedding meetings) helps create a feeling of trust with your photographer and them with you.

For Tommy and Caroline, including Caroline’s son, Gabe, in their engagement session was something that meant a lot to both of them. I get questions from clients often who book an engagement session asking if their children can join. My answer will always be yes! My own family is a blended family so I truly understand the feelings surrounding not leaving anyone out. Sometimes I hear worries of it being more of a family session and less of a celebration of your love. Please don’t worry about that part. It is easy to create space and time for your engagement photos as well as document the love you have for your whole family during our time together. I got you!

This family traveled to Colorado Springs on vacation and met with me to have an extended family session. To get everyone together and document was so lovely and important. They take a vacation each year and decided that Colorado Springs would be perfect for them this time around.

I wish that when I was a kid and my family and I got together, that we did an extended family session like this. My mom has five sisters and I have 14 cousins. Each year when I was a little girl, most of us would travel to my aunt’s home in Ohio each year for Thanksgiving. I have a bunch of home photos but I can’t remember a time when we ever did a professional session like this.

A behind-the-scenes look at a family photography shoot-along mentorship, where learning happens in real time alongside real families. This session captures connection, curiosity, and the kind of growth that unfolds when photography is shared, not siloed.

Click Magazine has long been known for offering thoughtful education and meaningful resources for photographers at every stage. This post shares why Click continues to stand out, from its women-led perspective to its backend tools, learning opportunities, and creative encouragement, alongside a quiet still-life project inspired by the magazine itself.