Kenzie and Kody chose me to be their elopement photographer after we had a lunch date at a local restaurant. They were in town checking out The Pinery at the Hill and wanted to meet with me to see how we fit. I loved them right from the start. Kenzie has the sweetest, kindest personality and it really showed.

I had never shot an elopement at The Pinery at the Hill (I had, however, covered a few non-wedding events there) and I was excited to be able to use the space. Their patio, where Kenzie and Kody exchanged vows, has the perfect afternoon sunset mountain light. Check out the images below to see what I mean.

Kenzie and Kody still wanted to showcase those Colorado mountains a bit more so after their ceremony, I swept them away with me for some intimate couples photos over at Garden of the Gods. We were short on time so we visited a location that is generally too crowded for me. I must have had all my karma coming back to me at once because when we got there, parking was a breeze and everyone just seemed to disappear from wherever we roamed on the rocks. Perfect evening.

Whew, what a beautiful day these two had over at the Fountain Creek Ranch for their Micro Wedding Day. The Fountain Creek Ranch hosted a day of Micro Weddings in May and they were simply perfect. Beautiful couples who celebrated their love for each other in front of their family and friends.

COVID created a change in the wedding industry. Before, it was “expected” that you would have a giant wedding that cost $$$. Now, couples are more open to having a small affair with few guests and in some cases, no guests at all. Elopements or Micro weddings such as this one are a perfect way to create that symbolic moment with your love, without all the stress of a big wedding.

Sweet little Henry. How lucky are you to have such doting parents? This tiny man, his family, and I, spent an evening together exploring one of their favorite spaces for a first birthday family session. Brie mentioned a lovely bench at Red Rock Canyon Open Space that they would love to adventure to, and that’s just what we did!

Henry was so curious about everything around him and I was living for it. I love to let littles take the lead during our time together. I talk about this often when I have my pre-session video calls with my clients.

During those calls, a lot of parents express worry about their littles losing their minds during a session and I totally get it. I have five kiddos and I know first hand that kids sometimes don’t do the things we think or expect they will, they turn that ish on its head and do their own thing. You know what though? I love it. Authentically.

Hanging out with families for both their maternity and newborn sessions is such a sweet thing for me. I get to follow along with your pregnancy journey and document that sweet love right from the start. Andrea and her family met me last year during my fall mini sessions. Their little boy Findlay was shy to start but I found a way to break through to his tender heart. Look at him now, a big brother.

When families book me for both their maternity and their newborn session, I love to give a discount on both sessions. It is my way of saying thank you for wanting to work with me through the seasons in your life. Rewarding in my heart of hearts, when those sweet babes are born, it is magic.

Lacie, Mike, and their tiny babe James hung out with me for their family session over at Ute Valley Park. This park, located in Colorado Springs offers such a variety of spaces to shoot in and explore. I got the venture to some new spaces with this sweet fam bam and I could have not been more excited.

Last year, I had a drawing for a free family session, I drew not one name, but three names! Lacie was one of them and it was so special to see the love of their family. Lacie and her husband Mike own A Grazing Life, a Colorado-based organization that offers farm-to-table dinners, which is pretty amazing! Farm fresh food, harvested in the place where you dine. I can’t imagine anything better.

Sweet Janine and her beautiful family. I got to work with them when their baby girl Mia was born. I just fell in love with the way they love their kids. Janine and I talk often and I just feel so thankful to be in their lives. She sent me an IG message telling me that she was pregnant AND that she wanted to capture the reaction of her husband.

We checked out a new location for me (I love this spot so much!) and Janine and Zach adventured with their babes on the trails near Cheyenne Mountain. I love that they let their babes run and play and they really follow their lead. My favorite way to have a family session!

These two babes. We met through some mutual friends and while on a camping trip outside of Santa Fe, New Mexico. I had the joy to document their sweet love in this amazing space. Tall cliffs all around, quiet, desolate, perfect. I had been here before and had been dreaming of photographing a couple here for some time. Hunter and Alex made all my dreams come true with their authentic love.

It’s not often that I get to photograph a family this large with such a tight connection. Kaitlyn and Thomas, along with their crew of 8 beautifully soulful children joined me in Lake George for an adventure by the water.

I was lucky enough to meet Kaitlyn through my connections at The Fountain Creek Ranch. Their wedding day at the ranch is going to be the most amazing day. I include an engagement session with my wedding coverage and when we met and I saw all those beautiful faces, I just knew we needed to include these kids in their engagement session too! So, engagement session turned family session turned OMG how is my life this lucky session (for me at least, haha).

Kaitlyn and Thomas, look at this beautiful family you have built together. Piece by piece. Through all the steps in life that brought you to this moment. Good and bad. Rough and sad. Sometimes glorious and often times not, this was the reason. I am a firm believer in karma, fate, and serendipity. Our pasts are but a mirage in the far-off distance and the future is bright and clear and warm. Your blended family fits together like it was always meant to be and I am lucky that I get to see that with my own eyes. Thank you for that peek into your love.

Danica is a local birth photographer and it was such an honor to document the love her family shares during their session with me. I have gotten to work with Danica and her crew before when I was making a branding film ages ago. They were so sweet and perfect then, just as they are now. These two are parents who are connected to their babes and truly lead by example (well, most days, haha).

We traveled into the mountains to one of my favorites spots at Eleven Mile State Park and explored this glorious, nature-filled space together. My little friends brought along their binoculars, and their free spirits and we chased the sun and each other all evening. It was the best and I was totally there for it.

This year, I want to travel and meet clients in all the beautiful places in Colorado and beyond. Each year I get close and close to the ultimate goal of traveling in my camper and photographing families and couples along during my own adventures with my family. There is a lot that goes into that type of business/lifestyle change so it will be a couple of years, in the meantime, I’ll be taking airplanes and traveling in my trusty car to get to all those hidden gems that I stumble upon.

It’s not every day that you celebrate the day that your baby girl turns two! Miss Luna and her family hung out with me during their family photography session in central Colorado Springs. This space is one of my favorites because it is close to the mountains and still accessible for the little ones to play and run. It was the perfect space for Jordyn and her family of three.

Being two must feel like flying. Seriously, friends, I want to be two again. Don’t you? Stop kidding yourself, of course, you do. The beauty of loving what is right in front of you. Picking up rocks as you please, jumping, playing, singing songs, and just being truly who your little soul is. I love it and I’ll admit I’m a bit jealous that I can’t be that free. I mean, shouldn’t we all be a bit jealous of that?

Time is a weird thing that we use to hold markers for ourselves. It truly doesn’t mean as much as we think it does. It’s interesting to look into a culture other than your own and explore their thoughts on time and how it affects them. Let those babies keep their curiosity and wondrous nature for a bit longer, no matter the time. We would all be a bit more beautiful if we did that. Right?

Danielle is a fellow photographer and mama. She and her boys were coming to Colorado for a visit, so naturally, she wanted to get in a family photography session while they were here. The reason? Her little boy, Noah, was suddenly not so little anymore. She wanted to document these fleeting days before they are snuffed out by the beaconing of adolescence. Babies, oh how they do grow up, much quicker than you think too.

Noah reminds me of my son Ellis, I know, I talk about him a lot but, you know what, that’s okay. It feels good to talk about my sweet boy. I can remember when I first saw his squished-up face on the other side of the curtain in the OR. So small but also so big. I am sure that Danielle remembers the first time she saw her little boy too. I am sure that mothers save a special space in their soul to etch that memory right on in. To keep and hold forever.

Lisa, oh Lisa. Mama, you waited so long to have your family session with me. Your kiddos are another year older and you finally got to take that Colorado trip to see me! Lisa had scheduled her family session with me last year, but as all things, COVID threw a wrench into her plans and we had to postpone. It was certainly worth the wait.

These kids are firecrackers and lovers to their core, you can just feel it. Smiling and full of happy. I know I talk about it a lot but I really do wish I could perpetually be a kid. The world seemed so much bigger and overall, the problems felt smaller. I can imagine that allows for more of the happy to shine through. Kiddos radiate unfiltered love and curiosity. I. Am. Jealous. I’m not too proud to admit it. Being an adult does have its perks though. Being able to eat whatever you want is my favorite one, haha.

Kaitlyn and Jake, how did you two create such a beautiful baby boy? Ledger and I became fast friends during his mama’s maternity session with me in this lovely Colorado Springs location. It was a bit chilly that evening but still warm enough to have little Ledger’s bare skin showing with his mama. Doesn’t it just make those first few photos all that more authentically connected?

Kaitlyn trusted me to guide her with what I felt would look good and tell their story in the most authentic way. I took my lead from Ledger, and when he got too chilly, we put on the beautiful undershirt that his mama brought for him.

Mamas and their sons, I cannot think of anything sweeter. This North Cheyenne Canyon motherhood session was such a nice way to start my spring sessions. Abbey and her son, Lucas, explored one of my favorite trails in the canyon on a lazy Sunday afternoon with me.

It was not long ago that my son, Ellis was this small. His hair was long and whispy and his eyes curious and full of wonder for the world around him. I can picture him perfectly in my mind. Best friend’s peanut butter and jelly t-shirt on with a dirty sticky face, ear to ear grin, his tiny teeth on parade when he laughed. He had a pretty prominent speech issue and I love it when I find videos of him singing along in his own little way. G’s become d sounds, s’s become y sounds. The rap of a toddler.

Little Lucas here, he and his mama share these same moments. Years from now, when she sees these images, she will be ushered back. Sticky hands and faces, stolen bites of candy, and pockets full of rocks. Lucas will only grow and grow and now his mama has this gallery to help her earmark some of those smaller memories that you don’t ever want to lose.

These two lovebirds and I met for their couples session at Garden of the Gods during their vacation trip to Colorado Springs. I know it sounds unbelievable when I say it but, about 40% of my clients are vacationing couples and families. Colorado Springs is in a wonderful location to spend quality time with the people you love. Situated closed to the Front Range and Pikes Peak, Colorado Springs offers the perfect scenery to take advantage of while visiting for a photography session.

Steph and Chris brought their sweet pup Eddie with them on their trip and to their session. I always ask the lovely folks I photograph if they plan on bringing their fur baby(ies) with them to their session. This just makes planning logistics easier and more smooth. I want to make sure we use a location that will keep everyone safe and feeling happy, pets included! I love getting my clients prepped for their time with me. From what to expect to the location to clothing. I am here for you!

Planning your out-of-state elopement can feel a bit scary and uncertain, that’s where I come in! Jes and I planned her intimate elopement to Ken at Garden of the Gods and it couldn’t have been more authentic or lovely. It was just Jes, Ken, and myself during their elopement. It was full of happy tears, tender moments, soulful love and I am thankful I got to take part.

When you book an elopement photographer, you want to make sure that you feel comfortable being your authentic self with them. Find someone who shares your heart for the things you are passionate about. Allow yourself to connect with them on a deeper level. It should be more than, “Hello, I am your photographer, now let’s take your photo”. Your elopement photographer should listen to you and take interest in your life. Someone who can feel you and your love and radiate back to you through a gallery of images that authentically show the love you and your partner share.

Oh Dani, how can I even begin to write these words, my dear friend? Thank you so much for allowing me to document the authentic love that you and your family share, and on the Oregon coast no less!! This gallery is everything I could have imagined it to be; believe me, I imagined it for a long while.

Dani and I met during a Dear Photographer Elevate + Grow Workshop. She was attending the workshop herself but then also modeled with her family for one of the sessions we did as a group. Dani’s bright light of a smile just drew me in. This girl. She is the friend you didn’t know you needed. Always sweet and caring. Always smiling and ready to be kind. I am forever glad that I met her and we remained in touch.

I think that building friendships like the one I have with Dani is what I missed most about last year. The fact that I didn’t get to attend any workshops made me super sad and missing my friends something fierce. Being able to once again snuggle up with the people I love and do all the things together is going to be such a lovely reality soon. I can just feel it.

This family photography session on the coast in Oregon was goals for me, friends. I actually got to photograph two families on this beach on the same weekend while taking my daughter on her 16th birthday road trip and it was glorious. Bristin and her crew are one of those families that I got to hang out within Colorado but then the military took it away, haha. That happens a lot in Colorado Springs with it being home to several military installations.

I try to always find the good parts of what feels like a sad situation, like when families move away. I think the biggest perk when this happens is traveling to them! I LOVE traveling and seeing new spaces and most of all, I love seeing old friends and documenting their authenticity in their new home.

This family photography session in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains was goals. Charlie, her mom, and Mitch traveled to Colorado for a spring break birthday trip for not only Charlie but also for Mitch. Kirsten wanted to document the authentic love their small family unit held.

Kirsten and Mitch have a story full of love lost and rediscovered. Mitch and Kirsten have known each other since they were teenagers. Even getting matching tattoos at some point in their past (scroll down, they are there in all their glory). Mitch has been in Charlie’s life for a while now and she wanted to document them in the space that they are in. Happy, healthy, and full of love for each other.

Sweet friends and this mama’s hair give me life. We met up for their family session in one of my most chosen spots in Colorado Springs for some adventuring and snuggles. I can tell that all of Lesha’s boys love her to the moon and back. What a life to live.

I love when families take a break from their busy vacation life to spend some time with me documenting the love and authentic connections they share. This family came to visit me from Missouri and braved the cold Colorado air. Colorado can be unpredictable with the weather but there is one thing that I know, regardless of what the weather was the day before, there is a 90% chance that the next day will be sunny.

I know it seems like a funny thing to write a blog post about however, questions about the weather come through my inbox often. What do we do if it rains? If it snows? For my local families, this does not pose a big issue, most likely we can move your session date to a new date and roll with it. When I work with vacationing families and couples, that question becomes a tad bit more important.