Family Photograpy at South Valley Park in Littleton, Colorado with Infant Son & Adventure Dog
Adriana reached out hoping to capture some beautiful memories with her family and their 4-month-old son, Luca—his very first professional photos. They would be joined by her husband, Gustavo, their adventure pup Eyero, her parents visiting from California, and her sister and brother-in-law.
She had seen a gallery of mine from South Valley Park in Littleton—a session with a 3-month-old earlier in the year—and decided it would be the perfect location: plenty of space for their pup to roam, gentle paths for a stroller, and those wide-open views that feel both peaceful and alive.
We met on an early November, crisp, bluebird Colorado afternoon.
While most people flock to the summer and early fall splendor for photos, I’ll be honest—I love late fall and winter sessions. Maybe it’s the part of me that always goes a bit against the grain, but the low sun (even with those 5pm sunsets) filters everything in this soft, cinematic glow. The cooler temps keep the crowds away, the grasses turn a warm, golden hue, and the red rocks feel like nature’s built-in reflector. If you’re ever worried about booking family photos in late fall or winter, don’t fret. It’s truly a stunning time of year to create some magic. The quiet feels like a cozy warm hug.
We met at the trailhead around 3:30pm, just as the light started to paint the rocks and open grasslands. I instantly loved their energy. My wife and I were less than three weeks away from welcoming our own baby boy into the world, so witnessing their tenderness with Luca hit home in a really beautiful way. They say having a child unlocks a love you didn’t know you had the capacity for—a whole new universe unfurling—and I could see that clearly in the way Gustavo and Adriana adored their son.
Luca was in great spirits the whole time. I had a full hype squad of grandparents, aunties, and uncles jingling toys, dancing, making faces—doing all the things to coax those real infant smiles you just can’t force or fake. We wandered for about an hour and a half, leaning into both the silly and the soft moments, mixing relaxed portraits with candid scenes. Eyero, of course, snuck into the spotlight too.
At one point I heard Luca’s grandparents speaking to him in Spanish, so I naturally switched to Spanish as well. The family was a little surprised to hear this white guy speaking fluent Spanish, and we ended up chatting about my 15 years living and working in Peru. We talked about parenthood too—they offered such kind words as my wife and I prepared to step into that world ourselves. We even joked about future playdates for our little boys when they’re ready.
And their outfits? Spot on. I don’t claim to be a fashion expert, but the palette of browns, whites, and denim blended seamlessly with the landscape and the season.
South Valley Park always delivers, and the quieter months make it even more special.
As long as you bring a few extra layers and maybe a blanket or two, it’s perfect—especially for newborns who tend to go to bed early. Luca fell asleep for the second half of the session and napped peacefully in his stroller and in his parents’ arms. And honestly, a 5pm sunset is ideal for families: dreamy light earlier in the day, and everyone gets home in time for bedtime routines. A win-win.
I hope you enjoy this session. And if it resonates with you, I’d be honored to work with your beautiful family and help you capture some heartfelt memories of your own. If, those true to life,, natural and relaxed portraits and energy are your style, then I think we’d be a great fit. Message me to book your family session
