Colorado Family Photography

Oyin reached out while planning a family vacation to Denver, Colorado, hoping to capture something different. Unique photography of her large multi-generational family that celebrated their diverse backgrounds and paid homage to their Nigerian roots.

When we met in the parking lot an hour and a half before sunset, I was immediately struck by their beautifully coordinated attire. It felt celebratory and genuine. The kids took off running down the trail, climbing trees, picking wildflowers, and scrambling over rocks. We moved slowly, capturing candid moments as they unfolded naturally, until we reached my favorite overlook just in time for a stunning sunset.

You can’t always count on magical light, but this evening delivered. The sky showed off in a beautiful live theater casting a warm, glowy backdrop over the mountains as we captured a mix of group portraits and playful, unposed images of the little ones being themselves. We laughed, swapped travel stories, and truly enjoyed the experience together. It was one of those sessions that leaves you feeling grateful.

Brian reached out to me hoping to capture some special memories of his family as a surprise gift for his wife Teresa. They were celebrating 10 years of marriage, and he wanted to cherish this special chapter of life together with their son Calvin and two beautiful dogs Winston and Frankie.

We spent an hour and a half soaking up the golden light making our way to the shores of Standley Lake where we watched the sun set and the sky turn a beautiful pink and blue. Calvin took off for the water with the pups running wild. Teresa and Brian quipped, “He’s a feral child, what can we say?! A beautiful Family Photo Session

Adriana reached out hoping to capture some beautiful memories with her family and their 4-month-old son, Luca.

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.

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.

Meadow reached out to me from California with a special request- her entire large family was coming together in Colorado Springs from across the country for a reunion vacation, and she wanted to celebrate their time together with a photo session full of joy, love and genuine connection.

From the moment we met, I was struck by how full of life everyone was, and how beautifully coordinated their outfits were! The color palette was bold, bright, and full of personality, and it perfectly mirrored the spirit of the evening. The kids instantly took to exploring: climbing rocks, skipping along trails, and laughing with each other as the light danced across the canyon.

Throughout the session, we kept things playful and spontaneous, capturing both the unfiltered moments of exploration and laughter, and a few timeless group portraits of the whole family together. It’s not often that loved ones from California, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Virginia are all in the same place, and it was an honor to help preserve these treasured moments and memories

When Nadra reached out before her family trip to Colorado, she mentioned she’d read my bio, and mentioned she was also from North Carolina. We both grew up even in the same town, and went to rival high schools. There’s nothing like shared southern roots. We created an instant connection before we ever met in person.

From the moment we met, Nadra greeted me with a hug, that unmistakable southern hospitality, and I immediately felt like I was with old friends. The kids were bursting with energy: dancing, climbing, exploring, and laughing. We wandered along the boardwalk and trails, pausing on smooth lakeside rocks and under dramatic skies as distant storms rolled in, casting a soft blue light over the water.

Description goes hereBrandon originally reached out for family photos.

His entire family was together for the holidays, which doesn’t happen often, and he wanted to document that time while everyone was in the same place. Nothing elaborate. Just honest photos of his family being themselves.

What he didn’t share right away was that after the family portion of the session, he was hoping to propose to his girlfriend, Maria. The proposal wasn’t meant to be a production. He wanted it to happen naturally, with family nearby. The only person who knew ahead of time was his sister, Brooklyn.

We met at South Valley Park in Littleton, and from the start, the session felt relaxed. His family was warm, energetic, and easy to be around. There was a lot of laughter, movement, and conversation. Very quickly, it felt less like a photo session and more like time spent with old friends. I didn’t have to prompt smiles or force moments — they were already there. We talked about everything from buying land in Oklahoma to college football and plenty in between.

At one point, while gathering everyone for a big family photo, Maria (still Brandon’s girlfriend at the time) said, “Why don’t you just get one of the family together?”

I remember smiling and saying, “Oh, you’re clearly part of the family.”
Keeping a straight face wasn’t easy.

Robert had a simple idea when he reached out — instead of giving his husband another thing for Christmas, he wanted to give their family an experience. Something meaningful. Something they could share together.

His gift was a family photo session.

It had been many years since Robert, Armand, and their son had been in front of a camera together. What they wanted most wasn’t stiff poses or perfectly staged photos. They wanted something natural. Playful. Honest. A way to celebrate the love and connection they share as a family.

We decided on South Valley Park in Littleton, one of my favorite spots along the Front Range. The red rock formations make it feel like a giant outdoor playground, and it’s one of the best locations for winter family photos in Colorado because it stays accessible even in colder months.

But winter had other plans for us.

Instead of snow and coats, we were greeted with a 65-degree golden afternoon that felt more like early fall than January.

When we first met, Robert joked that they had been “having a bit of a day” with their son before arriving. Anyone with kids knows those moments. But within a few minutes we shifted the energy — stepping away from the idea of “taking photos” and simply letting the afternoon unfold.

Soon we were sword fighting with sticks, limboing under branches, watching deer pass through the fields, and piling into big cuddle puddles on the rocks. The tension faded, laughter took over, and the session turned into exactly what Robert had hoped for — a genuine afternoon together as a family.

These sisters reached out on their own (pretty impressive for a 6 and 8 year old) as a surprise gift for their parents, secretly planning this summer photo session in their beautiful backyard on Lookout Mountain. I was all in.

Surrounded by wildflower meadows and ponderosa pines, these sisters ran freely, played on their swing, and shared laughs and a bit of pestering as only sisters can.

The connection between them was joyful and genuine. From the silly moments to the soft, quiet ones, they gave me everything a photographer could hope for. Authentic love, radiant personalities, and a true sense of place.

Gretchen wanted to capture her beautiful famil in the crisp October fall light and golden foliage. We had a blast capturing, vibrant, sometimes silly & tender loving moments on a beautiful afternoon.

ight when we met her kiddos were off and running. Gretchen told me her son recently broke his leg on the playground…and even though it was merely a month or so after his injury, he was already running wild and seemingly all healed up. Oh the joys of being a gumby kiddo.

The conditions were absoluetly perfect. A soft wind, crisp blue skies, the setting sun and an array of fall colors. Their outfit selection was also top tier! Take note if you’re looking for the perfect clothing for a fall family photo session. They nailed it! We spent an hour and a half moving around from place to place making sure to keep the kiddos engaged. Lots of impromptu silly moments, gentle poses and then just letting the fun times play out. We captured some really special images and cherished memories. Moreover, it was a great experience! Often, we simply think about the photos…but the experience is just as important! Presence and invaluable time together celebrating the simple joys. It’s really special.

The holidays, at their core, are about time together. Not the pressure or the “things,” but the moments we rarely slow down enough to notice—playing games, cooking, watching a movie, throwing a ball in the yard, or simply being in the same space. Those ordinary rituals are what tend to matter most, and they’re often the hardest to document honestly.

Melissa reached out hoping to capture that feeling in her Denver home with a more documentary-style family photo session. She wasn’t looking for something overly posed or polished—just real moments of her family spending time together. She did mention, with a knowing laugh, that teenagers don’t always love family photo sessions. Fair enough. Teenagers are teenagers. I reassured her we’d keep things relaxed and make the experience as easy—and hopefully as enjoyable—as possible for everyone.

We met on Christmas Eve and spent about an hour and a half together, moving naturally between indoor and outdoor spaces. We created a few gently guided, more traditional family photos, but most of the time was spent simply letting the family be themselves. I encouraged everyone to participate, offer ideas, and lean into whatever felt natural.

The standout moment came from the 21-year-old, who suggested a “head stacking” portrait—a trend I hadn’t tried before but immediately loved. One by one, everyone stacked their heads together on the living room floor. It was chaotic, funny, and completely unforced. I felt a little bad for the grandfather at the bottom of the pile, but he laughed through it like a champ. The moment perfectly captured the spirit of the family—playful, generous, and fully in it together.

With the boys, we leaned into movement and energy. We grabbed a wheelbarrow, ran around the backyard, tipped over a few times, and embraced some good-natured chaos. We also spent time tossing a football, playing Sudoku, and doing the kinds of things families actually do when no one’s trying to pose for a camera.

Rachel reached out wanting to capture some beautiful, natural family photos and memories with their Au Pair Grace before she left for home back in Mexico. We Met at the Trailhead and the weather was storming and cold. We decided to wait it out for a bit and were so fortunate to be treated with incredible light & skies after the storm passed.

We soaked up the special time together and moved around chasing the light and special moments together. Their daughters were born for the spotlight working it for the camera and picking flowers. It was a really beautiful session together.

“Wow! I can’t recommend Ryan enough! His friendly demeanor helped my 3- and 4-year-old kiddos feel comfortable right away, and he was so patient and flexible — even willing to wait out some bad weather. I honestly didn’t think we got many good shots with the wind blowing everyone’s hair around, but Ryan captured the perfect moments at just the right time. The photos turned out beautifully — natural, joyful, and so “us.” We’re beyond happy with how everything came out and can’t wait to work with him again!” -Jenna P.

An early wake-up call for in-home family photos!

Jillian reached out hoping to capture the rare magic of having the entire family together — gatthering from different corners of the country to spend the holidays at a beautiful mountain Airbnb in Indian Hills. We decided on a sunrise session, leaning into the quiet, unhurried feeling that only mornings seem to hold.

When I arrived, the adults were already sipping their coffee and the dogs came barreling down the driveway to greet me — the kind of enthusiastic welcome that makes you feel like you’ve been best friends for years. Inside, the kids were still rubbing the sleep from their eyes, slowly easing into the day. While everyone got organized, I wandered the property and immediately knew we had something special to work with rock outcroppings, winding paths, a basketball court, and plenty of space for kids to be kids.

Once everyone was rounded up (and the dogs had properly burned off their zoomies), we knocked out a few relaxed family photos before letting things unfold more naturally. We moved around the property, encouraging the kids to run, explore, and do exactly what they wanted, which they happily did. As clouds rolled in, we headed back inside, gathering in the living room where the family settled into games, hanging out, and an enthuisastic round of Baby Shark (the adults were great sports).

Stephanie reached oout looking to take photos of her family of 7 before their first-born left for college. She mentioned they have a few extra photography challenges - two disabled teens who are wheelchair users, two service dogs and a 5-year-old who doesn't stop moving!

I loved it! It sounded like a beautiful and fun family. We met at Lair o’ The Bear Park due to it’s gentle trails and easy access for wheelchairs. We spent two hours by the creek having a blast. Lots of smiles, lots of silly moments and cherished family time together. A really special session.

Nicole reached out to me wanting to capture family photos in the beautiful Colorado autumn light with her husband Marc, their pup and 3-month newborn son Sasha.

When we met, Sasha wore cute little shoes for the first tim in his life and their pup, a border collie mix was ready to adventure thinking he was going for a big hike.

Throughout our time together, I was privilged to observe how loving and tender Nicole and Marc were with their son Sasha, and the magic of becoming new parents. Sasha was still trying to make sense of the world around him and would sometimes cry and sometimes smile. We we able to capture all of the emotions in their true-to-life form. It was a lovely session.

When Marijoy reached out, she asked if we could blend a relaxed family session with natural graduation portraits of her son Lincoln, who would soon be graduating high school.

She also asked if their beloved dog, Rambo, could join — and of course, I said yes. No brainer.

It’s easy to see why Marijoy’s name ends in “joy.” Her spirit is magnetic, and her beautiful boys were kind, funny, and clearly destined for great futures. And let’s be honest — their hair alone could make anyone a little envious.

Heather reached out before a family trip to Colorado with a simple goal: to finally update their family photos—something that had been on the back burner since welcoming their second baby.

When we met, I noticed their South Carolina plates. They’d driven all the way from Charleston with the kiddos in tow. Me being originally from North Carolina, I naturally gave them a bit of teasing of the ‘better’ Carolina.

We wandered a short trail to let their kiddos get some energy out before diving into photos. What I loved most about this family was how naturally silly they were and how willing they were to roll with my spontaneous ideas. We eased into it with a few gently posed moments and then simply let the magic unfold with playful prompts and candid interactions. A really fun session!

Elizabeth reached out hoping to captured beautiful family photos while also celebrating her mom’s 75th Birthday. This session was everything I love about photographing families. It was relaxed and easy, full of laughter and genuine connection.

The golden leaves were at their peak, the light was soft with a moody overcast day, the lake was placid, and the air had autumn crisp October feel. But what made it memorable was how loving this family was

From the first moments, they welcomed me in like I was part of the family. They even invited me to join in on their pizza party afterwards!

Charlene reached out hoping to capture her entire family together during a Christmas holiday winter vacation in Fraser, Colorado.

They were renting a cozy condo and wanted a mix of relaxed indoor moments and wintery outdoor photos that felt true to how the week unfolded.

We connected quickly, helped along by a shared Nebraska tie. Charlene is from Lincoln—where I was born, so a little Husker football talk (and their sad state of affairs) made for an easy start. Family members were arriving from Arlington, Virginia and Phoenix, Arizona, making this one of the few times every few years everyone was together.

It turned out to be an unusually warm late-December afternoon. There was just enough snow and ice to give things that unmistakable winter feel, without the biting cold. I arrived early to walk the property and scout locations, which is something I generally do in locations that are new to me. The condo sat right along the Fraser River, with a quiet path that felt distinctly Colorado. Nearby, an old ski-lift-turned-bus-stop bench and a brightly painted Fraser sign added a strong sense of place.

We spent about an hour exploring outdoors before heading back inside as the afternoon light softened, finishing with a few cozy indoor moments as everyone warmed up and settled in.

Multi-generational sessions like this are always special. Freezing time together across generations is a privilege.

At the end of a big multigenerational family session at The Fort Restaurant in Morrison, Jacob came up to me and asked if we could set up a second shoot. This time with just him, his wife Sarah, and their 8-month-old infant son, Charlie. I was honored!

Jacob grew up here in Colorado but lives in Washington now. They were in town visiting his folks and wanted to document this chapter with their little guy before heading onwards to Wisconsin to visit Sarah’s parents. They wanted a laid back, outdoorsy, and true Colorado feel. Mount Falcon West checked all the boxes, so I recommended it for them.

We wandered the trail, paused for some gentle direction and ‘formal’ family shots, then we leaned into the candid, creative and playful moments just letting Charlie do his thing. We had a blast!

Erin wanted a meaningful set of images while her family visited Rocky Mountain National Park during their summer vacation from Illinois.

This Colorado gem has long been a special place for the Klacik family. A backdrop to years of joyful memories, fresh mountain air, and time spent together surrounded by natural beauty. They wanted to preserve that feeling in photographs; the spirit of a place that holds their hearts.

We met on a golden summer evening and explored two favorite spots. First, Alluvial Fan with its rushing waters, rocky shores, and the warmth of the setting sun filtering through the trees. Later, we moved toward Deer Mountain to a private little rock outcropping which opens to sweeping meadows and views of Longs Peak glowing in the distance. It was the perfect Colorado mountain pairing of water, forest, and alpine vistas.

Gina reached out hoping to capture family photos all together. With many members visiting from out of town, they carved out time to be together lakeside at Horsetooth Reservoir in Fort Collins.

There were so many chapters unfolding. A newly engaged couple. Grandparents soaking in quiet moments with their newest grandchild. Brothers being brothers in the most ridiculous, joyful, and loving pestering ways. And couples sharing time, with big laughs, soft glances, and loving teasing. A really beautiful family photo session!

As the light shifted over the lake, we wandered the shoreline, sat on rocks, skipped stones, and leaned into the stillness and beauty of the water and purple mountains. This session was playful, heartfelt, and wonderfully human. We made time for big group photos and also for everyone to have their time in the spotlight. Each frame holds small truths about how good it feels to be surrounded by your people, and how important it is to make the effort to come together, no matter how far apart life may take you.

This heartfelt family session took place in the yard and home of dear friends on Lookout Mountain in Golden, Colorado.

Surrounded by familiar places, from their swing set to rocky outcroppings with views of Denver. We captured relaxed, outdoorsy family photos full of love, light, and laughter. Photographing the girls where they felt most comfortable allowed for a natural, documentary-style approach that brought out their genuine personalities. At-home family photography offers the gift of authenticity, turning everyday spaces into timeless memories. Especially when you have such a beautiful backyard like this family. An outdoor playground meant for adventure and exploration and cherished time together.

Maggie, the grandmother of the family, kindly reached out with a heartfelt idea to gather her whole crew for a family photo session. It’s not every day the request comes from a grandparent, but she was determined to bring everyone together for some cherished moments.

This session had what you'd expect from a big family shoot: some hesitant smiles at the start, a bit of shuffling around, and light teasing about who should stand where. But then came the dock games, a splash of golden hour light, rock skipping contests, high-fives, and laughter that started to feel effortless. A toddler clung tight to his stuffed dog, siblings joked around, and slowly, the camera faded into the background, and those magic moments ensued.

What better way to celebrate your first visit to a new country than with family photos capturing the spirit of your vacation, cherished memories and all of the new experiences. That’s exactly what this family did coming all the way from Peru in their first visit to Colorado.

I’ve worked in Peru for 15+ years. I first went at the age of 13 with my parents and fell in love with the beautiful culture, mysterious history, diversity, rainforest and incredibly beautiful topogography of the Andes.

On one of my early trips, I was paired with an assistant to help me navigate the mountains. Little did I know, he would be come my best friend and brother. I even have my own area in his home these days. For so many years, we’ve built an incredible relationship and he opened up so many doors in Peru inviting me in and making me feel like a part of this special pocket.

Fast forward-and it was finally time for him to bring his family to the U.S. They had saved money for years to visit us in Colorado. They came in the dead of winter but were really excited to experience a true powdery white snow. And boy did it deliver. During their trip temps plummeted to -20 degrees for several days. An arctic blast. They got the full winter experience. It was so special to finally host his family and show him around my home and state. We visited several areas around the Front Range along with Buena Vista, Salida, The Great Sand Dunes, Leadville, Boulder and Indian Peaks. I was tasked to capture some of those precious moments in a heartfelt and memorable way.

Nupur reached out to me about capturing family photos during a special visit. Her parents were in town from Canada, and they wanted to make the most of their time together in beautiful Boulder.

Despite the chill in the air, we made the best of it and kept the mood light and fun. We photographed a variety of moments — from playful shots with their daughter to tender family groupings — and even took time for a few couple portraits and some professional headshots for Nupur. The mix of candid and composed images, set against one of Boulder’s most iconic and scenic locations, made for a session that felt both meaningful and memorable.

This Colorado adventurous family reached out to me to see if I could help photograph the fun, action and experiences of their annual whitewater rafting trip on the Arkansas River near Salida.

Oh yea! My cup of tea. I actually grew up paddling rivers with my parents and even worked as a river guide for a bit, so this was right up my alley. Action packed, summer fun in the Colorado high country. We met up near Brown’s Canyon at their friends property who lived right in the river. What a spot it was. We put in, and I stationed myself comfortably on a raft ahead of the gang to capture a bit of the action. The fun thing about this type of shoot is the pure spontaneity. There’s no posing when your kids gear up to hit a big wave. Their faces say it all. I looked for those magic moments of the family enjoying the day together and the emotions of the kiddos from running on the sandy shores to hugging each other laughing and screaming as they entered a rapid. It was pure fun. It’s such a special and unique opportunity for your outdoorsy family to capture your spirit for adventure together.

We spent all day on the river with some breaks along the way. It was one of my favorite family sessions ever. It felt oh so Colorado and it was beautiful to watch kids just being kids. Their parents giving them the greatest gift of time in nature and and a bit of adventure and entrusting me to preserve some of those special memories.

This family reached out to me wanting to capture some casual, natural fun family photos and also some professional headshots that didn’t look like the typical boring stale images you so often see on websites and marketing material.

They wanted splashes of color and vibrancy and RINO’s diverse murals and funky alleyways delivered. It’s one of my top 3 locations in the city to take portraits. Whether you want something edgy, modern, or just fun and relaxed, RiNO provides the goods. And if you're planning a session close to golden hour, the way the light bounces around the buildings can be really dynamic. There are also myriad breweries, restaurants and food halls which can make for some great laid-back and cool images. No session is the same either as there are so many little nooks to explore and work with. Each shoot brings it’s own personality and character into the mix.

For this family, we set out wandering through the streets around Larimer finding spots that spoke to them and letting the good times roll. Some gently posed moments but mostly candid fun and some personable, relaxed professional headshots mixed in.