but… but… faq

Family Adventure sessions

my mom wants a picture of all of us smiling. will we get one of those?

Here’s how we make sure that you get the “grandma picture” you need out of your photography session!

I spend most of the time taking pictures of you enjoying your family adventure, but I also include time for “portraits” during your session. During the portrait time, I will give you a little more direction to make sure we get everyone in the picture and maybe even smiling… or toddler-pouting. Because toddlers.

Check the gallery for some examples!

And, grandma might surprise you by choosing the picture of your kid swimming in a mud puddle. 

Our family is so busy. I’d like pictures, but i’m not sure how we can make time.

I hear you. (Boy, do I hear you!)

The thing about doing a family adventure photography session is that you do NOT have to schedule ONE.MORE.THING.

You do NOT have to buy special coordinated outfits.

You do NOT have to get your children to stand still and smile.

The goal is to get pictures of your family actually enjoying your family adventure, hanging with the people you love and doing the things that you love.

My focus is on your family’s interaction, making beautiful portraits of the what is meaningful to you. We will make portraits you can hand down to your children some day to remind them how you schlepped all of their stuff on their camping trip and let them get sticky marshmallows all over - or how they sent a line while they were still in pull-ups.

Because that’s the stuff that you really want them to remember! 

Our family loves to {bake cookies, visit museums, etc.}. Is that a family adventure?

A family adventure can be whatever your family loves doing together. It doesn’t have to be epic. This time it is not about pushing the boundaries of your physical abilities, but instead about doing something you enjoy and interacting with people that you love.

Also, I’m not sure that anyone who’s seen a kid crack an egg would say that is NOT an adventure.

My kids/husband/wife hates getting their picture taken. it’s always miserable. would this be any different?

Here, here! I do NOT like having my picture taken either. Neither do my kids. And my husband is a little ambivalent about it too.

I’ve got a lot of practice with people who feel this way. I’ve honed my camera ninja skills with the orneriest of toddlers and teenagers who would rather hide in their bedrooms. And… I have also found that letting children and reluctant adults enjoy their activity and focus less on the camera takes a lot of the sting out of family pictures.

But, I’m not actually made of magic, so… maybe?

Family pictures are a big investment, and i’m not sure i can convince my husband/wife/partner/etc. that it is worthwhile.

Yes. Yes, they are a big investment for most families.

A family adventure session is an investment in documenting your family’s story, and in custom art for your home. Double bonus.

To make sure that you get the most return on your investment, I will take the time to really get to know you and your goals for your family adventure session. We will capture what is important and meaningful to you in this stage.

I will provide high-resolution digital files so that you can have products made on your budget and on your timeline, but I will also help you choose the heirloom-quality products that fit your budget and your home, so that you can enjoy the photographs from your session in real life, for generations to come!

We don’t have time to get up to mountains for epic family pictures. Does a Family Adventure Session still make sense?

100%. Yes.

I also think it would be amazing if all of our family’s pictures were taken in epic places, but work and school and soccer and gymnastics and … all.the.things.

Where you are at and what you are making time to do with your family right now is worthy of remembering. There is no magical amount of ruggedness or outdoorsiness that makes it an “adventure.”

Epically beautiful family moments can (and already do) happen in your backyard.

We are new to Colorado, or just visiting. how do we figure out what to do for a “family adventure”?

Welcome! Isn’t it beautiful here?

You might be my favorite kind of clients because there I have so.many.ideas!

I came to Colorado years ago - with stars in my eyes and plans to get my little skiing in the Rockies ASAP. We did that, but along the way fell in love with so many other Colorado activities, in all seasons. I’d love to share some ideas for enjoying what Colorado has to offer!

WHAT IS A PROFESSIONAL PORTRAIT SESSION, AND HOW IS IT DIFFERENT THAN A FAMILY ADVENTURE SESSION?

What is a professional portrait session?

Professional portrait sessions might be right for you if you are looking for either (1) individual portraits to put on your wall, with a heavy focus on the subject’s face or other special details (rather than family interactions or special activities) OR (2) flattering-but-still-looks-like-you business or social media headshots. Rather than relying on heavy editing, we will find (or make) flattering lighting and allow your personality to shine through your REAL FACE. Hate to smile? Have a stoic child? Just despise heavy airbrushing and uncomfortable poses? This could be exactly the type of portrait session that you can finally get behind!

How are the professional portrait sessions different than family adventure sessions?

In a professional portrait session, the focus will be on the face (or other special details) of the individual, rather than on the interactions between family members, the activity, or the scenery. It involves a bit more of a “portrait” feel for the session - but I do what I can to help you feel connected to the portraits, and not like you’re faking a cheesy smile!

Professional portrait sessions are usually short and simple, but I put in the work before-hand to find out your personal preferences, style, and your intended use of the photographs so that we can choose a location and other elements that showcase YOU.

Professional portrait sessions also include more post-session editing and polishing than documentary-style family adventure sessions, and are a good choice for large close-up prints. I don’t mean heavy air-brushing and filtering so that you look like you’re made of plastic. I take the time to individually edit each photograph, rather than relying on heavy filters or indiscriminate smoothing. Freckles stay freckles. (Editing skin to remove an unwanted blemish - but to still look like skin - takes more time but is sooo worthwhile!)

Think senior portraits, but not just for seniors.