Mountains, Love, Light | Estes Park Family Photographer

One of the biggest compliments I have ever received as a family photographer is I was once told “I bring out the best in my families.” I thought on it. I even swelled up a bit with pride. I did. I own that. Then I realized something profound.  That is honestly not true. While I wish I could graciously accept that compliment and pretend that I get all the credit for these moments, whether through posing or just being some kind of enigma, the fact of the matter is this;

My families bring out the best in me. They push me and they inspire me. They do this just by being them and bringing a measure of honesty and vulnerability with them. It takes a lot to show up and dismiss perfection for beauty. We are in the thick of our lives and our families daily. We don’t realize that our mundane is also our special.

There is guidance and I will gently nudge them into the good light. I will occasionally  tweak something technical and communicate what makes for the best photos…yes, that’s my job. BUT, the way Dad glaces over with love in his eyes as his wife snuggles in closer. The way Mom whole heartedly throws back her head and belly laughs at a joke her three year old just shared. The way she protectively holds her belly… or her child. That’s all them. That can’t be recreated. That’s their magic.

When we do sacrifice our ideals for something… more, we crack opportunity of these kind of images wide open. These sessions are a partnership. You are worthy of moments like this in your albums. This CAN be your family.

And going back and revisiting all the families I had the chance to work with this past year makes me that excited for 2018.

I hope when booking opens up this Friday, I get to do this all over… again and again.