Family and fun

I first met Lisa a few years ago at a craft fair. She sells Cookie Lee jewelry, and I had a photography display. We struck up a friendship, and this past weekend, I was able to photograph her beautiful family, including her parents who were visiting from Missouri. Because this is Denver, it started raining heavily right when the photoshoot was scheduled to start. But also because this is Denver, the rain stopped a few minutes later, and we were able to proceed with the shoot. I was so happy, and so were they! We had the best time on this shoot. Everyone was relaxed and having fun. Well, at least I was having fun! The colors they chose for their clothing were so vibrant and fun and went great with all the greenery. And, Lisa gave me a beautiful Cookie Lee bracelet at the end of the shoot! What can I say? This job has great perks! But the best perk of all is seeing how happy people are with their portraits. Enjoy!

Hope for Benson and Claire

If you get my newsletters or check this blog, you'll remember Benson and Claire. They are the cute little kids who both need a liver and kidney transplant. Through the month of September, I'll still be donating all my session fees to their transplant fund, and I'm still running my special $99 back-to-school deal with a free 8x10 attached. There's no better time to get your family portraits done than now! So help yourself, and help Benson and Claire. Call me to schedule your session today! My number is 303-346-4597. You can save a life. Or two.

Want to see the cuties you'll be helping? I did a photo session with the family before they moved to Minnesota to be near the Mayo Clinic where Claire is currently receiving treatment in anticipation of her transplants. As her condition is more grave than Benson's, she'll get the transplants first. This is Claire:



This is Benson:


Here they are together. Is not this just the sweetest picture?


Here's the whole family. We wish them the best of luck and will be praying for Benson and Claire!

More gorgeous bridals

I just finished editing the bridal portraits I did last week and had to share some more of my favorites. Enjoy!

In the golden sunlight

Last Saturday, I did a photoshoot with a sweet little family. The landscape was awash in golden light. All the children were so beautiful. The couple has been married almost five years and wanted a family portrait to commemorate their time together. It was clear that they still adored each other. It's so fun to do photoshoots with families like this!

A stunning bride

A friend of mine is getting married, and even though I don't do weddings, I offered to do her bridal portraits. I am thrilled with how they turned out. And yes, that is her natural hair color. Isn't it gorgeous? She is so beautiful, and I wish her and her husband-to-be all the best!

In sickness and in health

A family we have known and loved for years asked me to photograph their daughter's open house reception. She had previously been married in Utah and she and her husband had just returned from their honeymoon in Mexico. While there, the bride contracted a horrible illness and was so sick on the day of the reception that she could not walk. This is a picture of her on the floor in her parents' house before the reception. Is this not the saddest picture you have ever seen?

She had to be carried out to a bench where she and her husband sat and greeted guests. The poor thing could only sip Gatorade.

Despite being so sick, she was exceedingly gracious and beautiful, as the following two portraits will attest:



The backyard was decorated with all kinds of lanterns and candles. Here is a shot of the inside of the canopy where people could sit and eat the delicious Greek food:


Here is a shot of her little sister's hair. Isn't this amazing?


It was such a lovely reception, and the bride and groom showed such grace in a difficult circumstance. I have no doubt their marriage will be wonderful and long-lasting. Congratulations Jill and Andy!

Save a life

This is Claire. She has the most beautiful eyes. She also has a rare liver disease that is destroying her kidneys and requires that she be on dialysis for fifteen hours every day.

This is Claire with her brother, Benson. Benson has the same disease, though it is not as advanced. Both of them will need liver and kidney transplants.


Claire and Benson's parents have sold their house and are moving to Minnesota to be near the Mayo Clinic where Claire is on the waiting list for a new liver and kidney. Claire's parents estimate their after-insurance costs to be $100,000. That is a lot of money.

Do you want to help these sweet children? I do. That's why I'm donating all my session fees for the months of August and September to Benson and Claire's Transplant Fund. By clicking on the link, you can also make a donation. Or, you can book a session with me in August or September, get fantastic school pictures of your children, and even save some money! I have reduced my session fee to $99 for these two months only, so make sure you schedule your spot now before they're all gone. Every cent of your fee will be donated to Benson and Claire's Transplant Fund. Do good. Save a life.

Exotic beauty, part 3

I told Kelly I knew the perfect place for her shoot in Downtown Denver. I had done an engagement shoot there the year before and knew it would be fantastic for her shoot as well. Unfortunately, I couldn't find it! I made poor Kelly hike all over the 16th Street Mall looking for it. (She didn't complain a bit, I might add, and didn't even look like she was sweating!) In the end, we found a street that was very similar, and we ducked into this cute vintage dress shop for her to change. While she was changing, her mom noticed this darling area in the front of the store that would be perfect for pictures. The shop also had these fantastic hats that matched perfectly what Kelly was wearing. It was fate! The first two pictures are in the dress shop, and the last one is outside in a brick archway. Kelly, you were so fun to photograph, and probably my easiest subject ever!

Exotic beauty, part 2

My senior shoot with Kelly was in two locations. The first was a gorgeous backyard of a personal friend, and the second was in downtown Denver. Here are three of my favorites from the first part of the shoot. Stay tuned for the downtown favorites!

Exotic beauty, part 1

Last night I did senior portraits for an absolutely gorgeous girl. She had long, dark hair, and big, blue eyes. I don't normally get to do a lot of fun effects on portraits, but I really went to town on hers! Here is one of my absolute favorites from the shoot, done six different ways. Which one is your favorite?