Sydney | Denver Newborn Photographer

2017... How you snuck up on me!  The last half of 2016 was filled with Newborns, Families, transitions for our family, the holidays... WOO! I am tired!  I'm sure you must be too. How do you best recover from the holidays?  I'm still trying to figure out what works for me- usually obsessive purging and cleaning- but it never last long because 5 kids. 

I'm kind of the worst at keeping up with blogging, but I have so many beautiful Denver young families and newborns to share that I've made a goal to actually post them. (We will see if I actually follow through... haha- hold me to it!)

I love my families. Being trusted to photograph them as they grow is such an honor for me. I photographed Joe's maternity and newborn photos, so when they asked if I had time for their new arrival, I first squealed, because YAY new baby, and then said of course- because I will MAKE time! 

Then, when I got to their house for her Newborn session, Momma had pulled out her pointe shoes and pearls... Can you say dream come true?  Alert, precious angel baby girl, ballet slippers, pearls, wedding pillow, adorable big brother, and a family I adore? Made my month. 2

Thank you, so much, K family. Thank you for trusting me with your family moments.  It is an honor to watch your babies grow.

Owen | Denver In Home Newborn Photographer

As an in home newborn photographer, I get to visit people all around Denver and Colorado without them having to leave home those first days after having a baby. It is extra great for young families, with small children who might be out of sorts during the long wait through their new baby's newborn photos. I like going to your house because you get to keep a little bit of your routine.  

Owen was my first newborn after I visited Erin Tole in Vancouver, Washington, and he was an angel for me. He and his whole family make me so happy- I've had the honor of photographing them since they started their family.  

Thank you for trusting me to capture all of your babies Nick and Katie. 

(because not much beats baby yawns!)

Impressions from September & October 2016 | A personal project | Denver Family Photographer

Phew! September and October were a whirlwind for this Denver Family Photographer.  I shot 27 families and 4 newborns in those 2 months, and unfortunately, my poor kids don't really get the big camera (and if they did, I haven't edited the photos yet...) 

That said, they need their own special post for their first day of school, and their Halloween costumes. Poor kids. I promise it's coming soon.

After you visit here, make sure you head over to visit my dear friend Melissa's blog.  She's AMAZING! Then follow the links until you get back here to complete the circle. 

In late August, we started fostering puppies for an awesome rescue, Waggin Tails Canine Rescue. We have had 2 puppies at a time.  The first 2 were Olde English Bulldogs(top right), and were precious.  They both were scooped up by forever families and we quickly accepted an English Bulldog and a Victorian Bulldog (Who knew there were so many bulldog breeds?) The English bulldog was adopted a few weeks ago, and we still have the precious baby boy in the top left corner.  

My little sister got engaged over the summer, and I had the honor of shooting their engagement photos in Boulder! Like many trails in the Boulder area, this was also an open pasture and we had to navigate past cattle who were just chilling on the trail. Kind of a funny thing to have to do when you're all gussied up for a photo session. 

‘Impressions‘ is a creative project by an eclectic group of female photographers from around the globe. We aim to share the inspiration behind what we do through our bi-monthly posts.

Every other month, we will be sharing 8 images that tell the story of what inspired us in the previous weeks: our families, nature, weather, or maybe even work itself! We are free to explore the meaning of ‘impressions’, and it is likely to change month to month.

Impressions from July & August 2016 | A personal project | Denver Family Photographer

I've been trying to pick up my camera more.  I feel like I type that out every time I do one of these posts. Day with kids move fast, and when you multiply it by 5, sometimes it can feel like light speed.  I get so sucked into the chaos that I don't see the beauty in it (It's something that I think I will be working on for the rest of my life)

The images for this round of impressions are all moments that were unplanned, and I was likely feeling some sort of stress about places we needed to be, the mess in the background, the attitude I was getting from said kiddo. We were both at home and in Texas (yay Schlitterbahn!)  I'm trying to retrain my brain that THIS is the moment we need the camera out at home. 

Visit Leslie (AHHHHMAZING work- go see it!) after you're done here and all the way until you get back to me to complete the circle!

‘Impressions‘ is a creative project by an eclectic group of female photographers from around the globe. We aim to share the inspiration behind what we do through our bi-monthly posts.

Every other month, we will be sharing 8 images that tell the story of what inspired us in the previous weeks: our families, nature, weather, or maybe even work itself! We are free to explore the meaning of ‘impressions’, and it is likely to change month to month.

2016 Fall Mini Sessions | Denver Family Photographer

It's almost Fall! The beautiful time of year when the kids are back to schoolwork, the leaves are changing, and there's that slight chill at night. Soon, we will swap sweat and sunscreen for sweaters and pumpkin everything. It's my favorite time of year.  I'm looking forward to change of seasons and holiday family times to come.

Enter, the family portrait. 

Yep, it's that time of year again.

Really, you have two choices.

You can go to the mall, to a one size fits all portrait studio. You can rush around like a madwoman, trying to match everyone's outfits even though you're not really sure what to wear, so you do your best to figure it out. It's what the poster looks like, right? You argue with your husband the morning beforehand, begging him to please just take a nice photo so you can send it to family for the holidays. You try bribing the kids with little success, they know that this is important to you and somehow, they are using it against you to try to get the things they know they don't usually get. Stinkers. 

You arrive to the mall, everyone is in a bad mood, and you're trying to corral everyone into the studio while they beg to go to the Disney Store instead. Shoot, the baby's headband was left at home. We're already running late, there's no replacing it now. The toddler somehow found some chocolate in the backseat (ew) and it is now everywhere, so you're digging through the diaper bag as you're walking, trying to corral the littles, to find some wipes. Your husband is already annoyed, and the stress levels for EVERYONE are rising faster and faster, until you finally arrive at the studio - frazzled and frustrated. Some family members have frowns, some are crying, some are covered in chocolate, and you just realized you have a hole in the bottom of your dress. 

You TRY to take a nice photo, but everyone is pretty much pissed off at this point, and the photographer's goal is to get you in and out as fast as possible. After all, there are several other families waiting for their turn in front of the lens, and they're all just as pissed off as your family, if not more.

Sounds fun right? 

Choice two: 

A custom photography session with a photographer that isn't just trying to rush you in and out of a studio, but takes their time getting to know your family even before your session. Where your kids are laughing, so the photos are natural. A session that is so custom that you even have help planning your outfits. It is so much fun that the time flies by, and your husband is thrilled that it didn't take hours or arguments. Your photos are carefully edited and delivered to you, no instant pressure to choose while everyone is already melting down.  You see the photos of your family, they are unique to you and the joy that you share, and you know that these moments are fleeting. After all, it was just yesterday that these little ones were clinging to you for everything, and now they're running around together. You know that these photos are priceless, and that nothing will ever replace this time with your family, or these memories.

Which would you choose?

---

If you have only ever experienced the first scenario, and maybe don't feel ready for a fully custom session, fall mini sessions are perfect for you.  Mini sessions are a great way to experience custom photography for the first time, or to get a quick update to family photos for the holidays. We pick a gorgeous location, a time that suits your family, and I'll help you prepare for your session, from outfits to how to help everyone have a great time. 

This year we will have 3 outdoor mini session options, in the Mountains (near Lake Dillon), Denver, and Ft Collins. There are a lot of options, and I'm sure you'll find the perfect one for your family. 

Mini Sessions are $275 and include a 30 minute session filled with fun and no pressure, and 10-12 edited digital images with a print release. Holiday Cards & Prints are available separately.

READY TO BOOK??  HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO DO!

1. Look through the dates and locations below.

2. Click the corresponding link

3. Choose your time and reserve your spot. 

4. Put $25 down to save your space (Square, check, and cash are all options- I will email you an invoice when I get your reservation)

Exact location will be decided 2 weeks before sessions and sent to participant's emails.

Please email me at Kim@brinkstreetphotography.com or call/text me (970)227.4927 if you have ANY questions. 

A $25 deposit is required to hold your time.

Once you book, I’ll send you an invoice for  to reserve your space.  I can’t wait to hear from you!

---

New for the 2016 Fall and Holiday Season: Half Sessions

If none of the above dates work for you, or if you have a special location in mind, but you still would like a mini-style session, this year I am offering half sessions as an alternative option. 45 minutes, on the day of your choosing, with 20-25 digital images. Half Session cost is $400.

This is a great option if you aren't ready for a completely customized session yet. Email me at kim@brinkstreetphotography.com for more info and availability.

Family session in the Mountains | Evergreen, CO Family Photographer

One of my favorite things about living in the Denver Metro area, is we are only minutes from escaping to the mountains.  I always feel a little jealous of the families I photograph in Evergreen- you get mountains without being forever from a Target (haha- my priorities...) 

I shot little Mr. S's newborn photos, and was so honored that I got to shoot his milestone session. Newly sitting babies make me so happy. Their gentle wobble, arms out for balance, face full of pride at their accomplishment- it's one of my favorite moments to capture.  

Impressions from May & June 2016 : A Personal Project

Gosh, summer is almost over!  We have had a full and wonderful one, and even now we are in Texas spending time with family and doing some really fun things you'll see in the September post!  When you're done here, be sure to visit Natalie and see what her May and June brought for her and her beautiful family!

In May, Sammy turned 4.  We celebrated with a fun picnic and day at the park (I love how easy it is to make birthdays special when they're little)  I can't believe how big he is.  We also finish what is probably our last year of homeschooling, as the kids are starting school at a performing arts school in a few weeks.  

June was a crazy full month.  We helped my parents start their garden.  We figure the best way for kids to learn about food is to help it grow.  They learn to appreciate what goes into the plants getting here.  I wish they could work in the garden more than they've gotten to this summer though. 

We got a new play set in our back yard, repaired our trampoline, and then off we went to Lake Powell for a short vacation.  My parents spent 2 weeks there, and it was such a wonderful way to unplug from the world and just be together. 

‘Impressions‘ is a creative project by an eclectic group of female photographers from around the globe. We aim to share the inspiration behind what we do through our bi-monthly posts.

Every other month, we will be sharing 8 images that tell the story of what inspired us in the previous weeks: our families, nature, weather, or maybe even work itself! We are free to explore the meaning of ‘impressions’, and it is likely to change month to month.

In home newborn session | Denver Colorado Photographer

Sometimes I wish I had chosen to have a studio.  I think of the consistency, having a place to hang all my things, all the ease that would come with it.  Then I travel to a family's home, just days after they've brought a piece of their heart home in the shape of a new baby.  They don't have to try and get out the door, they can feed baby where they feel most comfortable, they can get dressed when they're ready, and their siblings don't have to "behave" while we do posed portraits. I think there is a gift in both options, but I am glad I come to the people I photograph.

I love how organic our time is.  I tell families "please don't clean for me- I have 5 kids- just rest"- and I mean it.  I want them to feel as relaxed as possible, and that is why I love shooting in your home when you have a newborn. 

10 Family Road Trip Survival Tips

I love road trips.  I love that you can grab a few essentials, jump in the car, and go.  It doesn't require months of planning, and you get to explore our gorgeous country!  Yes- I even love them with our kids. I think flying is great, but it doesn't offer the same time making memories that a drive can. 

Last year right about this time, I was loading my family in the car to drive 17 hours from Denver to my In-Laws house in Texas.  My hubby and oldest daughter had to stay behind for a volleyball tournament and would fly into town in a couple days.  Everyone thought I was nuts for packing up our 4 other kiddos and going for it alone- but I was excited!  So excited, we are about to do it again in a couple weeks. I'm not a good night time driver (my brain says "Hey! It's dark! Sleep!"), so I like to leave around 4 or 5am. That way the kids sleep a little longer, I get to see the sunrise, and BONUS- we avoid the rush hours through the first few cities we drive through. We drove about 15 hours the first day, and I decided that I would rather treat the kids to a night in a hotel room to get their wiggles out than treat my in-laws to road- weary kids.  We didn't have 1 instance of fighting, whining, or complaining. In fact, I would say it was probably one of my top 3 favorite road trips ever.  We use some simple tricks to make it fun for all of us.

You might think I'm crazy for driving across the country with my kids (yes, even without the hubby)- but I'm going to offer some tips to make it so you can love road trips as much as I do!

---

1. Lists are your best friends. 

Even if you're hopping into the car for an impromptu weekend away, having a packing list is going to save your rear.  There isn't much worse than being in the middle of nowhere and realizing you forgot to pack the diapers! (I totally did it our last road trip... it was a special kind of challenge!)

List by person first.  Go through each person in your family and write down the essentials for each, including toiletries.  *For most trips I pack by day, all of the needs into a tub for the whole family for 1 day (or a suitcase covers a couple days). One suitcase out of the car at a time- it's a beautiful thing. Crazy easy to keep the dirty laundry away from the clean that way!*

Then I make a list for what is needed in the car for each, a shopping list (grocery and non grocery), and a master list of everything.  I like lists- it helps my brain feel functional!  When I make lists, everything gets remembered.  When I wing it... We forget diapers 3 hours from the nearest store.

After lots of requests, I'm working on making our trip list shareable and will post the link here as soon as it is up!

2. Pack everything but the cooler the night before. 

Trying to remember everything you need to take out of the house at 4am and pre-coffee can be stressful.  It also slows you down.  We load the car the night before our trip so all we need to do is grab kiddos, pillows, the cooler, and we are off.  

It has done wonders for me to have everything arranged the day before our road trip- right down to cups in cup holders, shoes in the shoe bucket, and blankets folded near seats.  I can check off my list without the last minute stress of wondering what I forgot. I set the cooler right in front of the door before I head to bed, and grab the pillows as I grab the kids out of bed. They stay in their pajamas until our breakfast rest stop (sometimes they just stay in their pajamas).

3. Make rest stops fun!

When your kids are under 10, jumping out and having a 5 minute potty break isn't realistic.  They need a chance to stretch their legs, fry some energy, and shake the sillies out.  So when I make a potty stop, we do just those things.  Put your mindset into "Fun" mode vs "Stress and Rush" mode.  You don't have to be at your destination at a set time, so breathe, smile, and do a silly dance around the car with your kids. Take 20-30 minutes to walk, run, spin in circles, anything movement.  Celebrate that you made it to each rest stop, I promise it will set the tone for the next stretch of your drive, and the time will make up for itself in attitudes later. Plan 2-3 extra hours in your total drive for this.

*Side note- a lot of rest stops have playgrounds.  Use them to your advantage!  Make gas stops fast stops, and rest stops longer.  Yes, that means more stops- but sanity is worth it, isn't it?

4. Pack snacks and drinks

Special snacks make road trip sweeter! We keep snacks pretty basic at home, so when we go on road trips, we like to have special snacks packed for everyone to look forward to.  Trader Joe's is my favorite road-snack stop (especially for mommy and daddy snacks- if you haven't had their chocolate covered espresso beans... you must.  They're great for the long drive!)

Here are some of my snack requirements for the road:

• Low sugar.  The last thing we need is a sugar wired kid strapped in a seat for hours! 

• Little to no food dye.  Again, wired, emotional kids strapped in a rolling box for hours- no fun for the grown ups.

• Easy to pass around & Easy to clean up. String cheese, Trail Mix, Apple Sauce in little squeeze packets (usually reserved for rest stops), Home Made "lunchables", Fig Bars, and fruit are some favorites.

 Everyone gets their own cup to reuse that has a lid and straw.  The less spills the better! Pack a gallon jug of water for refills between stops. We pack juice for special rest stops that we plan to have them running for a bit.  

5. Make a playlist

This is simply a Road Trip must.  Thanks to the beauty of Spotify, we have made extensive playlists for several of our road trips.  

We try to include something for everyone, and something to fit all moods.  Music can carry the attitude of an entire room, so choosing a variety of songs for each mood is huge!

If you don't know where to start, I recommend Folk Pop for driving, 90's Pop hits for getting your goofy on, Power Ballads for when you need to stay awake (what better way to perk up than all singing at the top of your lungs?), a touch of Broadway musicals, Songs to embarrass your kids with, a few your kids love, and if you have a toddler, the emergency Barney playlist (Only for emergencies... once this starts you MIGHT have to play it until they fall asleep!)

6. Tablets! (and headphones)

Part of the beauty of taking road trips now is the glorious invention of the tablet. Our kiddos have the Kid version of the Kindle.  We've had ipads in the past, and they were awesome but are slowly dying off, so when our last trip rolled around, we decided to splurge on the kid version of the kindle.  

(we got 3 different colors for the kids to save mix ups)

If you haven't looked at them, they are worth peeking at, especially for kids under 10.  Amazon will replace it, no questions asked, for 2 years. So if they drop it, drown it, run it over- as long as you have a kindle to return, they will send you a new one. It comes with a case that I was a little skeptical about but it seems to work great! The Kindle comes with a year of FreeTime as well (my favorite part).  FreeTime has 100's of books and apps they can choose and load onto their kindle for free AND you get to set limits on the electronics!  So, if you want them to read for an hour before they have app access, then apps for 30 minutes, then back to books, you get to set it up that way!  It makes me feel like we aren't ruining them on electronics, because they are mostly reading books!  They love it because they get to have control and don't have to share with each other during Kindle time. 

Don't forget headphones for each of them as well.  We just found $5 headphones in the Dollar Section of Target.  They cover the whole ear and have pretty decent sound quality.  I feel like if they last even just a month or two they will have done a great job for that price!  You can also get kiddo headphones on Amazon too for the little guys.

7.  Redbox baby.

I can't rent from Redbox when we are at home, because inevitably I forget we've had it for 4 days, and by that point I may as well have bought the darn thing anyhow... But when we are on the road, it's a total God-Send!  

I love that you can rent a movie, watch it as you drive and return it anywhere.  No need to keep track of a disc for the whole trip (that's asking for it to get scratched or lost in our world)- just rent, watch, return.  You can find them all over the place!

We just got our first car with a built in DVD player- but before that we used 2 of the 2-screen Portable DVD players that attach to headrests- these are the ones we liked, we snagged them on Craigslist, and I suggest checking there first, because often people use them for 1 road trip and then sell them!

8. Entertainment boxes

The Kindle and a couple movies will get a few hours, but there are still spaces I like to fill with other options.  I know some opt to put the entertainment box (or busy boxes) next to the kids to sift through at their leisure, but one thing I've learned about my kids is given the opportunity to have a lot of new things at once, they will be overwhelmed and subsequently only enjoy each thing for 15 minutes *max* and then be seeking something else.  

So our entertainment box is a slow leak.  They kind of have a check out system, have an item or two, trade out for something else.  It minimizes the mess in the car, and draws out how long they play with something. 

We always have coloring books, and learned the hard way think Texas-in-the-summer that crayons are a bad idea.  We do colored pencils for the big kids, and Color Wonder for the little ones. We also splurge on Usborne books/activity books (yay end of school book fair!) that I hide away until the trip- they have some of the coolest books for older kids, we love the Write your Own series- Storybook, Comics, Adventure Story (you can check them out here, but I'm sure they're on Amazon too)- I'll warn you though- their books are amazing and made for all ages- it's hard not to want them all! We also try to pack a clean craft that can keep hands and eyes busy.  There are tons of age appropriate options at Target or Joann/Hobby Lobby.  

9. Pick 1 meal to eat out

Part of going new places is trying new things, right?  One thing my kids look forward to on a road trip is the 1 meal out we choose during a drive day. In fact, they will hold it together through those rough hours of the day where they are starting to get antsy and tired for the promise of that treat (which is why it is on the list, of course!) We try to pick something we can't get here at home, that also offers the opportunity to move around a bit. 

I don't like to eat out for every meal, mostly because I would rather spend trip money in other ways- so we pack breakfast and lunch food in the cooler and typically opt for a dinner out.  Better yet is when we can grab it and head to a park for a picnic and play before we hit the road again. Dinner is one of our bigger stops usually- we plan around a full hour of movement for the kids before we try to get in another 4-5 hours of driving in.  It is important to make it a positive stop so that final stretch for the day isn't complete torture for all parties!

10. Prize Box

I have a prize box for my family sessions, so kiddos can pick something special after our photo session as a reward for playing through their pictures with me, and for not making their mommy and daddy lose their minds. I realized as my kids drooled over the goodies in there that they weren't allowed to touch, that I could probably get the same results for my kids if they had a little motivation to earn a prize during our trip.  So, the Prize Box came to be.

You know those surprise egg Youtube videos that kiddos love?  I hunted down those little surprise packs at Target and started slowly collecting them for the prize box.  We also put in stickers, special pencils, and other fun goodies.  It stays hidden in the house when we aren't traveling, but on trips longer than 4 hours, it comes with us.  

For our 17 hour trip, they get a prize of their choosing from the box mid-day if they've had great attitudes, or at least have done their best to turn their attitude around if it has gone south, and another prize when we get to our destination as my thank you for hanging in there through the long day.

This is the very best thing ever.  They look forward to it for weeks!  It's so silly and small, but because it is special to car trips, they love it.

AND bonus 11.  Breathe and Smile

I truly believe that *most days* we get to choose how we react to the way life happens around us.  Are your kids going to be perfect during your car trip?  No.  At least, it's highly unlikely. But, you can choose to breathe through that moment, smile, and try to make it positive. When things mellow out, thank them for it.  Kids are so smart.  They will receive that feedback. They will also feed off your attitude.  You choose happy and silly?  It will be hard to resist doing the same. 

Thank them for a positive potty stop.  Praise them for not knocking over everything on the shelves at the gas station.  And if they DO knock everything over?  Laugh, smile, take a deep breath, and add it to the memories you get to share when you want to embarrass them in front of their future spouse. That is simply a moment in a 1000 moments of life- but your response will stay with them forever.

Do I love road trips because they're a breeze?  No.  They're a challenge!  I do love road trips though, because it is an opportunity to make memories, have time together, and to stretch ourselves as a family. 

Maybe I'm just sentimental, but that is what makes life beautiful.

2016 Spring Mini Sessions | Denver Family Photographer

Mountain Spring Mini Sessions are here!

I have 2 dates open for Mini sessions.  I may add another if all the spots are claimed quickly. 

Mini Sessions are $275 and include a 30 minute session filled with fun and no pressure, and 10-12 edited digital images (sometimes more) with a print release. Prints are available separately, no surprise costs.

READY TO BOOK??  HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO DO!

1. Look through the dates and times below.

2. Pick your top 2 times (just in case!)

3. Email me kim@brinkstreetphotography.com or call me 970-227-4927 to request your spot!

4. Put $25 down to save your space (Square, check, and cash are all options)

June 18th  

Saturday

7:00am

7:45am

8:30am

-

5:30pm

6:15pm

6:45pm

7:30pm

 

June 25th (Summer mini! haha!)

Saturday

7:00am

7:45am

8:30am

-

5:30pm

6:15pm

6:45pm

7:30pm

Sessions will take place in the Silverthorn/Lake Dillion area.  Possibly Breckenridge (I will be scouting the best views as soon as this crazy weather settles down some) . Exact location will be decided 2 weeks before sessions and sent to participant's emails.

Please email me at Kim@brinkstreetphotography.com or call/text me (970)227.4927 to set your time.  Make sure you have a top 2 times, just in case the one you like is already taken.

A $25 deposit is required to hold your time.

Once you book, I’ll send you an invoice for  to reserve your space.  I can’t wait to hear from you!

**Holiday Cards will be available separately in the fall from these sessions**

Impressions from March & April | A personal post | Denver Photographer

I am trying to get my camera out more for our day-to-day, and use the cell phone camera less.  It's not always easy- I get caught up in not wanting a mess in the background, or not wanting to capture our chaos... but it's us- so I need to, because someday I'll want those moments in pictures.

‘Impressions‘ is a creative project by an eclectic group of female photographers from around the globe. We aim to share the inspiration behind what we do through our bi-monthly posts.

Every other month, we will be sharing 8 images that tell the story of what inspired us in the previous weeks: our families, nature, weather, or maybe even work itself! We are free to explore the meaning of ‘impressions’, and it is likely to change month to month.

Visit Vinita next, and then go to each person until you end up back here to complete the circle!

Chloe | Lone Tree Colorado Newborn Photographer

Last time I had the honor of photographing a newborn for this family, I was 8 months pregnant with Harper, and here we are again with their precious second baby.  I am so honored they let me visit their Lone Tree home and capture their family growing again. Their little ones are about 22 months apart- I love that gap. It's neat to see so many of my Colorado families increasing in size.

She was about 9 pounds of delicious baby perfection, and was a complete angel during our session.  Typically is takes babies about 45 minutes to completely relax and fall into a deep sleep, but she was there within 5 minutes.  Gold star for baby Chloe!

Nursing breaks equal sibling photos for me.  I really love the 2-3 year old ages, and how they're so naturally curious.  I just followed him while his mommy fed his newborn sister- I got to see his super awesome bedroom and his crazy cool toys.  He even showed me his favorite books!

I'm sure I've written about this before, but one of the biggest challenges with young siblings and portraits with their newborn baby, is keeping both parties 100% safe.  Some siblings are SOOOOOO in love that you have to makes sure they don't hug the baby too hard during their photos, others are scared to touch baby, and others are just too wiggly in their adorable little bodies to stay put for photos.  Lucky for me I have some tricks up my sleeves!  Cam was so good to his sister though- and Mickey Mouse helped us hold still for a few frames. 

As always, I adore family images. I love seeing them connect with each other.  I love the way love pours out of all of them and into one another. The way newborn babies are immediately loved so deeply, and the way toddlers are loved just as deeply but with the added enjoyment of their fantastic personalities, and so on.  I feel blessed to get to capture such intimate moments. These are the moments I want them to remember.  

Newborn Cam | Denver Colorado Newborn Photography

As newborn photographers, we take even the slightest sniffle seriously.  So when my friend and fellow photographer Michelle got sick, she decided it was safest to refer out her newborn client.  I feel so blessed that she chose to send my name to this amazing family.  Thank you Michelle!  

Baby Cam was so alert and watched me really really carefully during the beginning of our session.  Little thinker!  He didn't want to miss a thing (I have to admit I love when they are awake for a little while).  

I'm sentimental, and so the details of their littleness tugs at my heart strings.  Toes, fingers, their little profile... It changes so quickly. 

Cam preferred the super soft faux furs that I shoot on over the smooth blankets.  He made sure we knew it by making sure those blankets were wet quickly! ;) I can't blame him though- I would snuggle up in them too if I had the chance!  His mommy and daddy met at Notre Dame before they eventually moved to Denver, so of course we had to honor that with the special hat they were given at their shower.  I can't wait until it fits him! 

And of course, my favorite part, families connecting.  Aren't they beautiful?  I hope Cam will always know when he sees these photos, how very very deeply he was loved by his mommy and daddy from even before he was born. 

Thank you P family, for allowing me to capture such a special moment in your life.  I am so honored. 

Baby Stetson | Evergreen Colorado Family Newborn Photographer

Little Mr. Stetson was on oxygen when we did his newborn photos.  Living in Evergreen and being a little early made it so he needed a little help to breathe well at the high elevation, but he did great during our session.  We kept his oxygen on while we got ready for posing, and then pulled it for a few shots, and put it back on.  

I think my favorite thing in the whole world, be it in the hospital when they are just born, or those first days at home, is older siblings getting familiar with their new baby.  They are filled with curiosity and trying to figure out how this new little buddy fits in their life.  Most kiddos say "Why can't s/he play yet?  How much longer until they play??" and are totally in love. Some kids realize baby mostly sleeps and decidedly ignore them until they at least start to smile (totally normal).  This sweet pea adores her new baby and wanted to tell him about everything in the world.

Baby brother needing a nursing break equals special time for me and big sister to take photos.  We got to read books and she showed me her *gorgeous* bedroom, and I might have let her jump on the bed for a minute. 

Baby Isabelle | Denver Newborn Photographer

Sweet little Isabelle was 6 days old when I came to their house in Denver to do newborn portraits. I was excited not only to meet her, but also her family.  2 older brothers means we were going to have a lot of fun, from being really excited to participate to... not as much- but I love those moments. 

First days are so incredibly special to me, I feel like everyone is still getting to know each other, learning how to connect in a new way.  The transition is beautiful.  I love coming to people just for that reason.  There is so much changing, mom is recovering from her hard work, and I can't imagine packing up to leave home in that moment.  I feel like kids feel best getting to just be them selves, theres no studio to mess up, you can maintain a semblance of routine.  We also get the best of both worlds, posed photos and family centered photos.

Thank you so much for trusting me with your family!  

Impressions from January & February | A personal project | Denver Family Photographer

I have so many unedited images from these months, which I suppose is a good thing in a way, because it means I've been using my "big camera" at home more.  Now I need to get them all prettied up and printed before they collect technological dust. (print your photos my friends!)

January is always a tough month for my mommy heart.  We are coming off of a kiddo birthday and Christmas, straight into 2 more kiddo birthdays and a half birthday.  They all kind of "level up" all at once!  

I've made a habit of doing a portrait session with each of them on or near their birthday, and so in January we set up an area and went for it.  A few months ago, when Teagan had first gotten her hair cut, she had a moment of worrying that she didn't look like a girl. So, we googled women with short hair. Twiggy popped up and she said "HEY! I look like her! Can we take a picture?" Um, YES! So we did a photoshoot and I am in love with the result (it's a canvas in our front hallway!). It has now become a special project where she chooses an iconic woman and a portrait of her that she loves and we recreate it in her own way.  We revisited google and found an image of Anne Hathaway in Vogue as her hair grew out from Les Miserables, and knew that was the one! It is so special to have this little project together.

I think for most mothers, there is a secret hope that their daughter will choose a little piece from her wedding for her own. I'm not certain that will happen with my girls, but to see her precious face through my wedding veil, the tiniest glimpse of the future... be still my heart. I can't help but tear up a little.

My sweet messy faced 3 year old, my precious 8 year old who always wants to make me smile, my little pistol... I feel so blessed to have them.  They're growing too fast.  I owe Hailey a snow photo shoot.  She wanted her 10 year portraits to be in the snow.  She's crazy.  I'm happy to oblige her though.  Hopefully those will be ready soon. 

‘Impressions‘ is a creative project by an eclectic group of female photographers from around the globe. We aim to share the inspiration behind what we do through our bi-monthly posts.

Every other month, we will be sharing 8 images that tell the story of what inspired us in the previous weeks: our families, nature, weather, or maybe even work itself! We are free to explore the meaning of ‘impressions’, and it is likely to change month to month.

Now that you've visited here, head over to Leslie's website and see what she's been up to.  Her work is stunning- you won't want to miss it. 

Crazy Hair Day

It was crazy hair day at school this week.It's kind of our thing.  Hailey and I started doing over the top styles in her kindergarten year and just haven't been able to stop!  Now that T is in kindy, she is getting in on the action too.  She looked forward to crazy hair day more than she did Christmas I think.  

Poor boys kind of get the short end of the stick though on the super crazy!  Noah loves CHD but his options are limited.  He did a bug garden this year and made all the bugs himself and we pinned them in his hair. Last year we attempted to make a volcano and pinned dinos in his hair. Even though it's not as big as the girls, we still rock it out.  Our big thing has been to avoid wigs- but I might compromise for him if he wants to next year. 

Zombie Minion was so much fun to make, and there is less product in her hair than you would think!  I am thinking about making a step by step tutorial of how we do crazy hair every year. Is that something you would like?

10 Ways to shake up your Easter Baskets when you're totally bored of plastic eggs

Last week I busted out my March Calendar after complete denial that February was already gone, and realized we have another March Easter this year.  I love traditions, but I am a little over the plastic eggs and green plastic grass that ends up in the trash every year.  So this year I decided to dig into Etsy and put together some of my favorite alternative easter treats we hope to get this year, and while I was at it,  share with all of you!  

1. Basket Filler

Like I mentioned above, I hate throwing more plastic in the trash, even after it has been used several times. Carbon footprint, y'all.  So, this year we decided that we wanted something safe for our compost bin.  Well, I happened upon Wrappily on Etsy, and I am smitten.  Not only do they sell the cutest basket filler, but a ton of gorgeous wrapping paper and other products, all printed with soy ink so you can recycle or compost it completely guilt free. 

2.  Pretend Play Food

All of my kids are big on pretend play, but sometimes pretend play becomes "Jelly all over the kitchen set" play, with the reason being that the plastic food from the store is "just too boring".  So, we are actively switching out our pretend play food for felt play food and Melissa and Doug food.  The best part about felt food, outside of it being ADORABLE, is that it is soft enough for even the baby to play with, but not so baby that my older kids will turn up their nose. When I was searching through etsy, Ruffle Peach Mint's store stopped me in my tracks and I just had to click it because it's so pretty. Then I saw felt Macarons and it was all over for me.  The kiddos are lucky if I don't steal these goodies from them.

3. Easter Crayons

I love all things office supply and coloring, especially unbroken, still sharp crayons. As you can imagine, those rarely last long here. This year I wanted to give them a set of crayons that was special to each of them, and easy for the little kiddos to grip. CustomCrayonsbySara is an answer to that wish for me.  I can get the boys dinos and trucks, the girls will get classic Easter shapes, hearts, and Beauty and the Beast.  If you can't give up the plastic eggs, she even has an option to get the crayons packaged in eggs, and, best of all?  You can get Sparkles. The kids are gonna freak.

4. Family Game Night

Here's the point where I start geeking out over the stuff I'm linking to. Etsy is a freaking amazing platform for creative businesses- I'm seriously overwhelmed by all the awesome.  For example, The Idea Box Kids are geniuses. This is a family game night in a box.  We are working hard on having a game night at least a few times a month, and it is like Christmas every time we try something new.  My kids LOVE games. This is a box of game ideas. They have so many boxes I hardly know where to start.  Life skills, big sister, big brother, date night, science- the list goes on and on. Good thing I have a bunch of kids so I can buy a bunch of these boxes.  So. Stinking. Cool.

5. Dress Up

My poor kids.  They wear things until they die, so right now their dress up collection is a little sad right now. What a perfect opportunity to refresh their collection a little.  I love all the options Ann's Craft House has - she even has felt puzzles!  That could be a perfect diaper bag activity for Sam and Harper!

6. Custom Stuffies

My sister gifted all of the kiddos with personalized monsters and owls for Christmas last year, and it has been so much fun watching them take a little extra pride in their stuffy, because it is theirs and theirs alone. My 6 year old told me a little over a week ago that her Owl needed some friends, and I immediately thought of getting some more bird or forest friends for her. PitterPattersons even has Unicorns- and they can be made in different sizes. That way I can get something the right size for all the kids.  YES.

7. Mess Free Sidewalk Chalk

Easter equals Spring to me, and Spring equals lots more outside time.  Bubbles, Hula Hoops, and Sidewalk Chalk are some of our favorites.  The thing about sidewalk chalk that bugs me though is that it breaks, makes a mess of hands, and is hard to store. That is until I happened upon Fine Motor Time's etsy site. Chalk the twists up and has a lid?  Be still my heart.  Chalk for all 5 of my kids, coming right up.  There's even glow in the dark!  I shouldn't be so excited about chalk, but I totally am.

8. Learning Toys

I need this whole shop.  I'm having serious learning toy lust here.  The colors, the simplicity, the quality... *swoon*  Do you think the kids would noticed if I donated everything plastic and just replaced it with these and other wood toys?  I know, I'm that meanie mom who wants to make every opportunity I can educational, but when it's all this pretty, can you blame me?

9. Wood Animals

Yeahhhhhh... They're so getting their toys replaced.  Ooh Look It's a Rabbit just filled my etsy favorites folder.  I'm putting this elephant in my own basket, and then maybe I'll take a little of everything else in their shop. Look at this dinosaur .  I can't even. 

10. Personalized Water Bottles

It's dry here in Colorado, and when you add in elevation, you need a lot of water.  My kids are okay about drinking water, but the struggle is so real about getting them to use ONE cup through the day and not TEN. Having a cup with their favorite character is bound to keep their attention a little longer. CraftStudioD has every style of cup with a lid that you could ask for, and so many color and theme options I couldn't feature them all in a single photo.  Let's just say I don't have to worry about finding something even my 10 year old will love. 

I am SO excited about changing up Easter baskets this year.  I'll just keep the Reese's Eggs and Black Jelly Beans (Don't hate y'all- I love them) and they can have sugar free awesomeness instead. 

Do you have any Etsy shops you adore?  How are you shaking up Easter baskets this year?

The G Family | Denver Family Photographer

If you live along the Front Range of Colorado, you know our winters are usually pretty mild, and you never EVER know what you're going to get.  Some days we will have 65-70* and sun, and then the next we get snow!  I couldn't ask for a better way to have winters, I feel like we get the best of both worlds.  It's so fun to plan for both scenarios with winter portraits.  We might be playing in the snow or basking in the sun, but either way we get to play and have fun.

Christy is a super talented photographer in Northern Colorado, and the owner of McGonzo Photography.  I'm always super duper honored when another photographer trusts me with their family portraits. I got to photograph Xaiden's newborn pictures, and have loved watching him grow.  

We met just outside of Denver for their Family photos in one of my favorite little hideaways in the city.  Xaiden was a rock star- not one sour moment- he made me laugh the entire session!

I don't think Colorado's Winters get enough credit- it doesn't have to be green out to have portraits taken- I love the way the light is in the winter here, and whether there is the amazing, beautiful snow,  or melted and we see the way the grass is that beautiful golden brown there's NO BUGS!  Yay!  (heehee) 

Thank you Matt and Christy.  You are such a beautiful and kind family, I am blessed to call you friends.  

Impressions from November and December | A Personal Project| Denver Family Photography

I have the cutest nieces and nephews in the world.  Call me biased, but it's true! Some of them live here in Colorado,  some are in Texas, and I don't get to see them nearly enough.

In November Harper and I got to hop a plane to College Station, Texas to spend a couple days with my husband's family. I love them all so much and consider myself lucky to have such a great relationship with all of them.  I wish we could fold a map and have them near us without forcing anyone to to move.  Since we can't, I try to land on their doorsteps a couple times a year, because it is so easy to let connection slide in the day to day or busyness and distance.  I think we are all trying our hardest to have our kids all know about the awesome family who lives far away.

Harper is the best flyer. She even got to sit in her own seat when we rode a puddle jumper from Houston to College Station. She thought it was the coolest.  You know what else is the coolest?  Playing legos with your nephew. We had epic battles.

Can you believe the cuteness?  There are some serious good genes doing on here.

---

We also had our photos taken in November by the amazing Ashlee Kay Photography.  We had so much fun, and our kids were very much themselves, which I had hoped for.  That means we have lots and lots of Sam looking like "I have so many other cool things to do"- that's where he is right now and I am so glad we captured it.  I also got a much healthier perspective on outfit planning.  I seriously spent a month on it!  You know what though, I had so much fun planning what to wear for photos that I think it would be a blast to plan again!  (Etsy is your friend!) It's all about coordinating and not being matchy matchy.  

---

In December Harper decided she loved her Daddy and there has been little cooler than him since. I am so glad I had my camera nearby. 

Teagan had her 6th birthday, but her portrait session is getting it's own blog post. I hope you will come back and visit for it. 

I only took 1 photo on Christmas.  I am working hard to be fully present for them, and this is part of it.  We have a tradition of having the kids sit on the steps before they can come down and see the gifts- this is mostly as a photo op and so that we parents can enjoy tormenting our children with a little extra anticipation.  I am excited that someday I will be able to line these up side by side and see their growth through the years and the honesty of who they are in that moment.  

---

‘Impressions‘ is a creative project by an eclectic group of female photographers from around the globe. We aim to share the inspiration behind what we do through our bi-monthly posts.

Every other month, we will be sharing images that tell the story of what inspired us in the previous weeks: our families, nature, weather, or maybe even work itself! We are free to explore the meaning of ‘impressions’, and it is likely to change month to month.

Go visit Natalie and go through the circle to see what everyone has been up to this month!!