Denver Family Photographer | Family, Fun and of course Frolic

Posted on June 9, 2010

I had the most amazing time photography the fabulous Hulstrom family last Sunday.  Not only was the location AMAZING (Thank you Vicki for introducing me to it!), but the kids were  also so much fun to play with. They were a bundle of energy and that made for some fantastic candid images. Honestly, I know I was working but I as usual I had a great time too!

Vicki, thank you so much for allowing me to photograph your BEAUTIFUL family. It was a blast! Here is your sneak peek. I will email you when you gallery is ready for viewing.

Oh and to you blog stalkers out there please leave a comment so this amazing family can earn a free print. THANKS!

Finding balance| Denver Family Photographer

Posted on April 26, 2010

“Our lives are a mixture of different roles.
Most of us are doing the best we can to find whatever the right balance is . . .
For me, that balance is family, work, and service.”
Hillary Rodham Clinton

Like many, I struggle with finding a balance in my life.  I have spent the last year trying to find it among family time, growing my business, maintaining friendships and giving back to others and my community. As many of you know it isn’t easy. Even when trying to focus on one task you are less than a 100% because you are concerned about dropping one of the other balls you are trying to juggle.  We all do it in one way or another.

The other day it occurred to me that in my attempt to help others capture their family moments I had neglected to capture some of mine. My youngest has grown so much over the last 6 months and I hadn’t documented it as well as I should have. So in attempt to remedy that oversight today I am posting a few of my own.  In fact, I  think I will be sprinkling in these images more often in order to make it as much as a priority as I do my fabulous clients images. I hope you will humor me a bit.

Oh and if any of you amazing blog stalkers have found the secret to finding balance; please share. The only answer that seems to come back to me is “forgiveness”. Forgiving yourself for not being perfect and for not being able to do it all seems to me to be the only way to survive the balance struggle. What are your thoughts?

Oh and more often than not his images look like this. I guess he got my goof side.

Nichole Van Workshop | Denver Portrait Photographer

Posted on April 5, 2010

You should make photographs with your heart, mind, eye & soul. The capture device is simply there to allow you to transfer your vision to a medium that you can share with others.

- Bill Frakes

So as many of you know (and some of you don’t) I had the distinct pleasure of attending “Nichole Van’s Professional Photography Workshop”.  Let me start off saying “WOW!”.  In all honesty I am not sure I can fully express what a fantastic experience this was.  It was well worth the investment and I highly recommend it to any of my fellow photogs whom are looking for a great workshop.

Let me start off by saying that Nichole is not only an extremely gifted photographer, but her previous experience as a college professor gives her a unique advantage when it comes to teaching the content of her workshop.  She really is able to explain things in a way that makes them easy to follow and understand.  The workshop itself is extremely well organized and is full of fantastic content. She has thought of everything, is open and forthright based on her experience and it showed.  I personally came home with a wealth of information that I will now be able to apply in my own art and business.  Yes, Nichole has a very distinct style when it comes to photography but her workshop isn’t about her style; it is about learning the tools to assist you in being able to express your own creative vision. Leaving her workshop I actually felt like I was given numerous little gifts that will forever be in my photographic tool box.  For me this is what a great workshop should be.

Oh and a quick side note…. Nichole is hysterically funny!  I know many wouldn’t choose to mention that when reviewing a workshop but the girl had me laughing the whole time I was there and I appreciate  a great sense of humor.

So our shoot day was quite cold to say the least and I have to give a huge “THANK YOU” shout out to our fantastic (and gorgeous) models. These girls literally stood outside in the freezing temperatures for hours without complaining.  No matter how many times I offered them my coat or told them they could go in to warm up they gratefully refused and when on working to give us there best poses.  They were all a blast to work with and I would do it again in a heartbeat.  Also, a few of us were fortunate enough to coax Nichole’s beautiful daughter outside for a few shots. She was such a great sport and so patient with all of the cameras pointing at her. She is quite the little lady and gracious to boot.

So without overloading you blog stalkers out there I wanted to show a few (ok more than a few) of my shots from the workshop.

Thank you so much Nichole , Dave, their families, the models and my fabulous fellow workshop attendees for making this workshop so much fun!  It really was worth the money and time I invested to attend and I would do it all again in a heartbeat.  ;)

Oh and for those of you who just read my review whom are thinking, “Wow, I need to attend one of Nichole’s workshops”; you can find them here

Nichole’s Amazing Workshops (my verbiage of course)

Sweet Sweet Baby | Denver Newborn and Family Photographer

Posted on March 16, 2010

“She will fill our lives with sunshine… And our hearts with love.”
~ Author Unknown

After yesterday’s session I find myself speechless. Capturing images of this beautiful 7 day old beauty was an amazing and emotional experience.  The love her parents have for her was palpable and to be in the presence of that love was magical at best.  Experiencing the joy , love and wonder in these precious family moments reminds me of how blessed I am to share and captures these memories. It truly is awe inspiring and life altering in every way that is good.

Thank you Karla, Shem and Holden for allowing me to capture your new amazing daughter/sister.  She is quite the charmer!

Ok, I just have to make a small note about the next image.  You may have guessed it but it completely and utterly cracked me up!  I mean look at the look on her face. Is that not a laugh out loud moment?

Disney, we have landed | Denver Family Photographer

Posted on December 1, 2009

“There is no moment of delight in any pilgrimage like the beginning of it.”

— Charles Dudley Warner

Well after a long day of travel we have finally arrived. My little man is so excited about every little moment we have had today; especially the motorized walkway at the airport.  We must have went up and down it 20 plus times.  I love how the simple things thrill him. I am going to have to get back to that place.  I think as we get older we don’t easily recognized or find the joy in the simple things.  Perhaps this will be one of my goals for 2010.

It was a VERY long day and we are all exhausted.  I cannot believe how well behaved my little guy was considering we were all running on about 3 hours sleep. Not easy for an adult; very hard for a toddler. Those of you whom have traveled with toddlers are saying to themselves, “AMEN”.

I think my favorite part about today is seeing the smiles on the faces of strangers as Roman passed them by in the airport or the plane. The site of him wearing his Mickey ears and the excitement in his eyes made them beam and in turn it made my day.   Roman brings all of us so much joy and in turn made my day.

Tomorrow the Magic Kingdom it is. I am so excited about the opportunity of capturing the wonder in Roman’s eyes as he is experiences a place that brought me so much joy as a child.  These are some of the best moments of being a parent.  I am giddy with the prospect.

An admitted Zoo addict | Denver family photographer

Posted on November 19, 2009

” Does the quizzical expression of the monkey at the zoo comes from his wondering whether he is his brother’s keeper, or his keeper’s brother.”

Ok, so I am a Zoo addict.  I love going there. In fact, even if I did not have kids I would wander around the Zoo.  Well now that I am sitting here writing this I think it isn’t actually the Zoo I love; it is so many things. It is the opportunity to see animals that I would never get to see and learning about them. It is the sound of squealing children when they see  a giraffe’s tongue for the first time. It is the smell of kettle corn, the sound of the train and the blue tongues of children who convinced their parents that cotton candy is a “must have”. Mainly I love that it is a place where families gather and spend time together; real quality time.  Several generations gather in this one place and it is filled with love and wonder. Who wouldn’t love that?   I love the Zoo so much that I try and go there at least once a month.  I could probably fill a whole hard drive with all the images I have taken over the years at the Zoo. Well out of the goodness of my heart I will only bore you with a couple of shots from my last visit.  It was a great day.  I had both of my boys with me, the weather was gorgeous and Roman tried cotton candy for the first time.  Not a hit by the way; despite is huge sweet tooth(something he got from his father) he didn’t like it that much (images below).  I am sure our dentist will be thrilled by this epiphany.

Falling in love with Fall | Denver Family Photographer

Posted on November 3, 2009

“I still get wildly enthusiastic about little things… I play with leaves. I skip down the street and run against the wind.”

Leo F. Buscaglia

I love the Fall; it is my favorite season. It is filled with a cozy warmth that is undeniable.  It is a combination of things that makes my heart swell. It is the smell of winter coming our way, the laughter of children as they discover the crunch of fallen leaves and warm spiced Apple cider. What is there not to love?

This year Roman discovered how much fun fallen leaves can be. It was so much fun watching him play, experiment and have an all around great time.  I captured so many fun images of him playing and I know I am going to cherish each and every one of them as he grows and the wonder of those leaves no longer captures his attention.  It is these little moments that makes my heart swell.

Cute and cuddly Baby K | Denver Newborn Photographer

Posted on October 16, 2009

“A new baby is like the beginning of all things – wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities.”

Eda J Leshan

I  once again had the honor of photographing another new babe and he was a total champ! Baby K was a perfect model and did everything I wanted without protest.  Also he did so without peeing on me which is always a plus; Woohoo!

His parents are around the same age I was when I had my first boy almost 18 years ago.  Watching them with their little guy reminded me of how I felt holding my eldest in my arms the for the first time.  I can’t believe time has flown by so quickly.   When I have been entrusted with the gift of photographing a gorgeous infant like baby K I try and capture them so that no matter how big they get and no matter how many milestones they complete their parents will always remember. I want them to look at these images 17 years from now and feel the exact way they felt when they first held their beautiful baby in their arms.  If I am able to do that then I know I am giving them a great gift.

Thank you so much Jessica and Ryan for allowing me to be part of such special time in your lives.  Your son is really beautiful and I cannot wait for you to enjoy all those little moments that make being parents the most fun job in the world.

Please be kind and leave baby K some blog love so they can get a free print!

A family is “LOVE”- |Colorado Family Photographer|

Posted on August 10, 2009

I was so fortunate to spend a fantastic Sunday afternoon with the amazing Keezer family. They have the cutest boys and their energy is through the roof. We had the best time running around an old farm which is a local historic landmark. It now my new favorite location. There is so much foliage and fantastic outbuildings which make for an interesting back drop. Thanks again guys for allowing me to photograph your beautiful family. Here is your sneak peek, Enjoy!

I am so excited, flattered and humbled. |Colorado Photographer|

Posted on August 3, 2009

As some of you know I participated in Scott Kelby’s Worldwide Photowalk in beautiful Evergreen, CO  a  couple of weeks ago and had the time of my life. There were so many amazing photographers there and they were so very nice and welcoming. I couldn’t think of a better way to spend my wedding annivesary.

Well after the walk everyone whom attended was able to submit two photographs from the walk for entry into the local contest; one image would then be chosen represent their local walk in the International competition.  Well today I was notified that my image “The Water Dancer” had been chosen!!! There were so many amazing images submitted and I was humbled to see be in a pool with so many talented photographers; to have my image recognized is overwhelming and exciting all at once.  This means I have to ask you all for your good luck vibes. They will announce the winners of the international contest on August 17th.

I just want to thank Katy the Evergreen Photo walk leader/judge and all the other participants for the honor and for allowing me to be part of such an amazing group of fellow photographers. I really am honored.

The Water Dancer

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