Fall Family Portraits in the Mountains of Conifer, Colorado
Sometimes portrait sessions remind us that life—like the Colorado weather—doesn’t always go according to plan, but beauty always finds its way in. This recent family portrait session in Conifer, Colorado was the perfect example.
We started the day under gray skies with the forecast calling for rain. I kept checking the horizon, wondering if we’d have to reschedule. But as the afternoon unfolded, the clouds began to lift, and what could have been a gloomy day turned into a golden, peaceful evening in the mountains.
Sometimes portrait sessions remind us that life—like the Colorado weather—doesn’t always go according to plan, but beauty always finds its way in. This recent family portrait session in Conifer, Colorado was the perfect example.
We started the day under gray skies with the forecast calling for rain. I kept checking the horizon, wondering if we’d have to reschedule. But as the afternoon unfolded, the clouds began to lift, and what could have been a cold and gloomy day turned into a lovely, peaceful evening in the mountains.
A Family of Four, Full of Love
This family of four brought so much light to the session. Mom and Dad arrived with their sweet 2-year-old boy and their brand-new 2-month-old baby, ready to soak in the beauty of the mountains together.
The toddler, curious and playful, kept everyone smiling with his energy, while the littlest one was snug in his parents’ arms—calm, content, and along for the ride. Watching them together reminded me of how quickly these early years fly by, and how important it is to capture each stage along the way.
When the Aspens Aren’t What We Expect
Like many families in the fall, this family was hoping for the golden glow of aspen trees to frame their portraits. We had selected a beautiful location with clusters of aspens that I had scouted out, but when we arrived the day of the session, we discovered that the leaves had already fallen.
While the aspens weren’t shining in their usual fall brilliance, the mountains had other gifts to offer. We shifted focus, and headed over to the peaceful pond with stunning mountain views to use as our backdrop. The still water reflected the family beautifully, and the forested hills reminded us of Colorado’s timeless beauty.
Portraits That Tell Their Story
We captured the full family together, snuggled close against the mountain backdrop, as well as sweet individual moments:
Mom cradling her newborn with soft light on their faces
Dad chasing their toddler near the pond
The brothers together—tiny and new, already beginning a lifelong bond
Each image felt like a story in itself—one of love, resilience, and savoring a fleeting season of life.
Why Conifer Is Perfect for Family Portraits
Nestled just outside of Denver, Conifer, Colorado is one of my favorite spots for family photography. Even when nature surprises us with weather or early leaf changes, there are endless backdrops—mountain ridges, hidden ponds, wide meadows—that give each session a timeless Colorado feel.
Ready to Capture Your Own Family Story?
If you’ve been dreaming about updating your family portraits, know that no matter the season, Colorado’s beauty always delivers. More importantly, your family’s love and connection are what make the portraits shine.
📍 Now booking family portraits in Conifer, Littleton, and Highlands Ranch, CO.
✨ Let’s plan a session that captures your family exactly as you are, in a setting as beautiful as the love you share.
Family Portrait Photography at Anderson Apple Ranch in Emmett, ID
Capturing Timeless Memories:Why Anderson Apple Ranch is the Perfect Setting for Family Portraits
Nestled in the heart of Emmett, Idaho, Anderson Apple Ranch is a picturesque setting that offers a serene, rustic backdrop for family portrait photography. Whether it's the vibrant colors of fall foliage, the blossoms of spring, or the warm hues of a summer sunset, the ranch provides a beautiful natural environment that enhances any family portrait. The idyllic scenery of the ranch boasts vast apple orchards nestled up against a ridge. These elements create the perfect backdrop for timeless family photos, blending the tranquility of nature with the warmth of family love. Photographing in between tghe rows of apple trees offers a charming, country-style feel.
The Importance of Including Grandparents in Your Family Portrait Session
Family portrait sessions are more than just photo ops; they’re a chance to celebrate the connections between generations. Including grandparents in your session adds a layer of depth and meaning to your portraits, creating a visual record of your family’s legacy.
Grandparents hold a unique and irreplaceable role in families. Their presence in family portraits represents continuity, wisdom, and the richness of your family's story. Whether you’re capturing their laughter as they interact with their grandchildren or a quiet, intimate moment between them and their children, these photos become treasured keepsakes for future generations. It’s a wonderful way to honor them and create memories that can be passed down through time.
Outdoor family portrait sessions are more than just photos; they provide a chance to create cherished memories in a relaxed, beautiful setting. With the involvement of grandparents, these sessions become even more meaningful, weaving together the past, present, and future in every frame.
Fall Maternity Photos in the Foothills | Boise Maternity Photographer
Fall is a great time for maternity portraits. Heck, Fall is a great time for any kind of portraits! Motherhood portraits, breastfeeding portraits, family portraits, you name it. Why is fall such a great time for a portrait session? Well, here in Boise, Fall is the time of year when you don’t have to worry about the unrelentless summer heat, the unpredictable wind or rain of spring, and the cold of winter. So what? Well, that means you can dress comfortably in that summer dress and not worry about having to bring a bunch of layers to coordinate your outfit or shivering between photos and faking a genuine smile. You don’t have to worry about sweating your makeup off in the summer heat or the dreaded wet armpits!
Here at Keepsake Reflections, we love outdoor maternity portrait sessions, and although we do them year round, we simply love outdoor photo sessions during the fall. Of course, I talked about being comfortable temperature wise, but did I also mention the time of sunset? It’s perfect in the fall! In the summer, sunset in Boise is not until 9:30pm on the Summer Solstice and it’s just after 5pm on the Winter Solstice. Since I always shoot in the 2 hours before sunset, that makes for a late session start during the summer and an early session during the winter.
Oh yes, let’s us not forget about Fall Colors! Who doesn’t love fall colors? I’m not sure about you, but the changing leaves always make me a bit nostalgic. They are like a marker of time, that another year has passed by. They feel like good reminder to get your family pos updated just before the holidays! But don’t wait until you see the leaves changing color to book your portrait session, chances are, your photographer will already be booked out!
Did you know there are lots of flowering plant in the fall in the arid shrublands of the Boise Foothills? Yep! Sunflowers, sagebrush, rabbitbrush, and plenty of other flowers like to make their show in the fall. These flowers make for a great backdrop or add texture and dimension to a photo with an extra pop of color.

