Let Kids Be Kids | Littleton Family Photographer

When it comes to photographing kids, it's important to remember that they are their own unique individuals with their own personalities, interests, and quirks! In order to capture authentic and meaningful photos, it's crucial to let them be themselves during the photo session.

When kids feel free to be who they are, they're going to be more comfortable and relaxed, and this will shine through in the photographs! This means letting them express themselves in their own way, whether that means being silly, playful, or even a little shy.

By allowing kids to be themselves, you'll not only get more genuine and natural photos, but you'll also be able to capture their true character and spirit.

These are the photos that you'll cherish for years to come, as they truly represent who your child is, right now, and the special moments you share together.

I’m a huge believer in negotiating with toddlers (and older kids too). Remember, a little bargaining with the kiddos can go a long way! :)

Why invest in a professional photographer? | Littleton Family Photographer

Let’s agree that technology has come very far, very fast. It is crazy to think that the iPhone first came out in 2007 with a 2 megapixel camera and now the iPhone 14 now has a 48mp camera. WOAH!!!

But the problem here is… even with cameras advancing, both professional cameras and phone cameras… you will still be stuck behind the camera. 

By hiring a professional photographer you are allowing yourself to get in front of the camera with your loved ones and capture gorgeous memories. Could you set up a tripod? Sure… you could but will the end results be incredible? Most likely no, and that is because you are missing that human touch…Even with the advanced focusing technology of newer cameras, you can’t easily zoom in or out or get creative angles when your camera is on a tripod. Plus, all the hassle of getting everything set up right on a tripod takes away from your time in front of the camera and your ability to connect with your family while the photos are being taken.

 Also, you could have the top-of-the-line camera gear but if you aren’t fully educated and don’t know how to control the detailed settings, your photos simply won’t be as JAW-DROPPING as you want them to be. 

I have poured myself into photography, including my equipment and education. I know my camera settings, I know how to manipulate light and I know how to provide an incredible experience.

I would love to document your family and create the most gorgeous memories for you to cherish for a lifetime. If you’re interested, please contact me!

It’s not just about having photos taken, it’s about telling a story | Littleton Newborn and Family Photographer

I believe that every family has a unique story to tell. From the laughter and joy to the love and affection, these stories are what make you and your family special and they deserve to be captured and preserved for a lifetime.

Photography is not just about taking photos…it's about capturing memories and bringing your family's story to life! From the anticipation of the birth of a child, to the newborn in your arms, to the toddler you chase around, I am here to capture it all and help tell your story.

Life can often feel hectic and time seems to fly by. This is why it's so important to capture these special memories now. You can put it off or reprioritize your family’s photo shoot, but the truth is that time will always pass and unpreserved memories are sure to fade.

I look forward to working with your family and capturing those memories FOREVER!

Why I wanted Breastfeeding Portraits | Colorado Breastfeeding Photographer

As a new breastfeeding mother, I remember looking down at my 8 week old baby as I nursed him, and mourning, thinking “Oh my goodness, he’s going to be a toddler soon!” Not that I was worried about having a toddler, but more that he was changing too fast. I was worried that I wasn’t going to remember his precious newborn baby face. I could already see his face getting older. As breastfeeding mothers, we spend hundreds, if not thousands of hours looking down at our babies as we nurse them. Those moments, that perspective of looking down at my perfect child who was so completely dependent on and connected to me, was what I wanted to visually capture for myself. Of course, I couldn’t do it myself, so I hired the very talented photographer Paige from Glean and Co.

Photo Credit: Glean and Co

While I was breastfeeding my son, I felt more beautiful and important than I had ever felt in my entire life. Of course I was exhausted and run down, but I felt beautiful and magnificent. After having a baby in the NICU, missing out on the “Golden Hour” and facing the possibility that I might not ever have the chance to breastfeed, I celebrated my good fortune to even be on the breastfeeding journey, as difficult as it may be at times.

Photo Credit: Glean and Co

I had asked and begged my husband so many times to take photos of me with my newborn son. But, he never got his camera out. So, I got out my own camera and took self portraits with a remote trigger. But I wanted something more, because I couldn’t easily take breastfeeding self-portraits from the angle that I wanted to capture. So, I found a professional photographer and asked her to take breastfeeding portraits of me and my son, who by the time we had our picture taken was 8 months old. Those photos are so special to me, because they are the only non-phone photos I have of myself that were taken by someone else, during early motherhood. Having another photographer take my portrait allowed me to just be in the moment and enjoy the time with my son, resulting in photos that show authentic emotion and connection between mother and child. These photos are priceless to me.

Photo Credit: Glean and Co

While the breastfeeding hours may seem endless, they will pass. In the moment, you may feel like you could never forget what your baby looks like or the other highs and lows of the breastfeeding journey. But time has a canny ability to dull our memories. This is why photography is such a priceless gift, why photos of special people and special times in life are such treasured keepsakes. Photography helps to cement those memories and keep them alive.

Top 3 Reasons to Get Breastfeeding Portraits | Colorado Breastfeeding Photographer

There are many reasons why a mother may want breastfeeding photos. Here are the top 3 reasons I know of:

1. To capture a special moment in time: Breastfeeding is a unique and intimate bonding experience between a mother and her child. A mother may want to capture these special moments to look back on and remember the early days of her child's life.

2. To document the breastfeeding journey: Breastfeeding can be a challenging journey, and a mother may want to document her progress and celebrate her accomplishments. Breastfeeding photos can be a way to visually document this journey and serve as a reminder of the mother's strength and resilience.

3. To normalize and encourage breastfeeding: Breastfeeding is a natural and normal way to feed a baby and it has many benefits for both the mother and the child. Unfortunately, it is not always seen that way in society. By sharing breastfeeding photos, a mother may hope to help normalize breastfeeding and reduce the stigma surrounding it.

Overall, breastfeeding photos can be a beautiful and meaningful way for a mother to capture the special bond with her child, to celebrate her breastfeeding journey, and to help normalize and promote this natural and important aspect of motherhood.

Motherhood Photography in the Boise Foothills | Colorado Motherhood Photographer

Breastfeeding and Motherhood Portraits

I had such a wonderful time meeting this gorgeous mother in the Boise Foothills for an outdoor breastfeeding and motherhood photo shoot! Mama was so brave and baby girl was a trooper staying up way past her normal bedtime of 5:30pm so that we could take photos during the golden hour. But more importantly, what 6 month old baby goes to bed at 5:30pm? What I would have given for my son to go to bed at 5:30 when he was that age (or even now)!!! I remember those days… I would spend hours every night trying to get him down. I always hoped he would go down by 7:30-8pm, but he usually wasn’t sleeping until 11pm. I count this mama as lucky in the “sleeping baby” department!

Photo of mother holding baby in a field of grass and flowers at sunset.

More about Outdoor Motherhood Photo Sessions

Outdoor motherhood photography sessions are so much fun! The boise foothills make such a beautiful backdrop for photo shoots. I love the light at Golden Hour and prefer to always photograph during the 2 hours before sunset in order to get the best light. Outdoor photo sessions can be held at a location that is special to you, or I am happy to recommend a location as well.

Photo of a mother breastfeeding her baby in the Boise Foothills

Motherhood Portraits For My Sister | Colorado Motherhood Photographer

My sister is one of the best Moms that I know

My sister is only a couple years older than me, but she has been a mother for nearly a decade longer than me. She has always been an inspiration for me when I think about being a mom. She is such an amazing mom, I actually used to joke with her about whether she would raise my kids for me if I ever had them. Kidding aside, if I was not able to raise my child myself, she is the first person I would want to do it for me. So, for her birthday and for a million other reasons, I wanted to gift her this special “Motherhood” portrait session.

Photo of mother and two daughters sitting in a field at sunset

I styled my sister and her daughters for this photo session!

While I love my sister to pieces, the last time I offered to take some family portraits for her, their outfits were anything but coordinating! Blue, red, and yellow could work well together. However, each person’s outfit had a strong pattern and that’s where things got a little too busy. So, this time, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I was walking around Ross one day and I found the dress my sister is wearing in the photo above. I though it would look pretty in a photo shoot. So, I kept browsing around and I was lucky enough to find the two dresses that my nieces are wearing as well - both the only dresses of that style and in the right size. BINGO! Guess how much I spent on outfits for all 3 girls? That’s right, less than $50 total!

This is a wardrobe that had no styling guidance - notice the clashing patterns.

Worried about what to wear for your own family or motherhood portrait session?

Don’t worry! As part of my service when you book with me, I offer styling guidance for coordinating your family’s wardrobe. I am here to help you create and achieve the portraits of your dreams!