Your Family Being Your Family

My Approach to Families

Forget "everyone look at the camera and say cheese." That has never produced a photo worth hanging on a wall, and it never will. My approach is simpler: we go somewhere fun, you do something together, and I capture what actually happens. Kids climbing rocks. Parents laughing at something the toddler just said. The dog getting in the way of every single shot, which somehow makes them all better.

I do not run my family sessions from a shot list. I watch how your family interacts, and I follow the energy wherever it goes. Sometimes that means chasing a three-year-old through a meadow. Sometimes it means quietly shooting while mom and dad sit on a blanket and the kids play. The best family photos feel like memories, not portraits. That is what I am after.

I will give you some gentle guidance along the way. I might suggest walking together, or ask you to pick up your kid and spin them around. But the direction is always light. I am steering the ship, not controlling every moment. You just need to show up and be yourselves.

Why Kids Love My Sessions

I have two kids. I know what it looks like when a child is about to lose it, and I know how to redirect before we get there. I keep sessions short enough that nobody has a meltdown, fun enough that the kids actually want to cooperate, and loose enough that the pressure stays off.

Kids do not respond to "sit still and smile." They respond to games, jokes, and being allowed to move. So I let them move. I follow their energy instead of fighting it, and the photos come out better for it. A kid running through tall grass with their arms out is a better photo than a kid sitting perfectly still and hating every second. Every time.

For babies and toddlers, I work around their schedule. If they need a snack break, we take a snack break. If they want to be held, we shoot while they are being held. There is no rushing a one-year-old, and I would never try.

What You Get

Every session delivers a mix of candid moments and some guided poses for the ones grandma is going to ask about. You will get the chaotic, beautiful, messy shots that actually look like your family, plus a few clean ones where everyone is looking at the camera and smiling on purpose. Best of both worlds.

I deliver a curated online gallery, usually 40 to 80 images depending on the length of the session. Every photo is professionally edited. You get a full print release so you can print whatever you want, wherever you want, without any restrictions.

Where We Shoot

Boulder has no shortage of gorgeous spots for family photos. Chautauqua Park is a classic for a reason. Boulder Creek is perfect for families with kids who want to explore near the water. Wonderland Lake is great for a quieter session with beautiful light. Your backyard works too, if that is where your family feels most comfortable. I am happy to help you pick the right spot based on your family's vibe, your kids' ages, and the time of year.

I also shoot all across Boulder County. Waneka Lake Park in Lafayette has great open fields and water views. Louisville Community Park is perfect for families with little kids. In Longmont, the St. Vrain Greenway and Golden Ponds give you trails, water, and cottonwood trees. Josh's Pond in Broomfield is a hidden gem for quieter sessions. Wherever your family feels most at home, that is where we should shoot.

Best Time to Book

Golden hour, the last hour or two before sunset, gives us the warmest, most forgiving light. Fall is my busiest family season because the colors in Boulder are hard to beat. If you want an October session, book early. Those slots fill up fast and for good reason. But spring and summer are beautiful too, with wildflowers, green meadows, and long evenings that make scheduling easier. I shoot families year-round, so whenever works for your schedule, we will find the right time and place.

"Jody made our family session so comfortable and fun. The kids were laughing the entire time, and the photos turned out absolutely beautiful. We have never had pictures this good."

Sarah M., Family Session