Planning Your Family Photo Session

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If you ask me what most influences the quality of an image aside from light?

Wardrobe. 100%.

Ask me what I consistency hear women stress out about during session planning??

Outfit selection.

How you dress yourself and your family is such a crucial element in building beautiful, impactful images that you can be PROUD of. Photos and memories your children will cherish after you pass. It's how generations to come will remember you and how your grandchildren will be in awe of looking back at photos from 2020.

I have no idea what to wear. Ideas?

I have all the wardrobe ideas, if you’d like to be paired with a stylist to curate an outfit just for you, I’d be honored to connect you!

I prefer texture (lace, velvet, etc.) and bold colors with limited prints, logos, brand names, etc. for a more on-trend style. I adore long dresses as they offer such flow and sense of whimsy and drama in your images.

I typically advocate that outfits complement each other with variety in color and style as opposed to matching perfectly in the same color polo or t-shirt.

I geek out over boho hats and floral crowns on women. I recently entered a photo contest and I think I voted for every photo where mom wore a gorgeous dress and an awesome hat or headband. See my favorite dress vendors here.

Should I bring anything to the session?

I welcome solid color blankets to sit on and suggest giving consideration to outfit selection and color cohesion. I keep seeing this really cute trend of making a blanket into a huge part of the session as a hammock swing, as a prop to engage the kiddos by tossing it in the air. Perhaps a stack of books to read, favorite toys, anything personalized or photogenic, accessories like hats, sunglasses for the littles or stuffed animals used for milestone sessions.

What location do you suggest for the session?

Thirty minute sessions offers one of three locations: Cheeseman Park, Washington Park, Cherry Creek North. See photos of my favorite locations here.

What timeframe do you suggest for the session?

Anything you see on my website, posted to social media, all the images (100%) were taken at sunset. Scheduling your session at the right time of day is the biggest impact on your images. If we stumble upon a cloudy day, I’d LOVE to shoot earlier, we can also elect an urban location with plenty of shade. Shooting sessions in the mountains outside of sunset time frame is not available.

Any advice for working with toddlers and children?

With social distancing measures in full effect, I will maintain more than a six foot distance from your crew. This means I can’t get close to your littles, tickle them or have them give me all the high fives to earn their trust. More than ever, it’s on parents to make the session enjoyable for the whole crew. Above all - HAVE FUN. Focus on the kids instead of smiling at the camera. My clients typically choose images from their sessions where they are interacting with their little ones and everyone is smiling and laughing. Cultivating real moments and smiles and aiming for candid, playful moments in your session is key. Having a plan of how to interact with them (game, ball, anything else they love or you do at home) while going with the flow and letting the them a lead a little. I’m alllll about getting smiles on everyone’s faces piled up on a blanket together or running around chasing each other. I’ve had a few clients experiment with arriving early and allowing the kiddos time and space to run around and explore the location for a solid 15 or so before the session time just to get them used to the location before diving in. 

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Denver Mommy & Me Mother's Day Session

Celebrating motherhood with this beautiful trio for Mother’s Day 2020. I have a huge place in my heart for this gorgeous crew.

I met this Colorado Springs fam a couple of years ago during their newborn session. That little gummy smile makes my heart so happy.

Here they are again at one year!

This was such a special session as mom is a few weeks preggo!!!! SO incredibly thrilled for this soon to be family of four.

Cheers to this beautiful family, motherhood, this little guy’s soon to be big brother status and to long standing clients that make my heart 100% full.

Welcome Kendall | Denver Newborn Photographer

This gorgeous family just totally stole my heart.

Welcome to the world, sweet Kendall! You are so loved!

Five Tips for Introducing Ease into your Newborn Photo Session

You’re in the midst of contemplating and preparing all the things: nesting the perfect nursery, committing to a baby name, preparing for the arrival of your little nugget’s life earthside.

Your sweet baby, after weeks of anticipation, finally here - every moment is special, a new milestone achieved.

Documenting the first few days at home moving into newborn parent mode is a lovely offering to your new nugget and your future self to truly reflect upon and celebrate the miracle of this 40 week transition.

Ease is something I constantly focus on cultivating within my sessions celebrating new parents. I feel it’s the most important element as it allows my subject to step into a space where they feel they can be the most true versions of themselves in front of the camera.

A few tips for cultivating ease:

1. Commission a newborn specific photographer that you trust. This might seem like a #shamelessplug but the truth is, it’s real. Would you hire a labor and delivery doc to perform your brain surgery?? Choosing a photographer that specializes in newborn photography is so critical in achieving beautiful images. This genre of photography is more technical than you’d imagine. Getting babe into a place of relaxation and contentment is paramount in creating ease for everyone. Feeling at ease in front of the camera will reveal itself in the images. Choose a photographer that makes you feel well cared for while being photographed. Offering feedback and subtle adjustments while allowing flow brings life into the bodies of my clients and their images.

2. Intentionality about wardrobe selections is EVERYthing. The biggest impact you can make in preparing for your newborn photo session is to choose outfits wisely. I typically suggest a timeless, textured solid, neutral or pastel palette for newborn sessions: Favorite wardrobe elements: textures like lace, knits, the texture of velvet, the flow of a gown and the way your husband looks at you in appreciation during these in-home sessions. Happy to be of assistance in your outfit selections! Thrilled connect and discuss your plan for wardrobe. I’d welcome a hair and makeup artist into your session prep to feel most confident while being photographed and while reviewing and enjoying your images.

3. The forever debate: props or no props? Props can be such a fun addition to your gallery. I love adding as much variety as possible to a session without going totally bonkers prop overboard. The struggle is real. Ha. Props I often see used during a newborn session: nostalgic elements like blankets or toys passed down from beloved family members, a special stuffed animal to use for milestone photos. Props are such a personal addition and I allow my clients full agency over the decision to incorporate props or to refrain. I do advocate swaddling baby for most lifestyle sessions and suggest limiting the number of outfit changes for babe.

4. Plan to take photos in the first 2 weeks after delivery. I typically aim to photograph newborn sessions in the first two weeks of life to ensure a flexible baby, distance from circumcision, and after mama’s milk supply arrival. All this said, I have also yielded gorgeous newborn session images at 4-6 weeks old.

5. Prep the residence for photography. Nursery or master bedroom items you prefer not be photographed may be removed from these spaces prior to our session. I often see parents remove photo frames with stock photos awaiting baby images, diaper genies, baby monitors, any clutter on the master bedside tables, etc.

These special moments are so fleeting. It’s such an honor to welcome new life with such love and celebration.

Gifting record of these lovely unforgettable moments with your baby somehow allows them a more complete depiction and comprehension of their story - there is only one opportunity to capture these moments. Feel so much pride for my client people for celebrating these precious, once in a lifetime happenings, making memories as a new family during this time of crazy transition.

It’s such a gift fo join you as you welcome your sweet nugget earthside.

Glow and Flow: Four Maternity Photo Session Considerations

Welcoming your baby to the world and anticipating their arrival during your pregnancy is such a gift.

Contemplating and preparing all the things: nesting the perfect nursery, committing to a baby name, preparing for the arrival of your little nugget’s life earthside.

Documenting the last few weeks before completing the pregnancy phase and moving onto full on parent mode is a lovely offering to your future self to truly reflect upon and celebrate the miracle of this 40 week transition.

A few impactful factors that influence your images:

• Commission a maternity specific photographer that you trust. Posing maternity photos can get really weird, really fast. This might seem like a #shamelessplug but the truth is, it’s real. Would you hire a labor and delivery doc to perform your open heart surgery?? Choosing a photographer that specializes in maternity with expert level posing experience in the realm of flattering pregnant bodies is so critical in achieving beautiful images. Feeling at ease in front of the camera will reveal itself in the images. Choose a photographer that makes you feel well cared for while being photographed. Offering feedback and subtle adjustments is part of what brings life into the bodies of my clients and their images.

• Intentionality about wardrobe selections is EVERYthing. The biggest impact you can make in preparing for your maternity photo session is to adorn the baby bump in style. I typically suggest a solid, bold palette for maternity sessions: reds, burnt orange, blues, mustard, I also love the timeless classic neutral color collection, too! I do suggest avoiding an all black dress, it often hides the shadow contouring of the bump. I love maternity sessions in long flowy dresses, I feel they have such a whimsical presence and innate movement. Other favorite wardrobe elements: textures like lace, knits, and sheer, tight or fitted pieces that accentuate your figure, a skinny belt. The most common wardrobe question I’m met with is all about complimenting the derrière. If you choose a form fitting dress you don’t feel 100% comfortable in, opt for a shawl or kimono to drape across your arms to add flow to your lower back area. I suggest two outfits for variety in images. I love the texture of velvet, the flow of a gorgeous gown and the way your husband looks at you in appreciation during these sunset sessions. Proper footwear is a huge consideration. Mountain vibe locations are covered with snow from winter to spring. At times, LOTS of snow. Keep this in mind when planning maternity session

  footwear. Happy to be of assistance in your outfit selections. Thrilled connect and discuss your plan for wardrobe. I’d welcome a hair and makeup artist into your session prep to feel most confident while being photographed and while reviewing and enjoying your images.

• The forever debate: props or no props? Props can be such a fun addition to your gallery. I love adding as much variety as possible to a session without going totally bonkers prop overboard. The struggle is real. Ha. Props I often see used during a maternity session: blanket to sit on or wrap up in, accessories like belts, jewelry, hats, ultrasound images, items with baby’s name, baby shoes, a stuffed animal to use for milestone photos. Props are such a personal addition and I allow my clients full agency over the decision to incorporate props or to refrain.

• Plan to take photos 1-2 months before due date. I typically aim to photograph maternity sessions one to two months prior to due date to ensure a nice round bump, a mobile mama and enough energy to get all glammed up before baby arrives.

Above all, enjoy. These last few weeks before transitioning to parents are precious and fleeting. My hope is to offer beautiful images you’ll look back on with gratitude as your family grows.

Denver Front Porch Pandemic Photo Sessions

What a year 2020 has turned out to be. The stories that will come from this time will be shared for generations. My hope is that the images I create during this time will tell part of that story.

I’m not sure words can describe how thrilled I was to see the familiar faces of this crew of four.

Our pandemic front yard party photo session marks our sixth photoshoot together and I couldn’t be more grateful for this group of beautiful humans.

Our session was originally scheduled as this sweet doll’s first birthday, here we are hanging out in the front yard instead! :)

Happy first birthday, sweet girl and all the love to this lovely crew of four.

Snow Day Denver Family Photo Session

I love these human clients. Thankful for their beautiful front yard and their immense generosity. Loved celebrating our (hopefully!) last spring snow with them during this crazy pandemic!

Mom requested a shot in front of this gorgeous tree and it just happened to dump snow on them at just the right time. Couldn’t have planned it better if I tried! LOVVE seeing April spring snow all over these beautiful people!

Cheers to you, sweet family of four, looking forward to seeing you all again soon!

Flashback Friday | Denver Family Photographer

If you’ve ever practiced at Kindness Yoga here in Denver, perhaps you’ve been lucky enough to attend one of this beautiful mama’s classes.

Tell me this adorable crew isn’t the cutest EVER…

When this gorgeous mama reached out to swap photos for yoga, I was so thrilled to become an ambassador of Kindness. Pre-pandemic, It was my favorite place to practice, always felt like home and family and I loved getting the opportunity to meet this gorgeous crew.

OMG total cuteness overload….

Obviously to see where the littles get their looks! These two could grace the cover of a magazine. The love between is so obvious and I adored capturing it.

Cheers to this lovely crew of five! All the love! - JJ xoxo

Fall Flashback | Zoey is Two | Denver Photographer | Washington Park, Denver

I met Zoey for her newborn session a couple of years ago and again for her one year session at Washington Park in October 2018. I love seeing these two each fall.

One of my favorites since 2017, this sweet two year old little doll steals my heart every time I see her.

She’s got all the personality and sass you’d expect from a two year old girl and I just LOVED our time together.

I just love seeing them grow over the years. Celebrating this little two year old beauty today.

All the love to you sweet Z, I hope to see you again in the fall!