At the Foothills: A Boulder Family Session

As the morning sun was still making its way up, its' energy and warmth infectious on the summer day, I couldn't help but feel a pull to less familiar hours, the moments that don’t fit neatly into a golden hour picture. It’s about time we look beyond that popular hour, encouraging you to explore what lies right outside your own door, from the comfort of your own home: a call to slow down, breathe deeply, and just be.

This is not a posed photo session; it's an invitation to step into a world where whimsy meets tenderness. It’s all about embracing the organic, relishing in barefoot adventures, feeling the earth beneath you, and celebrating life as it unfolds in its simplest form.

We started our time together on the front lawn, a beautiful landscape of sprawling pines and golden dandelions near the foothills of Boulder, Colorado. A wooden swing hung from a high branch where mama and little one embraced, laughing and snuggling at the feeling of being close and connected. Dad strummed the guitar singing familiar tunes setting the tempo of togetherness. Even while holding my camera I was transported to a nostalgic era of time gone by.

It’s these fleeting instances of joy and connection that deserve to be framed and celebrated.

Picnic basket in tote, we made our way down the family path toward the small creek that trickled through the heart of the property, where its coolness brought childhood glee to the little one ready for unbridled play. Surrounded by the tall shady pines,  shovel and pail held by both hands and mouthfuls of watermelon, all captured the pure joy in the art of play and presence. 

This isn’t just a photo opportunity; it’s a moment worth cherishing, as it encapsulates childhood freedom.

Why leave the comfort of your home to chase ideal light when the most authentic moments happen right where your heart feels at peace? Let’s trade the ritual of overly organized sessions, Pinterest poses and perfectly coordinated outfits and find beauty in the everyday. Let's take a small hike with your loved ones through the tree-lined paths that grace your home or play on the trampoline toy infested backyard that shows the familiar relics of childhood . Your home is the unique canvas where familiarity and comfort sets the stage for your memories- a woven a tapestry of your beautiful family life.

I want to challenge your perspective about family photography. The golden hours are beautiful, yes, but your own home—the yard where you play, where your children discover, where you feel most connected—holds a magic that can often be overlooked. The chaotic, everyday moments, the pitter-patter of feet, the squeals of laughter, all tell a more authentic story.

So, here’s my gentle nudge: let go of the pressure to travel for that photograph. Embrace the beauty right outside your door. The areas you explore, barefoot and free, allow creativity to flourish naturally. Your spaces—whether they be filled with trees or  a swing set—are more than enough. Let us capture the essence of this slow living; the freedom to just be.

Document the everyday magic and let it unfold. Frame the moments that make up the beautiful chaos of life, for they are the heart of your family's story. There’s no better time than now to welcome authenticity into your photographs, right where you feel most at home.