Settling in and setting up shop
When I finally decided to make my official move to Colorado and become a Denver Family and Portrait photographer, I didn't know what I was in for! I had already purchased my new office furniture before moving, so I thought I'd arrive...maybe spend some quick time getting settled...and be up and running for business in a week. HA!
My handsome beau just after hanging the office chandelier. I guess this qualifies as a before shot...
...and after! While I do my consultations in the client's own home, I edit their images and show their slideshow upon completion here.
It's been a labor of love to get my office ready to welcome in clients, not to mention get settled in our new house. But by some miracle it's nearly done, and by an even bigger miracle I have started serving clients in the Denver area!!! Building a client base from scratch in a new city is intimidating to anybody, but I knew I was up for the challenge! Because whatever city you are in, people are still facing the same problem: time with your loved ones just goes by too fast. The best way I've figured out how to remedy that and stop time is with my camera. And over time I've learned that even the most superhero mom can benefit greatly from my service because even if "photographer" is one of the many hats she wears in her family, she cannot BE in the photographs with her children if she's always taking them.
Enter my first Denver photography clients!
I first met Janet at her in-home consultation. The first thing I noticed about her home was that it is already covered in wall art, specifically of her beautiful family. My ideal client is somebody who understands that a USB drive cannot be framed. Somebody who truly understands the value of a real photograph that can be passed to the next generation (and the next) and she was obviously that client from the start! We connected instantly and arranged a day for her family's exciting session.
My style of family photography is new to many people. To some, family photography is everyone putting on a white shirt, matching blue jeans or khaki pants, and sitting together on a couch with cheesy smiles. That is so far from what I do and luckily Janet and her family were totally on board with it! The trick to making my photojournalistic style work is always finding activities for families to do where they feel their most natural and can forget that they are being photographed! Between the questionnaire I send all my new clients and their consultation, we always come up with a plan for me to truly tell their family's story!
Beautiful Janet cuddling with Weston.
Janet's family loves the outdoors (and in Colorado, what is not to love?!!!), so we agreed to have a day of adventure at Golden Gate Canyon State Park. On the morning of their session, I arrived to the family's home early and started doing some test shots to warm up. While Janet and her husband Brett ran around gathering last minute items, I started slowly introducing myself to my youngest subjects of the day, Colton and Weston.
Colton showing off his jawline that will probably land him a modeling contract when he's 21.
After a few test shots, we packed everything and everyone in the car and were on our way!
Weston's cowboy boots are ready to go.
Brett driving. Obviously.
Colton getting a little camera shy.
And we made it!
Golden Gate Canyon State Park: An amazing outdoor adventure
As soon as we arrived, the boys clearly forgot they were being photographed and just acted like little boys on an outing with their family. They were so on the go that I couldn't help but be thankful that I was NOT trying to get them to sit still on their parent's laps with everyone looking right at me!
As an aspiring father, I was incredibly inspired and touched by how loving and gentle a father Brett is to his sons.
And Janet's kind and warm spirit reminds me of my own mother. It made my heart so happy to see such love from behind my lens!
I love everything about this!
Time to eat!
As the day went on, our tummies started to rumble. We relocated to a shady spot with picnic tables. And to my delight, they invited me to join in! A full photographer is a happy photographer!
Sometimes storytelling looks like an Honest Kids commercial, apparently.
The end of a fantastic day
I can still see you, Colton. So can my camera.
Colton started noticing me more at this point and became a bit camera shy. But I patiently waited and waited and finally got my favorite shot of him!
Wise, sparkling eyes.
And then there's Weston, who couldn't be more of a ham!
This image will be featured in the July 2017 issue of Shutter Magazine. So yeah...hire me. Your family might become famous. Also, I will feed you chocolate.
As the day started to wind down, Janet and Brett took some time to just be a couple as their boys lovingly played together. Their marriage and family are both so beautiful and inspirational.
I love a good juice box, too Brett.
Still so in love.
Such loving brothers. For your mother's sake, please stay this way when you're teenagers.
After several hours together, we got back in the car and headed home. My time with this beautiful family felt way too short, but these images will always transport me back. That is the power of a photograph and that is why I do what I do.
This image is now hanging on Janet and Brett's wall. Knowing it will one day be passed to Colton or Weston, and then eventually to their children, reminds me that I have the best job in the world.
Thank you to my first Denver Family Photography clients! You were a dream to work with. Treasure your memories of that day, for I promise that I always will.
“We take photographs as a return ticket to a moment otherwise gone.”
To learn more about Family Photojournalism sessions and to book, please click here!
For my latest work/shenanigans, please follow me here on Instagram! @markrossphotography
