Getting ready for your session
A short guide so you can walk in feeling confident — where to go, and what to wear so your photos feel timeless and true to you.
Where we'll shoot
Each spot is chosen for its light and its mood. Not sure which fits your family? Just reach out and we'll pick the perfect one together.
Chautauqua Park
Open meadows against Boulder's most iconic rock formation. Plenty of shade under the trees — great for larger families.
Wonderland Lake
A peaceful lake with sky reflections and gentle paths — ideal for soft, quiet moments with little ones.
South Mesa Trailhead
Sweeping fields with Flatirons views and a small grove for variety. Popular spot — we'll plan parking ahead of time.
Boulder Creek Path
A creek, footbridges, and shaded trees — a soft, green feel right in the heart of the city.
NCAR / Lost Gulch
An overlook on Flagstaff Mountain with dramatic Front Range views. Best for families with older kids.
Dakota Ridge / Sanitas
A flat, easy stretch at the base of Sanitas with creekside shade and iconic Flatirons views.
What to wear
The single biggest rule: coordinate, don't match. Choose a shared palette, then let everyone dress in a way that feels like them — and photographs beautifully.
The easiest way to style a family: pick one deep, saturated hero color, then let everything else — the rest of the outfits, a bouquet, a blanket, a scarf — quietly support it. Here are four combinations that work beautifully in Boulder & Denver light.
Golden Hour
Hero: caramel. One person in a caramel dress or sweater; everyone else in sage, sand, cream, and stone. The safest, most forgiving combination — works at nearly every location and season.
Deep Wine
Hero: deep wine. Put it on one statement piece — mom's dress, a child's sweater, or simply a bouquet — while the rest of the family wears blush, cream, and charcoal. A touch of gold in an accessory ties it together. Stunning against golden aspens or a neutral backdrop.
Forest & Rust
Hero: deep forest green. One structured piece — a coat, a jumpsuit — in this rich green, balanced by rust, cream, and mustard on everyone else. The contrast is gorgeous against Boulder's golden fields and the red rock at Red Rocks or South Valley.
Dusty Blue
Hero: slate blue. A nice change of pace from all-warm palettes — one deep blue piece, supported by blush and cream. Especially beautiful for snow sessions or soft, overcast light.
2–3 tones, not five
Pick a shared palette and let each person choose their own shade and shape within it. This reads as intentional, not matchy.
Skip the loud prints
Bold logos, character tees, and busy patterns compete with faces. Save patterns for the smallest accents, not the whole outfit.
Texture over flat color
Linen, waffle knit, corduroy, and light layers photograph with more depth and warmth than flat, smooth fabrics.
Comfort first
If an outfit feels wrong, it shows on camera. Have everyone — especially kids — wear it around the house once before session day.
Dressing for a photograph, not just a day out
A few small styling choices make a real difference in how relaxed and timeless your photos feel — for every single body in the frame. These are the same notes I share with every client, because they simply photograph beautifully.
Choose structure over stretch
A wrap dress, a tailored shirt, or anything with a defined waist holds its shape far better than clingy jersey, which can pull and cling unpredictably as you move.
Give your shoulders a little coverage
A wider strap, a cap sleeve, or a light cardigan creates a soft, elegant line — genuinely one of the most flattering choices for anyone, and always a safe pick if you're unsure.
Necklines that lengthen
A scoop or V-neck draws the eye upward and creates a longer, more elegant line than a crew or high neckline.
Let fabric do the flattering
Soft, flowing fabrics with a little weight — linen, midi lengths, light layers — move beautifully and skim rather than cling.
One statement piece, everyone else quiet
Let one person or item carry the boldest color. Everyone else in soft, solid tones keeps the eye where it belongs — on faces.
When in doubt, layer
A light jacket, wrap, or cardigan is the easiest styling trick there is — it adds polish and flatters nearly every silhouette.
Summer
Light linen, cotton, and maxi dresses. Bring water and sunscreen — the sun is strong at elevation.
Fall
Sweaters, corduroy, and warm terracotta and ochre tones pair beautifully with the golden aspens.
Winter
Coats and scarves are always welcome and add coziness to the frame. Mountain spots run colder than downtown.
Spring
Layers are your friend — mountain weather shifts fast. Soft tones pair well with fresh green and wildflowers.
Make it playful
A session doesn't have to be all posing. A few simple props turn it into shared playtime — and that's usually where the most genuine, unscripted photos come from.
Wildflower bouquet
Something for little hands to hold and pick apart — and a natural way to carry your hero color from the palette above.
A kite
Open fields like South Mesa or Sloan's Lake are perfect for it. Nothing gets more genuine laughter than watching it catch the wind.
Bubbles
An easy classic that keeps toddlers engaged and creates soft, dreamy motion throughout the frame.
Ribbon wand or streamers
Great for running shots — adds color and movement without needing anyone to "perform" for the camera.
Picnic blanket & basket
Turns the session into a lazy afternoon together — ideal for quieter families or sessions with a newborn.
A seasonal touch
Pumpkins in fall, a sled in winter, a toast for a milestone — a small detail that makes the gallery feel like your family, specifically.
Ask Anna
Quick answers to the questions I hear most. For anything more personal, just reach out directly.
This is a quick-reference assistant with pre-written answers — for anything specific to your session, message Anna directly.