Self Portrait Challenge

Kas is the photographer and owner of The Humble Lion. She creates seasonal self portrait challenges and this spring was my first time participating! I was nervous, preemptively comparing myself to others and not sure what to expect. Typing this on day 5, I am so grateful for this challenge. It forced me far out of my comfort zone and to face my anxiety each day. I am re-inspired, excited and a better photographer because of this challenge! Being intentional about documentation is important. Most days, I take photos of everything. I send snapchats of bunnies to friends, take screenshots of recipes that sit in my camera roll forever. My phone becomes unintentionally cluttered while my DSLR remains a place for intentional images only! This challenge allowed me to address the way I create art and document my own life. As a photographer, I am seldom in front of a camera lens- until this week when it became the norm!

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Day 1 - Mirror monday

I was definitely slowly warming up for day one of the photo challenge. I brought my mirror outside and followed Kas’s “be a silly goose” prompt as best I could while trying to take a reflection photo. This first day was not very curated and I was mostly focusing on the anxiety I had about my neighbors potentially seeing me and judging me. I didn’t really get over that anxiety, I just took photos quickly and went back inside. But it felt good to start and to check day 1 off my list.

Day 2 - Tuesday’s together: a Photo with Someone You Love

When the prompt email was sent out for the day, I wanted to take photos with my boyfriend, but he was at work and it was raining outside. So I vowed not to procrastinate and I pulled out my favorite photo of my Dad. “Chris and Tarah - 1989”

This project has helped me to remember that documenting a moment is always worth doing. I don’t see my Mom and Dad too often since I moved to Colorado. Our days together are so different now. We only see each other when we schedule it. Which is normal in adult life, but it’s odd how that changes in an instant and will never be the same again. I treasure all the time I spend with the parents and I will treasure it even more after this challenge.

Day 3 - Wildflower Wednesday

This day was busier than usual for me, so I knew I needed to choose a convenient location so I could get this prompt done! I would have liked some blossoming cherry trees to be featured, but the urban garden park across the street from my house offered yuccas, pine trees and was a 2 minute walk. I was frustrated taking these photos! I had trouble getting the focus correct and my janky tripod was failing me as usual… But I made the photos happen!

Day 4 - Thrivin’ Thursday

For the past 5 years or so, meditation, journaling and self development has been an important part of my daily routine. Although this work is never done, I know I’m thriving in my spirituality lately and wanted to capture that with a journal and my oracle deck. The style of these photos turned out beautifully in my friend Taylor’s lovely home. But it made me think about re-creating the environment more realistically in my home at night with a candle and string lights. I was much happier with these photos than the day before. The process was easier thanks to some tips from Kas and a more relatable prompt.

Day 5 - Friday Funsies

The final day! I wanted to scout a location for future clients at the creek in Lyons, CO. So I took the opportunity to create some images while I was there. Location scouting and all the aspects of my job as being a photographer make me feel fulfilled. When I’m out in nature and exploring new places with fresh perspectives, I feel continually inspired to grow in my business and in my personal life.

Based on how many photos I took for this day’s challenge, you can tell I resolved the camera focus issue and was able to fully enjoy the process and be more creative. Being out in the sun around 1pm was new for me too! I typically meet clients for shoots closer to sunset or sunrise, and kind of began to make myself believe that was the only time I should take photos. Since today, I have a new interest and liking around the harsh sun at high noon!

Boulder, CO Flat Irons Graduation Photos

Boulder, CO Flat Irons Graduation Photos

Lany and her sweet pup, Morro met me in Boulder to take photos. Lany is about to graduate with her Master’s in Psychology and she’s also publishing a book!

One of my favorite parts of taking photos for people one on one is being able to connect. Asking questions and being observant is what I’m best at. These photo sessions can feel intimidating at first. But that’s why conversation is so crucial for me to include in our sessions. I help you feel comfortable and to forget that you’re nervous! Bringing your dog with helps too :)

Colorado Family Photographer - Winter Family Photo Inspiration

Colorado Family Photographer - Winter Family Photo Inspiration

Saint Patrick's Day River Dyeing in Chicago, IL

Saint Patrick's Day River Dyeing in Chicago, IL

The Chicago River dyeing tradition started on Saint Patrick’s Day in 1962. The green dye was originally used functionally to find where pipes were leaking near the river and letting sewage in. Then, in 1962, the Plumbers Local Union used the dye for the holiday.

There are around 200,000 people who are Irish and live in Chicago, and this is one of the most fun holidays to see happening in the city. People are drunk on the train at 7am, climbing on the bridges and freezing in cold winter weather downtown while we all watch the Plumbers union dump gallons of vegetable dye into the river!

These photos are from March 10th, 2017 when I was inspired by my photojournalism professor to wake up early, commute downtown on a Friday and document the river dyeing! Even though I had lived in Illinois my entire life, I had never seen the river dyeing until 2017. When I lived in Illinois, I took the gems of the city for granted. During my college career at Columbia, I began to realize that MY thoughts were shaping my world. And that my supposed hatred of urban places, busy streets and loud people was coming from a place of lack. It took me a few years to recognize this and to shift my mindset from, “I hate commuting to the city and going to school here” to, “I love being a tourist in the state I’ve lived my whole life!” I changed my views from stubborn to curious. And my world has truly changed completely since I had that shift.

When I went on photojournalism missions given to me by John White, I was more fearless than ever, and that’s how I was able to take photos of drunk teenagers on the street at 7am while they stared at me LOL.

I live in Colorado now, and I don’t know if I’ll ever see the Chicago River Dyeing again. I‘m so grateful for my college professor, John White, and for my photojournalism experience that pulled me out of anger and brought me into curiosity. I aim to live curiously now, and my camera helps me to do that every day.

Colorado Documentary Engagement Photographer

Colorado Documentary Engagement Photographer

Thelma and Omar’s couples shoot at Sapphire Point in Silverthorne was snowy and beautiful. I love seeing how couples naturally interact with each other, then I’m able to gauge how to prompt them. These two were so cute and easy to get into fun poses.

Portland, Oregon - 2023

This was my first trip to Oregon and only my second time seeing Megan and Brad over the past 5 years! Megan moved to Oregon around 2018 and I didn’t see her until she was visiting Colorado in 2021, then I didn’t see her again until I made the trip out to Portland for her baby shower! I got to meet Megan and Brad’s closest friends, their neighbors, and to explore their neighborhood.

I always knew I loved forests, but once I got to Oregon and saw how lush and abundant all the foliage was even in the winter, it made me even more sure of it. Forests have felt like a cocoon ever since my parents began taking my sister and I on vacations to northern Minnesota. The dense woods full of birds, insects, greenery and protection from the elements makes me feel safe and I felt that instantly in Oregon. I know when I visit again in warmer months that I’ll love it even more.

Megan and Brad are an inspirational couple that shows each others displays of affection, words of kindness, they check in with each other in honest and thoughtful ways. I know they’ll be just as wonderful parents as they are friends to me.

I’m already looking forward to experiencing the magic of Oregon again.

Colorado Engagement Photographer - Silverthorne, Colorado Proposal

Colorado Engagement Photographer - Silverthorne, Colorado Proposal

Christian and Monica came up to Colorado from Texas for a long weekend with some of their closest friends and family. Christian contacted me before the trip so we could plan logistics and be as stealthy as possible. He told Monica that everyone had pitched in for a photographer to get group photos at Sapphire Point in Silverthorne. So I met everyone on a snowy afternoon to take the photos. Christian and I had decided on a prompt that would get them into the proposal pose and Monica seemed surprised enough! Her disbelief and emotion was special to see unfold. One of the best parts about being a photographer is getting to see how much love people have for one another in such a short amount of time. And to witness this incredible moment!! I am so grateful to have this career as a documenter, memory preserver and to help my clients feel comfortable and cared for.

Colorado Boudoir Photographer - Denver, CO

Colorado Boudoir Photographer - Denver, CO

This boudoir session was incredible as usual. I love taking these kinds of photos for women. Often times, they are meant as a gift to a significant other, but they are a gift to yourself too!! These photos help you to see your own confidence and beauty in your favorite features and maybe even in some of the parts of your body you’re still learning to love!

Studio: Denver Photo Collective

Denver Spiritual Headshot Photographer

Denver Spiritual Headshot Photographer

Shelby’s headshot session in Golden was incredible. We had postponed her session when we had a week of 50 degree weather and no snow to the week after. Which is when we got a perfect dusting of snow and some sun! Shelby is such a kind person with a lot to offer. She specializes in grief and bereavement coaching through her own business. She provides her expertise in grief training/certifications as well as the kindness that emits from her as a person which cannot be taught.

For these photos, Shelby mostly wanted a day with snow, as well as a mix of mountains and forest, so this location was perfect. The blue tones in the mountains and the snow contrasting with the sunlight was magical. Even though it was windy and freezing the entire time, Shelby made it look easy.

Denver Couples & Engagement Photographer

Denver Couples & Engagement Photographer

- A snowy and frigid engagement session in the woods with Bryan and Kate -

This was one of my all time favorite photo sessions. The love and kindness between Bryan and Kate blew me away. I hardly needed to pose or prompt them. Their laughter, and kisses and playfulness were constant! I learned about Kate’s love for knitting when she told me about how she’s been working on knitting the sweater she’s wearing for these photos! I was so impressed.

This location is special for Bryan and Kate since it’s where they spent a lot of time walking together on dates during the pandemic after they had met while working at the library together. It had always been a place for Bryan to go to clear his mind alone before he met Kate, and now they enjoy this lovely place together.

One of the best, most fulfilling parts about my job is witnessing love and light from individuals and couples. Being able to see someone’s light brightened by a human they’re in love with is remarkable. I am so grateful to be a photographer and to preserve memories of love. I am endlessly inspired by people and my clients existing as they are <3

Denver Maternity Photographer

Denver Maternity Photographer-

Nick and Val’s indoor maternity photoshoot at this beautiful conservatory was the perfect location for a 10 degree winter day. I’ve known these two since I was about 17 years old and am grateful to watch their family and love grow each time I see them.

Boulder Small Wedding Photographer

Boulder Small Wedding Photographer at The Black Cat Farm

*Photographed for Eleanor at Be Boulder Photography

Kara and Josh’s wedding day was incredible. They invited immediate family and their closest friends to be a small party of around 30 people. They are one of the most sweet couples I have ever met. These two are so in love and so meant to be together. Every photo that Eleanor and I took seemed so effortless. Kara and Josh put themselves into the sweetest poses on their own and looked lovingly into each other’s eyes every few minutes. Expressing their love and care for each other as we took photos, they did the best job of not noticing us as the photographers. Everything was so natural and I was so honored to witness and capture their love.

The symbolism in their day was intentional and beautiful. They call each other “blueberry” as a pet name, so Kara and Josh chose to get tattoos of blueberries instead of using wedding rings. To follow this theme, there was blueberry pie dessert. At the wedding ceremony, they had a unity plant for Kara’s mother who passed away that had soil from her and Josh’s garden at home mixed with some of her mother’s ashes. And the venue name, The Black Cat, holds meaning in the way they began dating. When her and Josh first met, she had a little black cat who trusted no one except Kara until that cat met Josh and jumped up on his lap that same day. And that’s how Kara knew Josh would be very special to her.

On top of all this beauty, Kara, Josh, their family and friends were all so welcoming. Eleanor and I had met some of them at Kara’s brother’s wedding that we photographed last year. It was such a perfect day with beautiful Colorado weather, amazing food at the farm to table restaurant and beautiful people in love.

Denver Couples Photographer - Holiday Photos with Dogs

Denver Couples Photographer - Holiday Photos with Dogs

Loving this adorable family. Hana, Hamp, Harry and Alfie were so photogenic and fun to take photos of at Cheesman Park in Denver

Denver Music Photographer

Denver Music Photographer - Musicians of Denver

AJ and Madi - Montana Sand Music

These two have such wonderful singing voices and work hard together! AJ and Madi are such good people who love performing and working hard on new music together. This weekday show was perfect for this moody hotel bar in Denver. I loved the moody, red lights despite the lovely music these two were playing.

Denver Family Photographer

Denver Family Photographer

Seasonal photos with extended family are always worth it!

Years pass quickly and it’s easy to go years without getting a photo with all of your family together. Ever sine I moved away from Illinois, I make at least one trip back each year and we always take a family photo with my parents, sister and our dog. It is so worth it to have the memories.

Boulder, CO Documentary Photographer - 2025