the dougans: family.

The Dougans have been one of my most loyal families over the past few years. I've photographed them when Knox was the lone ranger son, and now baby Jay is on the move and in the mix. For this shoot, they brought their adorable pups too!

We spent a Sunday evening together at Red Rocks, hiking stairs and climbing rocks. The boys loved the chance to get a little dirty, and I think the dogs loved the space to run around a bit. 

Thank you Dougans for spending another year with me! I hope you will treasure these photos for years to come. 

the stocktons: family.

The Stocktons. What a great family! I adore Jenny as a friend, and the rest of her clan is just as fun, easy going, and hilarious as she is. We're going on 6 or so years of friendship, and it was wonderful to photograph their family for the second time (last year, Naomi was just a newborn).

We spent the afternoon walking around downtown Denver admiring the trains and enjoying the beautiful and warm weather (this city has yet to hear that winter is coming). Abe's personality is the best and Naomi let hers come through a few times. They were the perfect kids to photograph.

Thank you Stocktons for hanging out with me. Tell Abe he can be my sidekick any time.

the mccgraths: family.

I met Rebecca about 4 years ago when I took on the role of yearbook advisor at the school where I teach. Rebecca is a representative for Herff Jones and over the years, I've gotten to know her well as she ever so kindly helped me put together our yearbooks. I could have never in a million years finished any of them without her help. She is kind and gracious and the type of person that makes you feel good just by being around them.

I was thrilled when she wanted to do family pictures, and it was so fun to meet her husband Ryan and little guy Rex, along with some of her extended family. Rex was adventurous and ready to explore, and although the smiles weren't exactly evident, he was a little champ! I love spending time with them. 

Thank you McGrath family for spending your afternoon with me. It was so wonderful to see you Rebecca and meet your wonderful family. What a gift.

the wetterlings: family.

Four years strong. That's how long I've been photographing the Wetterlings. Every year I get so excited to spend time with them because inevitably we laugh the whole time, Jake smiles on command, Finn provides comic relief, Trish wears the best outfits (she's one of my go to's for fashion advice), and Trevor is the ideal go with the flow dad/dog trainer (Gus the dog made a guest appearance in this year's photos, and it was extremely entertaining to watch a dog of his size try to squeeze his way onto the couch). 

I say this all the time, but a family who invites me back year after year is the greatest honor. I walked into the Wetterlings house this year and saw photos I'd taken of them printed and lining the walls, and few things are more satisfying than that. 

Thank you again Wetterlings (affectionately nicknamed the Weirdlings) for everything. Can't wait to see where year five takes us. 

“We are all a little weird and life's a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love.” 
― Dr. Seuss