2019 Holiday Round Up - Beaver Creek Family Photos

We're one week out from Christmas, so I think I'm well within the safety zone of posting family holiday photos without ruining the surprise of anyone's holiday cards!  

Thanksgiving is a crazy week with families coming into town to make the most of the early snow before the Christmas crowds arrive.  It's also a great time to get in a snowy photo shoot before holiday cards need to be sent out. That's how I came to work with the Caperton's.

They had a shoot booked for Beaver Creek, right after a great snow storm.  You can tell how cold it was with the different layers they brought with them.  Both leather jackets AND ski jackets.  It worked out fantastically, because we were able to capture two different looks. 

Here are a few photos from our adventure around Beaver Creek.

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Beaver Creek Family Photos - Beaver Creek Chapel - Lind Family

The key to doing a successful family photo shoot in the snow is to keep everyone moving.  You can do this by asking the kids to play in the snow, moving to different locations, setting up different combinations and by taking lots of jacket breaks to keep everyone warm.  

This is the strategy I used the morning of the Lind's family photo shoot in Beaver Creek.  We started off the shoot beside the Beaver Creek Chapel to capture some photos beside the creek.  With a fresh snowfall on the ground and freezing temps, I was able to get a few shots of the kids playing before we moved down to the bridge area.  

It quickly became apparent that the poor kids were about to turn into popsicles, so we retired to a nearby fire pit to get some blood circulating.   After they could feel their fingers and toes again, we were able to head out again to grab a few more shots.  Here are a few of my favorites from their shoot.  I love the red accents against the snow.

Visit the website to see more Beaver Creek Family Photos.

Beaver Creek Family Photos - Miller Ranch Open Space

I had done a couple's session for Sarah and Jesse a couple of years ago, so I was excited when they decided to book a fall session with their children and brand new fur baby.  With the whole family in tow, we headed to the Miller Ranch Open Space in Edwards.  The Open Space has spectacular views of Beaver Creek, along the Eagle River.  If you can time it right with the leaves, it's the perfect spot for fall pictures. 

If you're wondering about the best colors to wear for fall photos, these guys had a great combo.  Blue and white for the neutral tones and dark red for the accent color.  It worked perfectly with all of the yellow. 

These are a few of my favorite shots from their session. 

                                   Visit the website to see more Vail Family Photos.

Vail Family and Pet Photographer - Miller Ranch Open Space - Eric and Rachel

I did engagement photos for Rachel and Eric a couple of years ago, so I was excited to help them with some photos recently at the Miller Ranch Open Space in Edwards.  

When they booked their session, we didn't know that the valley would be hit with smoke from wildfires.  Although the smoke can be a real nuisance, (and obviously very scary for anyone near the fires) it does make for some crazy lighting that's interesting to experiment with for photos.  The smoke acts like a giant filter over the sun, so shooting during the day is akin to shooting on a cloudy day.  

Thankfully they were okay with the conditions and we were able to play around with all kinds of lighting scenarios.  A few days later the smoke had cleared out and we were back to normal, and Rachel and Eric were able to get some unique images from their session.

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Beaver Creek Family Photography - Storey Family in Bachelor Gulch, Beaver Creek

New Year's Eve in Vail is always bitterly cold.  I know, because every year we watch the fireworks and it takes about an hour to get everyone bundled up before we walk out the door.  

When Shelly asked me to do some photos for her family on New Year's Eve last year, I knew what to expect.  What I didn't expect was the amazing views we would have of Beaver Creek in the background.  Because we were shooting three generations, it was inevitable that some little fingers and toes would start freezing pretty quickly.  Thankfully, we were shooting in their back yard, so we could corral people inside to stay warm and call them out when it was their turn.  

The sun was setting on 2017 during our shoot and what a way to finish the work year.  And yes, we went to the fireworks that night and it was crazy cold.  Nothing a little wine couldn't help with though!

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Beaver Creek Family Photos - Karasow Family

Family members, take note:  A photo shoot is a fail safe Mother's Day gift!

Josh had contacted me in April because he wanted to do a photo shoot on Mother's Day for his wife Nicole.  The family were staying in Beaver Creek.  It was spring time, everything was lush and green and the summer crowds were yet to roll into town.  As a photographer, it doesn't get much better.

Only it does. With four gorgeous kids, I was prepared for the usual challenges.  Kids get tired during shoots and they lose interest.  Not these guys though.  There wasn't a single tantrum, no one was whining, they smiled sweetly and were the best behaved group of children ever!  I'm still trying to figure out how to emulate this in my house...we're a long way off 😄!!

The Mirabelle, Beaver Creek

Beaver Creek

Family Photos at the Mirabelle, Beaver Creek

Family photos at the Westin Riverfront Resort and Spa, Beaver Creek, Colorado

Family photos at the Westin Riverfront Resort and Spa, Beaver Creek, Colorado

Family photos at the Westin Riverfront Resort and Spa, Beaver Creek, Colorado

Family photos at the Westin Riverfront Resort and Spa, Beaver Creek, Colorado

Family photos at the Beaver Creek Chapel

Family photos at the Beaver Creek Chapel

Visit the website to see more Beaver Creek Family Photos.

Beaver Creek Family Photos - Hopper Family

When I headed to Beaver Creek to take photos for the Hopper Family, the skies were clear and bright.  We'd been told that a storm was supposed to hit the valley that morning, but 5 hours later, it was still no where in sight.   I took a walk to scout out locations and found a perfect spot with mountain views at the base of a ski run.  The family headed out to meet me there, just as the non-existent storm rolled in, ruining my mountain views!  Thankfully, the Hopper family were excited for some stormy photos before we headed inside to the warmth for a few more pics.  

I always talk about how much I like red as an accent color in the snow.  Check out Lulu the dogs scarf!  Love the accessorizing! 

Head to the website to see more Beaver Creek Family Photos.

Eagle Vail Family Photos - Addie and CC

I'm still catching up on posting fall sessions. I never want to post them too early in case they're used for holiday cards. I can't spoil the surprise!! I've been taking photos of these two cuties for a couple of years now and they're such fun kids to be around.  

Our fall session was full of adventure on the Eagle Vail Par 3 golf course. The timing was in our favor this year.  The leaves were still in good shape and the golf course was closed for the season.  There's a small turnaround period before it becomes a nordic track in the winter and we got it just in time.  It's a perfect setting for kids to run around and explore the trees, log fences and hidden hiking trails.  Mountain kids in a mountain setting. ♥ it!

Visit the website to see more Vail Family Photography