Choosing a family photographer can feel surprisingly overwhelming. A quick Google search brings up dozens of talented photographers, all with different styles, prices and approaches. So how do you know who is actually the right fit for your family?

Beautiful photos are obviously important, but there’s more to consider, especially when little kids are involved. The experience you have during your session, how comfortable your family feels and what you actually receive afterward can make just as much of a difference as the images themselves.

If you’re looking for a Denver family photographer, here are a few things I recommend considering before you book.

1. Start With a Photography Style You Really Love

Every photographer sees and photographs families a little differently.

Some create very traditional, posed portraits. Others take a more documentary approach with very little direction. And many fall somewhere in between.

Spend some time looking through a photographer’s work and ask yourself what you’re naturally drawn to.

Do you love photos with movement and interaction? Do you want everyone looking at the camera in most of your images? Are you drawn to warm, colorful photographs or something lighter and more neutral?

My own approach falls somewhere between posed and completely candid. I’ll guide you into beautiful light and give you direction when you need it, but I also want to leave plenty of room for your family to interact naturally.

The goal isn’t to make your family look like someone else’s. It’s to create beautiful photographs that still feel like you.

2. Look Beyond Instagram

Instagram is a great place to discover photographers, but it shouldn’t be the only thing you look at before booking.

A photographer’s website and portfolio can give you a much better idea of what you can expect from an entire family session, not just the one or two favorite images that made it onto social media.

Look for consistency across different families, locations and lighting conditions.

You may also want to pay attention to variety. Does the photographer show traditional family portraits as well as images of parents with individual children, siblings together, close-up details and candid moments?

A full family gallery should tell you much more about your family than one beautiful photograph.

3. Choose Someone Who Knows How to Work With Kids

This one is especially important.

Your kids do not need to be perfectly behaved for family photos.

In fact, some of my favorite images happen when we’ve stopped worrying about getting everyone to stand perfectly still.

An experienced family photographer should know when to give direction, when to change gears, when a child needs a break and when it’s better to turn something into a game.

Before booking, look through the photographer’s portfolio and reviews. Do you see families with children around the same ages as yours? Do the kids look comfortable and engaged?

Working with children is a huge part of family photography, and your photographer’s ability to make everyone feel comfortable can completely change the experience.

4. Understand Exactly What’s Included

Photography pricing can be difficult to compare because two sessions with similar starting prices may include very different things.

Before booking, find out:

• How long is the session?
• Are digital images included?
• How many photographs will you receive?
• Are you required to purchase images after the session?
• Are high-resolution files included?
• Is there a print release?
• Does the photographer help with location and wardrobe planning?

For my full family sessions, I include all of the best edited high-resolution images from our time together. You won’t have to choose a handful of favorites or purchase individual digital images afterward.

Knowing exactly what’s included ahead of time makes it much easier to compare photographers based on the complete experience rather than the session fee alone.

5. Think About the Experience You Want

There’s a lot that happens before I ever pick up my camera.

Where should you take your photos? What should everyone wear? What time will give you the best light? What happens if the weather changes?

A good family photography experience should make those decisions easier, not give you another list of things to figure out.

When someone books a full session with me, we’ll choose the date and location together, and I’ll provide guidance on wardrobe and preparing your family for the session.

If you’re still deciding where you’d like your photos taken, you can also explore my guide to Denver Family Photo Locations.

By the time session day arrives, I want you to feel prepared enough that you can stop thinking about the details and simply enjoy your family.

6. Decide Whether You Want a Mini or Full Family Session

Neither option is inherently better, they’re just designed for different needs.

A mini session can be perfect when you want a quick annual update, love one of the predetermined locations and don’t need much customization.

A full family session gives you more flexibility. We can choose the date and location specifically for your family, take our time and create a larger variety of images.

If you’re not sure which one is right for you, I’ve put together a complete guide comparing Mini Sessions vs. Full Family Sessions.

You can also explore my current Mini Session Availability or learn more about the Full Family Session Experience.

7. Find a Photographer You Can Grow With

This is something you may not think about when you’re booking your first session.

Some of the families I photograph today first came to me when they were expecting their first baby. I’ve been lucky enough to photograph them through maternity photos, newborn days, first birthdays, new siblings and annual family sessions.

There is something really special about having that history together.

Your children become more comfortable with the person behind the camera, your photographer gets to know your family’s personalities, and over time your photographs become a record of how much life has changed.

If you’re just beginning that journey, you can also explore my Denver Maternity Photography and Denver Newborn Photography experiences.

Finding the Right Denver Family Photographer for You

There are so many talented family photographers in Denver, and ultimately the right one is the person whose work you love and whose approach feels right for your family.

Look beyond a single beautiful Instagram photo. Consider the photographer’s style, experience with children, what’s included in your session and how you want the entire experience to feel.

Family photos are an investment, but they’re also one of the few things you purchase that become more meaningful as the years go by.

Looking for a Denver Family Photographer?

I photograph families throughout the Denver area and Colorado foothills with a relaxed, guided approach focused on genuine connection, beautiful light and the personalities that make your family yours.

EXPLORE THE FAMILY EXPERIENCE →