Family Pictures Make Me HAPPY! | Denver Family Photographer

I smile throughout these family photo sessions, I smile stupidly at my monitor as I edit them. How can you NOT smile looking at these bright, loving faces?

This was a particularly fun cross-section for me of my love of architecture and portraiture, as this amazing husband and wife team are architects (originally architectural photography clients). We photographed the session on location at the house which they designed for their family (right after a quick spring storm in Denver). Check out Kung Architecture to see their work!

Model Portfolio Build | Denver Portrait Photographer

I never realized how much I'd enjoy the "directing" part of a photo shoot. It's a huge part of making this all work successfully -- learning to work with people to make them comfortable (which often means pushing their own comfort zones), especially if they have never been photographed or modeled before.

This was just such a session. Hans had just been signed by Wilhelmina Denver and needed an entire portfolio build, having never been photographed before. When you look at these photos, that's just plain amazing right?? We had SUCH a great time; he was open, took direction well, moved through poses and -- can I just say -- he took GREAT photos!

I'm really excited for his modeling ventures and hope to photograph him again soon!

Behind the Scenes: The Contact Sheet | Denver Portrait Photographer

What a blast I had photographing a new male model this weekend in my studio! He had the goal of building his portfolio for a modeling agency, and had never been professionally photographed before, but clearly, he's a natural! Directing his shoot was a breeze and am just loving this preliminary collection -- so impressed with his variety of expression and ease with posing.

And can I just take another moment to say how much I love all of the opportunity ripe for the taking in and around this studio!? Just found that graffiti wall wandering around this weekend. Good stuff.

Should be noted that these photos are completely UNedited -- after the shoot I take the set from several hundred photos down to a set that is manageable for a client to make their final image selections, then all retouching will happen on those.

Enjoy this glimpse behind the scenes, and come check out the Merritt Design Photo portrait and head shot studio for yourself sometime!

New Portrait Home! Denver Portait Photographer

Woot! I've had this on my list to do this for ages, and this weekend I made it happen (I think I managed to find 50 hours in 3 days to write, edit, design new pages, format and code... and I even fit in a glass or two if wine!) All new content, photos, TONS of information on investment options, frequently asked questions, and info on the process for both head shots and creative portrait or family photography sessions.

Check it out HERE and let me know what you think!

Portrait Shoot in my NEW STUDIO! { Denver High School Senior Photographer }

Ali and I had an absolute BLAST workin' it in this session.

First of all, how STUNNING is this amazing young woman?!

But what makes it even better is that she was just as excited as I was to experience the session as something empowering and fun; to explore the grounds of the factory where my studio is located, to feel the amazing light, and to express her beautiful depth... and together we discovered some pure photo MAGIC.

I am so lucky to get to do this! And I am super grateful to have found this studio, as the grounds are truly special -- natural light pouring in and bouncing everywhere, authentically vintage (an historic cotton mill!) and endlessly inspiring.

Autumn Family Portraits { Family Photographer, Denver }

Within seconds of picking up my camera it was apparent exactly how accustomed this awesome family is to having their photos taken. What I loved most, though, was loosening them up after the "expected" photo, and watching them enjoy each other (and their pets!), and capturing them in more candid poses. And hello?! This family is just beyond beautiful in every way!!

I do honestly learn something new on every single shoot, and my favorite moments from this shoot were, as is often the case, the unscripted ones. So much of my best work happens, as Annie Liebovitz says, "in the moments in between the main moments."

Actor Head Shots on Location | Portrait Photographer Denver

I do enjoy a creative challenge...

So not too long ago I took on the crazy task of shooting over 150 amazing young actors for the Denver School of the Arts' Theatre Department annual head shot project.

They could only be scheduled in the hottest light of the day. In August.

And did I mention that this is a parking lot in the background?

Fortunately for me, these kids are totally amazing and were TONS of fun to photograph, even at a such a quick pace!

Natural Light. 

Expression. 

Connection.

I. Love. This.

Enjoy a few samples from the day!

Photos from the... NEW STUDIO!! | Denver Portrait Photographer

Meet Mica!

I had such a blast photographing this lovely young woman in my new natural light photo studio!

Mica is such a darling person -- and her vocal talents will blow you away (check out her website).

I'm so excited about this unique photo studio, located in a turn of the century historic cotton mill just west of Santa Fe on Evans.

Historic architecture makes for a wonderful backdrop, and throughout the building is the kind of incredible light that can best be found bouncing through historic leaded windows and off brick and whitewashed walls.

It is simply DREAMY.

The studio also features fun sets as an integral part of its authentic history, and the possibilities for amazing portraits, from traditional to more unique, are endless. 

I photographed this set right in the middle of the day, on a day mixed with direct sunlight and clouds. 

I am positively IN LOVE.

And then... there's this amazing blue wall... don't you just love it?!

And yes, more traditional studio photographs are possible in here, too... What a blast!!

Thank you to my amazing friend and model from today -- Mica, your radiance shines so brightly from within you!!