Fall Family Photo Session Specials! | Denver Portrait Photographer

It's that time of year again... !!

If you've never had a professional family portrait session (or if you've not had one with ME)... this is going to be a blast!

Seriously, not only will you love the artwork celebrating your family for generations, this is a really FUN bonding experience and fun way for your family to spend some time!

NEW THIS YEAR are a variety of packages to fit different needs and budgets, including a special package that will allow you to check off a few holiday gifts from your list... how great is that?!

OK... so here are my 2014 Family Holiday Portrait specials:

FAMILY HOLIDAY CARD SESSION [ first come first serve ]
Session Fee: $350 includes

• 45 minute session (at location of your choice within 40 minutes of Denver)
• viewing session with 20 photographer edits (you will see PRINTED proofs!)
• your favorite (3) high res digital files (printable to 5x7)
• (25) custom designed holiday cards (includes one round of design edits)

HOLIDAY CARDS, WALL PORTRAIT ... and GIFTS!! [ limited sessions ] 
Session Fee: $975 includes

• 1 hour session (at location of your choice within 40 minutes of Denver)
• viewing session with 25 photographer edits (you will see PRINTED proofs!)
• (1) 16x20 archival, mounted family portrait (includes file)
• (3) 8x10 archival, mounted gift prints (including files)
• (50) custom designed holiday cards (includes one round of design edits)
• Shareable personalized app with 15 favorite photos for iphones / ipads / other gadgets

And new for 2014:
LIMITED MINI SESSIONS / 2 DAYS ONLY [ call or email to check availability ]
DAY 1: Sun, Nov 22 location: Cheesman Park
DAY 1: Sat, Dec 6 location: my vintage, urban studio (W Evans and Santa Fe)
Session Fee: $275 includes

• 30 minute session -- (only available on mini session days at location specified above)
• viewing session with 15 photographer selects (you will see PRINTED proofs!)
• (3) of your favorite photo files (printable to 5x7)

Additional prints, products and files are available with every package for purchase!

These special package prices are first come, first serve, through December 31st (because I believe your holiday cards can go out as New Year's Cards... or Happy February cards!).

Book now to grab your spot on the busy season calendar!

Cheers!!

BOOKINGS + INQUIRIES:

Jennifer: (970) 708-2065
jennifer@merrittdesignphoto.com

Family Portraits | Photographer Denver

My son and I recently hopped on board the California Zephyr (yes, the TRAIN!) from Denver to Chicago for a long overdue, low-scheduled, high quality-time visit with family!

One of the afternoons, after a dramatic, Lake Michigan-style storm rolled through, we gathered for a few rather impromptu portraits in my sister's garden. There's nothing quite like the soft light of overcast skies, combined with a bunch of people you love to create a memorable, beloved set of photos!

Here's to celebrating the ones we love!

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!

Love! Pure Love! | Denver Family Photographer

So there's this question that every photographer is asked:
   "What's your favorite photo?"
To which, ideally, the answer is:
   "The one I'll take tomorrow!"



I've been lucky enough to experience and create new personal favorites on nearly every photo shoot lately, but this one (above!) may have just jumped onto a permanent list of top fav photos ever!! Pure joy, pure love, natural light... spontaneous moment. All of my very favorite things in one image.

Of course, it helps that I have fallen madly in love with this little family. Can you blame me? I mean, can you even believe how CUTE this little girl is?? She was a fantastic model on our shoot... and her PARENTS?? Well, let me just say it was a joy-filled honor to get to work with these incredible, bright, loving and super TALENTED people. Stephanie and Doug, I just adore you!

In case you were wondering, yes, behind the camera I was in heaven. Oh! And I almost forgot: we were outside trying to duck to avoid 30 MPH wind gusts on this shoot in Denver. So we got creative in finding protected urban nooks with great light, and I couldn't be happier with the results. Enjoy!

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!

Why I do What I Do | The Happiness Gratitude Connection

I have something personal to share on why I have been a photographer since ... long before I realized I was actually a photographer ...

I recently caught the tail end of a TED radio talk on Happiness, when I was struck by these words:"WE HAVE TO BUILD STOP SIGNS INTO OUR LIVES."


The speaker, David Steindle Rast, was talking about gratitude as an essential key to happiness. He suggested that this simple active pause can revolutionize our lives, inspiring a sense of gratitude, and in turn bringing more happiness to our daily lives.  He suggested that we could ALL benefit by taking time to "STOP. LOOK. And GO." Every day.


This is PRECISELY what I love so passionately about photography. 


Great photographs are stop signs: they evoke a moment's pause, a moment's reflection, a moment to be grateful. 


The world moves fast. Faster, every day with digital images pummeling most of us for most of our waking hours (I'm probably not the only one guilty of absorbing digital media even from bed)!

When I recently started ordering PRINTS again -- for myself and for clients -- it struck me how much value there was in looking at something that wasn't being projected in pixels. It was inspiring me to STOP. And LOOK. And then GO on with my day. With Gratitude.


THIS is why I do what I do. My work is ever inspired by love, gratitude, and a desire to share.

To see more of what's been happening in our latest newsletter, click HERE!

Stay GRATEFUL... and as always, Stay INSPIRED!

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."