Speechless | Portrait Photographer Denver

So, I'm going through a set of stunning photos from a photo shoot in my studio yesterday and just HAD to share this glimpse of the process, as I'm DYING at how gorgeous they all are! It was one of those days where everything just clicked... the light, the conversation, and most of all, this absolutely beautiful young woman -- gorgeous and so talented, inside and out!

Above is an iPhone shot of my monitor, of a straight out of camera shot which I converted to black and white in Instagram (if you're on Instagram, come say hello @merrittphoto!) just because I was curious... The result took my breath away!

Sarah's awesome mom took these pictures of my assistant (and son) and me doing our thing, which I just love! And the final shot below is a phone picture by my boy (I'm loving his over-the-lens, behind-the-scenes shots!).

Behind the Scenes | Denver Portrait Photographer

Had my amazing assistant capture a few iphone snapshots while working yesterday in the studio with another gorgeous new head shot / portrait client.

So much lovely light!!

Always fun to share photos -- honestly it's one of my favorite feelings in the world to SHOW someone how beautiful they are!!














And thanks to my assistant (my son, and great photographer in his own right!) for the creative behind the scenes photos -- I just love this next one!

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!

Best Camera [is the one you have with you] | iphoneography in Denver

My mind is expanding in SO many ways right now, taking an incredible creativeLIVE three day course on women's portraiture (I have so many new photographer crushes! Sue Bryce, how funny, sexy AND inspiring can one woman be?!)

But I had to take a moment on our lunch break to share this composite of iphone shots from my commute this morning in Denver. Incredible light, lovely spring snow. Textures were incredible everywhere. Just beautiful!

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!

Apple - iPad Air | Your Verse

I don't usually blog this kind of thing, but I've seen this a few times and truly think it may be my favorite commercial of all time. The concept, the footage, the score, the narration (who doesn't love listening to Robin Williams wax poetic about life?).

" ... that the Powerful Play goes on ... and You may contribute a Verse ... "

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."

High School Senior Portraits | Custom Magazine Design, Denver

Ryan & Julianna

By jennifer koskinen in Merritt Design Photo Portraits

40 pages, published 12/10/2013

One of the advantages of hiring a photographer with a background in design is that we offer unique ways to showcase your session photos: this custom designed, 40 page magazine features a unique urban Senior Photo Session in downtown Denver Colorado. It was beyond amazing to get to work with these gorgeous and talented cousins! Enjoy!

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!

Painting with Urban Light | Modern in Denver Photo Essay

If you haven't yet seen the Fall Issue of Modern in Denver magazine, I highly recommend you pick it up! (ok yes, if you know me at all you know I always higly recommend this magazine -- it is, in my opinion, the cream of the architectural, editorial AND graphic design crop! Even the ads are beautiful).

I had wonderful time exploring the possibilities of creating surreal images with daytime long exposures for the autumn Photo Essay, and thought I'd share a few of the images here, plus a few "out-takes" from the photographic explorations on which this journey took me. Enjoy!

NOW... if you like this image, I have partnered with Modern in Denver to offer YOU a chance to win a limited edition, signed print!!

Details and all you need to Enter the giveaway are HERE!

Good Luck!!

Shadow Critters | Just for Fun

I photographed this leaf shadow a year or so ago. Reminded me of a Chinese Dragon. Is it just me or can you see it too?

Again this autumn I have gotten lost in the circus of critters that I see in oak leaf shadows early in the morning. They feel like creatures straight out of a dream!

Suddenly, I can't walk under an oak tree and NOT be drawn in by their sinuous, lifelike shapes. I just love them!

Take a moment to look down next time you're wandering beneath an oak tree in autumn -- you might too just get lost in a world of imaginative critter-shadows!

Enjoy!