Red Rock Canyon Open Space has been on my Colorado Springs location bucket list since we arrived. It’s a stunning location with easy parking and fewer people compared to Garden of the Gods. But with the red rock formations, it still feels very Colorado. I was excited to explore it with the Barnard-Stewart family!

A Family Session at Red Rock Canyon Open Space

This family just arrived in the Springs a few weeks ago, right in the middle of their now one year old’s first birthday! A new city, a new home, a new milestone… this was the time to capture it all, especially with another new baby on the way.

With a six year old, a two year old, and a one year old, sitting still for photos was never really on the agenda, at least not for more than a few seconds at a time. Rather than wrestling anyone into a posed shot for too long, Dad just picked them all up and played. Both big kids on his shoulders, baby in his arms, little hands covering his eyes. It was chaotic and loud and I knew in the moment that these were going to be some of my favorite photos. Because as much as we think we want the posed, looking-at-the-camera shots, this is the reality of life with littles. As Jessie said, “this captures our family better than those kinds of pictures anyway.”

At the end of our session, once the kids had had enough, I pulled Jessie aside for a few maternity shots among the red rocks. The light, the landscape, the composition – everything aligned beautifully and I’m just a little obsessed with how they turned out!

If you’re a Colorado Springs family looking for a photographer – or you’ve recently arrived and are trying to figure out where to even start – I’d love to help. Reach out here and let’s make it happen!

• Garden of the Gods Family Photos | The Colgans
• Ute Valley Park | The Raimundi Family
• Alexandria Maternity Photographer | Jones Point | Helen + Kevin