Summer is in full swing here, and I don't know about you, but my family is trying to cram a winter's worth of fun into the last few weeks of sunshine. Busy Busy. I think part of he problem is that I am from Montana, where the weather gets nice in mid June and is cold again by mid September, so you have to make the most of it before the snow settles in. I forget that it's nice in Colorado basically until December. PLP has been busy, too!

At the end of June, I got the chance to head up into the mountains for one of my favorite types of sessions: family vacation photos! This is such an amazing idea, and honestly I had never even thought about it until my first family reached out to me last summer. Having everyone together in a beautiful place, how could you NOT want to capture that? And these photos make the best souvenirs, and Christmas newsletter material.


Before I tell you all about this cute family and our super fun session, I must share how I nearly met my untimely end on this amazing evening. If you have ever been to the Sapphire Point Overlook outside of Breckenridge, you know it has some of the most amazing views around and also some of the most over-fed and over-socialized chipmunks in the Rockies. Year-round there are enthusiastic tourists feeding them seeds and other snacks, so they have absolutely no problem with coming right up to people and making ridiculously cute faces for treats. While I waited for my clients I decided to take a quick video and make an Instagram reel. As I took a step back to make a panorama sweep, I stepped on a cute little furball that had tried to sneak up behind me. Upon feeling the slight squish under my foot I reacted in a completely rational manner and flung myself forward off of it, with no regard for the fact that I was on an actual cliff. Luckily for me, my superior athleticism didn't kick in, so my fling was more of a controlled face plant. I rolled myself over first to check on the poor little pancake, but the chipmunk was absolutely fine. He gave me a look I can only interpret as "the audacity" and scurried away. I did not fair so well. I scrapped up my knees and palms, rolled my ankle and jammed my pinky finger. But, even covered in road rash and with a noticeable limp, I am a cool-as-a-cucumbe4r professional, and the session must go on!

So, on to the good stuff!

This family was so cute and loving towards each other that finding emotion and genuine smiles was a piece of cake for me.

Group photo at scenic mountain overlook with lake and forest backdrop.
Family portrait session at sunset with mountain and lake views in the background.

And while everyone was great, I think we can all agree that he absolute star of this session - and I'm guessing every other day, too - was baby KJ

Outdoor family portraits against a mountainous backdrop with pine trees and blue skies.

Three generations of gorgeous women

Candid family moments captured in a mountain setting with evergreen forest background.
Family photoshoot in a scenic mountain landscape with evergreen trees and dramatic skies.

That first grandbaby feeling

Family sitting on rocky overlook with mountain lake and scenic landscape in background.

Three

Romantic couple portraits at sunset with mountain lake and pine forest scenery.

great

Playful couple photos in casual attire with mountain and lake views at golden hour.

couples!