family photos part 2

photos by Janea Smith Photography


A few weeks ago, I shared part of our family Christmas photos in this post. I loved them all so much that I had to share the rest of the session with you, too! We took a vacation to Estes Park, Colorado back in mid-November and decided a few weeks beforehand that we would have family photos done while we were there. We had never done professional "destination pictures" so I wasn't really sure how it would all go, but looking back I'm so glad we did. I searched for photographers in Estes Park on Instagram prior to our trip and when I saw Janea's work, I knew we had to use her. Her use of light is amazing, not to mention her prices are incredibly reasonable (less than half of what most other photographers charge in the area- and she's better!). A few messages back and forth and our session was set.

I love a mix of natural elements with formal attire, so I knew right away I wanted us to be pretty dressed up for these photos. I found my dress on Rent the Runway, and pieced together Bear's outfit all around the maroon blazer that we found on sale at Dillard's a few months ago. Zach already had his suit and he fought tooth and nail not to wear it, but in the end I won that battle :) (second year in a row). I desperately wanted to make the trek up Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park for our photos but Janea had warned me that the road closes in October due to the weather. By some divine miracle, the road happened to be open on the day of our pictures, so we ended up getting to drive to the top and have pictures done in the gorgeous spot overlooking the Rocky Mountains. 

Janea was an absolute dream to work with and comes highly recommended- she was SO sweet to our Bear, despite his rascally antics the day these were taken. He wasn't feeling a photo session but Janea was so patient and kind; I was shocked when I saw how many great images she got of Bear smiling! She really is a pro. Janea also took over 600 photos and spent way longer with us than we originally agreed upon- she went above and beyond on all levels and I'm so thankful to have worked with such an amazing photographer. Colorado friends (and those of you traveling there), book a session with Janea! You won't be sorry.

I will forever cherish these pictures of our little family and the memories that they hold. Our Colorado trip, where we hiked around Bear Lake with our little Bear and stayed in a cozy cabin with a fireplace. Where we ate yak burgers and got Rocky Mountain high (figuratively, of course). And where we wore dress clothes at 13,000 feet, on top of a mountain, in 33 degree weather, just to get "the shot". These boys of mine sure are troopers, and I love them to pieces.
xo, Britt