My little Swedish Tomptin kept me busy this Holiday season.  Barnhart Family Photography took a little break from business and spent some quality time with my little ones.  We are starting to book Spring shoots, so if you are interested in a Littleton or Highlands Ranch photographer, send me an email.  If you book for spring, we are offering one free 11×14 and a free 8×10, any two poses of your choice, with the purchase of a digital package.

303-921-2285

My parents asked me a couple of years ago to photograph them at the Omaha Botanical Gardens.  However, every time we visit, we get so busy with the kids and the time just never arrives.  This October, we made sure to add a quick visit to the gardens for some fall photographs.  I love these pictures because they capture my parents’ personalities well.  My mom has never wanted her pictures taken for some reason, and always reverts to these hilarious and totally unnatural faces.  So my dad would tell a funny joke or tickle her or something and we got these natural expressions that I see in my mind when I think of my mom.  The great part was, as my dad was distracting my mom, he too became more relaxed and his face softened nicely.

I had no idea how hard it would be to photograph my parents.  But capturing a spirit that you have known in them for 28 years is not easy.  When I photograph families, I like to see them acting naturally together and while they begin to relax, that is when I click, but I had a preconceived notion for how they should look.  My mom is playful and funny, but really stoic in crowds.  She is thoughtful and natural, never taking a liking to a lot of make-up and products.  My dad is mellow but really tense in times of stress.  He is fun and outdoorsy, also has a great sense of humor, and both of them are teachers in their own rights.  How do you capture that?

Thanks for your patience Mom and Dad.  I know I was incredibly demanding, but overall I am happy with what we got!

Just one week before the big snow storm hit the Denver Metro area and destroyed the remaining color, I photographed this family.  It was absolutely freezing last Sunday and most pictures contained an incredible amount of steam coming from their noses and mouths.  They worked really hard to not show their discomfort and we had a great time wondering throughout DeKovevened Park in Littleton, Colorado finding all the great fall colors.

Hudson was such an easy baby to photograph.  He smiled on command, and when he needed a little encouragement, his big brother was there to make him laugh.  It was so cold last weekend and we wanted to begin the shoot before he needed his morning nap.  I was absolutely frozen by the end of the shoot and naked little Hudson didn’t seem to mind one bit.  He was fully contented to be playing with blankets, grass, scarves, or secure in Daddy’s arms.

The time frame for outdoor photography is closing rapidly.  By October 15, leaves may not remain on the trees.  Be sure to book your family or baby portraits soon as my calendar is filling up fast for these beautiful fall colors!

I photographed this little girl when she was just an infant.  Now she is 2 and full of energy, curious about the world.  We played numerous games of hide and seek as I captured her beautiful blue eyes.  We went through a package of 5 sunflowers very quickly as she and her brothers loved playing with the giant blooms.

I photographed this couple on a beautifully warm summer evening.  They were so easy to work with and truly a happy and fun couple.  I wish them the best in their new marriage and many happy years to follow.  I used two camera bodies for this shoot and thank goodness for that as their toddler boy ran from one side of the venue to the next, leaving me with the need to quickly change from a long range lens to a short one constantly.

When my oldest son was 6 months old, we took family portraits in Downtown Littleton.  We wanted to recreate this setting with the addition of our second son.  However, since we paid a professional photographer 3 years ago to take our pictures, my son has developed a severe fear of anyone taking his pictures but me…  So we were left with no other choice but to do it ourselves.

We don’t have that many pictures of all four of us yet and it was really important that we captured this shot.  I set up my camera on a tripod and literally ran at least 50 times back and forth setting the timers, getting kids in the proper places, and somehow convincing them to look at the camera and smile.  Yes, we captured a great picture of Ethan, my oldest son, smiling at the camera, but somehow the one shown is my favorite.  I love his surprised look.  It brings a smile to my face every time I look at it.  Kids don’t have to smile for every picture.  Most of their personality comes out when they aren’t smiling.  Ethan has a great sense of humor and is wise beyond his short 3.5 years.  That stoic look really captured that truth.