Family Portrait Photography

Are you ready to celebrate the love in your family?

One of the things I love most about photographing family sessions is documenting the little things that show how you love each other. My goal is always to capture family pictures that speak to your connection – little moments between you and your children or your partner, sharing a laugh, a kiss, a sweet embrace.

Everyone can feel a little uncomfortable in front of the camera. From our initial consultation to hand-selecting your images, we join forces with you to create an unforgettable portrait experience for you and your growing family. We will guide you through the process and make you feel at ease. No one will be left wondering where to stand, what to do with their hands, how to position themselves, or even what to wear! We’ll make sure you and your loved ones look and feel their best. Just lean into the process and show us your love!

We’ll help you…

 +   prep outfits

 +   book makeup & hair

 +   feel pampered

 +   pose & guide you

"Desiree is unbelievably talented at posing women's bodies to make you look your absolute best. I never liked photos of myself until I did a family photoshoot with Des – I was blown away!"
    We Make IT EASY

How it works

01 // Let’s Connect!

We’ll chat in person and talk about what type of family photo session you’re interested in. Then we’ll get everything scheduled. Consultations are available prior to your photoshoot for planning, outfit selection etc..

02 // Be Perfectly Prepped

We’ve got you covered! We will discuss style,  hair & makeup options and schedule your appointment with our makeup artist, Simply Pretty Artistry. We will send you a detailed clothing guide to help you pick outfits that will make you look your best and make everyone in your family look cohesive. Need additional advice? Look no further. Curated by Juliana, is our go-to personal stylist. She’ll help you pull it all together.

03 // Don't Worry 'bout a Thing

During your photo session, I will direct, pose, and coach your family the entire time to flatter everyone and capture your best and natural expressions. We’ll have fun, keep things light and easy, and create an entire collection of photos you will LOVE.

05 // Create your collection

About two weeks after your family photo session we will meet at my portrait studio in Fossil Lake to view and hand-select your family photos. We offer a variety of luxury photographic products so you can enjoy your images for years to come.

With our state-of-the-art software, we can custom design a wall art collage, to scale, so you can actually see what the images will look like in your home. We also offer modern albums, announcements, and fine-art printing options – including custom framing!

A mom and a dad with their teenage son and dog posing for family photos on a downtown street in Fort Collins, Colorado

Why I do Family Photography

My mission as a portrait photographer is to create an empowering photographic experience that positively impacts your self-view and leaves you with a spark of confidence you can carry forward into the rest of your life.

Do you ever feel like you’re not photogenic? Or like you’re just awkward in front of the camera? Or maybe like it’s not even possible to get a beautiful photo taken of yourself? The truth is that it’s not your job to “be photogenic.” It’s my job to see you, direct you, and make you feel at ease during your photoshoot.

The result will be authentic images where you can feel the connection and see your unique beauty. I’ve spent years perfecting this art so I’m able to focus on your experience – keeping the shoot lighthearted & stress-free. It will, change the way you feel about being photographed.

Being Photographed doesn’t have to feel Intimidating…

MYTH: “I’m not photogenic.”

As an intuitive person, I’ve honed my skills so I can break down barriers, connect with you, and create a space for you to feel relaxed in front of the camera – that’s where the magic happens.

Beautiful family of 7 people—parents with their 5 children having their family photos done in a green park area in Fort Collins, CO
Adult sister with her two adult brothers posing for family photos in front of a grey concrete background
Black and white photo of a husband and wife posing in a mountain forest setting in Colorado.

what’s your style?

Family Photo Session Options

Choose by Session Length

1 hour

SESSION FEE   |   $300+
MIN. INVESTMENT   |   $895 

– includes 1 outfit
– choose 1 location from
urban, natural & studio

1 hour

SESSION FEE   |   $350
MIN. INVESTMENT   |   $1395

– includes 2 outfits
– choose 1  Poudre Canyon location

2 hours

SESSION FEE   |   $500
MIN. INVESTMENT   |   $2595

– up to 3 outfits
– choose from multiple locations from
urban, natural & studio, or a single Denver, Boulder, or mountain location

Choose by Session Location

urban

SESSION FEE   |   $300 +
MIN. INVESTMENT   |   $895 +

downtown vibes with edgy architectural lines & bright street art

natural

SESSION FEE   |   $300 +
MIN. INVESTMENT   |   $895 +

classic Colorado scenes – dreamy fields & beautiful foliage

studio

SESSION FEE   |   $300 +
MIN. INVESTMENT   |   $895 +

modern, clean, classic

mountain

SESSION FEE   |   $350+
MIN. INVESTMENT   |   $1395

Colorado’s sweeping mountain views, river beds & magical forests

mini session

SESSION FEE   |   $250
MIN. INVESTMENT   |   $1200

*limited date options*

+ professional hair & make up

 $159 per person

– add on professional hair and makeup from our go-to girl

FAQ’s

Frequently Asked Questions

DO YOU PHOTOGRAPH YOUR SESSIONS IN STUDIO OR ON LOCATION?

Desirée can take family pictures both on location or in the studio. See the packages listed above for options and pricing.

What is a Consultation?

We have two different types of photographic consultations at our studio. In an initial consultation, you will come into the studio to meet with Desirée and discuss the Photography by Desirée experience. During your initial consultation, we will select the session type best suited to bring your vision to life.

Then, in a vision and style consultation, we will go over all of the details to make your family portrait session a success. You will bring in the outfits you have chosen for your family members and we will discuss your clothing, style as well as hair and make-up.

DOES THE FAMILY SESSION FEE INCLUDE ANYTHING?

Session fees cover initial consult, photo session, editing and retouching of your images and reveal and ordering appointment. Session fees do not include any printed photographs or digital files.

WHEN DO I PAY FOR MY FAMILY SESSION FEE?

Session fees are paid in full at the time of booking to reserve your time at the studio and are non-refundable.

WHAT IF I NEED TO RESCHEDULE MY SESSION?

We understand that unexpected events come up, whether due to illness, weather, travel delays, or emergencies. If you need to reschedule, please call us as soon as possible (at least 24-48 hours in advance). While our session fees are non-refundable, you may use it for a one-time reschedule (if called within the 24-48 hour window) to be scheduled within 1 year of your original appointment date.

WHAT DOES “MINIMUM INVESTMENT” MEAN?

Your minimum investment is the minimum amount a client must purchase from their session. This can be filled from any of our collections or a la cart items. Since the amount of time, outfits, and locations can vary according to our client’s needs, we have a variety of sessions for you to choose from. Sessions have different minimum investments in order to allocate our customer’s time and budget appropriately and in order for us to serve our clients effectively.

WHEN DO I GET TO SEE THE IMAGES FROM MY SESSION?

Purchasing appointments are typically scheduled two weeks after your session. At your in-person purchasing appointment, you will sit down with Desirée and watch a beautiful slideshow highlighting our favorite images from your shoot. Desirée will guide you through the process of choosing and designing a customized family photo collection. We have a variety of mediums to choose from for you to enjoy your portraits for years to come. It is very important that all decision-makers are present during this time, as this is the appointment where your final decisions will be made. This is a time where you will want to devote your full attention (ordering appointments take between 1 and 2 hours), we ask that you arrange for a babysitter for children under the age of 12.

HOW LONG WILL YOU KEEP MY FILES?

All ordered and paid for images are archived for a period up to 1 year. We do not archive or save any files which are not ordered at your purchasing appointment.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO GET MY ORDER?

Your portraits will be ready for pick up approximately 6-8 weeks after your order is placed. Quality takes time, so please allow us the time needed to provide you with the quality you expect from a custom portrait photography studio.  

WHEN IS PAYMENT DUE FOR MY ORDER?

We require 100% of your order total before ANY part of the order is started or picked up.  Balances must also be paid in full to receive ANY digital images or yearbook images. Orders are custom-made and are non-refundable.

WHAT PAYMENT METHODS DO YOU ACCEPT?

Cash, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express.

WHAT IF I WANT TO MAKE A COPY OF MY IMAGE?

All images remain the property of Photography by Desirée and are protected by federal copyright laws. Duplication in part or whole (whether by scanning or reprinting) is strictly prohibited and will be prosecuted by law.  This includes posting scanned images to social media.