Val + Hunter (and their kids – Colorado Springs, Colorado) Family Photos

Val + Hunter (and their kids) Colorado Springs, Colorado I adore large families. I grew up as an only child, so large families always are fun to me. I’ve been photographing this amazing family for a handful of years and what’s even better? My oldest son and their oldest son were in preschool together… and now they are both in junior high. Where does time go? I hunted for a special spot because I wanted to change things up a bit — it was cold with snow still on the ground in other parts of the area but I wanted to grab that late fall lighting with a warm background. Grateful we found it.

Sarah and Daniel (and their twin boys) – Family Photos – Colorado Springs, Colorado

This family is the best. So much laughter. They are goofy and playful and kind. They love each other in a big way. It was so much fun to do these photos. And hello… twins are THE BEST.

Holly + Ken (and kids) – Colorado Springs, Colorado

I’ve been photographing this sweet family for over a decade. It’s a joy to take their photos once again. They even had a huge snowball fight at the end of it. I love it when families have FUN taking photos. That’s how it should be. Ken + Holly (and their 6 kids) Black Forest, Colorado

Brandon + Callie (family photos) – Colorado Springs, Colorado

Callie + Brandon (and their girls) Downtown Colorado Springs, Colorado Family Photos It’s an honor to photograph other families that own a small business here in town. There’s something special about having someone that truly understands the crazy roller coaster of it all. This family owns Switchback Coffee Roasters and it’s the best coffee shop in town. A perfect patio for sunny days and the inside is cozy for cold days (or any day, really). I’ve spent many hours editing photos in their shop; lots of natural lighting and friendly employees. If you haven’t been there, check it out! We spent one evening the last week in August taking these photos. On a night when the sun is setting a little earlier, and there’s a crisp feel to the air once the sun goes behind Pikes Peak. This family and our family shares a huge love for our city. Both of our families have local brick and mortar storefront businesses that rely on the people of the city; our kids all go to school here and we plan to raise our families here. It’s a beautiful place and we all agree — it’s the people that make it what it […]

Broderick (3 months old)

My dear friends had a baby. Not only did they have a baby, they had a really, really cute baby. And he happens to reside in the most fashionable nursery I have ever seen. I’m pretty sure he’s perfect in every way and saying I’m excited to watch him grow since they live a stones throw away from me, is saying it mildly. I love these photos of Ashlee doing life with her little man. I hope in 5 years she can look back on these and instantly remember what it was like to hold him in his nursery chair and feel the wind blowing through the window. I hope she can hear his coo’s and laughs. These moments are fleeting, but so incredibly wonderful. Meet Broderick the Brave.  

Beauty from Ashes

“Bestow on them a crown of beauty  instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.” – Isaiah 61:3 I have a story to tell you. A story filled with joy and hope. I met this family when their oldest daughter, Morgan, was planning her wedding and they hired me to be the wedding photographer. They are a wonderful, life-giving family. My heart sank when I received an email from Morgan a week after she saw that I was offering to do photos for families that lost their homes in the Waldo Canyon Fire. Her father lost his home and it was in one of the heavily damaged neighborhoods. It was the home that meant the most to them all. We set up a time to do the photos and when we met last night, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Typically a joyful family, I still questioned how we would do this shoot. Would it filled with tears? Would it be something the family really didn’t want to do? The weather was beautiful and I couldn’t have […]

Free Family Photos for Waldo Canyon Fire Victims

This has been quite the week in Colorado Springs. So emotional. Devastating. I want to help. I can’t imagine losing my home. And when I imagined all the things I’d have to pack up in an emergency, I would only hope I’d have time to grab photos of my family. I know that some families here in Colorado Springs who lost their homes in the Waldo Canyon Fire did not have time to grab their precious family photos. I know I can’t replace the ones that were lost, but I can take new ones. If you’ve lost your home in the Waldo Canyon Fire and you’d like new family photos, I’d like to take them for you free of charge. It will include a CD of the images from the photo shoot, 45 minutes of time at an outdoor location, and also the print release for you to make prints of the photos. I realize this is going to be a process, so when you’re ready, you can email me at megan@meganhardrephotography.com and we’ll put something on the calendar. — Megan  

The Nix Family (Woodland Park, Colorado)

The Nix family came to visit Colorado from Texas a few weeks back and I had a chance to take photos of their family at the vacation home they rented. Love the warm sunshine, I loved how they all enjoyed laughing with one another so easily but my favorite part was getting a glimpse into my near future as I have boys too (except much younger). I can only hope mine grow to be as polite and personable as the two Nix boys were when I met them. Enjoy!

Emily + Gary (just because session)

Hi friends! Samantha here. There are very few things in life more fun to me than photographing dear friends in love. This photo shoot had been a long time coming! Emily and Gary first suggested I take some pictures for them 3 years ago, but because of one thing or another we kept putting it off. Finally, on the eve of their 10 year anniversary (perfect timing) we trekked out to a ranch bathed in gold from the setting sun and took some magical photos. Gary makes Emily smile with a glance and she makes his eyes light up by just being near, making my job easy. Emily and Gary, thank you for letting me document your milestone! – Samantha

Clark Family (family photos – Las Vegas, NV)

My husband and I lived in Las Vegas for close to 5 years after we left college. In that time, we met some amazing people and among them were Andrew and Andrea. They are an incredible couple who at that time was along side us through a tough season in our life when we were having issues with pregnancy. They faithfully prayed with us and that turned into cheered us on when our first son Jonah, finally arrived. We then moved to Colorado Springs and although I visit often since I have family still there, I hadn’t had the chance to meet their son in the times I had been back. It was so great and reminded me how quickly time goes by. I set up this special trip to just do family photos and we spent a lovely evening together. I adore them and wish we lived closer! P.S. For those of you not from Vegas, you’ll have to get out beyond The Strip next time you visit and check out Town Square.  It’s a great place with lots of shops, places to eat and a great place for kids to play. There’s even a cool train.