The Jones Family | A Fall Mini Session with Big Heart | Colorado Professional Photographer

If you’ve ever tried getting your whole crew out the door for family photos, you know the chaos is real. Add in rural Colorado roads and an unexpected traffic stop, and well—sometimes things don’t go quite as planned. But as I always say: we roll with it. That’s exactly what happened during my fall mini session with the Jones family—and it turned into one of my favorite stories of the season.

The Joneses made the trip to me from Arriba, and they had a rough go of it on the way. A little roadside trouble turned their smooth journey into a bit of a scramble. They arrived about ten minutes late for their 20-minute session, and I could see the stress on mom’s face the second she stepped out of the car. She was so apologetic, but I waved it off immediately—if anyone gets that stuff happens, it’s me. I’m a mom too, and I know how unpredictable life (and kids and cars) can be.

The moment they hopped out, we got right to it. We had 10 minutes, a crisp fall breeze, and some seriously gorgeous Colorado color working in our favor. I had already scouted the perfect cozy little spot along the creek for these minis—a place with vibrant leaves, golden light, and easy access for families to come and go. It had all the fall vibes I was hoping for, and it turned out to be just the calm the Jones family needed after a wild start to their day.

Despite the chilly air, the kids warmed up to me quickly. We laughed, played, and captured some really beautiful moments in just a handful of minutes. Honestly, you’d never know from the photos that we were racing the clock. That’s the beauty of mini sessions—sometimes the short timeframe is exactly what families (and wiggly little ones) need.

As a Colorado professional photographer, I offer fall mini sessions once a year—just 20 minutes, timed for peak fall color, and set up for maximum ease. Whether you’re coming from the next town over or driving in from somewhere like Arriba, I’ve got your location scouted, your timing planned, and everything ready to go so you can simply show up and enjoy your time. Even if you hit a few bumps along the way, like the Jones family did, we’ll still make photo magic happen.

If you’ve ever felt like family photos are just too much—too stressful, too long, too complicated—mini sessions might be perfect for you. They’re quick, fun, and incredibly efficient. As a professional family photographer, I know how to keep things moving while still creating images you’ll love for years to come.

And whether we’re outside in nature or working inside my cozy Colorado photography studio, I’m here to make the process simple and joyful. As an Eastern Colorado photographer and dedicated Colorado portrait photographer, my goal is to create a relaxed experience that results in authentic, beautiful memories—no matter how the day starts.

So cheers to the Jones family for rolling with the punches, showing up with grace, and making the most of every minute. Their session was a sweet reminder that sometimes, even when things go sideways, everything turns out just right.