Behind the Lens: A Heartwarming Studio and Outdoor Session with a Mother and Son

Every portrait session has its own story, and this one with a mother and her son was truly special. They came to me with unique goals—she wanted a polished, professional LinkedIn profile picture, while he was building his modeling portfolio with a mix of versatile headshots and creative branding images. Additionally, they requested a meaningful portrait of the two of them together, showcasing their bond.

We began the session in the studio, focusing on creating timeless and professional images. The mother’s radiant confidence and warmth shone through in her portraits, perfectly capturing the polished professionalism she was looking for. Meanwhile, her son was a natural in front of the camera, effortlessly transitioning from poised headshots to creative poses that highlighted his potential as a male model. The neutral studio backdrop allowed their personalities to shine, resulting in a series of clean, striking images.

For the final part of the session, we moved outdoors to capture the dynamic duo in a natural setting. The green pine trees provided a stunning backdrop for their mother-and-son portrait, where their connection and warmth were on full display. The outdoor shots added a layer of storytelling, with golden light and beautiful colors enhancing the candid, heartfelt vibe of their photos.

One of my favorite moments from the session was posing the mother resting her arms on her son’s shoulders. It was a simple yet powerful way to reflect the close bond they share and the pride she feels for her son.

The final collection of images included a mix of professional headshots, creative poses, and personal branding photos that both the mother and son loved. Their kind words after the session were truly humbling:

"Working with Dale was absolutely amazing! The experience was both personal and professional from start to finish. From our initial meeting to discuss packages, through the actual photo shoot, to reviewing and receiving the final photos, every step was fantastic. They have an incredible eye for detail and captured everything we envisioned. They made us feel at ease and were excellent at directing us for the best shots. The photos turned out stunning, and we couldn't be happier with the results. One of my favorite moments was when I was outdoors smiling, and they captured a candid shot of me—it perfectly reflected how I felt that day. I highly recommend Dale Steadman Portrait to anyone seeking a talented and professional photographer!"

This session was a joy to photograph and a reminder of the importance of connection in creating meaningful portraits. Whether it’s for professional branding or personal memories, I’m always honored to help clients capture their unique stories.

Let’s Create Your Story
If you’re ready to elevate your professional presence or capture timeless portraits, I’d love to help. Contact me today to book your session!

"Alysha's Journey to Unveiling her Authentic Beauty"

Everybody has their own unique reasons for stepping in front of the camera, and for Alysha, it was all about capturing her newfound confidence after breast augmentation.

Alysha's decision to have breast augmentations was a personal choice aimed at enhancing her self-confidence. Eager to celebrate her transformation, she opted for a full glam makeover, collaborating with my talented hair and makeup artist, Morgan. Together, they created three distinct "looks," with each outfit change showcasing Alysha's radiance and beauty.

During the photoshoot, Alysha's friend joined her, providing support and adding an extra touch of fun to the session. Alysha rocked it in front of the camera, creating a dynamic and uplifting atmosphere. We laughed throughout most of the photoshoot, making it an enjoyable experience for everyone involved.

As a photographer, my mantra is "if you're not having fun, then you're doing something wrong." I firmly believe that creating a relaxed and enjoyable environment brings out the best in people, and it certainly showed in the final images. Alysha's radiant confidence resulted in truly remarkable visuals.

Alysha's journey to self-confidence, marked by her breast augmentations and glamorous photoshoot, is a testament to the transformative power of embracing one's choices and celebrating newfound beauty. With the support of her friend and the joy-filled atmosphere, the images captured not only reflect Alysha's physical transformation but also embody the strength and happiness that radiated throughout the experience.

Let Alysha's story inspire you to embrace your own unique journey, celebrate your body, and seek the support and joy that comes from genuine connections. Remember, capturing beautiful moments should be an uplifting and enjoyable experience, leaving you with cherished memories and stunning images that reflect your authentic self.

So, take the leap, step in front of the camera, and let your confidence shine. Embrace the power of self-acceptance, friendship, and fun, knowing that every moment captured is a celebration of your unique beauty and journey.

"Capturing Memories: The Joys and Challenges of Being a Portrait Photographer for Your Own Family"

As a portrait photographer, I have the opportunity to capture moments and memories that will last a lifetime. There's something truly special about being able to freeze a moment in time and create a tangible memory that can be cherished for years to come. But what I find particularly lucky about my job is not only the opportunity to photograph my clients, but also my own family.

As a photographer, I am constantly seeking out new opportunities to capture unique and compelling images. But there's something about photographing my own family that is particularly rewarding. Not only do I get to capture images that will be cherished by my loved ones, but I also get to flex my creative muscles and experiment with new techniques and approaches.

One of the things I love most about photographing my family is the opportunity to document their growth and development over time. From capturing their first steps as toddlers to their middle school continuations, every milestone is a chance to create a visual record of their journey. As a parent, it's incredibly rewarding to be able to look back on these images and see how much my children have grown and changed over the years.

But photographing family members comes with its own set of challenges as well. Unlike clients, who are often willing to pose and follow direction, family members can be more difficult to photograph. Kids may be uncooperative or restless, and adults may be self-conscious or uncomfortable in front of the camera. But these challenges only serve to make me a better photographer, as I learn to adapt to different personalities and capture the unique qualities of each family member.

Ultimately, being a portrait photographer who gets to photograph their own family is an incredibly rewarding experience. It allows me to combine my passion for photography with my love for my family, creating images that are both meaningful and beautiful. Whether I'm capturing a special moment between my kids or taking portraits of my parents, every image is a chance to celebrate the people I love and the moments we share.

“Capturing Everlasting Love: A Magical Outdoor Anniversary Photoshoot”

When it comes to celebrating their wedding anniversary, every married couple has unique ways of expressing their love. Girish and Kiran, a delightful couple I had the pleasure of photographing before, decided to commemorate their special day with an enchanting outdoor shoot. Their choice to book a follow-up session speaks volumes about their trust in my skills as a photographer and the quality of work I deliver.

"Capturing Vintage Beauty: Shawnette's Winning Pinup Photoshoot"

In early 2015, Shawnette approached me for pinup shots for the annual 1940s Ball contest in Boulder, Colorado. Being a fan of the pinup style due to my childhood exposure to 1940s/WWII war movies, I had a clear vision of what she wanted. Shawnette brought along two outfits: an air force uniform borrowed from her fiancé, and a bikini. She looked stunning in both outfits, although the air force uniform presented a challenge due to its larger size. With some clever clipping, shooting around the clips, and a touch of Photoshop magic, we achieved fantastic results. It was incredibly fulfilling to see Shawnette win the contest that year; she truly deserved it. Not only is she beautiful, but she's also a genuinely kind person, and I couldn't have been happier for her.

"Remembering Taylor: The Lasting Power of Photography in Honoring a Life Cut Short"

As a photographer, I had the privilege of capturing Taylor's passion for snowboarding in his senior photos. He was eager to have his snowboard as a part of the shoot, and I suggested we head to the graffiti art district of RiNo to add some excitement to the session. Little did we know, this would be the last professional photos he would ever take.

Just ten months after our photo shoot, Taylor was getting ready to start college at Idaho State University, where he would study computer science. I was excited to hear about his future plans, but fate had other plans. Days before he was to leave for college he collapsed, and after several tests, he was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a type of brain cancer that is known to be aggressive. The prognosis was not good, and despite multiple surgeries, radiation, and chemotherapy treatments, Taylor passed away surrounded by his loved ones.

As a photographer, I often reflect on the value of a photo. It captures a moment in time that can never be replicated, and in Taylor's case, those photos will forever serve as a reminder of his passion for snowboarding and his bright future ahead.

"Capturing Confidence: A Boudoir Photoshoot at 40"

Is 40 the new 30? We recently had the pleasure of photographing Heather who wanted to showcase her finished tattoos. Although she had wanted to have the photo session soon, she had to wait for her tattoos to heal before the shoot. While she initially said the photos were for her tattoo artist, it was clear that she also wanted them for herself and her husband Scott, as she was only a few months shy of turning 40 and a mother of two.

To make the most of her photoshoot, Heather opted for the full model experience, complete with hair and makeup done by my fabulous HMUA Krysti. Her husband wanted to experience the photoshoot with Heather so he came along for the also. Heather did three outfit changes for this shoot and for the final look, she wanted a boudoir session to showing off the dragon running down her entire body. Scott was having so much fun that he left and brought back some wine to celebrate!

At the end of the day, it was evident that age is just a number. Heather demonstrated that at almost 40, she could still feel confident, beautiful, and empowered through her photoshoot. It was an absolute pleasure to capture these moments for her and her husband, and we look forward to working with clients of all ages and backgrounds in the future.

"The Lasting Importance of Senior Portraits: A Photographer's Perspective"

As a photographer who specializes in photographing high school seniors, I can tell you that there's nothing quite as rewarding as capturing the moment when they're about to leave home and embark on the next phase of their lives. For many of these young adults, these images will be the last professional photographs they take before starting their adult journey.

Of course, outdoor photography comes with its own set of challenges. There are so many things to consider before you can even push the shutter button: where to shoot, the time of day, weather conditions like wind or clouds, and many other factors. But when everything comes together just right, the results can be truly stunning.

Recently, I had the pleasure of photographing a charming high school senior for her senior portraits. Before we began, she was pampered in our studio with a full model experience that included perfect hair and makeup. Her parents have a fascinating backstory: her mother is a stunning Russian immigrant, while her father is a second-generation Coloradan who bears a striking resemblance to George Clooney. As I captured her stunning blue eyes, I couldn't help but wonder if they came from her mother's side of the family. (Fun fact: she was recently accepted into Brown University!)

For her senior photo session, she brought along her boyfriend, and I couldn't resist taking a few shots of the happy couple. They made such a cute pair, and it was clear that they were truly in love.

In the end, the young lady's parents purchased a foliobox plus an image of the happy couple. It was such a joy to be a part of their special moment, and I know that these photographs will be treasured for many years to come.