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!

"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 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.