Mountain Morning at the Lake Family Adventure in Salida, Colorado

This family session was a dream come true! I was so excited when my friend, Carly, requested a photo session during her family’s summer vacation in Colorado. I was already planning to see Carly and meet her husband and son since they told me they were coming to Salida months earlier. This was icing on the cake! Carly and I went through a 10-month-long Americorps program together in New Hampshire over a decade ago. We even both lived in the same small town in Iowa, but not at the same time (alas!).

We picked a spot at a lake high in the mountains not far from Salida and the cabin they rented. It was chilly at first so we wore layers, but as soon as the sun came out it warmed right up. We snapped a few photos by the lake then walked a nearby trail to find more beautiful scenery. I think my favorite spot was next to a stream where the sunlight filtered through pine trees. Plus, their son such a great little adventurer!

One surprise while editing is that I caught a hovering hummingbird in a shot! Check out this first photo: