Saint Catherine's Chapel on the Rock Family Photography | Bethany & Ben
Some photography sessions stay with you long after you put your camera away. This was absolutely one of those sessions.
I made the drive from Colorado Springs to Saint Catherine's Chapel on the Rock near Allenspark, Colorado, to photograph Bethany, Ben, their son Parker, and their adorable dog Ollie.
This Saint Catherine's Chapel on the Rock family photography session quickly became one of my favorite family photography experiences I've ever had. From the beautiful fall scenery to the incredible energy of this family, everything about the afternoon came together.
We laughed, explored, captured some beautiful portraits, and had an absolute blast along the way. Looking through their gallery afterward, I couldn't help but smile at how many genuine moments we captured.
Saint Catherine's Chapel on the Rock Family Photography in the Fall
There are plenty of beautiful places to photograph families in Colorado, but Saint Catherine's Chapel on the Rock offers something a little different.
Located near Allenspark, between Estes Park and the surrounding Rocky Mountain communities, this historic stone chapel sits in an incredible natural setting. The architecture, surrounding forest, mountain views, and open landscape make it a wonderful location for family photography.
And visiting in October made it even more special.
The surrounding vegetation had turned beautiful shades of golden yellow and amber, creating an incredible autumn backdrop. The combination of the rustic stone chapel, colorful foliage, and mountain scenery gave us so much variety throughout the session.
I love locations that offer something beyond the typical mountain overlook or open field.
There's a certain character to this place that makes the photographs feel especially memorable.
It was absolutely stunning that afternoon.
Bethany, Ben, Parker & Ollie: A Family Full of Laughter
Now, let's talk about the family.
From the moment we started, Bethany and Ben were incredibly welcoming, relaxed, and easygoing. Parker brought his own personality and energy to the session, and Ollie was an adorable addition to the whole experience.
One of my favorite things about photographing families is when everyone can simply be themselves. There's no pressure to make every moment look a certain way, no need to worry about everyone smiling at the same time, and no reason to turn the experience into something overly structured.
We laughed, played around, explored the surroundings, and captured a little bit of everything.
Some photographs were more traditional family portraits, while others happened naturally in between. The little interactions, the laughter, the way everyone gravitated toward one another, and those spontaneous expressions are often the photographs I love most.
Bethany, Ben, Parker, and Ollie made all of that incredibly easy.
Honestly, I could have spent the entire afternoon photographing this family.
Why I Love Natural Colorado Family Photography
One thing I've learned over the years is that the best family photographs don't always happen when everyone is looking directly at the camera.
Sometimes they're created when a child starts laughing at something unexpected, when parents share a look, or when the family forgets about the camera for a moment.
That's the approach I love bringing to my family photography sessions throughout Colorado.
I want families to enjoy their time together rather than feel like they're spending an hour following instructions. I'll absolutely guide you through beautiful portraits and help with posing when needed, but I also leave plenty of room for movement, personality, and genuine interaction.
This session with Bethany and Ben was such a great example of that.
Looking through the final gallery, I found so many photographs that made me smile. The laughter, the expressions, and the natural connection between everyone made this collection especially meaningful.
This is exactly why I love what I do.
Traveling from Colorado Springs for Beautiful Family Photography
One of the things I love about being a Colorado photographer is getting to explore different parts of the state and meet wonderful families along the way.
For this session, I drove all the way from Colorado Springs to Saint Catherine's Chapel on the Rock near Allenspark. It's not exactly a quick drive, but honestly, I'm always up for traveling for the right family and the right session.
Colorado has so many incredible places worth exploring, and I don't believe beautiful family photography should be limited to one city or one location.
Whether we're photographing the red rock formations of Garden of the Gods, finding mountain scenery near Estes Park, or exploring a beautiful little spot tucked away in the Rockies, I'm always excited to find somewhere special.
If you're looking for a Colorado Springs family photographer, I'd love to help you plan a session that reflects your family's personality and the kind of scenery you love.
I photograph families throughout Colorado and am always happy to discuss locations beyond Colorado Springs.
A Family Session I'll Remember
I photograph a lot of beautiful places and meet so many wonderful people through this job. Every now and then, though, a session comes along that reminds me just how much I enjoy what I do.
This was one of those afternoons.
The location was stunning. The fall colors were beautiful. The weather gave us a wonderful setting to work with. But what made the experience stand out most was Bethany, Ben, Parker, and Ollie themselves.
They were kind, relaxed, fun to photograph, and genuinely enjoying their time together.
I left that afternoon feeling incredibly grateful that I get to do this for a living.
Thank you, Bethany and Ben, for spending part of your fall afternoon with me and allowing me to capture these memories for your family. It was an absolute joy photographing all four of you.
And Ollie, you were a star!
Planning Your Own Colorado Family Photography Session?
Whether you're visiting Colorado for a mountain getaway, celebrating a milestone, or simply want to document this season of life with your family, I'd love to help you create something meaningful.
My approach is relaxed, natural, and centered around capturing real moments. We'll find a beautiful location, enjoy the experience, and create photographs that bring you right back to how it felt.
You can explore my Colorado family photography sessions to see more of my work and learn about my approach.
If you're ready to start planning, take a look at my family photography packages and pricing.
I'd love to hear your story and help you plan a session somewhere beautiful in Colorado.
Let's Plan Your Colorado Family Photography Session
Have a date in mind? I'd love to hear from you! Whether you're local to Colorado Springs or planning a trip to the mountains, let's find a beautiful location and create something you'll cherish for years.
Get in touch with me here, and let's start planning your family photography session.
I'd love to hear your story!
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