The fire in Black Forest, Colorado was absolutely devastating ten years ago. Bittersweetly, though, it left new open spaces with gorgeous view of Pikes Peak - a real treat for locals hosting photo sessions on their home properties!


The Carters' home stands on beautiful Black Forest land that was once heavily wooded. I remember driving by their street frequently on my way to church or friends' houses in high school. The area is unrecognizable now from that time, thanks to the horrific fire that at the time caused the heaviest property losses in recorded state history and claimed the lives of two people - parents of a young man I knew from band class in high school. Black Forest is once again a beautiful, peaceful place, although scars of the fire remain and will for many years to come. The Carters are relatively new to Black Forest, and are so in love with their home and the breathtaking views they have of the forest and Pikes Peak. Their cozy home sits on a large acreage for this part of the forest - the perfect setting for Katie's lifelong dream to finally come true of raising her girls in the country with animals!


Katie knew without a doubt that she wanted to do her family photo session on their property and include some of their growing menagerie of animals - this time, their horse Poppy and pony Teddy! Katie's young daughters were also excited to show off their new baby sister! Everyone was dolled up for photos, including the horses who had fresh baths and their manes and tails attended to! Although we lightheartedly encouraged the girls to not act TOO crazy in their dresses, I was happy to see them running around in the woods and wildflowers, riding on and petting their beloved horses, energetically swinging from their playground set, and playing games in the tall grasses with me as the moon began to rise in the east. What a blessing for these three little ladies to start their lives so closely connected to nature!


Katie, I'm truly honored that I got to document this precious chapter in your family's story and get to know your entire family! Thank you for choosing me to capture these sweet memories. I'm so happy for you to see your dreams coming true and can't wait to see your lives continue to unfold in your beautiful forested paradise!

Parents pose and smile with their three little girls at their family photo session in Black Forest Colorado.
Parents and their three little girls pose and smile at their family photo session in Black Forest Colorado.
Parents holding their newborn baby girl smile at their older girls at their family session in Black Forest Colorado
Mom holds her newborn baby girl in her arms as she looks around at their family photo session in Black Forest Colorado.
Parents and their young girls pet their family horses at their family photo session in Black Forest Colorado.
Two young sisters hold hands at their family photo session in Black Forest Colorado.
Parents kiss holding their horses' reins their little girls beside them at their family session in Black Forest Colorado
Little girl gives her pony a hug at their family photo session in Black Forest Colorado.
Two young sisters run through the grass as the moon rises at their family photo session in Black Forest Colorado.
Two young sisters play ring around the rosy at moonrise at their family photo session in Black Forest Colorado.
Two young sisters squat in the grass and giggle as the moon rises at their family photo session in Black Forest Colorado
Young girl gives her little sister a hug at sunset at their family photo session in Black Forest Colorado.
Two young sisters smile and act silly at their family photo session in Black Forest Colorado.
Little girl on a swing softly smiles downward at their family photo session in Black Forest Colorado.
Little girl smiles while standing by her mom at their family photo session in Black Forest Colorado.
Young girl on a swing strikes a silly pose at their family photo session in Black Forest Colorado.
Young girl holds her horse's reins and smiles at her at their family photo session in Black Forest Colorado.
Newborn baby girl smiles up at her mom at their family photo session in Black Forest Colorado.
Two young sisters smile from atop their pony's back at their family photo session in Black Forest Colorado.
Two young sisters ride their pony together at their family photo session in Black Forest Colorado.
Two little girls pet their pony at their family photo session in Black Forest Colorado.
Young girl gives her pony a kiss at their family photo session in Black Forest Colorado.
Young girl hugs onto her pony's head and smiles at their family photo session in Black Forest Colorado.
Young girl sits on her pony and smiles at their family photo session in Black Forest Colorado.
Little girl goes for a ride on her family pony at their family photo session in Black Forest Colorado.
Little girl sits on her pony and laughs at their family photo session in Black Forest Colorado.
Young girl sits on her pony hugging his neck at their family photo session in Black Forest Colorado.
Two little girls pose with the family pony at their family photo session in Black Forest Colorado.
Parents smile and laugh with their little girls as the moon rises at their family photo session in Black Forest Colorado
Parents pose with their three little girls at sunset at their family photo session in Black Forest Colorado.
Parents pose with their three girls as the moon rises behind them at their family photo session in Black Forest Colorado
Parents and their two older girls smile at their newborn baby girl at their family session in Black Forest Colorado.
Parents walk with their three little girls at their family photo session in Black Forest Colorado.
Mom smiles at her horse as they walk together at their family photo session in Black Forest Colorado.
Mom leans her head against her horse's and smiles at their family photo session in Black Forest Colorado.
Mom poses and smiles with her horse at their family photo session in Black Forest Colorado.
Mom and her two girls smile at their horse at their family photo session in Black Forest Colorado.
Mom kisses her horse while her two little girls smile at their family photo session in Black Forest Colorado.
Parents smile lovingly at their newborn baby girl in their arms at their family photo session in Black Forest Colorado.
Parents kiss as they hold their newborn baby girl at their family photo session in Black Forest Colorado.
Parents smile while holding their newborn baby girl at their family photo session in Black Forest Colorado.
Parents and their three girls pose with their horses at their family photo session in Black Forest Colorado.