Berthoud has changed a lot in the last few years. There are a lot of new families here now, and a lot of them are looking for a photographer who doesn’t require driving to Boulder or Fort Collins for a session.
I’m based in Berthoud and photograph families throughout the area — in homes, in yards, and at a few nearby spots I’ve come to know well. If you’re newer to town (or have lived here for years!) and are trying to figure out where to have a family photo session, here’s what I’d tell you.
My answer most of the time: at home. In your yard. On your porch. In the living room or kitchen. Not because it’s easier — though it is — but because that’s where your family actually lives, and that tends to show up in the photos.
Ready to book? Reach out here — happy to answer questions before you commit to anything.
Why At-home Photo Sessions Work So Well
When kids are at home, they’re themselves. They’re not performing for a stranger in an unfamiliar park. They’re in the place where they eat breakfast and argue over the remote and pile onto the couch together. That comfort is visible in photographs in a way that’s hard to manufacture anywhere else.
You also skip the logistics — no loading everyone into the car, no searching for parking, no herding kids from the lot to the location. I come to you, we walk outside or stay in, and we start from there.
You Don’t Need a Big Yard
A lot of Berthoud families are in newer neighborhoods — a modest backyard, a front porch, a strip of grass and a fence. That’s enough. I’m not looking for acreage. I’m looking for good light and a family willing to be outside for an hour.
A back porch at golden hour, kids running in the yard, a parent sitting in the grass with a toddler — those images work whether your lot is a quarter acre or three. The yard is just a backdrop. Your family is the photo.
If You Do Have Land
Some Berthoud families have more space — a ranch, horses, chickens, an outbuilding, wide open views. When that’s the case, we use it. (I will absolutely photograph families holding chickens!) A property like that gives everyone something to do besides focusing so much on the camera, which means more natural expressions.
The session this post originally came from was one of those — a family on their Berthoud property with two boys, balloons, bubbles, and a paddle boat. It was exactly what their family looked like, and that’s the point.
Frequently Asked Questions about Berthoud Family Photography
Do you photograph inside the home too? Yes — in-home is actually my primary recommendation for families with babies and young kids. It’s calm, it’s familiar, and the light in most homes is workable. We might move around to find the best window, but we don’t need a lot of space.
What if my house isn’t decorated or doesn’t feel “photo ready”? It doesn’t need to be. I’m not photographing your house — I’m photographing your family. A tidy-enough living room and a window with decent light is all we need. I’ve never walked into a home and thought “we can’t shoot here.”
What’s the best time of day for a yard session? The last hour before sunset. Colorado’s evening light is warm and flat and forgiving — it’s the best light of the day for portraits. I schedule outdoor sessions around that window. But, if you have young kids and that concerns you, early in the morning can also work. Coffee!!!
What should we wear for an at-home or yard session? Whatever you’d actually wear on a relaxed weekend. Comfortable, coordinated loosely in tone — nothing too matchy, nothing with big logos. I’m happy to help with outfit planning before your session if you want a second opinion.
What if we’d rather meet somewhere else in Berthoud? That works too. The Berthoud Reservoir and the Northern Water Conservation Gardens are both close and give you room to spread out. If you want to get out of the house, those are my two go-to suggestions nearby.
How far in advance should I book? One-two weeks is usually fine, though summer and fall book and fill faster. If you have a specific date or season in mind, earlier is always better.
Do you serve families outside Berthoud? Yes — I photograph families throughout Larimer and Boulder and Jefferson counties, including Loveland, Fort Collins, Longmont, Erie, Golden, and surrounding communities.
Next Steps
If you’re a Berthoud family thinking about photos — whether that’s in your home, your yard, or somewhere nearby — I’d love to hear from you. Learn more about family sessions or get in touch here to check availability.
Additional Berthoud Family + Newborn Photography Session Resources
See more work of Berthoud families and newborns.
What to expect during an in-home newborn photography session.
Sign up for my free newborn prep checklist.
Best spots for fall family photo locations in Northern Colorado.
