FAMILY SESSIONS
CRESTED BUTTE, CO
THE EXPERIENCE
My sessions are relaxed, movement-driven and rooted in what’s actually happening. We’ll wander, explore, play and let the session unfold naturally. I’ll step in with direction when it’s needed, but leave plenty of space for the moments that don’t need to be created.
Kids can be kids. They can run ahead, take their time warming up, get a little messy, ask to be carried or completely change the plan. That’s often where the good stuff is.
We’ll make the photographs you’ll want framed, but we’ll also document everything around them—the movement, little hands, windblown hair, belly laughs, quiet moments and all the details that feel unmistakably like your family right now.
Come ready to spend some time together. I’ll take care of the rest.
tHE PROCESS
01 — CHOOSE YOUR SESSION
What kind of story are we telling? Keep it simple with a relaxed family session, or make a little more of it with an adventure session. Two ways to document this season of your family.
02 — BOOK YOUR DATE
Use this guide to select your package and choose your date from the booking calendar. You’ll then be prompted to pay a 25% non-refundable retainer and I will send over your contract to sign. Once those are complete, you’re officially booked.
03 — SESSION PREP
Once booked, you’ll receive a quick family questionnaire so I can get to know your family and find the location that fits you best. As your session gets closer, we’ll narrow down the location based on the season and current conditions.
You’ll also receive a personal styling code for Style & Select, giving you access to a live, interactive wardrobe styling experience to help pull together outfits for the whole family.
04 — YOUR GALLERY
After your session, I’ll carefully edit your images and deliver your full-resolution online gallery, ready for you to download, print and share.
CHOOSE YOUR SESSION
FAMILY SESSION | $700
A laid-back, full hour with plenty of time for a mix of candid moments and classic family photographs.
This is my go-to session for most families. An hour gives us time to settle in, explore the location, let kids warm up, and create a gallery with plenty of variety without feeling rushed.
60 MINUTES
LOCATION PLANNING
PERSONALIZED WARDROBE STYLING
PRIVATE ONLINE GALLERY
50+ HIGH-RESOLUTION IMAGES
PRINT RELEASE
ADVENTURE SESSION | $1,100
More time to wander, more room for the evening to unfold, and a gallery that tells the full story of your time in Crested Butte.
Designed for families who want to make an experience out of it—exploring more than one setting, following the changing light, and creating photographs that feel layered, effortless and full of movement.
We might begin tucked into the trees, wander through an open meadow, and finish with the mountains behind you as the sun settles. There’s no rush and no rigid plan—just the space to explore, be together, and document it beautifully.
UP TO 2 HOURS
LOCATION PLANNING
PERSONALIZED WARDROBE STYLING
PRIVATE ONLINE GALLERY
100+ HIGH-RESOLUTION IMAGES
PRINT RELEASE
Your gallery includes all of your final images in high resolution, ready to download, share, and print. No extra fees, no choosing favorites, and nothing more to purchase.
bOOK YOUR DATE
FINDING YOUR LOCATION
Crested Butte looks completely different from one season to the next, and there are so many beautiful places to photograph here—from open mountain views and quiet meadows to wooded trails, rivers and lakes.
Rather than choosing a location months in advance, I keep an eye on the landscape as your session gets closer. The week of your session, I’ll scout locations and narrow down the best options based on what’s looking beautiful at the time, along with the light, weather, accessibility and the kind of setting that fits your family.
Once I’ve narrowed it down, we’ll choose the spot that feels right for you. Whether that means wide-open views, somewhere tucked into the trees or a place with a little room to wander, the location becomes part of the story without taking the focus away from your family.
All you need to do is show up—I’ll take care of finding the good stuff.
WHAT TO WEAR
COORDINATED, NEVER MATCHING
The best wardrobes feel pulled together without looking overly planned. Start with one piece you love and build around it, mixing complementary tones, interesting textures and subtle patterns along the way.
Think soft knits, denim, linen, layers and pieces with a little movement. Skip neon colors, large logos, tiny busy patterns and anything too matchy—the goal is to create a palette that feels effortless and photographs beautifully together.
Above all, choose pieces that feel like you. There’s no need to dress your family in something you’d never normally wear. A great wardrobe should feel elevated, but still completely your own.
Because all locations are in the mountains, sessions include a little walking and light hiking as we explore. Leave the heels at home and choose shoes you feel comfortable adventuring in—something that allows you to move easily and enjoy the experience without worrying about your footing.
PERSONALIZED WARDROBE STYLING
Every family session also includes access to my personalized online styling service through Style & Select.
You’ll enter a little information about your family and can browse coordinated clothing options for everyone, all selected with photography in mind.
You can shop directly from the recommendations or simply use them as inspiration for pieces you already have.
It takes a lot of the guesswork out of figuring out whether everyone’s outfits will work together.
PREPARING THE KIDS
There’s no expectation for kids to show up ready to pose or perform. The session is designed to give them room to settle in, explore and be themselves. We’ll keep things moving, follow their curiosity and make space for their personalities to come through naturally.
Before your session, make sure everyone has had something to eat, bring a favorite snack for little ones, and give yourselves enough time that no one feels rushed.
Some kids are ready to explore right away, while others need a little time to warm up. We’ll follow their lead, take breaks when we need them and leave plenty of room for play, curiosity and whatever unfolds.
The movement, the personalities, the unexpected moments—that’s all part of the story. Your kids don’t need to do anything perfectly. They just need to be themselves.
dURING YOUR SESSION
You’ll never be left wondering what to do.
I’ll give you direction when you need it — where to stand, where to walk or how to move — and then give the moment enough space for something real to happen.
Instead of constantly asking everyone to look at me, I might ask you to walk together, scoop up your child, race down the trail, sit together or simply talk to each other.
The best moments don't need much direction. Be together, move naturally, and let the rest unfold.
Mountain sessions usually involve a little walking and exploring, so come prepared with water for everyone, especially during the warmer months. A few easy snacks for little ones, an extra layer as the evening cools down, and comfortable shoes are always a good idea.
Keep everything else light. The less we have to carry along, the easier it is to move and explore.
a nOTE ABOUT THE MOUNTAINS
Clouds roll in. Temperatures drop. Wind happens. A forecast can change completely in a matter of hours.
I keep an eye on conditions leading up to every session, and if something truly looks unsafe or miserable, we’ll make a plan together.
Otherwise, a few clouds or a passing sprinkle doesn’t necessarily mean we need to cancel. Some of the most beautiful light happens when the weather isn’t perfectly predictable.
Layers are always a good idea, especially for the little ones.
AFTER YOUR SESSION
This is where I take over.
Every image is individually selected and edited in my signature style while keeping skin tones, colors and the landscape feeling natural.
Your finished photographs will be delivered through a private online gallery where you can easily download, share and print your images.
You’ll receive a minimum number of photographs based on your collection, but I don’t hold back photographs simply to meet a number. If there are more images I love, they’re going in your gallery.
pRINT YOUR PHOTOS
Your gallery makes it easy to download your high-resolution files and gives you full printing rights.
Put the slightly chaotic one on the wall because it somehow feels exactly like this season of your family.
These photographs are meant to be lived with.
READY TO MAKE SOME MEMORIES?
From choosing the right location to figuring out what everyone should wear, I’ll help you through the entire process so that when your session arrives, you can simply show up and enjoy your family.
I can't wait to meet your family and document a little piece of your time in Crested Butte.
-Ali
GET IN TOUCH
Don’t see the date you’re looking for, planning farther ahead, or have a few questions before booking? Reach out and I’ll be happy to help find a date that works for your family.