A woman gives a child a piggyback ride outdoors in an autumn forest setting with colorful fall foliage.

Golden Aspens and Storm Clouds


I spend every fall chasing fall leaves for other families. This year, I finally chased them for mine.

We drove up to Breckenridge right at peak color, when the aspens are so yellow they almost glow and the whole hillside looks lit from the inside. The forecast said storms. The sky agreed. And honestly? It was the best thing that could have happened to these photos.


This is the session I'll look back on when they're grown. Big sister in a felt hat, little brother with a missing tooth and a beanie he refused to take off, and me, somewhere in the middle, trying to hold onto all of it.

Woman in red beret sits on fallen log in golden autumn aspen forest, surrounded by yellow fall foliage.
Woman in white dress stands on a forest path surrounded by vibrant autumn foliage under dramatic stormy skies.
Couple kissing by a mountain stream surrounded by autumn foliage at golden hour sunset.

Into the Aspens

We started on a narrow trail through Aspen Alley, a must see when visiting Breck in the fall, fallen leaves scattered like coins across the dirt and the mountains just barely peeking through the trees. My son stood in the middle of the path, hands in his pockets, looking straight up at all that gold like he'd never seen anything like it. Maybe he hadn't. That frame is one of my favorites I've ever made of him.

My daughter found a fallen log, sat down in her rain boots and red beret, rested her chin in her hand, and just looked off into the trees. I didn't pose her. She's getting older, and she's starting to have that quiet, far-off look that makes my heart do something complicated.

And then the two of them sat down together in the leaves, her arm around him, his cheek pressed against hers. I got in close, closer than they wanted, until it was just two sets of hazel-green eyes and a constellation of freckles. Same eyes. Same freckles. Same kids who will fight over the back seat on the drive home.


Young woman in maxi dress stands on autumn trail surrounded by golden aspens and evergreens under dramatic stormy sky.
Close-up portrait of two children with striking green eyes and freckles pressing their faces together.
A young girl in a gray sweater, white ruffle skirt, brown hat, and black boots stands among golden autumn aspen trees.
A woman in a striped dress and hat stands with a young boy on an autumn forest path under dramatic stormy skies.

When the Storm Rolled In


By the time we changed outfits, the clouds had gone dark and heavy over the pines. Most people would pack up. I got excited. Moody Colorado skies make the aspens pop even brighter, like someone turned the saturation all the way up on the trees and left the sky in black and white.

She stood on the trail in a gingham dress and her brown felt hat, arms tucked behind her back, and gave me a look that said she knew exactly how good this photo was going to be. She was right.


Piggyback Rides

Then came the piggybacks, which is where the session stopped being a session and just became my kids being my kids. He climbed on her back, wrapped his arms around her neck, and they laughed so hard he nearly slid off. There's a frame where his eyes are squeezed shut, gap-toothed grin, nose buried in her hair, and she's turned back toward me smiling like she's the one holding the whole world up. Some days she is.

A young boy in plaid shirt and beanie stands on a forest trail surrounded by vibrant golden aspen trees in autumn.
A parent holds a child in a vibrant autumn aspen forest with golden yellow trees lining a scenic mountain trail.
Two children sit together on a forest path surrounded by vibrant golden autumn aspen trees with mountains behind.
Two children laughing in autumn forest, girl giving piggyback ride, wearing fall hats, colorful foliage background.
Young woman in maxi dress stands on dirt path surrounded by autumn trees under dramatic stormy sky.
Young woman in plaid maxi coat and brown hat poses on autumn forest path with dramatic stormy sky.
A smiling girl gives a piggyback ride to a younger child amid vibrant autumn foliage on a cloudy day.

What We Wore


We did two looks, and both were built to sit inside the fall palette instead of fighting it.

• Look one (aspen grove): Soft gray knits, a white eyelet ruffle skirt, black rain boots, and a red beret for her. A plaid flannel, sherpa vest, brown cords, and an olive beanie for him. Denim, olive cords, and a gray beanie for me. The red and navy accents gave the yellow something to play against.

• Look two (storm and river): Brown gingham, cream cable knits, and a brown felt hat for her. A rust corduroy jacket and dark cords for him. A white dress with puff sleeves and a brown vest for me. Warm browns and rust feel right at home against moody skies and golden willows.

• The details that mattered: Hats and beanies give kids something to fidget with, and textures like corduroy, cable knit, and sherpa read beautifully in fall light.


Planning a Fall Session in Breckenridge


If you're dreaming of aspen photos, here's what I'd tell you:

• Timing is everything. Peak color in Breckenridge usually lands in mid to late September and only lasts a week or two. Book early and stay flexible.

• Don't cancel for clouds. Storm skies make the aspens glow. Rain gear and a backup window are smart; running from the weather usually isn't.

• Dress for 10,000 feet. It gets cold fast once the sun dips. Layers keep kids happy, and happy kids make better photos.

• Plan for two spots. Aspen trails for the golden-hour glow, then the river for sunset. It gives you variety without a long drive.