The Vulcanos

Based in the suburbs of Colorado, this family of five, including their two Bernedoodles, is equal parts kind and fun. The dogs stayed glued to our sides for the entire shoot — and somehow posed perfectly without any direction. Every frame of them was completely candid.

I first met Caroline and Mike years ago, back when they were in the chapter of dating and living in the heart of the city. Buddha was just a puppy, and Caroline hadn’t yet started her graphic design company. Getting the chance to photograph them now, in this season of parenthood, felt incredibly full-circle.

When they reached out for family photos, I was genuinely thrilled. There’s something so special about witnessing people you’ve known grow and expand into new chapters of life — especially one as transformative as this. It was really beautiful to watch their love for Eliza - it sort of just beamed out of them - their sense of purpose toward her so visible, along with the love they had for each other.

We ended up pivoting our shoot location last minute when construction at their home was delayed, and instead gathered in Caroline’s parents’ backyard — a familiar and heartfelt place with a lot of history for them. It turned out to be the perfect setting: relaxed, meaningful, and with room to roam - as Eliza had just started walking days prior!

It was so special to capture this milestone and to reconnect with old friends. I left feeling very lucky and smelling like Caroline’s mom’s tacos.