The Best Compliment you can Give me as a Portrait Photographer

The best compliment you can give me as a photographer isn’t about how fast I deliver images, or how flattering the light is, or even how much you love the final gallery. 

It’s this: 

“I trust you.” 

This means everything to me. 

Not Every Photographer Works the Same Way—and That’s a Good Thing 

Some photographers are known for a very consistent, recognizable style. You can spot their work instantly. That consistency is often created through very intentional choices—location, time of day, color palettes, wardrobe guidance, lens selection, and editing style. It’s beautiful, and it works really well for a lot of people. 

My approach is a little different. 

As a Northern Colorado portrait photographer, I get so much creative joy from photographing people, and part of that joy comes from allowing each session to be its own experience. One shoot will not look exactly like the next—because the people, the energy, the setting, and the story are never the same. 

Why Your Session Won’t Look Like Anyone Else’s 

I don’t ask people to only wear neutral colors. 
We don’t limit ourselves to one type of light or location. 
We don’t force a shoot to fit into a single “look.” 

Sometimes we shoot in bright spaces with clean lines and the images feel crisp, and minimalist. 
Other times we lean into shadows, contrast, and mood for something more dramatic and cinematic. 

Sometimes I use flash. 
Sometimes it’s just natural light. 

We choose locations, timing, and styling to match a vibe—not a formula. 

And I love it all. 

What Trust Really Means in a Portrait Photoshoot 

When you tell me you trust me, it means you’ve seen my work and you trust my eye. You trust that whatever direction we’re going—bright and earthy, moody and dramatic, relaxed and natural—I can create images that feel like what you’re looking for, even if you’re not exactly sure how to describe it yet. 

Trust means you’re open to being guided. 
You trust me to see the light, the angles, and the moments as they unfold. 
You trust me to adapt if something changes and to make thoughtful choices along the way. 

Before every shoot, we’ll land on a vision together. We’ll talk about how you want it to feel, not just how you want it to look. From there, you can simply show up, knowing you’re in good hands—and that trust makes for awesome photographs.