A mother embraces her two son's during a golden hour photoshoot in Northern Colorado.
A couple standing with their horses during a golden hour maternity photoshoot in Northern Colorado
A couple runs through the Colorado high country during a rain storm as they elope.
Flourish

Northern Colorado Photography

Family, maternity, engagement, elopement

Documenting the heart-led and magically messy moments you’ll want to revisit for a lifetime

A family cuddles during their Rocky Mountain famiy photo shoot

family

Perfectly messy moments you’ll want to revisit again and again.

A pregnant mom poses for her maternity photos in Fort Collins

portrait

Couples, seniors, headshots, or any special photos.

A couple embraces during their engagement photoshoot in Estes Park

engagement

Romantic, playful and unforgettable.

A bride and groom embrace during their high country elopement

elopement

Intimate, authentic, wild love under the open skies.

A mother during her estes park photo shoot

maternity

Capturing timeless moments of motherhood and love.

Praise from my Colorado family photography clients

Nothing speaks louder than testimonials from clients who have worked with me. Here are a couple of happy family photography clients I’ve worked with over the years.

Mother with two children posing for photos in a library

Family photos I will treasure forever…

Without doubt, Chelsea Smith Imagery provided my family with the best pictures we have ever had taken professionally.

You capture those little, sincere moments of joy PERFECTLY – your eye for that is spectacular. You make the experience EASY & stress-free!! You uniquely photographed the sweet, tender moments, along with those of fun & playfulness. We gave you a difficult task with a chaotic family, but you were patient with us & miraculously came through with so many beautiful, special shots! Thank you for giving me photos that I will treasure forever. God has truly blessed you with an awesome talent.  Thank you for sharing it with my family.

MEGHAN

We were having so much fun…

Working with Chelsea is so much fun! She recently did engagement photos for my fiancé and me, and we had such a blast. Even though I was nervous because I had never done a real photoshoot before, Chelsea is so cool and easy to be around that my nerves quickly went away. She let us do crazy things and totally be ourselves, and then still gave some direction when she had a great idea for a photo. We were having so much fun by the end that we got the urge to go skinny dipping in the Poudre River, and those turned out to be some of our favorite photos! If you want to have fun for a few hours and then end up with some amazing photos afterwards, definitely set up a shoot with Chelsea!

LINDSAY

Family with 4 kids during their outdoor, basketball-themed family mini session in northern Colorado

Stories & Sessions Across Colorado

Real families, growing families, couples, and meaningful moments. Explore recent sessions, inspiration, and stories from across Northern Colorado.

Why More Northern Colorado Families Are Choosing In-Home Newborn Photography

There is something about bringing your baby home that changes everything. The house may never be cleaner—or messier. Tiny onesies are draped over the couch. Burp cloths seem to multiply overnight. The coffee is always reheated, and sleep feels like a distant memory....

The Best Places for Fall Family Photos in Northern Colorado 

Every September, my inbox starts filling with the same question: “Where should we take our family photos?” The funny thing is, it isn’t really about where. The best family photos don’t happen because you found the prettiest location on Google Maps. They happen...

The Best Places for Family Photos in Northern Colorado

If you’re looking for the perfect location for your next family, maternity, motherhood, or engagement session, Northern Colorado offers no shortage of beautiful backdrops. From sweeping mountain views and dramatic canyon landscapes to golden grasslands that seem to...

Are Mini Sessions Worth It? What You Get (and What You Don’t)

If you’ve been searching for family photography in Northern Colorado or trying to decide between a mini session and a full family session, you’re not alone. One of the most common questions I get as a Fort Collins family photographer is: “Are mini sessions actually...

Unique Places in Northern Colorado for Family Photos That Actually Feel Like You

When most people start planning family photos in Northern Colorado, they immediately think of mountain overlooks, rivers, or golden-hour fields. And while those locations are beautiful, the best family photos usually happen somewhere that means something...

Best Places to Take Family Photos in Loveland, Colorado

If you’re searching for the best places to take family photos in Loveland, Colorado, you’re in luck. This area is packed with stunning landscapes that create the perfect backdrop for your family’s story. From dramatic foothills to glowing open spaces, Loveland offers...

How to Prepare for Your Maternity Session with Kids (Real Talk)

Let’s just say it out loud: adding kids to your maternity session is a wild card move. It’s beautiful. It’s chaotic. It’s sticky hands, snack negotiations, and someone yelling “I HAVE TO PEE” the second the light turns perfect. And honestly? That’s kind of the...

The Unposed Approach

Why the best family photos aren’t always perfectly styled Sometimes the most meaningful family photos happen in the simplest places. Not on top of a mountain.Not during golden hour with the wind perfectly catching mom’s dress.Not with carefully coordinated outfits and...

How to Prepare for Your Family Photo Session in Colorado

Booking a family photo session is such a special thing. These photos will hang on your walls, live in albums, and someday become the memories your kids look back on. But let’s be honest—sometimes the idea of family photos can feel a little stressful. What should...

Top Questions to Ask Before Booking a Fort Collins Family Photographer

Let’s get real for a second. Booking family photos is not just about hiring someone who owns a camera, it’s about choosing a human you’re going to trust with your people, your mess, your memories, and your love. The best Fort Collins family photographers don’t just...