It seems to be taking me forever to write about everything that happened at Leap Retreat. Considering I was only in Colorado for such a short time (literally a weekend!), I have so much I still want to share and finding the headspace to do it is proving difficult owing to this current busy season of birthdays and the run up to Christmas.
I have managed to get a few words down in recent weeks though. Part One, with my thoughts and feelings about my experience at Leap Retreat, is here. Part Two, all about my adventures in Denver, is here. And Part Three, a Mama and Me sunset session, is here.
In this fourth installment I’m sharing my favourite shots from the second photoshoot of the retreat – an indoor lifestyle shoot which took place late morning on the Saturday. We’d all been up for hours, partly due to jet lag (in my case anyway) and also because we’d had a pre-breakfast sunrise headshot session at 6am (more about that in an upcoming post).
At 11am our model family arrived. Mama Jennifer is a photographer herself (you can find her at Jennifer Faris Photography – her work is stunning), her husband Jared is absolutely lovely (and happens to be partially sighted) and their awesome kids Grace, Jack, Luke and Levi were a joy to work with, each completely happy to simply be themselves.
After making our introductions we headed into the prettiest room in our cabin – a gorgeous bedroom with a huge window that flooded the room with natural light. We began with the family all piling on the bed to snuggle, with half of us photographers in the room at a time otherwise it would have been impossible to move in there let alone capture any shots. Before too long the children were itching to get outside and explore so we headed out the back of the cabin into the stunning Colorado landscape and let them do their thing – running, playing, twirling, laughing, loving and connecting.
The love that this husband and wife have for each other is plain to see, even many years of marriage and four children later. I don’t know their backstory but I feel like I don’t need to – the way they look at each other says it all. I loved spending time with them and their family – they were a joy to photograph.
These are my favourite images from their session. It was so difficult to narrow it down to just these few – there were so many I loved. The details are the things I enjoy capturing the most: the little glances exchanged between husband and wife; a small hand holding Dad’s finger; a special smile; a moment between mama and daughter. Those moments matter, so much more than you realise at the time. And I feel very privileged to have been able to capture them.
Jennifer
Such a gift – I absolutely treasure these beautiful images!!!
Chloe Ridgway
Oh Jennifer that makes my heart so happy! I’m s glad you love them. I’ll get the full gallery over to you as soon as I can.
Penny Alexander
Oooh these are gorgeous. Thinking about what you have posted on IG and seeing these, I can see some real trademark YOU as photographer shots in your work – it is so exciting. Love the hands, you have captured so much there 🙂
Penny Alexander recently posted…Dog and Family Friendly Cornwall
Chloe Ridgway
Oh Penny, thank you! You have no idea how much that means to me <3
Jenny
Wow these are all so gorgeous I really need some new family snaps and maternity ones too when bump gets a little bigger. Wish you lived closer lady. hahaha So exciting the retreat sounds mind blowing amazing. #wrc
Jenny recently posted…The Sony Xperia XZ1 Smartphone Review
Chloe Ridgway
Jenny I would LOVE to do a maternity shoot and a family shoot for you. Manchester isn’t that far away – I’m sure we can figure something out to make it happen if you’re up for it?
Suzanne
aBsolutely stunning photographs Chloe, this family must be thrilled with them! As you say, they really capture the sentiments behind this family and the love is so evident. It’s very ‘Little House on the Prairie’ style which I love!
Chloe Ridgway
Thank you Suzanne 🙂 I’m glad you can see the love they share – that’s exactly what I was tying to capture.
Caro | The Twinkle Diaries
They’re beautiful captures Chloe — what a brilliant opportunity. You certainly packed a lot into one weekend! The family must be so happy with the beautiful images you took of them 🙂
Caro | The Twinkle Diaries recently posted…Is it a bird, is it a plane? {GLTC Festival Van / Play Kitchen Review}
Chloe Ridgway
Thank you Caro. It certainly was a jam-packed weekend. I look back now and wonder if it even really happened!
Morgana
These are stunning Chloe. You are so very talented when it comes to capturing a family, and I particularly love the ones by the window, the light is gorgeous! xx
Chloe Ridgway
Thank you Morgana. The window shots were my favourites from the whole session because they’re not the standard/traditional family shots but something a little more unique. I would love to capture your gorgeous family one day if you’d be up for it?
Heledd - Running in Lavender
These captures are stunning Chloe! I can’t believe you were only there for the weekend and did so much. I love reading about your adventures xx
Heledd – Running in Lavender recently posted…The Magic of Lapland UK
Chloe Ridgway
Thanks Heledd. We certainly packed a lot in and I loved every single second of it.