Client Stories: A Decade of Koda

One of my favorite parts of being a photographer in Colorado is getting to capture moments in time that you can hold onto forever. Photos are like little time capsules — full of emotion, light, movement, and connection — and it's what makes this job so meaningful. And sometimes, I get lucky enough to photograph not just a moment, but a story as it unfolds over the years.

Koda and his mom are the perfect example of that.

I first met them when we celebrated Koda’s 8th birthday with an outdoor dog photography session at Brainard Lake — one of my favorite spots just outside of Boulder. The lake, surrounded by stunning peaks, was the perfect playground for Koda to run free, splash in the water, and share sweet moments with his mom. He bounded into the session with that unmistakable golden retriever joy, and his bond with his mama was impossible to miss.

Fast forward two years, and I had the honor of photographing Koda again for his 10th birthday.

Returning for another session felt like reconnecting with an old friend. Koda might be a little grayer around the muzzle, but that same spark was still there. The love between him and his mom has only deepened with time. Watching them together — laughing, snuggling, romping — reminded me why I do what I do. These aren’t just photos. They’re memories. They're pieces of a story that deserves to be remembered.

There’s something incredibly special about watching pups grow older. Their eyes get a little wiser, their steps a little softer, but the bond they share with their people? That only grows stronger. It’s the kind of love that doesn’t need grand gestures — it lives in the quiet moments, the shared glances, the gentle nuzzles. Getting to witness and document that connection is one of the greatest gifts of being a dog photographer.

I truly love making every session fun, not just for the people but for the pups too. Whether it’s running through a field, splashing in the water, or soaking in the golden hour light in the foothills outside of Boulder, I do everything I can to make it feel more like play than posing. Koda truly highlights that it's in those playful, genuine moments where the magic happens!

To photograph a dog from birthday to birthday, from chapter to chapter, is an incredible honor. It’s not just about documenting what they look like — it’s about celebrating who they are, and how deeply they’re loved.