Senior Session
2012 Seniors! I have earned a reputation as Parker’s finest source for senior portraits. Students from Chaparral, Ponderosa, and now Legend High School and many others have trusted me to take their senior portraits for 3 years. Let me help you capture your moment!

Referral Program
Good News Travels FAST! At Susan B. Photography, I am honored to have your business and I aim to exceed your expectations every time you visit. Now, when you refer a friend you can receive a complimentary 8×10 or smaller portrait. The sky is the limit—every friend who books a session will bring you another complimentary 8×10 portrait—a $20.00 value! Good for one 8×10 or smaller print (they make great holiday gifts). No cash value. For new sessions only. Minimum purchase applies. Expires 12/1/2010.

Birthday Session
Another birthday, another year, full of memories that you hold dear. Capture those moments before they fly away and schedule your birthday session today! September birthdays: a complimentary portrait session and 16 keepsake wallet-size photos await you—call to reserve your session today. *Session must be completed during birthday month. Not valid with any other offer or discount. No cash value.

Home for the Holidays
There’s no place like Home for your Holiday family portrait. You pick the setting, you set the tone — casual to formal—I’ll come to your home! November 1st to December 10th – I am offering in-home family portrait sessions for the holidays. Availability is limited, so call to reserve your in-home session today.

Family Holiday Fun
Join me on location for the fast, convenient and affordable Family Formals special. This 30-45 minute session on location theme will give you a stunning family portrait that you will cherish for years. Holiday card ordering is the icing on the cake! Availability is extremely limited, so call today to reserve your session. Locations will include: The Hudson Gardens, the Red Rocks, Castlewood Canyon, and another unknown spot in the mountains TBA.

Get out your calendar and call to reserve your sessions today—spaces are limited! 720-309-5070

Products: Accordion Brag Book:
These are hot! Pick your cover design (custom picture or solid color) 5-7 pictures from the session and receive 2 accordion books, 1 for you, 1 to give as a gift for $25.00. Here is a sneak peak of what they look like:

Your Life Photographer –
Susan B.

When I talked to the Grandmother about the session, her 3 daughters who are in town, but all live out of state, two of them out of the country, getting everyone together for a family session would be an event. I remember writing down the details, two little 1 year old, twins who are 4. Ok, my hands will be full, but I’ve done this before – tres cool… till they arrived and I realized I was working with TWO sets of twins! The one year old little ones are twins too! Double the fun for me!! And getting 4 little adorable faces to look at me all at once was a challenge for all of us and was fun. The noises and sounds and funny faces that the parents were making behind must have been a sight. You can tell where the parents were standing behind me!

And the most behaved little ones too – I mean yes, all little 4 year olds and 1 year olds don’t want to do what mommy and daddy say, but these little ones were just amazing to work with. They told me their favorite ice cream (Chocolate of course) and the girls showed me their teeth when they smiled at me. They were a delight to work with and all just so cute.

And true to form – boys being boys, when I asked them to give their Auntie a kiss, one of them said yuck and the other tried to run away from her… but she got the last laugh and kissed them both on the checks.

What a beautiful family –

Your life photographer
Susan B.

So the night before he leaves for the Army, we gathered at one of our weekly hang-out spots… where Kyle and my children attend Boyscouts (Go Troop 88!). Yes, my daughter is a Venture. What is a Venture? Venturing is a youth development program of the Boy Scouts of America for young men and women who are between the ages of 14 and 21. Venturing’s purpose is to provide positive experiences to help young people mature and to prepare them to become responsible and caring adults. Kyle and his family have become very close to our family and Kyle was close friends with Jennifer being a part of Ventures together.

Kyle, his sister, brother and parents came out to the Parker Evangelical Presbyterian Church (PEPC), where we walked up onto the hillside and captured some great family photos –

And I always insist that if a mother is present during a family photo session – there has to be a kiss. It makes the Seniors giggle, a bit skirmish, but all the mom’s appreciate it. Most of the time it’s the Senior / Child that gives mom a kiss, but at this point in the session, Kyle’s allergies had kicked in and Mom was in tears as well so a close tight hug made the cut.

Kyle is doing well at Bootcamp right now, we have received letters from him already – and we know he’ll do fine as he learns the ways of the military. We wish him the best –

Your Life Photographer –
Susan B.

“Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.”

– Roger Caras

When it comes to the family pets and photography – I say “The more the merrier!”

As a family of 4 who just put down our 2nd pet today and our 1st was 2 months almost to the day – thoughts that have been scrambling through my mind lately have been along the line “we should have done a family portrait”.

When Abby our princess Cocker-Spaniel became ill over the weekend in May, there wasn’t enough time to muster up a family photograph. She became ill within hours and moving her was not possible. I did instantly think of a few local photographers who have a love for dogs as we do that would come over within minutes to help us out… but the idea of knowing why we were taking this photo made this extremely hard on our family when we were still having problems with letting her go in the first place. So knowing we were within hours of losing her, I asked our daughter Jennifer to pose with Abby and it just became too hard for either one of us to follow through. We made Abby comfortable and we took some shots, but Jennifer was in tears and for days after-wards I kept wishing that we had done this much earlier when the dogs were healthy.

After Abby left us, we talked about doing a family portrait again but with Shadow, our loving Labrador. I nixed this idea within minutes because I didn’t think it was fair because Abby wasn’t with us. And for those who have pets, you know you just can’t do this. So once again, another family opportunity with the pet that wags their tail when we walk in the door, barks to protect us from the pizza man and loves to chase a ball and make us laugh – gone.

What made this hard on us – was we knew Shadow was going to leave us soon. She had actually been sick for a much longer time then Abby and so were preparing for Shadow to go and was blind sided by Abby’s sudden death. So when we knew this week that we couldn’t let her suffer anymore, I had our son Dustin go out with me and take some pictures with her one last time.

We were able to get some quick shots in, Shadow the over-eager dog wanting to get her bark in… and when going through photos of Abby, the first time in months – I’m glad I was able to get the photos we needed for memories, but sad that we never had our family portrait with them… Shadow had been with us for 9 years, Abby for 5, they were our family.

So when it comes to your next family portrait – don’t forget the family pet. Remember… they are family and you may never know when the next great opportunity will be to have them be a part of the family photo. Just let me know you want them to tag along and I’ll accommodate and pick pet friendly places for our location. All family pet session’s with Susan B. – will have 10% of print orders sales donated to the Dumb Friends League located in Denver.

Your Life Photographer –
Susan B.

Sable and Molly – we miss you Sable.
Abby’s photo – taken by Jennifer B.
Shadow’s photo – Susan B.

Being a part of OpLove has been very humbling to me. I am former military, I was a military wife, I’ve been through the long deployments, it’s not easy, and it’s not easy when your spouse is at war. So after having a beautiful session with Natasha the day before, ready to enjoy my Memorial Weekend with the family… early Sunday morning I check my email and find a message from Tasha, “He’s coming home, can you photograph his arrival?” With a quick approval from the family, I called her back and said “YES!”.

I have to laugh at this part, because when I called Tasha, she was in the middle of cleaning the car. I remember this all so well. We, as military wives, have what seems like forever to clean the house, wash the car, keep our lives functioning while our husband is deployed… it really does feel like forever, but when you get word that he’s coming home, all of sudden – NOTHING IS DONE! And the time between you finding out he’s coming home to his actual arrival is so short. Thisshort. No space. No time! So it becomes this mad rush to get the house tidy, the car cleaned, the KIDS CLEANED! It’s worth the chaos, but it can be comical sometimes.

So she gives me the details of his arrival and tells me where I need to be and when. She’s concerned that it’s late at night, around 9pm and I’m fine with that. It’s a holiday, I can sleep in on Monday. I wouldn’t miss this for the world. My day seems to drag, but I’m sure on her end, with also the arrival of her in-laws, there just wasn’t enough time… then she called me later in the afternoon and said “his flight was delayed to 11pm, can I still photograph the event?” I’m thinking, I’m really going to get to sleep in!

I arrive to Ft. Carson in Colorado Springs late in the evening and walk into the Rec Center to where they will arrive. The Rec. Center is crowded with bleachers with other families waiting for their loved ones return. I meet Tasha and her adorable daughters and in-laws. We have an hour till her husband’s (Captain Brandon) arrival. I ask how has this deployment been, their first military separation and she thought she had done pretty well. She kept busy with the girls and was active with other wives on the base. I talked with the girls and asked what the first words would they say to daddy, and there was no thinking on this “I Love You Daddy!”

Then at 11:00, the music “I’m Proud to be an American” starts to play – and the crowd goes wild. Minutes later, an officer walks out alone and walks to the center of the room and the crowd goes even crazier with screams and shouts. I’m told that this is the Commanding Officer of the group and so we know they are here… and seconds later with a puff of fog, rows and rows and rows of our finest military marched into the room. Trying to capture Tasha, the Girls and the in-laws and get the military walking in is just amazing, even through my own tears.

Waiting for Daddy to arrive – it’s 10:30 pm, well past the girls bedtime – so a power nap was in order.

Waiting for the military to arrive – the song ‘I’m Proud to be an American’ had just played, it was time to open the doors…
the buses had dropped them off, they were on the other side, they were lining up in information

and with a wooosh of fog – the doors open and a stream of 4 lines – in formation they marched through the doors..

Mom was really cool all up to that moment. She told me later that she kept thinking she was taking it ok, but the minute the doors open – and she saw him walk in, she teared up… and then so did I.

When the military saluted – so did the little one.

And there he was. How he was able to maintain that cool look seeing his family across the stands…

The Commanding Officer with the troops

Grandpa, Grandma and the oldest looking on at daddy.

Daddy is home!

Welcome home Brandon – I am so happy that you came home safe and thank you for your service to our country.

Tasha – thank you for letting me photograph your wonderful moment.

Your Life Photographer -
Susan B.

Natasha brought some photos of her husband Alex who is deployed at this time. Getting Lil’ A to show me the picture was a challenge – but we got it!

Natasha brought along some boots, and we put her dog tags that has Alex and Natasha’s wedding anniversary and love notes that say “Will Wait” and “True Love” on them…

And another picture of Alex – Thank you Alex for all that you do! I salute you!

If you have been a long time follower of Susan B. Photography, some of you saw the photos I posted of my sister, her daughter and husband who was just months away from being deployed to Afghanistan for 9 months. It was this organization that I recommended my sister to get in touch with a photographer in Texas to have their photos done, that she decided that she wanted me to photograph their memories.

So I was excited to become a part of this great organization as of lately. I believe in supporting our military, and if I can help out by photographing a family for a love one who is over-seas, then I feel that I have brought the family a little closer together and help the gap of missing our loved-ones with images.

Last Saturday, I met Jasmine and her adorable 1 year old son ‘Lil Z (name protected online). ‘Lil Z was just roaring to go once he was where we decided to have his photo session – in an open field, with a running brook, stepping stones, waterfalls, bridges, the works. Everywhere was something to point at, pick up, pull at and had to be touched with his tiny little hands.

Jasmine’s husband is currently serving with the Army from Ft. Carson, Colorado. Jasmine and Lil ‘Z were so much fun – open for anything when it came to photo opportunities. I want to thank Jasmine for letting me photograph her and her adorable son, who must be a handful right now in his growing stages! Being able to capture Lil Z’ so that we can send her husband a nice 8×8 book while he’s deployed makes me feel so proud that I’m able to offer a service to our military.

A big thanks to Jasmin’s husband – Willie! Thank you for your service to our country. We are proud.

I normally don’t post a photo that I have not taken. That’s not the purpose of this site. But when it comes to my children – Jennifer and Dustin… that rule is sometimes broken.

I am very active with my children’s music in school. Jennifer plays the bass in orchestra (yes, it’s taller then her) and she’s the Co-Captain of the Colorguard with the Marching Band and Dustin plays the trumpet with Marching band, Concert band and Jazz band. Yes. ALL 3 bands… and I must say as a parent, I love watching him march with the marching band, but I love to hear him play with the Jazz band.

As an active parent – I am the webmaster for the Legend Titan Band, I’m the Colorguard Mom (I support the instructor, I help make the girls look great before a show and I am a shoulder to cry on, lean on when it gets stressful before / after a show) and I’m the Spirit Wear Mom – selling t-shirts, calendars, waterbottles, car decals, etc. – all that supports the band. Phewww – that’s a lot.

So when there was a band concert a few weeks ago – my duties as photographer and Spirit Mom clashed. We set up a table and a few moms and I sold our shirts, and normally I would duck out for a few minutes and go take pictures of the band rehearsing. As the photographer for the website, I am one of very few (Ok, I think I’m the only right now) that has the privilege to get up on the stage and take pictures during rehearsal. Of course during the concert this is just not possible, and personally, that’s when I want to become a parent and enjoy the show.

Normally, I’ll spend about 15 to 20 minutes getting pictures of all the bands, this is a feeder concert, so schools from the Elementary and Middle School will perform with the High School. But this time – I was unable to take pictures. There was a rush of questions at our booth, so when it came to take pictures, I gave the camera to my budding photographer Jennifer, gave her a few guide lines to work with on settings and sent her on her way. I knew she could do it and that all would be ok.

Normally – I would have looked at the pictures as soon as I got home. But with teens, there is no such thing as normal. Other school activities got in the way, time got to the better of us and today I just sat down to view the pictures.

Can I not just say wow?! Really. WOW! I will admit, shooting a concert venue in a dark lit room is much different then shooting a wedding in a church. The lighting is totally different and though I have the wedding, receptions, party events down pat – taking pictures at my child’s concert is something I have struggled with over the past few years. With the advice I gave Jennifer before she ran off to take pictures, was something I was going to personally try myself to see if I could do better with the dark theater. It paid off!

I was really pleased with her work – and I’m proud how she has come through with her photography (she wants to become a fashion photographer).

Oh – and Dustin? I’ve taught Jennifer well, when it comes to the band website, we don’t play favoritism, so you will not see a ton of photos of my children there. You will see photos of them, but they are not plastered everywhere. But I do normally capture a few good photos of Dustin during rehearsal and this was one thing I forgot to tell her. The above photo was the best one she caught of Dustin. He was performing with the Jazz band (and then would later be on the stage with the high school concert band) – so in case you can’t find the 5′ 10″ and 3/4′s boy that is still growing like a weed… I highlighted him below:

Enjoy!
Susan B.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

and a special shout out to my dear friend Maryann & Charlie – who celebrate 17 years of marriage on the day of love! WOOT!!!

When we first moved to Denver… 10 years ago next week… our daughter started kindergarten at her new school. Shortly afterwards, a little girl that was at the same day care center, came up to me one day when I picking up Girlscout and told me she was Girlscout’s best friend. This started a friendship that has lasted a life time…

Girlscout still calls this young girl her best friend, her 1st friend. So when mom asked me to come out and take their family photos, I was excited for the girls to see each other again, as though we live only 20 miles apart, we don’t see them as much since we live in a different part of Denver now. Her mom and I have see each other every 6 months, but the girls were always busy and either one wasn’t around when we would meet up, or it was the other.

So on a beautiful sunny Saturday we went to a park that both girls visited in their elementary days, and took some beautiful pictures. And I even got a few of the girls together… it was a magical day.

They also wrapped up my 2010 Holiday Season… orders off to the printers. Bring on the eggnog, I’m ready.