Dave & Doug’s Family Photo Shoot in Big Cottonwood Canyon

by dav.d

We have a wonderful family photo shoot today. We photographed Dave & Doug’s little family in Big Cottonwood Canyon this summer. I had the opportunity to photograph their engagements and wedding several years ago.

Epic family portrait
Epic family portrait

I love photographing in Big Cottonwood Canyon. There are several spots that are great for photography and they can be pretty popular by hikers, photographers, and others. With canyons, waterfalls, cliffs, valleys, trees, and more there is a lot to use for backgrounds.

And we had some formal portraits, individual shots, and create posing for these photos. We try to keep the kid’s attention as we “create” candid moments. Sometimes we need a little patience but the results are awesome.

Family photo
Family photo

Black & White

I love color. I rarely find myself shooting for black and white or creating black and white photos. However, I am going to try and break that mold and create more black and white photos. In fact, I created a black and white photograph of each photograph delivered to this family. It doubles the photos, and hopefully doubles the fun.

And I am including examples of “tall” photos known as portrait and I am also shooting “wide” photos that are called landscape photos. It’s great to have both tall and wide photos so the client has options when they print photos or put them in an album. And landscape photos are usually easier to crop to square. But that is a bit inside baseball.

Family photo in a mini-cave
It looks like a cave!

I am growing to be a fan of shade! I thought it was a easy way to take easy photos, but the light combined with my flash can help create amazing photos for anyone.

Dave & Doug’s couple photo
Dave & Doug’s couple photo

And this is how you fix “tall” parents with kids. Wear something you can sit down comfortably with and we can create this posed shot.

Creative people posing
Creative people posing
Family photo in Big Cottonwood Canyon
Shade in a great spot for family photos

Mountains are a great reason to live in Utah. Unless there is the inversion during the winter. Then mountains aren’t so great. But for photos, they’re awesome!

Family photography can be about those cuddly moments. Get close and get comfortable with a hug for the camera. And show those pearly white teeth! Or I can make the pearly white, if you want them.

Family in The Valley
Family in The Valley

And we finish with some candids of piggyback rides.

Piggyback with dad
Piggyback with dad
Daddy & son in the canyons
Daddy & son in the canyons

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1 comment

Winter Family Portraits in Little Cottonwood Canyon | dav.d photography February 10, 2021 - 12:38 pm

[…] the moment, I have a winter portrait session to plan and this time, I think I’ll pick Big Cottonwood Canyon. I try and avoid the days it is snowing. The roads can be shut down or just limited to 4-wheel […]

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dav.d photo
dav.d is a portrait photographer based in Utah.