The Perrot’s Family Session in Boulder, Colorado

The Perrott Family

A mother, father, and their three teenage children seated on stone steps smiles at the camera during their family portrait session

“Oh no,” passed my lips as I crested the hill on the drive into Boulder. Storm clouds, dark and menacing, were rolling in over the mountains. The thought of rain interrupting the Perrott’s family session caused a knot to form in the pit of my stomach.

Peering up through my windshield revealed the sun still shining brightly overhead. The storm clouds were moving towards, but had not yet hidden, the sun. Hopefully we’d be okay. Hopefully.

As I drove the rest of the way into Boulder, “please don’t rain, please don’t rain” played on a loop in my head.

Well, it rained.

Right in the middle of their session.

One drop fell. Then another. And another. Enough for us to take shelter under a tree, which turned out to be a gorgeous setting for photos. But then Mother Nature upped her game, so we retreated to the car where it was warm and dry.

“This won’t last long,” we agreed and decided to wait out the storm.

Eventually, the rain drops hitting the windshield slowed from a constant pitter patter to the occasional splat. The menacing storm clouds moved on. A sliver of blue sky appeared.

We were back in business.

Thank you, John, Erin, Dean, Gregory, and Amanda! Thank you for being so patient while we waited out the rain. Thank you for staying positive and being open to trying new things. Things that feel a bit weird but look great on camera.

I’ll be thinking of you all as the new school year begins. No doubt there will be a time of adjustment once Dean heads off to study civil engineering. It’s bittersweet to have one leave the nest but it’s so much sweeter when they come back home.

And once again, it was an absolute delight to capture a special season for your family.

Here are my favorite moments from your family session. I think that your photos taken under the tree, while it was raining, are just as gorgeous as the rest. Enjoy!

xo, Theresa

P.S. Promising to treat your family to a nice dinner out after your session was genius! A little incentive can go a long way.

A mother, father, and their three teenage children pose in front of a historic building and smile at the camera during their family portrait session
A mother and father share a kiss on the steps of a historic building as their three teenage children look on during their family portrait session
A mother, father, and their three teenage children smile at the camera during their family portrait session in Boulder
A mother, father, and their three teenage children laugh at each other while seated on stone steps during their family portrait session
A mother and father smile at each other as three teenage children look on during their family portrait session
Three teenagers pose on spiral staircases during their family photography session

Click here to see some of my favorite photos from Dean’s senior portrait session.

Gear used during this outdoor family session: Umbrella, Think Tank Backstory 13, Canon 5D Mark IV, Canon EF 24-70mm 2.8L

If you can see your family in moments like these—but the idea of making it happen feels a little overwhelming—I’ve got you. I’ll guide you every step of the way so it feels relaxed and natural, not forced.

Let's Get Started
Headshot of Theresa Pelser, an Erie-based family and newborn photographer.

I’m Theresa, a family photographer and mom of four based in Erie, Colorado.

I work with families who want photos that feel like real life—connected and true to who they are.

Whether you’re planning a cozy in-home session or heading outdoors, I bring a calm, encouraging presence and an eye for the moments that matter most.

You might also find this helpful

How to prepare for your outdoor family photo session

How to prepare for your outdoor family photo session

How to prepare for your outdoor family photo session If you’re feeling a little nervous about your upcoming family photos—you’re not alone. It’s completely normal to wonder if your kids will cooperate, if your outfits will come together, or if it will all feel a...

What to wear for family photos (without the stress)

What to wear for family photos (without the stress)

What to wear for family photos Let’s start with this: there are no hard-and-fast rules when it comes to choosing what to wear for your family photos. These are simply ideas that tend to work well, gathered from years of photographing families in all kinds of...

What to wear for senior photos (and still feel like you)

What to wear for senior photos (and still feel like you)

What to wear for senior photos Senior photos mark a meaningful milestone—and it’s completely normal to feel unsure about what to wear to celebrate the occasion. You want to look and feel like yourself, without overthinking every detail. This guide will help you choose...