Heather Lilly Photography | blog bio picture

Welcome to my blog!

Thanks for taking the time to view my latest work here on my blog. I hope you get to know me through my blog posts along with my Twitter box to the right.

I am also am on Facebook. Feel free to find me on both.

I spend a lot of time behind my computer, editing images, but when I'm not working, I am training for my first half marathon or hanging out with my husband and our dogs.

The best part of my job is helping people feel great about themselves and spending time with generally very happy people who are celebrating something.

This year I was voted #4 on Denver's Best Photographer (Channel 7's A-list).

Snow Day Dog Portraits | Erie, Colorado pet portraits

At our old house, we had a dog door – and when snow hit the ground, Coral would come zipping in the house, racing around, then back outside. Then, as if it were a victory lap, she’d do it again. She was our barometer for snow days.

Now that our dogs are a little less puppy-ish, and we don’t have a dog door, the barometer is them looming at back our back door.

Going in the yard is a privilege, since they have their own dog run – but they are smart enough to know they generally get a free pass to the yard when it snows.

Here’s our pretty girl Coral:

and Summer, too:

Heather & Julian’s engagement portraits | Colorado wedding & portrait photographer

When I first met Heather & Julian, I thought “wow, they are such a beautiful couple.” I’m very excited to capture their wedding in Wyoming August 2010.

Here’s the images Heather & Julian picked from their engagement portraits.

Enjoy!

Best of 2009 Weddings *vote for your favorite*

2009 was such an amazing year for weddings.

With 30 days to go until Valentine’s Day, I decided to have a contest with my favorite wedding images from 2009.

Please vote for your favorite image by commenting with the image number and why it’s your favorite.  The winning couple will get a little something special. :) Voting goes through February 14th, 2010.

Here we go!

#1 Heather & Noah

#1 Heather & Noah

#2 Alexa & Matt

#2 Alexa & Matt

#3 Jodi & Dan

#3 Jodi & Dan

#4 Kassidy & Chris

#4 Kassidy & Chris

#5 Jennie & Adam

#5 Jennie & Adam

#6 Steph & Chris

#6 Steph & Chris

#7 Liz & Travis

#7 Liz & Travis

#8 Bonnie & Mica

#8 Bonnie & Mica

#9 Sarah & Anthony

#9 Sarah & Anthony

#10 Jill & Graem

#10 Jill & Graem

#11 Heather & Jason

#11 Heather & Jason

#12 Laura & Jason

#12 Laura & Jason

#13 Amanda & Bryan

#13 Amanda & Bryan

#14 Kate & Phil

#14 Kate & Phil

#15 Sarah & Ben

#15 Sarah & Ben

#16 Haley & Dan

#16 Haley & Dan

January 14, 2010 - 8:19 am karen lisa - wow, you photographed soooo many beautiful weddings this year, Heather! it was so hard to decide on my favorite, but I think the most beautiful is #16, Haley & Dan. it is so unique and interesting and makes me feel like I am there watching them! what a great image!!!

January 14, 2010 - 9:10 am Robbin Bandurian - love it love it love it!!! You have such a lovely style! I will keep you in mind for .. someday!! Hope all is well :)

January 14, 2010 - 9:19 am Robbin Bandurian - I forgot to say!! it was really hard to pick my favorite and it came down to being between #12 and #16 but I think we have to go with #16! Magical!!

January 14, 2010 - 11:04 am Kelsey Currence - Maybe someday a boy will want to marry me and you can take the best picture of that year at my wedding! Until then, I think #12 is my fav.

January 14, 2010 - 11:28 am Kirsten - It's so neat to see the emotion of the day for each couple so they are all fantastic in their own regard but #16 is my favorite with #9 being a second (love the texture from that tree as the backdrop for the couple).

January 14, 2010 - 11:32 am hillary - Can't choose! I think #5 though

January 14, 2010 - 12:22 pm Amanda - Is it inappropriate to vote for myself....I think not. Definitely my favorite wedding of the year! #13 :)

January 14, 2010 - 12:37 pm Tressa - Lucky #13 is my favorite!

January 14, 2010 - 12:50 pm David K. Barrett - Hi Heather! Sweet, kick ass site! I am going to vote for photo 14 ALL THE WAY! Peace out! Dave

January 14, 2010 - 1:09 pm Carol Pierce - Hi, They are all beautiful, but #13 is my winner. It was a gorgeous wedding and this picture says it all.

January 14, 2010 - 1:29 pm Amanda - for me it's #6. I just love the way the sun is peeking through. amazingly beautiful.

January 14, 2010 - 5:42 pm Haley - I really love them ALL!!! I'm going to have to go with #16 though :)- best picture ever taken of us!!

January 14, 2010 - 8:41 pm Jill Davis - I like picture #9. Very beautiful!

January 14, 2010 - 8:41 pm Mara Rusciolelli - I vote for the beautiful #9!

January 14, 2010 - 9:07 pm Collette - Definitely #13. This one looks like a spontaneous moment between two people in love. Great picture.

January 14, 2010 - 9:12 pm Jennifer Legault - Number 9 is the best!

January 14, 2010 - 9:14 pm Paige - I have to go with #9! The moxie!!

January 15, 2010 - 7:36 am Suzi - Love the B&W and the old tree #9!

January 15, 2010 - 7:38 am Jennifer Bozic - I like #9 the best! This is a great picture!

January 15, 2010 - 7:42 am Barb Worthington - My favorite is #9

January 15, 2010 - 8:21 am Nancy - Definitely, #9 is the best.

January 15, 2010 - 8:33 am Tracy Truscott - Wow! #9 is definitely the best!

January 15, 2010 - 8:53 am Ruth Sprain - I love photo # 9. What a romantic shot!

January 15, 2010 - 9:02 am Alex - There are many great shots, but #9 is the best.

January 15, 2010 - 9:32 am Heather - #1 - the texture and softness of the photo are captivating! :)

January 15, 2010 - 10:46 am Shannon - love #9

January 15, 2010 - 2:38 pm Krystal Radlinski - #16, without a doubt!

January 15, 2010 - 3:18 pm Kim Kouns - Definitely #9!

January 15, 2010 - 4:31 pm Stephanie Jepson - Number 9 is my favorite!

January 15, 2010 - 5:57 pm Sarah - They are all so beautiful, but I have to say that #9 is the best! :-)

January 15, 2010 - 7:01 pm Dallas - Got to be Number 9!

January 15, 2010 - 7:49 pm Robin Thayer - #9 is great! You can see the anticipation and the desire. Very sweet and romantic :)

January 15, 2010 - 8:03 pm Debbie Hebbeln - Number 9 is beautiful.

January 15, 2010 - 8:05 pm Anna Hegwer - I have to go with #9 as my favorite!

January 16, 2010 - 12:58 am Georgia Wilson - Love that dress...#9!

January 17, 2010 - 8:24 pm Pat - I think #9 is beautiful!

January 18, 2010 - 8:50 am Haley - #16 still gives me goosebumps! And I love Haley & Dan!

January 18, 2010 - 9:15 am Jennifer Marglin - #13 has wonderful, honest energy - I love it!

January 18, 2010 - 9:30 am Kaidi - #6 the blue of the sky and the sun peaking through their silhouette is amazing!

January 19, 2010 - 8:53 am Margie Rosborough - #9 captures a beautiful intimate moment. It's the best!

January 19, 2010 - 9:10 pm Angela Engelhaupt - All Very Beautiful pictures and brides!! But my vote is Picture #9!! Absolutely beautiful!!

January 20, 2010 - 9:00 am Aron Marsh - #12 and #6

January 22, 2010 - 2:54 pm Dan Cummings - #12 is a great classic romance shot!

January 22, 2010 - 2:57 pm Haley - It's tough to choose, but I think #9 is my favorite. I'm a sucker for Black and White, and its simple and sweet!

January 22, 2010 - 3:01 pm Jennie - #5...of course!

January 22, 2010 - 3:17 pm Trina - #14 is my favorite - the simplicity in the photo is nice

January 22, 2010 - 4:37 pm Jennifer Bayes - They are all great, and what lucky brides and grooms to have such fabulous photos. My favorite is #9 because it's so sincere while still having a cool element. I also really liked #14. If I were them, I would have that made into a poster.

January 22, 2010 - 6:15 pm Diane Spearnak - I love #9. Beautiful bride + handsome groom = great picture!

January 24, 2010 - 4:11 pm Anna - So hard to choose, these are all fabulous! I know I'm only seventeen, but Heather... You are absolutely going to be the photographer at my wedding ;] I like photo number 13.

January 25, 2010 - 12:37 am Dan - The snowflakes are magical in #16- By far the best!!

January 25, 2010 - 10:52 am Captain Curt - #16 is the mostest best.

January 25, 2010 - 10:57 am John - My vote is for #16, poignant depiction of Haley & Dan.

January 25, 2010 - 11:28 am Pauly Richmeier - #16 is awesome. What a perfect way to capture such an amazing moment!

January 25, 2010 - 12:49 pm Aaron - #16 is just awesome!

January 25, 2010 - 1:50 pm Jessica - #16 is just magical! The way the light catches the snowflake just right, the beauty of love so tangible. Definitely the best.

January 25, 2010 - 4:03 pm Sapphira - 16, so unique!

January 25, 2010 - 5:54 pm Colette - #16 is my favorite! It looks like a scene straight from a fairytale.

January 25, 2010 - 5:58 pm Cyndy - #16's snowflakes win it for me! I love it! You sure know how to capitalize on your surroundings!

January 25, 2010 - 7:35 pm Terry - Wow! These are all such great shots! I love them all and they all show real artistic composure. But the snowflakes in #16 gotta take the prized. You can control everything else here, but getting the snow to do your bidding is quite an achievement! #16 for me!

January 26, 2010 - 5:18 am Heather - #16 is the BEST! Ahhhh, snow! :)

January 26, 2010 - 4:41 pm Pam - Picture #16 has romance, love, & snowflakes; an unbeatable combination of Heather's art and talent!

January 26, 2010 - 7:09 pm Judy - #16 is totally magical!

January 26, 2010 - 10:52 pm Vicky Elmore - #16 is most definately the most unique and beautiful wedding picture I've ever seen. Most definately the winning picture of all times. WOW!

January 26, 2010 - 10:57 pm Trish Elmore - #16 This is totally my favorite. Great couple in a great shot where true love is blooming out!

January 27, 2010 - 11:50 am David Ruddy - #4

January 28, 2010 - 8:32 am Bruce - #16 for sure - made me appreciate your great talent and feel the magic of the unique moment!!!

February 2, 2010 - 12:31 pm Beatrice Smith - #16 Is spectacular. It has my vote!

February 7, 2010 - 10:00 pm jeannie - All of them are terrific. Favorite is #9

February 7, 2010 - 10:04 pm joe v. - #9!

February 8, 2010 - 6:40 am Kristi - Photo number 9 is beautiful!! I love it! :)

The Wedding Preview Event photographer | non-traditional bridal show Denver, Colorado

Guess what? I’m going to be the exclusive photographer at The Wedding Preview Event on March 21, 2010 at the gorgeous Infinity Park Event Center.

What’s The Wedding Preview Event?

It’s NOT your regular bridal show.

It’s an event where each vendor has been through an interview process and only one vendor per profession will be represented. I’m so honored to be selected photographer for this event!

The reason for one person per profession is there’s going to be FOUR wedding demonstrations! They will showcase different wedding scenes/seasons.

You’ll get to see the exclusive wedding professionals in action!

Consider The Wedding Preview Event a giant wedding consultation with tastings and a workshop and vendor booths.

So this is my personal invitation to you – an event well worth your Sunday afternoon! It’s just $10.

RSVP on their website.

The Wedding Preview Event | March 21, 2010

The Wedding Preview Event | March 21, 2010

Spencer & Delanie | teenager portraits Superior, Louisville & Erie Colorado photographer

I enjoy working with kids of all ages. Not only do I get to capture a slice of their personality, I feel that I get to help instill confidence and help them realize they pretty much rock. :)

Did you ever wonder what an amazing business coach’s kids would be like? They’d be respectful, fun, creative – just like Spencer & Delanie. I met their mom through networking and was so pleased to finally meet her kids at my first portrait session of 2010.

There were so many fun shots from their portrait session, but here is a series of my favorite in the 2010 Signature Storyboard.

Enjoy the sneak peek!

2010 Signature Storyboard

2010 Signature Storyboard

2010 Blog Promo: Get 25+ unique comments about the pictures in this blog post and Spencer & Delanie’s parents will get two complimentary 5×7 prints. One to keep for themselves and one to give away as a gift!

In order for the comments to count, they must be from different people, about the images, and unique.

Nick’s senior portraits | Skyline High School Longmont Colorado | senior portrait photographer

Last summer Nick had his senior portraits taken with me. What I enjoy about senior portraits is that some people like non-traditional poses while others like more of a traditional approach. I LOVE the variety. This family likes more traditional. These are the images that he and his family picked out for prints.

He will graduated from Skyline High School in the spring of 2010. Congratulations Nick!

Enjoy! The first one is my favorite – I did one just like this for his older sister – this family has gorgeous blue eyes

Michelle & Zach’s maternity session | Denver photographer, maternity portraits

Ever since John Michael Cooper’s Pay-It-Forward project (Roadside Families), I’ve wanted to continue the tradition of having our pictures taken at least once a year.

It’s been over a year, so I Tweeted (on Twitter, that is) that I would like to trade portraits with another local photographer.

Michelle stepped forward and said they’d be interested in maternity portraits. Chris and I love Revert Imaging’s style, so we were excited for the trade – see their style for yourself on their website!

So we met Zach & Michelle in Denver for our portraits this last weekend. Here’s some of my favorite images:

Zach really didnt have any sympathy weight

Zach really didn't have any "sympathy weight"

I loved how playful they were with each other :)

I loved how playful they were with each other :)

time to dance!

time to dance!

so happy

so happy

three cheers for boys!

three cheers for boys!

Zach tackled Michelle... seriously!

Zach tackled Michelle... seriously!

whats the baby saying?

what's the baby saying?

I love Michelles face on this one... proud momma :)

I love Michelle's face on this one... proud, confident momma :)

I think Zach is pretty proud and excited, too

I think Zach is pretty proud and excited, too

showing off their dancing skills and great attitude

showing off their dancing skills and great attitude

a tricky dip-kiss

a tricky dip-kiss

doesnt Michelle have a great smile?!

doesn't Michelle have a great smile?!

happy and comfortable

happy and comfortable

Zach & Michelle – Chris and I appreciate you so much! You made our session fun, easy and enjoyable. Hope you enjoy your pictures!

January 11, 2010 - 8:57 am karen - OMG I love these photos Heather!!! they are so fun, lighthearted and happy! that green wall is amazing. my fav is the horizontal shot against the green wall where he is giving her a thumbs up! LOVE them!!!!!!

January 11, 2010 - 10:56 am michelle - wow! that was fast. :) i love them. you did such a great job. we really had fun. we'll have to meet up for dinner / lunch sometime soon. yours will be making an appearance on the blog soon! thanks again. we really had a good time.

January 11, 2010 - 11:01 am hillary - I LOVE these!! Heather you did SUCH a beautiful job capturing their love and the excitement with baby coming!!!! The colors are amazing!! I'd say a big ole canvas needs to be ordered of #5 I love that!

January 11, 2010 - 11:31 pm heather + chris // mile high, denver » revert blog - [...] and did a little trade.  it’s so fun to get out and shoot each other!  go check out her blog post of us.  and here is a little serious and a little goofy of heather and [...]

now offering Craftsman Artistry Frames by Jesse Bulpett | Colorado wedding & portrait photographer

I am happy to introduce the launch of a custom frame line Heather Lilly Photography now offers: Craftsman Artistry Frames by Jesse Bulpett.

These gorgeous frames are hand-crafted with real wood and made-to-order by local high-end carpenter/artist Jesse Bulpett. You can place your order through me when you order your wall prints. :)

Because he makes them with your stylistic needs in mind, you can request any size and request a certain wood stain.

I imagine any bride and groom who had a “mountain wedding” would love one of these frames. They are also suitable for displaying my fine art prints from Napa. This frame can showcase a single print or a single announcement – maybe even a baby announcement or footprints of your newborn’s feet (to hang in the nursery).  The sky is the limit!

For now you can take advantage of an introductory offer price: a frame that holds a 5×7 is available for $50.  Just drop me a note and we’ll start your custom-design process.

Craftsman Artistry Frame 5x7

Craftsman Artistry Frame 5x7

January 9, 2010 - 2:03 pm hillary - these are beautiful!

January 20, 2010 - 1:49 am Claudia - I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often. Claudia

2009 Holiday Card promo

So I’m a little behind on this promo, but I wanted to thank you for participating and sending us your 2009 Christmas & Holiday cards.  Your greetings warmed our hearts and decorated our kitchen and my office.

The winner of the promo has been contacted! (here’s what she won)

Send your Holiday Greeting Cards to me!

EVERYONE who sends their holiday card to me will be automatically entered to win 1/2 off their next portraits session’s Creation Fee, as long as:

  • holiday card is received by December 31st
  • 1/2 off next Creation Fee valid until April 1st (random drawing will occur January 1st)

Zack & Rachel | kids portraits | Erie, Colorado photographer

Zack and Rachel starting coming to Studio Lilly last winter for their annual portraits. Their mom loves getting pictures taken with me because she’s never overly thrilled with their school pictures.

I can’t believe how much Zack & Rachel grew this last year!

Here’s their Signature Storyboard:

2010 Blog Promo: Get 25+ unique comments about the pictures in this blog post and Zack & Rachel’s parents will get two complimentary 5×7 prints. One to keep for themselves and one to give away as a gift!

In order for the comments to count, they must be from different people, about the images, and unique.