BLOG | Narrative Imagery

Unforgettable Mountain Senior Portraits: Finley’s Evergreen Session

Aug 11

2 min read

Senior photo of Finley, a Holy Family High School student, posing with scenic Evergreen Colorado mountains in the background.

When it comes to planning senior portraits, every detail matters—especially finding a location that reflects your unique personality. For Finley, a senior at Holy Family High School in Broomfield, Colorado, standing out from the crowd was top priority. She made it clear early on: no Boulder photos! She wanted her senior pictures to look completely different from everyone else’s at her school.

Thanks to a little scouting by Finley and her dad, we landed on an incredible spot in Evergreen, Colorado, and it just might be my new absolute favorite backdrop for mountain photoshoots.

From Soccer Media Days to Senior Stories

My connection with Finley’s family actually started last year when I met her dad, David Kramer, who hired Narrative Imagery to produce a massive Media Day event for EDGE Soccer. Fast forward to earlier this year, and I received a message from David and his wife, Jennifer, asking about senior portraits for Finley.

Jennifer and I met up over coffee at Summer Moon Coffee Shop in Thornton, Colorado, and ended up talking for hours about Finley, life, and everything in between. Leaving that meeting, I knew working with Finley was going to be something truly special.

Evergreen Magic and Best Friend Memories

On the day of the shoot, the Evergreen mountain views did not disappoint—but the real magic came from the energy on set. Finley brought along her best friend of 12 years, Annabel, and having her there made the entire experience unforgettable.

Seeing the two of them laugh and just have fun together was easily my favorite part of the session. Annabel was the ultimate hype-woman: cheering Finley on, keeping her comfortable, and capturing those genuine, candid smiles. Naturally, we had to snap a few photos of the two best friends together, and those shots have quickly become some of the most popular images on Instagram right now!

Pro-Tip for Upcoming Seniors: Bring Your Best Friend!

If you are a senior preparing for your upcoming photoshoot, take a page out of Finley’s book: bring your best friend along. Having someone in your corner who knows how to make you laugh and feel at ease takes all the pressure off. It transforms a standard portrait session into a memory you’ll look back on for years to come.

Ready to Capture Your Unique Senior Story?

Whether you want epic mountain backdrops in Evergreen or a custom concept tailored specifically to you, let’s create something timeless.

[Click here to book your senior planning session with Narrative Imagery!]

Liam's Creative Senior Photos in RiNo | Cherokee Trail High School Senior Photographer

Aug 7

3 min read

One of my favorite parts about photographing high school seniors is that no two sessions are ever the same. Every senior has different interests, different hobbies, and a different story to tell. When I first started planning Liam's senior session, one thing became very clear. This wasn't just about taking senior pictures.

It was about creating images that reflected who Liam is.

More Than a Senior—A Musician

Liam is a senior at Cherokee Trail High School, but music has been a huge part of his life for years.He's an incredibly talented musician and plays in the band Evergreen. As we planned his session, his mom shared something that immediately got my creative gears turning. She wanted his senior photos to feel bold. She wanted them to stand out. Most importantly, she wanted them to capture the musician side of Liam.

That became our mission.

Searching for the Perfect Stage

Our original idea was to photograph part of the session on a real stage.

We reached out to a few smaller music venues hoping we could sneak in for a few photos before opening hours. Unfortunately, none of those plans came together.

Sometimes that happens.But I've learned over the years that when Plan A doesn't work, it usually forces me to come up with something even better.

As I was loading gear into my car the day of Liam's session, I kept asking myself one question: "How do I create the feeling of a concert stage...without a stage?"

Then it hit me. If I couldn't bring Liam to a stage...

I'd bring the stage to Liam.

Turning RiNo into a Concert Venue

Instead of relying solely on the incredible murals throughout Denver's RiNo Art District, I packed three off-camera flashes, light stands, and colored gels. Once the sun started dropping, we transformed ordinary alleyways into something that felt much more like a live performance. The colored lighting added the atmosphere.

The smoke created depth. The city became the backdrop. Suddenly, it didn't matter that we weren't standing inside a concert venue.

The mood was there.

And Liam absolutely owned it.

Playing with Fire

Then came the idea that took the session to another level. Fire

Now, before anyone starts worrying, every fire image was carefully planned with safety in mind. Liam was completely on board with the idea and, without hesitation, agreed to do something very few seniors will ever get to say they did. He lit his acoustic guitar on fire. Watching those flames dance while colored lights illuminated the smoke created some of my favorite senior portraits I've ever photographed. They're dramatic. They're cinematic. And most importantly... They tell Liam's story. Because let's be honest. Not many musicians graduate high school with senior photos that look like they belong on an album cover.

Exploring RiNo Together

One of the things I enjoy most about senior sessions is simply walking, talking, and exploring together. RiNo is one of my favorite places in Denver because every block offers something completely different.

One minute you're standing in front of colorful murals.

The next you're using industrial architecture, alleyways, brick walls, or neon lights.

Throughout the evening, Liam was willing to trust every crazy idea I suggested.

We crossed streets.

We found hidden corners.

We experimented with lighting.

We played with smoke.

And yes...

We even played with fire.

Those are the sessions I love most.

The ones where everyone is willing to be creative.

Creating Senior Photos That Tell a Story

My goal has never been to create senior photos that look like everyone else's.

I want every senior who stands in front of my camera to walk away with images that feel uniquely theirs.

For some seniors, that means mountain views.

For others, it's downtown Denver.

For athletes, it might be smoke, dramatic lighting, or action-inspired portraits.

For Liam, it meant creating images that captured his passion for music in a way that felt bold, creative, and unforgettable.

Mission accomplished.

Final Thoughts

Liam, thank you for trusting me with one of the most creative senior sessions I've had in a long time.

Thank you for embracing every idea, trusting the process, and being willing to light a guitar on fire in the name of great photography.

Those images will always stand out as some of my favorites—not because of the fire or the special effects, but because they genuinely reflect who you are during this season of your life.

Congratulations on your senior year at Cherokee Trail High School.

I can't wait to see where music takes you next.

David & Joey's Surprise Rooftop Proposal at 54Thirty | Denver Proposal Photographer

Jul 6

4 min read

One of my favorite things about photographing surprise proposals is that every single one is different.

Some happen at sunrise in the mountains.

Some happen on hiking trails.

Some happen in front of family and friends.

And some happen 20 stories above downtown Denver with a skyline view stretching in every direction.

When David first reached out to me through TikTok, he and his boyfriend, Joey, were planning a quick weekend trip from Texas to Denver. While they were in town, David wanted to do something special.

He wanted to propose.

The only challenge?

He wasn't familiar with Denver and wasn't quite sure where to do it.

Planning the Perfect Surprise Proposal in Denver

One of the things I help many proposal clients with is location planning.

A lot of people are traveling to Colorado from out of state and may not know the area well. They know they want the proposal to be memorable, but figuring out the perfect location can feel overwhelming.

After talking through a few ideas, David landed on a rooftop proposal.

Immediately, I knew exactly where I wanted to suggest.

54Thirty.

Years earlier, my wife and I had celebrated my birthday there, and I remembered not only the incredible views but also the atmosphere. Perched high above downtown Denver, the rooftop offers sweeping views of the city skyline and the Rocky Mountains in the distance.

It felt like the perfect place for a surprise proposal.

The Amazing Team at 54Thirty

A successful surprise proposal takes more than just a photographer and a ring.

It often requires a team effort behind the scenes.

Once David decided on 54Thirty, I reached out to their staff to explain what we were planning.

From the very first conversation, they were incredible.

The team reserved a table in a perfect location with stunning views and, just as importantly, a discreet hiding spot where I could remain unnoticed while waiting for David and Joey to arrive.

When I arrived at the rooftop, everyone already knew exactly who I was and what we were trying to accomplish.

The staff made the entire process feel effortless.

The manager even helped ensure the proposal area remained clear so that I could capture the moment without distractions in the background.

As a photographer, those kinds of partnerships make an enormous difference, and the team at 54Thirty truly went above and beyond.

The Moment Joey Said Yes

One of the hardest parts of any surprise proposal is waiting.

You arrive early.

You find your hiding spot.

You double-check camera settings.

And then you wait.

Eventually, David and Joey arrived and made their way to the reserved table.

From my position, I could see everything unfolding while doing my best to remain invisible.

As conversations continued and drinks were served, the anticipation started building.

Then came the moment David had spent so much time planning.

He got down on one knee.

And Joey said yes.

Those few seconds always happen quickly, but they're filled with so much emotion. The surprise, the excitement, the realization of what's happening, and the immediate joy that follows make proposal photography one of my favorite things to document.

Celebrating Above Downtown Denver

After the proposal, we spent time taking engagement photos around the rooftop while the excitement of the moment was still fresh.

One of the things I loved most about working with David and Joey was how genuinely happy they were to simply be together and enjoy the experience.

The pressure was gone.

The surprise had been revealed.

Now it was time to celebrate.

With the Denver skyline surrounding us and the mountains visible in the distance, 54Thirty provided an incredible backdrop for documenting the beginning of this new chapter in their lives.

Every proposal has its own personality, and this one felt equal parts elegant, exciting, and relaxed.

Exactly the way a proposal should feel.