It Takes A Village

When it comes to photographing horses, the answer will always be a YES and that probably comes off too excited. I’ve had horses for over twenty years, and I don’t think I’ll ever get over the joy that comes with seeing one up close and personal.

Photographing horses & people comes naturally for me, but I’d be lying if I said I could do it alone and have it be successful. It takes a village to incorporate any animal into your session, but especially a horse. Having an experienced handler is a must, but having one to two people that are quite literally backing me up to get the horse’s attention and ears, all while maintaining control of the horse is something I require in order to book a session. As the photographer, I’m guiding my client into the best poses possible, while safely positioning the animal as well. Safety and horses go hand in hand. It is a 1000-pound (if not more) animal with a mind of its own, after all.

Now that I’m done on my soapbox, please take a moment to congratulate Emma on being a part of the graduating class of 2024! I will never get over just how gorgeous these high school kids are. I remember wearing blue eyeliner and crimping my hair and thinking it was SO cool. We just did not look like this back in my day.

A Redlands Wedding Reception

The beauty of weddings is that they can be designed to fit any vision you can think of. This gorgeous couple had a traditional Hindu ceremony in their home state of Utah before traveling to Southern California for an intimate reception with their closest family and friends. Please help me congratulate the new Mr. & Mrs. Adams!

Stephanie & Jeremy

I will never take for granted that my friends pick me to be their photographer. I had the honor of photographing Stephanie early on in my career when she graduated from college. Watching her become a successful teacher, find her fiancé, and get pregnant with what’s going to be the most adorable baby boy has been amazing. While it took us awhile to land on a location, Stephanie reminded me that I had stumbled upon a new location a few weeks back and of course we had to go there. It was the perfect setting with that emerald green dress and that gorgeous red hair of hers. The way the light shined on her? Chef’s kiss.

Renata & Andre

I just love it when I meet someone and we just click. The energy is being matched on both sides, the excitement is bubbling over and you just can’t wait to get started on helping them with their future. Renata found me on Instagram on Wednesday and by Friday, we were celebrating her and Andre’s marriage with a couple of their closest family and friends. Not every wedding celebration has to be a big blow out party - sometimes you’re just ready to get married and you don’t want to wait any longer. That was the case for these two after a 5 year long-distance relationship. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for these two.

Michelle & Mario

I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Michelle long before I was ever a photographer. We used to go to the Brandin’ Iron on the weekends way back in the day (if you know, you know lol). So when she hired me during my early years as a new photographer, it was an honor then as much as it is now. Watching her grow as a human and seeing her life evolve into what it is now has been amazing to see. I was also introduced to her fiancé when we did their photos and I couldn’t have picked a better man for her - the way he smiled at her spoke volumes to their love. I can’t wait to meet their little boy when he arrives! this summer!

Emerson Estate

When Megan of Mrs. Brown’s Floral & Events asks me to be apart of something, the answer is always yes. Without hesitation, without question, it’s an abso-freaking-lutely. And you can see, this is why I’ll always work with her. Look at this amazing content day she put together for an up and coming Indio wedding venue!

The Dream Team:

Pastel set:
Venue @emersonestate
Photographer @colleenkphotography
Photographer @michelledudleyphotography
Videography @thegentproductions
Planning/Floral @mrsbrownsfloralandevent
Make up @createbyfaith_
Bridal Band @alexakelleycollection
Wedding Stationary @queenbeedesignstudio
Dress @laceandbowbridal
Bride @mamaachick

Mandap arbor
Venue @emersonestate
Photographer @colleenkphotography
Photographer @michelledudleyphotography
Videography @thegentproductions
Planning/Floral @mrsbrownsfloralandevent
Make up @createbyfaith_
Bridal Band @alexakelleycollection
Wedding stationary @queenbeedesignstudio
Dress @prathaadesignstudio

Bridal outfit: @prathaadesignstudio
Bride @theshoefits

Mr. & Mrs. Fischer

I don’t have an expansive enough vocabulary to accurately describe the perfection that was Marie and Robert’s wedding day. Yes, I say that about every wedding or session and while I do actually mean it, this wedding.. this wedding was a little more special than my other weddings.

Marie and I met back in 2005 when we were at one of the local horse ranches. It wasn’t until I started working there teaching horseback lessons in 2010 that we became friends. So many memories of us driving around Redlands, singing Keith Urban songs at the top of our lungs, riding all the horses, creating silly names for them. Life got in the way and we lost touch over the years, but in 2017, Marie reached out to me wanting family photos done with her boyfriend and his two gorgeous daughters. That alone was an honor, but then I learned that was going to be their first time ever as a family to have pictures done. If you’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting Marie and Robert, you just know that these two were designed for one another. I saw that back then and have happily watched their relationship grow into the beautiful thing it is now. It only made sense that they get married.

As the diehard desert people they are, hosting their wedding at the Living Desert was the perfect setting for the most romantic day. The weather was glorious and the vendor team they assembled was nothing short of fantastic. The fact that it’s already over makes me sad. To watch two people be surrounded by so much love and support for their marriage was so inspiring to witness.

Enough of my babbling, let’s get to those teaser photos!

The Dream Team:

Photography: @colleenkphotography
Venue: @thelivingdesert
Wedding Management: @gabrielapilarevents
DJ: @musicalphunktions
Catering: @dangbrotherpizza
Bar: SSA-The Living Desert
Hair: @bibbidy_bobbidy_beauty
Makeup: @alyss_beauty
Floral Designer: @mrsbrownfloralandevent
Wedding Dress: @grace_loves_lace

Murad Family

In-home sessions have a special place in my heart. It makes the photos all the more special when they get hung up on your walls because they were taken IN YOUR HOME. What’s not to love?! This family was such a dream to work with. I can’t wait to deliver their full gallery!

Krissy and Tyler

A gorgeous couple? Check.
A beautiful location? Check.
A crazy-ass photographer who falls in love with each and every one of her couples? Check.

I’m so excited to welcome Krissy and Tyler as a Colleen K Couple!

Mrs. Brown's Floral and Event & Glen Ivy

There aren’t many people that can get me up at 4:30 in the morning, but Megan is one of them. When she came to me super last minute needing a behind-the-scenes photographer, there was never going to be an answer other than “I’m yours.” I’ve admired Glen Ivy from afar and was thrilled to be a small part of their video for Wedding Wire. A huge thank you to Megan and her company Mrs. Brown’s Floral & Events for trusting me to capture these photos!

Marisol & Ray

These two came to absolutely slay their engagement session! We shared so many laughs and stories all the while getting some of my most favorite images ever. Typically, my couples opt for a casual look as well as a fancy look to give a variety to their gallery, but Marisol and Ray DID. NOT. PLAY. From the location, both outfits, to their faces, I loved everything about this day.

Taylor - Class of 2022

What are they giving these high school seniors these days?! My god, they are skipping the awkward phase and going for straight GORGEOUS. I absolutely fell in love with Miss Taylor during her session and I can’t wait to see what she accomplishes in her future.

Shirley's Birthday Session

For a California girl, I am so not one to enjoy the beach… Unless a gorgeous girl asks me to shoot her birthday photos in the sand. How could I say no? An emerald gown and a borrowed crown gave us all the Little Mermaid vibes on the most perfect Sunday morning. You never really need a reason to book a photo shoot, but booking one to celebrate another trip around the sun for yourself is one of the better reasons I can think of.

Karl's Branding Session

This has been the week of branding sessions and I am here for it! Karl and I spent a beautiful afternoon running around the San Diego area getting all the amazing shots needed for his new brand launch.

When planning your branding session, it’s important to consider what’s special to you and what will help you connect with your audience. Your dream client will find you when you fully embrace who you are in your online presence. For Karl, the San Diego area, more specifically the Hotel Del, was the perfect setting for his session.

Baby Axtyn

While newborn photos aren’t exactly my specialty, I’d like to think I did right by this sweet angel. After one of the more wild sessions due to the windiest day of the week, I INSISTED on holding this sweet baby, because I absolutely fell in love. Isn’t he just the cutest?!

Heather's Branding Session

When a fellow small business owner hires me to do their branding photos, I always do a little happy dance. We live in a media-driven world that often leaves us feeling disconnected from one another and branding photos are the perfect way to stand out. Showing up by showing yourself, in my opinion, is the best way to get your followers to connect with you. Never mind the fact that it’s always a good idea to have updated photos of yourself, because why not?

Heather is a local hair salon owner and she is expanding her business into something I can’t wait to see come to fruition. With the launch of this new brand, she needed new photos, and I was ecstatic that she hired me to help her! Downtown Riverside proved to be the perfect spot to accomplish what we did and I’m thrilled to show off a few teasers!

Sidenote: how adorable is she in that hat?! I so wish I could pull one off.

Beltran Family

New year, new photos!

Can anyone else fully grasp that it’s the last day of the month? I sure can’t. Where did the holidays go? When I sit and think about it, I’m always amazed by how fast time is actually going. Luckily, family sessions aren’t a Fall only type of session. It doesn’t what month it is, so long as you can get everyone’s schedule to match up, it’s a good time to update those photos!

Mr. & Mrs. Vides

What more could you ask for a wedding? A beautiful winery, a gorgeous bride, a handsome groom, surrounded by the single most important people in your life that are there to celebrate your marriage. Covid may have pushed this wedding out over a year, but that just meant the party would be that much better when it FINALLY happened. Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Vides! Your wedding day was one for the books!

Veenstra Family

When talking with Karissa about locations she wanted for her family photos, she said “too bad the desert is so far away.” That’s when it dawned on me that I hadn’t been to Joshua Tree in years and I knew we had to make it happen for her. It had been 6 years since they had done family photos and these needed to be absolutely perfect. I think they nailed it! From following style guidance, to being just a downright good looking family, I’m absolutely in love with these images!

Samaniego Family

It was 2017 and a client booked me for her 1 year old’s cake smash session. I typically don’t provide props or cakes in an effort to keep costs down for my clients and in this instance, this client brought not only a darling cake, but two of the best people in my life. From their wedding, to their maternity and their daughter’s newborn photos, I’ve gotten to capture some of their most important moments and I also get to call them my friends.