Snapshots & My Thoughts by Ailee Petrovic
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Snapshots

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Snapshots

Our 2021 Durango Summer Diary

This summer, we were lucky enough to spend 2.5 months in Colorado, and after experiencing just a few days of Houston’s heat and humidity, we are even more grateful for that time in Durango! We left when Poppy was just 3 months old, which means she spent almost half of her young life in the mountains. It is such a beautiful place – one near and dear to our hearts. We spent the days playing in my parent’s front yard, walking to nearby parks, getting treats at our favorite cafe (just a few blocks from our house!), and throwing rocks in the river. For the first time ever, we signed the girls up for camps and classes (gymnastics, tennis and wilderness) to meet friends, but funnily enough, we met the sweetest family on our first weekend there and continued the friendship over our duration. The girls are already asking when they can go back to see them! We spent a lot of time with my parents at the house with us, but also were lucky enough to have Jill, Kevin, Karine, Hunter, and some of our close friends come to see us. It is such a joy to share one of our favorite cities with loved ones.

This summer, we were lucky enough to spend 2.5 months in Colorado, and after experiencing just a few days of Houston’s heat and humidity, we are even more grateful for that time in Durango! We left when Poppy was just 3 months old, which means she spent almost half of her young life in the mountains. It is such a beautiful place – one near and dear to our hearts. We spent the days playing in my parent’s front yard, walking to nearby parks, getting treats at our favorite cafe (just a few blocks from our house!), and throwing rocks in the river. For the first time ever, we signed the girls up for camps and classes (gymnastics, tennis and wilderness) to meet friends, but funnily enough, we met the sweetest family on our first weekend there and continued the friendship over our duration. The girls are already asking when they can go back to see them! We spent a lot of time with my parents at the house with us, but also were lucky enough to have Jill, Kevin, Karine, Hunter, and some of our close friends come to see us. It is such a joy to share one of our favorite cities with loved ones.

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Snapshots

Emilia Hermis’ First Year Portraits

One of my dearest friends (and talented interior designer!), Megan Hermis, gave birth to the sweetest little girl last July, and I’ve had the privilege of photography baby Emilia while Megan was pregnant (looking flawless in 100+ degree weather!), her early newborn days, when she was just few weeks old, and then again to celebrate her turning one! It is so fun to have such a good friend who also has three little girls very similar in age to ours! They have the most amazing genes in the Hermis family – everyone is so beautiful, and I have loved photographing them during these precious life milestones. Getting to capture baby’s first years is truly a gift, and one of my favorite things to do as a photographer! Below are some of my favorites from their sessions!

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Personal

Julie’s Golden Hour Beach Maternity Session

A few weeks ago, one of my best friends, Julie (the boss babe behind Young Wild & Friedman), and I were texting about her maternity session. She asked where we should do them, and I made a suggestion, to which she replied, “GALVESTON!?!” I had to send her photos from my sister’s engagement session to convince her that it was a good idea, as this local beach isn’t known for being exceptionally beautiful (but it photographs well!). I am so glad we decided to go ahead and make the drive to the ocean, because it was one of the most fun evenings I’ve had in ages. We laughed so hard as we drove, scarfed down Mexican food, but most especially while taking photos. But when it came time to give me a serious soft smile, gosh, she nailed it. I was freaking out as the photos uploaded one-by-one to my computer on Sunday evening – Julie is just so stunning and pregnancy looks really, really good on her. My dear (and super talented) friend, Brittany of Butter Artistry, glammed Julie up for the shoot. She did such a good job making Julie feel her best! Professional hair and makeup makes such a big difference when you’re having your photos taken.

Julie borrowed my Pink Blush maternity dress and also my Gigi Pip hat – both looked gorgeous on her! Without further ado, here is my gorgeous best friend, 34 weeks pregnant with her bookend baby girl! I cannot wait to meet the sweetest, littlest Friedman so soon.

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Our Durango Travel Diaries

Every summer since Isla was a newborn, we’ve spent multiple weeks in Durango, where my parents have a vacation house. It is such a special place for us, and the girls love spending time there. We spent lots of time outdoors – which makes sense since it was basically 80 degrees and sunny everyday. We did lots of river trips, visits to the parks, horseback and bike rides, and farmer’s market shopping. Because of COVID, some of our favorite daily activities were restricted, so it was a more low-key summer than some, which might have happened anyway with three active kids (boy, did I miss Georgie being fast asleep, swaddled to my chest like she was last summer!).

My older sister, Karine, and her boyfriend, Hunter, were staying at the house for our whole visit, and my parents were there for a few of the weeks as well. It was such good family time – something I’m really grateful for! We also got to spend time with two of my best friends (whose family photos I shared yesterday here). We also escaped to Telluride for a day to stay with our friends, the Gentrys, who graciously hosted us in their gorgeous mountain house. We had such a fun time with them! Lastly, we celebrated our seventh year anniversary, as well as my mom and sister’s birthdays, during our trip. It was nice being all together for these occasions.

Here are a few (okay, a ton!) of pictures from our last five weeks. If you’re planning a trip to Durango, this Durango, Colorado Family-Friendly Travel Guide would hopefully be a helpful read!

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Booking 2020 Family Photos

While we were in Durango for the last five weeks, I had the privilege of photographing two of my best friends and their beautiful families while they were in town. I honestly adore my job – I get such a thrill from capturing people’s precious life milestones, and there is nothing greater than getting to do this for the ones you love the most! The Behenna and Armes kiddos were all so sweet and playful during their photos, which makes snapping their pretty faces very fun!

The crisp Durango weather that we had during Kirby and Sydney’s sessions is a stark difference from perpetually humid Houston, and it has me all excited for fall. I cannot wait to get back into the swing of ‘family photo season,’ and am so looking forward to seeing some of my favorite repeat clients and getting to meet new families!

This year, I am capping the number of portrait sessions in order to try to save my sanity which is normally gone by early December after a few months of late night editing! I recently emailed last year’s clients, who have snapped up most of the slots, but I still have eleven openings left for 2020!

I have details about my family session pricing here. If you are interested in booking portraits with me (woohoo, thank you!) – you can pick a date and book a session here! I can’t wait to meet you and your family! If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at ailee@snapshotsbyaileepetrovic.com.

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