ABOUT  VANESSA

Hello!

So glad you’re here …

 

What got me into photography? The people. Plain and simple. I LOVE capturing people, getting to know each couple or family, figuring out what makes them tick, helping them laugh, putting them at ease in their own skin, chatting about our shared love of historical fiction or great whiskey, and before they know it, they feel the joy of being themself in front of the camera.

It doesn’t hurt that I get to live and take photographs in one of the best places on earth! I’m biased, but Durango and the surrounding area I call home is the most amazing slice of heaven on earth. I’d love to show you some of my favorite places, help you experience the majesty of the mountains or the stillness of the desert, and capture you in all the surrounding beauty.

One of the areas I am strongest in is helping you feel at ease and comfortable in front of the camera. I want the photography experience to be fun and easy! I’ve been doing it for 12 years, and it’s my specialty. You will love the way you feel. The results? Natural, bright, colorful, heartfelt images that you will cherish!

Its such a joy to capture people’s stories. My hope is to give you an experience you will enjoy and a collection of photographs that you will treasure for a lifetime.

 

About you…

Thank you SO much for taking the time to stop by! If I had my wish, we’d be sitting down to get to know each other over a cup of coffee and a scone and I’d get to hear all about your story. I would love it if you would fill out a contact form so that I can get in touch and hear more about you!

My favorite part about photography is that I get to know such amazing people. I consider it a huge honor and privilege to be invited into your life to create photographs that tell your story in an authentic, intimate, and beautiful way. I will invest my whole heart in serving you and making sure that you have a wonderful photography experience. It’s so important to me that you enjoy yourself and LOVE your photos!

A few fun facts about me …

I used to be a City Girl

Born and raised in St. Paul, Minnesota, I always pictured my life in the city with the lights, concerts, restaurants, and access to every shopping whim. When I met my small town Nebraska husband with a dream to move to Colorado, we packed up and haven’t looked back since. Durango has become our home and we love life in the mountains … with trails out our front door, fly fishing down the road, mountain biking around every corner, and the outdoors always inviting us to a new adventure. I love life in Colorado.

I’m a big sports Fan

I love sports. A live game in the stadium with some nachos? 100%. Cuddling on the couch while cheering on the Golden State Warriors? Yep! Go Dubs! Going to my kids soccer games and cheering wildly? Yes. Yes to all things sports and being a fan … because there is something so ridiculuously fun, pure, and child-like about cheering your heart out for a team while eating a hot dog and drinking a beer. I love the collective, community experience of sports.

I love being a Mama

I love being a Mom. It gives me such purpose and joy. My two beautiful, creative, adventure-loving girls fill my life with light, laughter, and beauty. You can often find us running the trails, biking into town for ice cream, rafting the river, gathered around a board game, playing badminton, jumping on the trampoline, or having friends over for an epic game of spike ball.

Can we talk about my perfect day?

It starts with biking into town to get a scone & coffee at our local bakery, Bread. Then, it’s a toss up between rafting the river, mountain biking Phil’s World, or heading up to hike Engineer Mountain. After our adventure, I’ll read a good WWII historical ficition in the hammock, and then host an evening of badminton or spike ball with friends. The evening includes: make your own sushi rolls, great music, drinking an old fashioned, and concludes with dessert around the fire pit.

Grateful for my Guy

When I saw him across the Taylor campus, I knew. He smiled at me one day after chapel, and I’ve never been the same since. DJ has been my best friend, my biggest cheerleader, my cribbage opponent, my best listener, my fly fishing guide, the Dad to my two beautiful girls, my fellow sojourner in faith, my adventure buddy, and all around favorite person to be with. He’s my enneagram 7. Always keeping things fun, new, full of joy, and life. He’s my rock and the one who walks with me in the hills and the valleys of life.

Puppy Lover

I’ve always dreamed of having a dog. I grew up in a family with no pets (I know, right?!), and dreamed of growing up in a house filled to the brim with animals. So far it’s just two turtles and an adorable 8 pound poodle, but I’ve still got time. Having a dog has been such a fun, child like wonder. Teo is the best mix of active and cuddly. He can hike the trails or snuggle on the couch. He makes us laugh, and always greets us at the door with so much love. We love our sweet Tater Tot!

9

COUNTRIES I’VE VISITED, 25 MORE I’VE GOT ON MY BUCKET LIST

500+

HAPPY GINGER MOOSE CLIENTS

17

YEARS MARRIED
TO MY COLLEGE SWEETHEART

12

YEARS OF PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY EXPERIENCE

32+

HOME IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS ON OUR 120 YEAR OLD MOUNTAIN FARMHOUSE

Ginger Moose Photography Recognition

Hi, I'm Vanessa

I’m a Colorado girl. An outdoor enthusiast. An afficiando of delicious baked goods. A mountain biking newbie.  A guitar player and music fanatic. A lover of impromptu dance parties. A huge fan of good food and dear friends gathered around a kitchen island, fire pit, or homemade skillet pizza. I’m a wife, mom, friend, traveler, photographer, child of God, and one happy girl. 

Photography with heart

With 12 years of professional photography experience, I love capturing the heart and authentic emotion in people through bright, beautiful images. I want to tell people's stories through photographs and find it a complete joy to be invited into people's lives. My hope is to give you an amazing, joyful experience and photos you will treasure!

Married to my college sweetheart

He's my best friend, adventure buddy, and all around favorite guy. We love to hike, mountain bike, cook delicious food, explore Colorado, play cribbage, create new cocktails, take road trips in our VW camper bus, and experience life together.

Meet my family

I love being a Mom. It gives me such purpose and joy. These two beautiful, creative, adventure-loving girls fill my life with light, laughter, and beauty. You can often find us running the trails, biking into town for a scone, rafting the river, gathered around a board game, playing badminton, jumping on the trampoline, or having friends over for yard games.

City raised, mountain based

I grew up in St. Paul Minnesota enjoying lakes, access to amazing restaurants, shopping, and all that the city had to offer. I always pictured myself in a big city, but after getting married, we packed up and moved to a mid-sized Colorado mountain town, my husband's childhood dream. Now, I've fallen head over heels for where we live and I've become a mountain girl at heart. I'm so grateful to call Colorado home for the last 17 years, with so many outdoor pursuits right out my front door! A few of my favorites: mountain biking, hiking, fly fishing, rafting, and skiing. Being outside makes me feel so alive. I'm definitely biased, but I think Durango is one of the best places to live. You've got to come and visit! I'd love to share some of my favorite places with you ~ better yet, take your photograph in one of my favorite spots!

38 projects and counting

Wowzers. We didn't exactly know what we were getting into when we bought a 120 year old home in the heart of Durango. We've jumped into renovating it one project at a time ~ and thanks to YouTube, we're on our way. Blood, sweat, and tears. We've experienced a little bit of all of them.

Always on the hunt for the next great recipe

Have I mentioned how much I love food??? I don't just like food, I love it! My perfect day ends with a glass of good whiskey, my Old Time Dinner Music playlist, and garlic sizzling in some olive oil on the stove. Mmmm ... what's for dinner????

I've got you covered

I love using the best lenses, camera bodies, and gear to capture you! You just show up, I'll take care of the rest.

Clients Love Ginger Moose

from Katie

Vanessa made us feel very comfortable
in front of the camera. The photos
turned out amazing and we already have
them hanging in our home!

from Jennifer

Absolutely wonderful experience!!
Vanessa was kind and fun!
The pictures turned out PERFECT!

from Kristen

Vanessa was completely organized,
genuine, and calm, which made us feel so relaxed
and ultimately this led to very natural, beautiful photos.
We cannot believe how lucky
we are to have found her!

from Hannah

I cannot say enough great things about Vanessa!
She is the sweetest human being
and made me feel on top of the world
on my wedding day. We will cherish
our photos forever!

from Amy

Vanessa is incomparable! We live out of
state, and Vanessa was our guide to
the best locations, vendors, and timeline.
No way would we have pulled
this off without her professionalism,
experience and optimism! We are forever grateful!

PHOTOGRAPHY INQUIRY

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Please fill out the form below and I will connect with you soon about your session or wedding. I reply to all inquiries within 48 hours.

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