all About the moments
The passion
Photography has been part of my life for nearly three decades. With 28+ years of experience behind the lens, I’ve learned not just how to take a great photo, but how to truly see people. Whether I’m working with a child, a couple in love, or a family wrangling giggles and wagging tails, my goal is always the same: to capture what’s real. The honest emotion. The spark. The connection that makes your story yours alone.
get to know me
I’m fascinated by the way natural light can shape a photograph; how the golden hour spills warmth across a mother’s smile or how a soft overcast sky creates an intimate quiet moment between a couple. Over the years, I’ve developed a deep understanding of both outdoor & artificial lighting, knowing when to lean into it and when to shape it with intention. It’s not just technical, it's intuitive, and it allows me to create images that feel both artful and alive.
What matters most to me is making sure your photos feel like you. I don’t believe in stiff poses or perfect smiles. I believe in capturing personality, laughter, chaos, quiet glances, & warm embraces. It's the things that make life rich and full. Whether I’m photographing families, pets, or wedding days, I want every frame to carry emotion you can feel, even years from now.
When I’m not behind the camera, I’m out living the kind of life I love to photograph. Traveling and adventuring with my amazing wife Laura. I’m grateful to share this journey with her. She’s my biggest supporter, and a steady presence who brings clarity and heart to everything we do. We enjoy Skiing through the Rockies. Mountain biking at local trails, Hanging at the park with our Italian Greyhound, Forrest, & Spending quiet moments with God. Life, to me, is about connection and purpose, and that’s what I aim to reflect in every photo I take.
I am ALWAYS continuing to further my education in photography, always.
Founder of DerekP Studios
“What I like about photographs is that they capture a moment that’s gone forever, impossible to reproduce.” — Karl Lagerfeld