Business Details
22 Years
experience
Authentic Mountain Wedding Photography in Colorado
Founded in 2004 by Michele and Mark, Once West is a husband-and-wife photography team dedicated to capturing authentic moments for couples and families in Colorado's mountain regions. With over two decades of combined experience, we prioritize creating a relaxed, unobtrusive environment that allows clients to focus on their loved ones while we document genuine emotions and connections. Our documentary-style approach emphasizes natural light, candid interactions, and efficient workflow to minimize disruption during events. We specialize in mountain weddings across Keystone, Breckenridge, Vail, Beaver Creek, Steamboat Springs, and Winter Park, offering tailored packages that include high-resolution digital files, heirloom albums, and personalized timelines. Our commitment to quality extends beyond photographywe ensure secure image storage, detailed planning, and timely delivery of edited collections.As modern-day nomads living in a home on wheels, we bring a unique perspective to every session, blending our passion for nature with technical expertise. Client satisfaction remains our highest priority, evidenced by our 100% referral rate and glowing testimonials praising our ability to capture 'the true essence' of special moments. We maintain transparency through clear contracts, flexible payment plans, and open communication from initial consultation to final delivery. Our work has been featured in industry publications, though we find greater fulfillment in delivering photographs that evoke joy for decades. Every image reflects our core belief: 'Your photographs are only as good as the experience you had with your photographer while making them.'
Services
Wedding Photography
Portrait Sessions
Engagement Photos
Family Portraits
Welcome Dinner Coverage
Heirloom Albums
Documentary-Style Imaging
Details
- Year established: 2004
Highlights and features
- Documentary-style approach preserves genuine moments without staged poses
- 20+ years combined experience photographing mountain weddings and portraits
- Efficient workflow ensures minimal disruption during events
- 100% client satisfaction with 5-star Google reviews
- Transparent pricing with no hidden travel fees for Colorado mountain towns
What people say
INCREDIBLE photographers
100% recommendation
Authentic moments captured
Stress-free process
Beautiful unposed photos
Services
Wedding Photography
Documentary-style wedding coverage capturing authentic moments without staged poses. Our husband-and-wife team works unobtrusively to preserve genuine emotions and connections throughout your special day. Services include timeline coordination, family portraits, and high-resolution digital files with reproduction rights.
Portrait Sessions
Scenic outdoor and in-home portrait sessions for couples and families. Sessions include location scouting, outfit guidance, and 60-100 edited images delivered digitally. Available in mountain towns across Colorado with flexible timing options.
Engagement Photos
Candid engagement photography sessions capturing couples' unique relationships. Available as standalone bookings or wedding package add-ons. Includes location recommendations and seasonal timing guidance for optimal lighting conditions.
Heirloom Albums
Custom-designed hardcover and leather-bound albums preserving your most cherished images. Each album includes professional layout design and premium paper quality for lasting durability and display value.
Welcome Dinner Coverage
3-hour photography coverage for pre-wedding events. Captures candid interactions and special moments at welcome dinners with the same documentary approach as our main wedding services.
People
Michele
Photographer & Owner
Co-founder with 20+ years mountain wedding experience. Specializes in candid imaging and client experience. Holds photography degree from The Art Institute of Colorado. Manages timeline coordination and post-production workflow.
Mark
Photographer & Owner
Co-founder and lead photographer. Graduated with photography honors in 2002. Focuses on technical execution and lighting expertise. Works alongside Michele to ensure seamless coverage at all events.
Questions
What style of wedding photography do you offer?
We specialize in documentary-style photography that captures authentic moments without staging or posing.
Do you offer engagement sessions?
Yes, we offer standalone engagement sessions available May-October as part of our portrait services.
How many photos are included in wedding packages?
Expect approximately 75-100 edited images per hour of coverage, delivered in both color and black & white.
Are travel fees included?
No travel fees for weddings in Colorado mountain towns like Keystone, Breckenridge, and Vail.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept credit card payments online, plus cash or check for in-person portrait sessions.
How long does post-processing take?
Wedding photos are delivered within 6 weeks, with portrait sessions completed in 2-3 weeks.