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LYDIA GILLIS

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We love late nights, real laughs, genuine love, fresh air, and the kind of dream clients way ahead of us when it comes to going on an adventure. If you're into photos that feel as real as you are, you want your memories made to last, and you'd like to make two new friends in the process, keep scrolling, We can't wait to meet you. 


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Welcome TO THE

I'M LYDIA

Thanks for visiting my website. I am a photographer specializing in weddings, High School Seniors and Personal Branding Photographer. My home base is Denver, Colorado but I am available for travel worldwide. I am a wife, a mom.  I am a lover of life, and love anything that has nuts and chocolate. I have the cutest miniature schnauzer name Sir Chauncey.

I love to travel, nature and concerts.   I love fashion but feel my best in an old pair of jeans and t-shirt.  I love to laugh, dance and sing.  I can't carry a tune but who cares, I will still sing and then laugh at myself.  I love to travel and immerse myself in the local culture and cuisine.  I would love to some day be a contestant on The Amazing Race with my husband. I think we would make an awesome team.  I love to meet new people and I want to met YOU

intro

Last week I made a poll on Instagram Stories where I asked my audience what their number one struggle is in their business and by far most people said time management. This doesn’t surprise me at all. I hear it all that time, if I could only have a little more time. However, let’s be […]

Top three time management tips to boost productivity in your business by Denver branding photographer, Lydia Gillis Photography

When Kenbry’on (KB as she likes to be called) chose Smith Rock State Park for her photo shoot, I was all in! Smith Rock is one of my favorite places to photograph in Oregon. No matter what time of year you visit, this place never disappoints and always delivers. Smith Rock offers a variety of […]

Today I want to share with you 6 Ways to Use Your Personal Branding Photos on Social Media. As entrepreneurs and business owners who have personal brands, it’s extremely beneficial to invest in personal branding photography. Building a personal brand on social media isn’t just about posting selfies and calling it a day. It’s about […]

Personal branding photography. Building a personal brand on social media isn't just about posting selfies and calling it a day. Personal Branding Photography

Edinburgh Couple Photo Session I had a different blog post scheduled for today but changed it last minute because its Valentine’s Day and I want to honor my FOREVER VALENTINE! Curt and I are not big on gifts and I don’t get upset when I don’t get flowers on those special days. He is actually […]

If you’ve been around, you know I am an avid reader. I love reading books, especially business books and self improvement books. One thing I hear a lot from people is that they would love to get into the habit of reading but they just don’t have time to read. Today, I want to share […]

How to read one business book a month. Its easier than you think.

Brittany Hill by Wedgewood Weddings of Chelsea and Mike | Lydia Gillis photography There is still a lot of snow on the ground from the storm we had earlier this week. So I thought this would be a perfect time for me to blog about this beautiful Brittany Hill by Wedgewood Weddings of Chelsea and Mike.  We […]

Today I want to talk to you about how to create the ultimate client experience. As photographers, we have felt many times that our field is overly saturated. I always joke that every time I go to a networking event there is at least five photographer. So how do we set ourselves apart? Because let’s […]

The thing that is going to set you apart from your competition is YOU and the unique client experience you offer your clients.

Today for Tuesday Tea and Tips I want to talk about Four Ways to Save Money in Your Business. I don’t know about you but I sure appreciate having extra money in my bank and treating myself every once in a while to my guilty pleasures.  Four Ways to Save Money in Your Business  Have […]

Today I want to talk about Embracing the Dark Side. Just as a disclaimer, Embracing the Dark Side is not a term that I came up with on my own. I am actually borrowing this term from Steven J Harvill’s book, “21 Secrets of Million-Dollar Sellers”. So what does Embracing the Dark Side mean? Simply put, it’s accepting that […]

In your business you are going to get more Nos than Yeses and how do you turn NO into YES?

Today I want to talk to you about three things you should know when starting a photography business. I think it’s fair to say that a lot of photographers, myself included, started our business photography because we are creatives. We love to capture the emotion of the people we photograph and create a tangible heirloom […]

Business tips for tuning your hobby into a photography business.

Where are all my Denver and surrounding area entrepreneurs? My friend Regina and I are starting an in person mastermind book club and we would love for you to join us!  What to expect from this mastermind? This in person mastermind book club is designed to bring together like minded business women to find success […]

My Word of the Year for 2024: Transformation Over the last ten years I have picked My Word of the Year. I have done it every year except last year. I came up with a number of reasons why I didn’t have a word for 2023. It really boiled down to me entering 2023 mentally […]

Today Friday Favorites post is all about some of my favorite things. Things that I love and want to share with you. One of my favorite things is Leven Rose Rosehip Seed Oil for Face. I am not sure if it’s me getting older or the altitude in Colorado but my skin has gotten extremely […]

Today I want to talk about something I have been asked a lot. How to barter? While I know there are many ways to barter, today I want to share six tips on how to barter that have worked for me. After twelve plus years of being in the industry I still barter every once […]

I’m so excited to shine the spotlight on this Christian Yoga Instructor personal brand photo session featuring my friend Aly from Soul of the Song Yoga. Aly and I met for the first time at a coffee shop in Parker, CO. Our conversation was cut short due to the coffee shop closing for the day […]

Christian Yoga Instructor Meditating

It is hard to believe that today I’m celebrating my 29th wedding anniversary! Time sure does fly. Today and every day he’s still the one! He’s the one that I belong to. The one I want to grow old with. The one that holds my hand and always makes me laugh. Curt, I had no […]

Today on the blog, I want to introduce you to my friend Natalie. Natalie is the founder of Little Victories Sleep. Her passion is working with families with children that are suffering from chronic sleep debt. I met Natalie at one of the Denver Boss Babes Collective networking events. After meeting and talking with her, […]

I’m finally coming around to blogging and sharing my trip to the UK. What an experience that was! Mu husband, Curt, and I took a two week trip to visit friends and explore England and Scotland. It was everything we wanted and more. Over the next few days, I will be sharing our journey on […]

Today on the blog is the talented Becky from Denver Photo Collective. The Denver Photo Collective is a natural light photography studio located in Denver, Colorado available for hourly bookings and monthly memberships. I love stories. What’s your story? We moved to Colorado about 7 years ago and had no idea where our careers would […]

When Cecilia and I started discussing the possibility of using a model home for her personal brand photo session in Denver with her realtor partner Diane, we didn’t know if this would be possible. However, thanks to Cecilia’s connections, she was able to secure this beautiful home for their personal brand photo session. Shout out […]

Photo of Denver Realtors, Cecilia and Diane. Denver Persona Brand photo session.

Today on the blog I’m featuring my friend Jennifer from FasciaFitnessOnline. Jennifer is a Master Level Trainer and Certified Fascianator. She offers online classes as well as in-person classes here in the Denver area. Few weeks ago I had the opportunity to stop by during one of Jennifer’s in-person classes to document one of her […]

 Master Level Trainer and Certified Fascianator Method Practitioner Branding Photo Session

The Dos and Don’ts of how to networking effectively. How many of you cringe or roll your eyes when you hear the word “networking”? Maybe you think networking is just too much for you. Too overwhelming, you are not interested, a waste of time. Or Maybe you think its intimating…it feels too salesy and out […]

How to network effectively

Pop the champagne because this month Lydia Gillis Photography is celebrating 13 years in business. For today’s blog post I thought it was only fitting to share 13 lessons I have learned running a photography business. 13 lessons I learned running a photography business | Colorado Portrait Photographer 13 lessons I learned running a photography […]

I’m so excited to spotlight this Colorado Real Estate Broker personal brand photo session featuring my friend Tracie from Bleu Pebble Homes at KW Reality LLC. Katie and I met a few months ago at a local network event here in Denver. I think it’s fair to say that if we didn’t have other commitments […]

A while ago I had the opportunity to second shoot a wedding at The Vista at Applewood Golf Course.for Wandering Buffalo Photography. I am truly enjoying being a wedding photographer in Colorado. I love photographing at new venues and working along side some amazing Colorado wedding photographers. Colorado Wedding Photographer | Lydia Gillis Photography The […]

Wedding Couple at The Vista at Applewood Golf Course

One of the best ways to announce your wedding date to your guest is through Save the Date Wedding Cards. This will not only confirm you wedding date but will give your guest a glimpse to your wedding aesthetics. If you are a bride looking to create Custom Save the Date Cards or Custom Save the […]

Today on the blog I’m sharing one of my favorite cities, Seattle and the historical district of Pike Place Market. I took a short trip with my husband, Curt, before the pandemic happened. It was just an overwhelming night trip but any opportunity I get to travel, I take it. Curt had a business conference […]

Pike Place Market Seattle, Washington

Happy Monday! Today I’m sharing with you Wyatt and Amanda’s wedding at the Stewart Family Farm in Eugene, Oregon. I want to thank Kim Jones for inviting me to assist her with this beautiful wedding. As an assistant photographer, I normally don’t meet the couple until the day of and is something I always look […]

Stewart Family Farm Wedding

Shooting in a crunched timeline. Sometimes things just happen. Someone is running late. You get stuck in traffic. Weather changes. You find yourself with a very limited space to photograph and so on. If this hasn’t happened to you, I guarantee that it’s not if but when. So what do you do when things don’t […]

Senior Session, shooting in a crunched timeline

Modern Editorial Desert Wedding | Lydia Gillis Photography, Denver Wedding Photographer This session is long over do. I can’t believe I have not blogged this beautiful, modern editorial desert wedding at the Marriott Phoenix Resort Tempe at The Butte. I had the opportunity to be part of this editorial shoot while I was at the […]

Today on the blog is my friend, Natalie, owner of Beer Feelings and Rocky Mountains Brew Runs. I met Natalie through a local Facebook group. We scheduled a zoom call for a 1:1 and we connected right away. We talked for hours about life, entrepreneur life, our dogs, and beer of course! Grab a nice […]

Fiestas Patronales in Guachinago Jalisco One of the many things I love about Mexico is their devotion to traditions and the richness of their culture.  The same can be said for Guachinango Jalisco, a small rural town and municipality located in central-western Mexico and my place of birth. One of the many traditions in Guachinango […]

Fiestas Patronales Guachinango Jalisco

Luxury winter styled wedding at Mount Ida Farm Today on the blog, I’m sharing a beautiful luxury winter styled wedding I was part of while I was attending a photographer’s conference in Virginia. Creatively Gathered hosted the event at Mount Ida Farm in Charlottesville VA. The farm is nestled in a 5,000-acre property with an […]

I was super excited to do this personal brand photo session in Eugene, Oregon because Lucero is not only a fellow photographer, but she also happens to be my cousin! Lucero lives in Mexico and is an amazing wedding and portrait photographer. We took advantage of her visit to Oregon to do some headshots and […]

Today, I want to talk to you about the power of Time Blocking also known as Time Boxing. I was introduced to this method a few years ago and it has completely changed the way I show up to work and how I manage my time. What is Time Blocking? Time blocking or calendar blocking […]

If you know me you know I’m not big into New Year Resolutions. They just don’t work for me. Instead of New Years Resolutions, I like to pick a word for the year. I have been doing this for the last eight years. Now picking a word takes a lot of thought process, reflection in […]

Today I want to talk to you about the best investment you can make in your business and no, it’s not getting the latest equipment or gadgets on the market. Though as photographers we always want to get the latest and newest camera. Right? Education The best investment you can make in your business is […]

When I think of my childhood, I think of my humble beginnings, I think of this place, El Tecolote (The Owl). This is my maternal grandparent’s ranch. The place where I was born. Where I took my first breath, my first steps. Its the place where I spent every summer up to my teenage years. […]

Day four of our trip took us to explore the Colosseum and Foro Palatino Con Mostra in Italy. To be at a place I only read about for years, was surreal. I tried to put myself at that time in history wondering what it would be like to have lived during then, being an actual […]

My Baby Gril Turns 21! Where do I begin? It’s hard to believe my baby girl turns 21 today! It seems like it was only yesterday that I held this precious soul in my arms. I’m amazed by the beautiful young lady she has become and how much she has achieved so far. Today I […]

Editorial Wedding at Marriott Phoenix Resort Tempe at The Buttes I can’t believe this shoot has never been published until now. This editorial wedding shoot is one of the shoots a participated at Showit United Conference in Phoenix Arizona. Every year I make it my goal to go to at least two conferences. I strongly […]

Today I’m going to share four things I do to set myself up for a productive work week. Every Sunday night I take about thirty minutes to plan out my week ahead. This not only helps me be strategic but also helps me be productive. Brain-Dump I like the idea of brain dumping and if […]

How to have a productive work week

25th Wedding Anniversary Today as Curt and I celebrate our 26th wedding anniversary, I’m going to take you down memory lane and sharing some pictures from our 25th Anniversary in Siena, Italy. When Curt and I got married we promised each other that we would renew our vows and celebrate our 25th Anniversary in Italy […]

25th anniversary in Siena, Italy

Day two of our trip took us to Naples, Italy. Curt and I started our day by taking a two- hour train ride from Rome to Naples for a day in Naples, Italy. The train ride was relatively uneventful, we took the time to enjoy the scenery and also get some reading in. I say […]

What should you see in Rome Italy It’s hard to believe it was a year ago to the date that Curt and I were strolling the streets of Rome, Italy. And it’s also hard to believe that it’s taking me a year to blog this trip of a lifetime! Curt and I have been talking […]

What should you see in Rome Italy?

writer and soul gardener Today on the blog is my friend Sharon Musgrove of Sharon Musgrove Untethered. Sharon is a teacher, counselor, writer, and self-proclaimed sociologist. The opportunities opened to her, over the years, have led her on a fascinating journey observing human behavior.  She has a diverse background in business, fitness, and health industries. […]

Hector and Arianna’s Guachinango, Jalisco, Wedding I’m super excited to finally be able to share this beautiful wedding with you. It’s one of my favorite weddings for so many reasons. First, this is my brother Hector and Arianna’s wedding. Their beautiful wedding took place at their ranch in our home town of Guachinango, Jalisco, Mexico. […]

Boundaries for success How to set boundaries for success. If you are anything like I use to be, I feel you. When I started my business over eight years ago, I didn’t have set hours for work. I worked whenever I wanted and I actually took pride in that. However, because I didn’t have set […]

Business Tips, How to set boundaries for success

Today on the blog is my good friend Michelle of MJ’s Photography. Michelle is a Eugene, Oregon Boudoir and Wedding Photographer.  I love stories. What’s your story? I started photographing when I was in 5th grade and started posing kids on the playground! After my daughter was born, I bought a new 35 MM film […]

Eugene Boudoir and Wedding Photographer

If you’re anything like me, you have a love-hate relationship with social media. It’s a great tool to grow our business and trust factor, but we dislike the fact that social media is constantly changing. Attempting to keep up with the never-ending changes and algorithms feels like a chore in its self. Why social media? […]

Today on the blog we are featuring this blue eye lady, Regina. Regina is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, based in Denver, Colorado, who uses a functional medicine approach to address your health concerns. I love stories. What’s your story? I’m a registered dietitian nutritionist and a mom of two boys with food allergies. I thought […]

Today on the blog is Micki a Denver Wellness and Life Coach. Micki helps you work through your mind drama and implement personalized wellness strategies to become your healthier and happier self. Grab your cup of coffee or tea and read more of her story! I love stories. What’s your story? I feel like this […]

Freelance Graphic Designer from Eugene, Oregon. Andrea is a freelance graphic designer offering custom and semi-custom stationery and branding services. Branding session photographed by Lydia Gillis Photography.

Three Things to consider when choosing a wedding venue.   You are planning one of the biggest days of your life.  You have dreamed of this day since you where little…YOUR WEDDING DAY! Today we are talking about finding the right venue for your wedding. After your engagement, setting a date, and a budget, the […]

Today on our 52 Women Entrepreneurs blog series is Jen Johannsen. Jen is the creator of the School of Calm and a non-weird meditation coach. Jen helps stressed and burned-out people discover their calm and happy with non-weird meditation. With 12 years of experience as a School Psychologist, Jen knows a thing or two about […]

These are trying times for all of us. Our uninvited intruder, COVID-19 has brought our photography Businsess as well as many other industries to a halt! During these times of uncertainty, we are all trying to survive and stay above waters. As photographers, we are all missing not being able to photograph our clients. As […]

Coach for moms with ADHD students

Reiki Master and Teacher, a certified aromatherapist and spiritual counselor.

8 tips on how to work from home effectively – Denver Personal Branding Photographer, Lydia Gillis

Happy Tuesday everyone! First, I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to follow and comment on the posts from the 52 Women Entrepreneurs Series! I hope you’re enjoying learning about these amazing ladies. Today on the blog is Jessica Taylor. Jessica is the owner of The Ground, boutique fitness and wellness studio […]

Today on the blog is Cindy Deeg from The Heart of the Matter. Cindy helps busy mommas how to consciously record their children’s memories, regularly and then consolidate, organized and backed them up into one location.

She’s passionate about helping women untether themselves from limiting beliefs that hold them back in their business and ultimately from their life goals. Meet Jacquelyn Rodriguez an Intuitive Healing Business Coach from Virginia.

Life Coach and Certified Energy Leadership Index Master Practitioner (ELI-MP) from New York. She’s dedicated to helping you achieve your highest potential.

Her quest is to help women stand on their own two feet after a divorce, find out who they truly are, and help them live beautiful authentic lives. Believe me, life can get much better when you figure this out.

I love stories. What’s your story? I grew up in Utah. We were a pretty normal family – my dad worked three jobs, while my mom stayed home with me & my twin brothers. All that normal went away when my parents split – life got a lot tougher overnight. Luckily I was awarded a […]

I love stories. What’s your story? Former Ice Cream and Candy store owner, turned clean eating health coach! I used to own three very large Sweet shops in the mountains of Colorado pushing sugar to thousands! Sugar and stress ruled my life. Now I’ve done a 180 in my life and I’m trying to help […]

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lydia@lydiagillis.com


Denver, Colorado

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