Meet Erin Lassahn | Lifestyle Family Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Erin Lassahn and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Erin, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I don’t think it ever occurred to me NOT to pursue a creative career. My career dreams and ideas have morphed since I was a kid, but whether it was wanting to be a baker decorating fabulous cakes (one of my earliest career dreams) or an interior designer (what I thought about in high school) or a fashion designer (what I actually went to college for) or a the photographer I am now, it just seemed natural that it would be in the arts. Even my side interests all throughout childhood to present day have been artistic in nature; playing the cello and flute, singing in various groups and venues, years and years doing ballet and a love for fine arts too. A life without creative pursuits, I think, would be rather dull and colorless, and therefore I can’t imagine my career being void of creativity either. I’ve never been able to fit myself into standard corporate career boxes and the very few times I have, it hasn’t lasted long.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I take photos of families living life and having fun doing it. My favorite part is coming back year after year to a lot of the same families and documenting their memories as I watch their children grow and change. (Though I always love meeting new families too!) I get to see baby rolls turn to toddler runs, and wiggly teeth turn into teenage smiles. At times I have taken a meandering path in my business. In 2013 I stepped back a bit to start a family, and in 2016 I went part time while going back to school for a Masters degree. However, I think the winding road has helped lead me to where I am now in my business, and that is to a place where I am more impassioned and devoted than ever to creating lasting memories for the families I serve. I think it’s important as an artist and creator to continue to evolve, and so while I have been known to those who have followed me for a while as a photographer who creates rather happy colorful images led by play and prompts, my aim for the year ahead is to also allow for more storytelling work and perhaps a slightly different approach in my color story. This may result in images that dive a little deeper into a family’s individual story, although I still want to continue to offer the bright colorful and playful work I love too, as I think there is room for both. If you happen to keep an eye out on my feed in the coming months ahead, you’ll have to let me know how I do!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Hmm, well it’s no surprise that Covid has put a damper on the entertainment aspect of things in many ways, but assuming that wasn’t an issue and we were all free to go about things as we used to, there are a few spots that I just love. For the absolute best dinner and treat yourself night out, I would definitely head to Il Posto over in RiNo. The chef Andrea Frizzi is an Italian gem and often comes around table to table to chat, checking to make sure you are loving your food – and you will I promise. My husband and I have been going to Il Posto for every anniversary and special occasion (and even in between) since 2011 when we moved to Denver and it’s our favorite restaurant in town. Another wonderful spot is Adrift over on Broadway. When you live in landlocked Colorado, particularly in the middle of a cold winter, there is really nothing better than heading to Adrift, which is a craft cocktail tiki bar, and getting temporarily transported to an island for an evening, coconuts and umbrellas and all! Otherwise I love to observe- so some other favorite spots are Duck Lake in City Park, where all the Cormorant birds nest, and any of the other great parks like Cheesman Park, Wash Park or Confluence Park where you can take in people and animals alike. Great night time people watching happens on the 16th Street Mall, but can be a bit touristy. If I want a drink in my hand while I scope out others, and some street food while I am at it, I like heading to Avanti where you can sit stadium style and look out over the city.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to dedicate my shoutout to two people if possible. The first person would be my husband Stefan who has supported my endeavors in many ways. He has shot with me in the past, he’s my IT & tech guy, he holds down the fort when I travel for shoots, listens when I need to talk through ideas, and so much more. The other person I’d like to give a shoutout to would be fellow photographer, mentor, and all around photo genius Sam Hurd (https://www.samhurdphotography.com/) whom I have known for at least a decade now. He is a constant source of inspiration and knowledge, and he is always willing to help.

Website: https://www.erinlassahn.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erinlassahnphoto/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ErinLassahnPhotography

Other: @erinlassahn 🙂

Image Credits
Bio photo by Sam Hurd