Carter Lake | In This Light

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carter lake

🔮🪲🏴‍☠️🪲🔮

#denvermodel #denverfashion #denverphotographer #edgystyle #edgymakeup #moodyportrait #handtattoos

🔮🪲🏴‍☠️🪲🔮

#denvermodel #denverfashion #denverphotographer #edgystyle #edgymakeup #moodyportrait #handtattoos

Virgo full moon + Eclipse portal MAGIC ✨🌕✨

#virgofullmoon #eclipseportal #totallunareclipse #magic #majik #edgystyle #couple #divinelove

Virgo full moon + Eclipse portal MAGIC ✨🌕✨

#virgofullmoon #eclipseportal #totallunareclipse #magic #majik #edgystyle #couple #divinelove

⋆˖⁺‧₊🪩✨🪲✨🪩₊‧⁺˖⋆

#denvermodel #denverphotographer #moodyportraits #dopaminedressing #edgystyle #edgymakeup #greeneyes

⋆˖⁺‧₊🪩✨🪲✨🪩₊‧⁺˖⋆

#denvermodel #denverphotographer #moodyportraits #dopaminedressing #edgystyle #edgymakeup #greeneyes

💙👽🛸🔮🦋

#profusioncosmetics #beautyphotography #edgystyle #edgyhair #selfportrait #makeup #model #denvermodel #coloradophotographer #longmontphotographer

💙👽🛸🔮🦋

#profusioncosmetics #beautyphotography #edgystyle #edgyhair #selfportrait #makeup #model #denvermodel #coloradophotographer #longmontphotographer

Two perfectly imperfect, not entirely human humans, born worlds apart, decades between them, brought together by invisible forces, forced to face their darkest shadows and explore their depths. Two souls that ached for growth and expansion, reminding and reflecting each other’s light, rising to their highest calling, remembering who they are, separately and together.

☯️💫🧿🧞‍♂️🪢🐚🌗🪐🕯️🔮❤️‍🔥

#healingjourney #afterdivorce #cosmiclove #consciouslove #couplesportrait #divinetiming #synchronicity #spiritualconnection #spiritualawakening #shadowwork #lightandshadow #coloradophotographer #longmontphotographer

Two perfectly imperfect, not entirely human humans, born worlds apart, decades between them, brought together by invisible forces, forced to face their darkest shadows and explore their depths. Two souls that ached for growth and expansion, reminding and reflecting each other’s light, rising to their highest calling, remembering who they are, separately and together.

��☯️💫🧿🧞‍♂️🪢🐚🌗🪐🕯️🔮❤️‍🔥

#healingjourney #afterdivorce #cosmiclove #consciouslove #couplesportrait #divinetiming #synchronicity #spiritualconnection #spiritualawakening #shadowwork #lightandshadow #coloradophotographer #longmontphotographer

13 things I’ve learned along my healing journey✨
 🔹 Your body always knows before your mind does—listen to it. 🔹 Peace is a thousand times more valuable than keeping up appearances. 🔹 Saying no is self-care. Saying yes to the wrong things is self-betrayal. 🔹 Magic happens when you stop fearing the unknown and start trusting yourself.
🔹 Just because something feels familiar doesn’t mean it’s right for you.
🔹 Healing isn’t a straight line—it’s a spiral, and you’ll revisit lessons until you truly learn them.
🔹 You don’t owe anyone the version of you that makes them comfortable.
🔹 Choosing yourself isn’t selfish—it’s the foundation for everything else.
🔹 Everything you want is on the other side of fear—lean in.
🔹 Discomfort isn’t a stop sign; it’s a signal that you’re stepping into something bigger.
🔹 The version of you that you’re becoming requires you to let go of who you used to be.
🔹 Growth feels like breaking before it feels like expanding. Keep going.
🔹 The unknown isn’t something to fear—it’s where your next breakthrough is waiting.

What’s something you’ve learned on your own journey? Let’s talk in the comments! ✨

✨shel🐚

#healingjourney #startingover #divorce #selflove #selfportrait #spiritualawakening #sobercurious #coloradophotographer #longmontphotographer

13 things I’ve learned along my healing journey✨
 🔹 Your body always knows before your mind does—listen to it. 🔹 Peace is a thousand times more valuable than keeping up appearances. 🔹 Saying no is self-care. Saying yes to the wrong things is self-betrayal. 🔹 Magic happens when you stop fearing the unknown and start trusting yourself.
🔹 Just because something feels familiar doesn’t mean it’s right for you.
🔹 Healing isn’t a straight line—it’s a spiral, and you’ll revisit lessons until you truly learn them.
🔹 You don’t owe anyone the version of you that makes them comfortable.
🔹 Choosing yourself isn’t selfish—it’s the foundation for everything else.
🔹 Everything you want is on the other side of fear—lean in.
🔹 Discomfort isn’t a stop sign; it’s a signal that you’re stepping into something bigger.
🔹 The version of you that you’re becoming requires you to let go of who you used to be.
🔹 Growth feels like breaking before it feels like expanding. Keep going.
🔹 The unknown isn’t something to fear—it’s where your next breakthrough is waiting.

What’s something you’ve learned on your own journey? Let’s talk in the comments! ✨

✨shel🐚

#healingjourney #startingover #divorce #selflove #selfportrait #spiritualawakening #sobercurious #coloradophotographer #longmontphotographer

Wow. I don’t even know where to begin, except to say thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Stepping into my truth and sharing my story felt like the scariest thing in the world… until I did it. And now? I feel free. I feel lighter. I feel like I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.

The outpouring of love, encouragement, and support I’ve received has been beyond anything I could have imagined. Your messages, your comments, your stories—you have no idea how much they mean to me.

To those of you who have been here for years, quietly following my journey, and to those who are just now finding me—thank you. Thank you for holding space for me. Thank you for seeing me. Thank you for sharing your own stories with me.

This space is shifting. I am shifting. And I am so grateful to have you here with me as I fully step into the person I was always meant to be.

Here’s to truth. Here’s to healing. Here’s to stepping into our own light.

With love, gratitude, & all the magic, ✨shel🐚

#healingjourney #startingover #divorce #selflove #selfportrait #spiritualawakening #sobercurious #coloradophotographer #longmontphotographer

Wow. I don’t even know where to begin, except to say thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Stepping into my truth and sharing my story felt like the scariest thing in the world… until I did it. And now? I feel free. I feel lighter. I feel like I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.

The outpouring of love, encouragement, and support I’ve received has been beyond anything I could have imagined. Your messages, your comments, your stories—you have no idea how much they mean to me.

To those of you who have been here for years, quietly following my journey, and to those who are just now finding me—thank you. Thank you for holding space for me. Thank you for seeing me. Thank you for sharing your own stories with me.

This space is shifting. I am shifting. And I am so grateful to have you here with me as I fully step into the person I was always meant to be.

Here’s to truth. Here’s to healing. Here’s to stepping into our own light.

With love, gratitude, & all the magic, ✨shel🐚

#healingjourney #startingover #divorce #selflove #selfportrait #spiritualawakening #sobercurious #coloradophotographer #longmontphotographer

Allow me to reintroduce myself — my name is Shelby and I’m more than just a photographer.

For all my life, I’ve never felt like I actually fit in anywhere. I’ve always felt different, like I somehow missed the day in school where they handed out the “how to human” handbook. Like other people knew some secret that I didn’t. So my entire life, I’ve observed and picked up cues on what I was “supposed to do.”

I thought I was supposed to graduate college, that I was supposed to get married, that I was supposed to own a home, that I was supposed to have kids, that I was supposed to have the car and all the material things. And if I did all these things and checked all the boxes, I would be happy.

Well, it turns out, checking all the boxes and having a seemingly picture-perfect life doesn’t automatically equal happiness. I struggled with not feeling fulfilled and felt guilty that there was something wrong with me.

Why couldn’t I be grateful for this life? Why wasn’t it enough?

I felt this deep loneliness inside me, and for years and years, I attempted to fill this vast hole with alcohol. And it served as a bandaid—until it didn’t. It only made my anxiety worse until my body just couldn’t take it anymore.

I was having multiple panic attacks a day, and it got to a point where my body would physically not allow me to keep going down the path I was on. I had reached a tipping point. I was more afraid of what would happen if I stayed on this path than I was of the unknown.

(continued in comments)

#healingjourney #startingover #divorce #selflove #selfportrait #spiritualawakening #sobercurious #coloradophotographer #longmontphotographer

Allow me to reintroduce myself — my name is Shelby and I’m more than just a photographer.

For all my life, I’ve never felt like I actually fit in anywhere. I’ve always felt different, like I somehow missed the day in school where they handed out the “how to human” handbook. Like other people knew some secret that I didn’t. So my entire life, I’ve observed and picked up cues on what I was “supposed to do.”

I thought I was supposed to graduate college, that I was supposed to get married, that I was supposed to own a home, that I was supposed to have kids, that I was supposed to have the car and all the material things. And if I did all these things and checked all the boxes, I would be happy.

Well, it turns out, checking all the boxes and having a seemingly picture-perfect life doesn’t automatically equal happiness. I struggled with not feeling fulfilled and felt guilty that there was something wrong with me.

Why couldn’t I be grateful for this life? Why wasn’t it enough?

I felt this deep loneliness inside me, and for years and years, I attempted to fill this vast hole with alcohol. And it served as a bandaid—until it didn’t. It only made my anxiety worse until my body just couldn’t take it anymore.

I was having multiple panic attacks a day, and it got to a point where my body would physically not allow me to keep going down the path I was on. I had reached a tipping point. I was more afraid of what would happen if I stayed on this path than I was of the unknown.

(continued in comments)

#healingjourney #startingover #divorce #selflove #selfportrait #spiritualawakening #sobercurious #coloradophotographer #longmontphotographer

The urge to completely burn down my business and rebuild from scratch has been so real 🤪 okay maybe I won’t burn it down, but completely pivot because why not? I was able to completely pivot my life so why not my business?

One thing that has been, I’ll say “annoying”me, is my follower count. Why have a significant follower count if insta only shows your content to a fraction of those people?

Has anyone had luck going through and deleting inactive followers? Let me know because I would like to do some house cleaning 😜

#selfportrait #coloradophotographer #longmontphotographer #moodyportraits #healingjourney #selflove

The urge to completely burn down my business and rebuild from scratch has been so real 🤪 okay maybe I won’t burn it down, but completely pivot because why not? I was able to completely pivot my life so why not my business?

One thing that has been, I’ll say “annoying”me, is my follower count. Why have a significant follower count if insta only shows your content to a fraction of those people?

Has anyone had luck going through and deleting inactive followers? Let me know because I would like to do some house cleaning 😜

#selfportrait #coloradophotographer #longmontphotographer #moodyportraits #healingjourney #selflove

Reluctantly pulling myself out of social media hibernation, why is instagram not a vibe anymore?

#selfportrait #coloradophotographer #longmontphotographer #moodyportraits #healingjourney #selflove

Reluctantly pulling myself out of social media hibernation, why is instagram not a vibe anymore?

#selfportrait #coloradophotographer #longmontphotographer #moodyportraits #healingjourney #selflove

✨ That first image is what I consider one of my “aha!” moments in my photography career. It marked the beginning of my in-home newborn offerings, and over the years, I’ve had the honor of recreating that image for so many families 🥰

There’s something uniquely special about capturing this fleeting newborn season in the comfort of your own home. I briefly offered studio sessions, but I quickly realized that home holds a different kind of magic—one filled with love, warmth, and the memories you’re building right now. Plus, let’s be real: no one wants to pack up and stress in those early days 😅

“But Shelby, my home is just not a magazine-worthy space—will the photos even turn out like the ones I see on your website??”

I get it! And here’s the thing: I don’t need perfection—I just need a window ✨🪟✨ I’ve created magical, timeless images in the most chaotic spaces (seriously, that first image was taken on the floor of my bedroom with toys and laundry all around 🤪) I don’t see the mess; I see the light, the shadows, and the love that fills the room. So please do not let that stop you from investing in an in-home newborn session!

These early days are fleeting, but your memories don’t have to be. Let’s create something beautiful, raw, and real—something you’ll cherish forever 💛

I’m currently booking in-home newborn sessions, DM me to book yours now 🪄

✨ That first image is what I consider one of my “aha!” moments in my photography career. It marked the beginning of my in-home newborn offerings, and over the years, I’ve had the honor of recreating that image for so many families 🥰

There’s something uniquely special about capturing this fleeting newborn season in the comfort of your own home. I briefly offered studio sessions, but I quickly realized that home holds a different kind of magic—one filled with love, warmth, and the memories you’re building right now. Plus, let’s be real: no one wants to pack up and stress in those early days 😅

“But Shelby, my home is just not a magazine-worthy space—will the photos even turn out like the ones I see on your website??”

I get it! And here’s the thing: I don’t need perfection—I just need a window ✨🪟✨ I’ve created magical, timeless images in the most chaotic spaces (seriously, that first image was taken on the floor of my bedroom with toys and laundry all around 🤪) I don’t see the mess; I see the light, the shadows, and the love that fills the room. So please do not let that stop you from investing in an in-home newborn session!

These early days are fleeting, but your memories don’t have to be. Let’s create something beautiful, raw, and real—something you’ll cherish forever 💛

I’m currently booking in-home newborn sessions, DM me to book yours now 🪄

⏳ Final 24 hours of my session sale! All the deets are in my stories 💫

⏳ Final 24 hours of my session sale! All the deets are in my stories 💫

Last 48 hours to grab my session sale! Only 10 session slots left!

✨ Don’t miss out—here’s what’s waiting for you:

💫 $300 off my regular session price (just $1,000 total)

💫 A chance to book with only a $400 retainer today—the remaining $600 is due at your session

💫 First dibs on my 2025 calendar, including weekend dates

Once this sale ends, this magical offer disappears forever. Don’t let this opportunity to create stunning, timeless art with your loved ones slip away!

📅 This offer ends Monday at noon!

Let’s make some magic together—don’t wait!
Link to book in my bio 💫

✨Shelby

Last 48 hours to grab my session sale! Only 10 session slots left!

✨ Don’t miss out—here’s what’s waiting for you:

💫 $300 off my regular session price (just $1,000 total)

💫 A chance to book with only a $400 retainer today—the remaining $600 is due at your session

💫 First dibs on my 2025 calendar, including weekend dates

Once this sale ends, this magical offer disappears forever. Don’t let this opportunity to create stunning, timeless art with your loved ones slip away!

📅 This offer ends Monday at noon!

Let’s make some magic together—don’t wait!
Link to book in my bio 💫

✨Shelby

To celebrate Small Business Saturday, I’m offering an exclusive deal on my adventure photography sessions ✨🌄💫 D M m e f o r l I n k ✨

To celebrate Small Business Saturday, I’m offering an exclusive deal on my adventure photography sessions ✨🌄💫 D M m e f o r l I n k ✨

In honor of both my fall babies, here’s the most recent *fancy* photo that I realized I never shared here 🙃 from earlier this summer of my now 6 (last month) and 9 year old (as of today 🥳)

In honor of both my fall babies, here’s the most recent *fancy* photo that I realized I never shared here 🙃 from earlier this summer of my now 6 (last month) and 9 year old (as of today 🥳)

I have 4 last minute fall session dates available ✨🍂 🔗 to book in stories 💫

I have 4 last minute fall session dates available ✨🍂 🔗 to book in stories 💫

✨✨✨

✨✨✨

2 years sober today 💫

If you were to tell me years ago I would be alcohol free by choice I would have actually thought you were insane. I didn’t ever envision my life without alcohol. It was such a comfort for me. I’m still in disbelief that I was able to pivot my life the way I did in a years’ time, and now 2 years into my “new life” I still pinch myself that I had the courage to create a new life for myself and face the complete unknown.

I’m really, really proud of her.

I look back at that version of myself who was struggling so deeply inside and I feel so much compassion for her. She had noooo idea what her future was going to hold. And even when I have hard days now, I envision my future self and think, if she only knew of the amazing things still yet to unfold.

Healing is definitely not a linear process, it’s full of twists and turns and just when you think you’re in a better place, more lessons arise. I’ve come to find it’s is very much like a sling shot, the universe will pull you back before you’re about to be propelled into the next level version of yourself. And I’ve learned to just hang on tight and surrender to the greater plan. To release control because things will happen exactly the way they’re meant to and in ways far greater than you can ever imagine.

🥂A sober cheers to another year alcohol free and may the magic continue in ways greater than I can imagine 💫 Universe, show me how good it gets ✨

2 years sober today 💫

If you were to tell me years ago I would be alcohol free by choice I would have actually thought you were insane. I didn’t ever envision my life without alcohol. It was such a comfort for me. I’m still in disbelief that I was able to pivot my life the way I did in a years’ time, and now 2 years into my “new life” I still pinch myself that I had the courage to create a new life for myself and face the complete unknown.

I’m really, really proud of her.

I look back at that version of myself who was struggling so deeply inside and I feel so much compassion for her. She had noooo idea what her future was going to hold. And even when I have hard days now, I envision my future self and think, if she only knew of the amazing things still yet to unfold.

Healing is definitely not a linear process, it’s full of twists and turns and just when you think you’re in a better place, more lessons arise. I’ve come to find it’s is very much like a sling shot, the universe will pull you back before you’re about to be propelled into the next level version of yourself. And I’ve learned to just hang on tight and surrender to the greater plan. To release control because things will happen exactly the way they’re meant to and in ways far greater than you can ever imagine.

🥂A sober cheers to another year alcohol free and may the magic continue in ways greater than I can imagine 💫 Universe, show me how good it gets ✨

🍂🍁🍂

🍂🍁🍂

When you end the session with 🌝 you can watch me edit this image start to finish in my private fb group! And if you’ve waited last minute to schedule fall photos, don’t worry I got you! I’d love to get you scheduled ✨🤗✨

When you end the session with 🌝 you can watch me edit this image start to finish in my private fb group! And if you’ve waited last minute to schedule fall photos, don’t worry I got you! I’d love to get you scheduled ✨🤗✨

I’ve been photographing families in the same locations along the front range for 8 years now, so when I come across a new location it makes me 🤩🙌🏼✨ all of my fall sessions will hopefully be here - I let my clients choose their location but they will be heavily persuaded 😁 I hope you don’t get sick of seeing breathtaking mountain top views 🙃🌄

I’ve been photographing families in the same locations along the front range for 8 years now, so when I come across a new location it makes me 🤩🙌🏼✨ all of my fall sessions will hopefully be here - I let my clients choose their location but they will be heavily persuaded 😁 I hope you don’t get sick of seeing breathtaking mountain top views 🙃🌄

Good news! There’s still time to book your fall session!✨🍂🤗🍁✨

Good news! There’s still time to book your fall session!✨🍂🤗🍁✨

When the views are 🤌🏼 and a moose crashes your session 🫎

When the views are 🤌🏼 and a moose crashes your session 🫎

✈️ Travel Notice✈️ I will be in Placencia, Belize the week of Thanksgiving if anyone is interested in a session while I’m there ✨🌴✨ DM Id love to chat!

✈️ Travel Notice✈️ I will be in Placencia, Belize the week of Thanksgiving if anyone is interested in a session while I’m there ✨🌴✨ DM Id love to chat!

This session brought me back 🥹 so much of my early work involved the river and it filled my cup capturing all the color, light and magic of it again 💦✨ I will never say no to a river session. Give me all the river sessions 🤩

This session brought me back 🥹 so much of my early work involved the river and it filled my cup capturing all the color, light and magic of it again 💦✨ I will never say no to a river session. Give me all the river sessions 🤩

Bring out the magic in your images in just a few clicks with my ⟣ 𝒮𝑒𝒶𝓈𝑜𝓃𝓈 𝑜𝒻 𝒮𝑜𝓇𝒸𝑒𝓇𝓎 ⟢ presets 🪄 and be sure to join my private Facebook page for free editing videos ✨🤗✨

Bring out the magic in your images in just a few clicks with my ⟣ 𝒮𝑒𝒶𝓈𝑜𝓃𝓈 𝑜𝒻 𝒮𝑜𝓇𝒸𝑒𝓇𝓎 ⟢ presets 🪄 and be sure to join my private Facebook page for free editing videos ✨🤗✨

✨𝓂𝑒 𝒾𝓃 𝓂𝓎 𝓃𝒶𝓉𝓊𝓇𝒶𝓁 𝒽𝒶𝒷𝒾𝓉𝒶𝓉✨

✨𝓂𝑒 𝒾𝓃 𝓂𝓎 𝓃𝒶𝓉𝓊𝓇𝒶𝓁 𝒽𝒶𝒷𝒾𝓉𝒶𝓉✨

Mother & daughter 💫🌼 in all of my years of photography I rarely (if ever) shoot direct light and now I’m having a hard time remembering why 😆 because I’m kind of obsessed now!! I’m going to be adding direct light presets to my Seasons of Sorcery presets STAT (if you’ve already purchased the presets you’ll reserve the update for free 🤗)

Mother & daughter 💫🌼 in all of my years of photography I rarely (if ever) shoot direct light and now I’m having a hard time remembering why 😆 because I’m kind of obsessed now!! I’m going to be adding direct light presets to my Seasons of Sorcery presets STAT (if you’ve already purchased the presets you’ll reserve the update for free 🤗)

Want to learn how to capture and edit images like I do? I offer FREE editing videos, tips & tricks and BTS in my private fb group 🤗🪄 group members also receive an exclusive code for 25% off my Seasons of Sorcery presets and magic overlays ✨ comment below and I’ll dm you the link to join 🥰 I just posted BTS videos from this gorgeous session in the group, I’ll see you over there 😉

Want to learn how to capture and edit images like I do? I offer FREE editing videos, tips & tricks and BTS in my private fb group 🤗🪄 group members also receive an exclusive code for 25% off my Seasons of Sorcery presets and magic overlays ✨ comment below and I’ll dm you the link to join 🥰 I just posted BTS videos from this gorgeous session in the group, I’ll see you over there 😉

This goddess ✨💫

Thinking about booking a fall session me? I still have some availability ✨🤗 ✨ dm me to chat 🥰

This goddess ✨💫

Thinking about booking a fall session me? I still have some availability ✨🤗 ✨ dm me to chat 🥰

I shared the SOOC image in my private fb group - edited of course with my Seasons of Sorcery presets ✨

I shared the SOOC image in my private fb group - edited of course with my Seasons of Sorcery presets ✨

✨🌞✨

✨🌞✨

Sharing before and afters of this session in my stories 🤗 edited using my Seasons of Sorcery presets ✨ where are my color lovers at 🌈💫

Sharing before and afters of this session in my stories 🤗 edited using my Seasons of Sorcery presets ✨ where are my color lovers at 🌈💫

✨🌱✨

✨🌱✨

Spring green sessions just hit different 🌱😌 edited using my Seasons of Sorcery presets of course 😉✨

Spring green sessions just hit different 🌱😌 edited using my Seasons of Sorcery presets of course 😉✨

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ClickinMoms Top 100 Female Photographers to Watch in 2019

Featured in:

Click Magazine

Dear Photographer Magazine

@2025 Third Avenue Image, LLC | In This Light Photography | Shelby Zavala

Longmont, Colorado Newborn & Family Photographer

shelby@inthislightphotography.com

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