Jonathan Betz Photography Blog bio picture

Portrait Artist | Jonathan Betz, M.Photog., CPP

Jonathan found his love of photography and light while working in Yellowstone National Park in the summer of 1999. During his time there, he mentored under a professional photographer that taught him how to see and capture light - the very foundation of photography. Upon returning home to St. Louis after that summer, he began pursuing a career in professional photography. In 2002, Jonathan accepted a position with a St. Louis Studio as a portrait & wedding photographer and studied under five different Master Photographers. In 2006, he and his wife Lindsay moved to Colorado and opened Jonathan Betz Photography in Colorado Springs.

Jonathan earned his Masters of Photography Degree (M.Photog.) in 2019 and Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) in 2015, conferred by The Professional Photographers of America. His work has been recognized with honors at the national and international level, most recently receiving the Platinum Medal and earning highest honors with a Grand Imaging Award. Jonathan served five terms as the President of the Professional Photographers Guild of Colorado Springs. He has served on the Board of Directors for state and regional professional photography organizations. He's committed to lifelong learning and continually seeks to elevate his craft through professional training, education, and teaching opportunities to help younger photographers refine their skills and businesses.

Studio Manager | Lindsay Betz, Cr.Photog

Lindsay joined the photography industry when she and Jonathan moved to Colorado in 2006, filling the integral role of studio management in the business. Our client families benefit from her guidance for everything before and after the photography session.

As she has embraced the photography industry, she loves opportunities to teach and present to the community of professional photographers from her expertise on the business side of photography. She has presented to professional photographers on the national platform every year since 2018. In 2022, she was recognized with the National Award for Business Education by Professional Photographers of America (PPA).

In 2019, she earned her Photographic Craftsman (Cr.Photog.), the degree that recognizes those in the photography industry that serve through professional-level teaching. She was elected to the National Council for PPA in 2016 and continues that leadership into her third term. She also serves on the PPA Education Advisory Board Committee. Additionally, she has served on the Board of Directors for the Professional Photographers Guild of Colorado Springs since 2015.

Proud members of:

Professional Photographers of America
Professional Photographers Guild of Colorado Springs

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Garden of the Gods | Winter Family Portraits

As you might imagine, Garden of the Gods is one of the top requested places for portrait sessions and why not?! It’s just gorgeous there, and I never tire of the beauty throughout the entire area. And I’m so thankful that it’s a protected area in our city…otherwise, it’d likely be a golf course! No offense to golfers, but I’m glad that everyone can enjoy such a fantastic place! Jon has some favorite places he loves to take families for their pictures during their sessions, but it’s pretty amazing how much variety and opportunity are all in one place. Enjoy a whole bunch of favorites from a handful of sessions we did at Garden of the Gods during late November and December!

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This session was really fun because Lauren and I were in the same small group for our women’s study at Woodmen Valley Chapel this past fall. Being newer to Colorado Springs, they wanted to have fantastic family pictures to show the beauty of Colorado Springs, so what better place than here?

The day of the Water’s session was windy, cold, and spitting some rain, and yet, the dramatic sky is just amazing and doesn’t happen on a sunny, perfect day…it’s one of those times that embracing the weather truly makes for a unique, dramatic portrait.

The Waters family has a family picture in this same pose from when their kids were very young – we LOVE telling a part of a family’s story and history during their session…

I love the “king of the world” spirit of Justin in this picture! With our son, Tyler, trying to climb up and onto all things high at the mere age of 16 months, I imagine that he’ll love opportunities to climb all over Garden of the Gods as he gets older (and I might have to get a little braver…).