May 29, 2025

The Mommas and the Papas: A Punk Rock Pregnancy Reveal

Picture this: a cool autumn day in Fort Collins, with a light breeze carrying whispers of nostalgia and the smell of vinyl records. I’m in town for a photography gig, having flown in from the wilds of Alaska, and I’ve got a wild idea brewing in my head. Cue the music, because this story rocks harder than any guitar solo.

Meet Alicia and Michael, the ultimate punk duo. We go way back—like, high school back. Alicia and I shared the class of 2012, while Michael rocked the halls a year ahead. Fast forward 13 years, and these high school sweethearts are still living their best alternative lives. Think punk music, cosplay, and a collection of oddities that would make the Addams Family jealous. You know the type.

While prepping for my Denver photography event, I thought, why not squeeze in a few side shoots? I had this killer concept: a punk couple photoshoot in a record store. Naturally, I posted a model call on social media, and who do you think I tagged first? Yup, Alicia. She’s got that vibe, that energy that perfectly fits what I envisioned.

Alicia was all in, and we dived into planning mode. Wardrobe? Check. Aesthetics? Total 90s grunge. We had it all figured out when Alicia dropped the ultimate bombshell—they’re expecting! The stars aligned, and I suggested we set aside a part of the shoot for a surprise baby announcement. Alicia was ecstatic, and I was over the moon.

We started our shoot with some shots outside of the epic store in front of this iconic garage door.

Enter Little Horse Vintage, a charming vintage/record shop in Fort Collins that I’d only admired from afar through pictures. Walking in, it was like stepping into a perfectly curated time capsule. This place had all the vibes—a true haven for music lovers and nostalgia seekers.

As we wandered through aisles of vinyls, snapping romantic shots, Alicia and Michael revealed the ultrasound photos. My vision? Them holding a vinyl with those precious baby pics resting on top. And here’s where the magic happened: the first vinyl I picked up was none other than The Mamas & The Papas. I kid you not, in a sea of records, this was the first one I laid my hands on. It felt like destiny, a sign from the universe.

Michael, with his cool jean jacket, looked every bit the punk-rock dad-to-be. He was in his element, exploring the store, flipping through records with an enthusiasm that was infectious. It was like watching a kid in a candy store, but instead of sweets, he was after those sweet, sweet vinyls. Meanwhile, Alicia rocked fishnets and Doc Martens like the punk queen she is, her Deftones shirt completing the look. Together, they were the epitome of cool, their styles a seamless blend of edgy and effortless.

We embraced the serendipity of the moment, capturing shot after shot that perfectly encapsulated their love, their punk spirit, and their growing family. The record, the vibes, the entire shoot—it was pure perfection. And just like that, Alicia and Michael’s punk rock pregnancy reveal became a cherished memory, blending the past, present, and future into one beautiful, harmonious chord.

Throughout the shoot, the chemistry between Alicia and Michael was palpable. They laughed, joked, and shared little moments that spoke volumes about their journey together. It was clear that their love story was one for the ages, a testament to their shared passion for music, adventure, and each other.

As I captured their interactions, I couldn’t help but think about the little one on the way. This baby was going to have some incredible parents—parents who would nurture a love for creativity, individuality, and, of course, killer music. The ultrasound photos, delicately placed on the vinyl, were a poignant reminder of the new chapter they were about to begin.

Before wrapping up, we decided to capture a few more candid moments. Michael found a record player in the corner of the shop, and his eyes lit up like a kid on Christmas morning. He carefully placed a vinyl on the turntable, he put on the vintage headphones. Unfortunately, we couldn’t actually figure out how this particular record player worked but we pretended it did and in the photos, you can’t really tell lol

As I packed up my gear, I reflected on the magic of the shoot. Alicia and Michael had given me a glimpse into their world, a world where love knows no bounds and music is the heartbeat of life. I felt honored to have captured their story, a story that would continue to unfold with the arrival of their little one.

So, here’s to Alicia and Michael—the mommas and the papas of their soon-to-be little punk rocker. May their journey be as vibrant and full of love as the music that brought us together on that unforgettable day. Rock on!

With that, I left Fort Collins with a smile on my face and a heart full of gratitude. This shoot was more than just a job; it was a celebration of love, life, and the beautiful chaos that makes us who we are. And as I boarded my flight back to Alaska, I knew that Alicia and Michael’s story would stay with me forever, a reminder of the power of photography to capture the essence of life’s most precious moments.