By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy of Mira Brand

The Brand family escaped for a tropical family vacation to Hawaii in June. Pictured left to right are Mira, Carter, Dylan, Cortney, Olivia and Skylar.

Originally from the Netherlands, Mira Brand came to the United States on a tennis scholarship where she played for Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania. It was at college that she met the love of her life, Cort, and they are living happily ever after in Castle Pines.

The Brand family has lived in the community for 21 years. Prior to their Colorado move, the Brand couple spent six years in Arizona where they both attended graduate school at Arizona State University. It was not long after, that Mira received a job opportunity as the vice president of product management and new business development with First Data Corporation headquartered in Denver.

A water planning and engineering consultant, Cort was also able to transfer to Colorado. The couple has raised three children – Skylar, an eighth grader at American Academy; Dylan, a senior at Rock Canyon High School; and Carter, a freshman at Lafayette College. They enjoy traveling the world and love every aspect of the Castle Pines community from the open spaces to spectacular sunsets and hanging out with family and friends.

Not only does Mira have solid background in finance and economics, she speaks Dutch, English and German, and has an incredible eye behind the camera lens. Mira was 7 years old when she received her first camera. Following in her father’s footsteps, Mira developed a passion and love for photography. Her father was a remarkable photographer, developing his own photos in a studio equipped with a darkroom in their family home. Mira’s photography first steps were taken one snap at a time alongside her father.

One of her favorite pastimes is One of her favorite pastimes is visiting Daniels Park to enjoy the Front Range view, bison and elk herds. bison and elk herds.

Taking photos of nature – landscapes and wildlife are Mira’s passion. She has a true sense of calm when photographing wildlife. Her subjects do not seem to mind if she is near, and often Mira finds herself backing up because it is the wildlife that is closely approaching her. Her newly-purchased large zoom lens allows her more distance from her subjects while capturing their personalities and curiosity. Mira’s photos capture the deep personality and souls of each animal she meets.

A few favorite animals that Mira has photographed include the famous Teton’s grizzly 399 and her four cubs, an endangered black rhino, lions and African penguins in South Africa, wild horses in the Sand Wash Basin of Colorado, and moose in both Colorado and the Teton Mountain Range in Wyoming.

Her passion for photography has opened the doors to new adventures and possibilities. Mira has been fortunate to work alongside very accomplished photographers, including world famous photographer Thomas Mangelsen, Andy Coleman from National Geographic, and other top photographers in Colorado. Mira is hopeful that what once started as a hobby will someday lead her to other possibilities of working for National Geographic, traveling the world and hosting photography workshops or engaging in more sports photography. Until then, select photos hang on display at a local dental office and she posts to her Instagram account for all to enjoy.

To see more of Mira’s inspiration, visit her Instagram @mirabrandphotography.