Colorado Session Locations
The best places for photo sessions in Colorado!
Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park
One of the most spectacular “must-see” spots in Colorado. Stunning mountainous landscapes are visible from many different locations, as well as creeks, rock formations, elk, and lush plains.
1.5 hours from Denver. $50 photography permit fee. Special permit required for elopements.
Brainard Lake, Ward
This is one of my all time favorite spots. Open mid-June to mid-October. The stunning lake is surrounded by sweeping mountainous views, lush fields of wildflowers and trees, and rocky beaches. This spot encompasses all of the natural beauty Colorado has to offer in one location!
Pike’s Peak Views, Woodland Park
This top secret spot is a hidden gem, and I hope to keep it that way! It is a pull off on a dirt road, and then a quick 2 minute walk, but is surprisingly private. A few people may come through here and there, but the PERFECT views of Pike’s Peak in the background are 100% worth it. There is also a forested area 5 minutes downhill that is private for vows, and has mountainous views in the background. Everywhere you look, you see mountains!
Lookout Mountain Park, Golden
Lookout Mountain includes great elevated mountainous views, surrounded by forest and pine trees. There are multiple lookout points, plus it is easily accessible via a 30 minute drive from Denver. This spot does tend to get crowded, but there are some private areas nestled in the pine trees for vows. Some lookout spots may be seasonally closed.
Colorado Paint Mines Interpretive Park, Calhan
This is hands down one of the most unique spots I have ever seen. The colorful rock formations appear to be painted with pink and orange (all natural!) and are out of this world and make for an unforgettable experience immersed in nature. It is an easy 10 minute walk from the parking lot, and a 1.5 hour drive from Denver. Special photo permit is required and dogs are not allowed.
Bald Mountain, Boulder
Bald Mountain offers gorgeous sweeping mountainous views of the city below. It is a 15 minute hike from the parking lot and a quick 30 minute drive from Denver.
Lost Gulch Overlook, Boulder
Lost Gulch has some of the most spectacular mountain views that you can get without traveling more than an hour from Denver. You feel like you are on top of the world, and it’s only a 3 minute walk from the parking lot. Because this spot is so iconic, it can be extremely busy at certain times of the year. However, it can be paired with a more private session or elopement at Gross Reservoir, Flagstaff Mountain, or Chautauqua Park.
Chautauqua Park, Boulder
This popular park in Boulder showcases some of the best views of the flatirons in the background. Grassy areas lead to many different trails where you can see plenty of mountain views, and even wildflowers during certain summer months. This park tends to be crowded but allows space to walk to find privacy.
South Mesa Trailhead, Boulder
This spot blew me away with how many different beautiful mountain views it had and within only a 10-20 minute walk from the parking lot. It is also full of lush greenery and interesting foliage in the spring and summer! It is reminiscent of Chautauqua Park’s flat irons, but much more private.
NCAR Trail, Boulder
You may notice that there are a lot of gorgeous spots in Boulder. This one is no exception. There are flatiron rock formations nestled into the mountains that are visible from all angles. There is also a sweeping overlook of the city right on the main trail, which is an easy 15 minute hike.
Kenosha Pass, Park County
This is one of the best places in Colorado to watch the leaves change in fall. It is surrounded by gorgeous aspen trees and has sweeping views of the mountains. Plus you can get incredible views with only about a 5-10 minute walk from the parking lot.
Golden Gate Canyon State Park, Golden
This is another spectacular area to take in those fall colors during early October. There are private spots for elopements, such as the Red Barn which can be reserved May-October (click here). This area is close to Denver, and there are plenty of beautiful areas to explore within the park.
Roxborough State Park, Littleton
What a special spot. Giant red rock formations are surrounded by sweeping views of the mountains in the distance, as well as lush greenery from spring until early fall.
Red Rocks Canyon State Park, Colorado Springs
This location quickly became one of my all time favorites. It reminds me a lot of Garden of the Gods, and you can actually see those rock formations in the background from this park! However it is larger and more open than Garden of the Gods, and therefore has better spots for privacy and avoiding tourists. There are tons of gorgeous red rock formations, red sand, and mountainous views here. Plus it is an easy walk from the parking lot, even to the more secluded spots!
Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs
This spot is iconic. It is home to gigantic jagged red rock formations that create an otherworldly landscape. It is a popular tourist location, so I don’t usually recommend it for elopement ceremonies (instead, we could have your ceremony at Red Rock Canyon State Park right nextdoor, and then finish with photos at Garden of the Gods!)
Red Rocks, Morrison
Colorado is full of beautiful red rocks that make perfect backdrops for photos. Red Rocks in Morrison is just one of the many places you can see these unique formations. There are also driveable overlook views of the city and mountains below. It is a very easy walk around the park, and a 30 minute drive from Denver.
Red Rocks Trail, Woodland Park
A quick 10 minute uphill walk from the parking lot leads you to fantastic red rock formations. You can nestle into the red rocks for a ceremony, which are quite private and can accommodate a small group. This is a unique, immersive location that also offers pine tree scenery.
Sapphire Point Overlook, Dillon
What a view! And can you believe this view is only a 10 minute walk? We can take photos at the overlook and then move down to the lake below for more backdrops that still showcase both mountains and lake. The lower portion that surrounds Lake Dillon also has rocky “beaches” that look out onto the water.
*Reservation required for elopements/small events.
St. Mary’s Glacier, Idaho Springs
THESE VIEWS. The 30-40 minute hike uphill is so worth it. The glacier is snowy for most of the year, and the lake and mountains everywhere you look are just stunning.
Horsetooth Reservoir, Fort Collins
This is such a unique spot. Photos can be taken right by the water, or higher up with aerial views of the deep blue water below. This location is adorned with interesting rock formations and a Mars-like terrain.
Mount Falcon Park, Morrison/Indian Hills
There are two different trailheads for Mount Falcon Park. The one pictured below (in Indian Hills) showcases mountain views and forest trails. The Morrison trailhead has spectacular views of the red rock formations from a lower elevation. Both are incredible spots for photos, and an easy walk! Note that the Indian Hills side lookout does get crowded, but there are other private spots 10 minutes down the trail that have similar mountainous views and much more privacy.
Evergreen Lake House, Evergreen
Evergreen Lake House and its surrounding areas are lovely spots for weddings and photo sessions. Lakeside views are surrounded by distant mountains and evergreen trees. Move across the water to a small beach and follow wooden foot bridges to explore the lake. It is a few minutes from Alderfer Three Sisters Park which is an easy walk to open fields and mountainous views in the background. Only 35 minutes from Denver!
Chatfield State Park, Littleton
This is a totally different vibe than the typical mountains and fields of Colorado. If you’re feeling beachy and craving some water, this is the spot for you! The sandy beaches offer a cozy place to lounge and snuggle up on a blanket, maybe even have a picnic. Run along the shores of the water and dip your feet in the lake to cool off.
Rabbit Ears Pass, Steamboat Springs
Passes in Colorado are known for their amazing views. Rabbit Ears Pass has lots of pull offs and hiking spots that showcase the mountains in the background. Steamboat Springs is a 2.5-3 hour drive from Denver.
In Home Session
Get ready for lots of snuggles in bed, cooking together in the kitchen, hanging out on the couch drinking beers, pillow fights, a cozy bath in the claw foot tub, or all of the above. In home sessions offer endless possibilities for capturing how you truly are as a couple in the comfort of your home. These sessions can be done in your own home, in a rented airbnb, or in my home (click here to see it).
Downtown Denver
What better way to explore the historic neighborhoods and stunning architecture of Denver than with a downtown couple/engagement session or elopement? Industrial buildings, cozy homes, murals, blooming flowers, vibrant trees, and brick walls are just some of the downtown elements that we can incorporate into your photos. We can finish your session by grabbing a drink or some food at one of the numerous breweries or restaurants within the city (many also happen to have very picturesque interiors!)
Night Out
What do you two like to do when you go out together? Perhaps its grab some beers, attend a concert in the park, or play pool at your local dive bar. Whatever it is that you enjoy, we can plan a session around it. One of my favorite “out on the town” sessions included bar hopping for fancy cocktails, sipping martinis and taking photos on the floor, getting giant macaroni burritos, and then finishing at a hookah bar. There is so much room for adventure and I make a pretty good third wheel if I do say so myself.
Recommendations not yet photographed:
Guanella Pass - 1.2 hours from Denver, with mountain views and great fall colors!
Loveland Pass - 1 hour from Denver, maybe the most amazing mountain views ever if you aren’t scared of heights.
Boreas Pass - 1.5 hours from Denver, perfect for peeping fall colors early-mid September, and mountain views!
Echo Lake - 1 hour from Denver in Evergreen, similar to Brainard Lake with mountains and water.
Fourth of July Trailhead - 1.5hr from Denver in Nederland, wildflowers (seasonally) and mountains galore!
Hiking locations with mountainous views:
Lake Isabelle - 1.5 hr from Denver, clear lake surrounded by rocky peaks, forest, and spring wildflowers. 5.5mi hike (2-3hr).
Butler Gulch - 1hr from Denver, incredible mountain views, wildflowers, water crossings, 5.5mi hike (2-3hr).
Mayflower Gulch Trail - 1.5hr from Denver, 1.5mi hike uphill until mountainous gulch views and wildflowers.
Shrine Pass - 1.5hr from Denver, moderate 4mi hike, abundant wildflowers in summer.
Other beautiful locations:
Maroon Bells - 3.5 hours from Denver in Aspen
Denver Botanical Gardens - near downtown Denver, permit fee required
Gross Reservoir - 1 hour from Denver near Boulder
Panorama Point - 1 hour from Denver in Golden
Mount Evans Scenic Byway - 1 hour from Denver
Georgetown Lake - 30 minutes from Denver