Colorado Engagement Photos 2024

LAST UPDATED July 22, 2024

Why Take Colorado Engagement Photos

You’ve just declared your love for each other, and you are committing to spending the rest of your lives together! It’s a glorious moment and you should absolutely, positively, commemorate it.

You’ll want to remember the time in-between being a couple and being a married couple. You also may want professional photos of you two being casual and awesome together that’s not so fancy. These photos can be used for save-the-dates, holiday cards, or big massive posters in your best friend’s bedroom. Whatever you do with them, you’ll be happy you took them!

So let’s dive in!

Top 17 Locations for Colorado Engagement Photos

1.Lost Gulch

A Colorado classic! Just outside Boulder, and therefore easily accessible, this location has stunning views of the mountains. It’s a very popular place so expect to see lots of crowds. You’ll also need to make sure you have the proper permits to photograph there. Talk to your photographer to make sure you knock these out, so you don’t have to think about them again. 

Check out this Lost Gulch Engagement Session.

2. Loveland Pass

This is one of the most accessible and stunning locations near the front range. Only a little over an hour drive from Denver, you get mountain ranges with sweeping vistas, and cute lakes. There’s generally a small flow of people at all times in this location (except sunrise for the truly badass). This location is covered in snow from about November through mid-June. Winter time access will require snow-shoes or skis.

3. Brainard Lake

Brainard Lake is a gorgeous location with tons of hiking trails.This place fills up quickly though, so expect lots of other people around. There are two parking lots, one right next to Brainard, and one 2 miles away (Gateway). You’ll need to reserve the closer parking lot during summer months, and during the winter you can only park at Gateway. If you’re there during the winter plan to use snowshoes!

4. Lake Isabelle

Lake Isabelle is an easy flat hike from Brainard Lake that’s simply stunning. Due to the flat elevation this is a popular hike to go on. Don’t let that stop you from taking jaw-dropping photos there!

Check out this gorgeous Lake Isabelle Shoot.

5. Garden of the Gods

Garden of the GodsGarden of the Gods is a stunning free park located right in Colorado Springs. Because it’s free and so gorgeous, you can always expect plenty of people around. That being said, there are a few less known spots that are perfect for engagement photos. You just gotta make sure your photographer knows how to take you there 😉

6. Red Rocks

Red Rocks is one of America’s most famous music venues. It’s literally carved into the towering red rocks in the front range. So get on down there and take some cute photos. You should expect people to be there because it’s a free wonderful place.

7. Roxborough State Park

A cute state park that’s less well known than some of the other places. Short little trails, with red rocks make this a really attractive place.

8. Chautauqua Park

This park is a really beautiful location just outside of Boulder. Offering trails right before some stunning mountains. This can be combined with other locations on this list. Make sure you get the right permits for this.

9. Lookout Mountain

Lookout Mountain is another front range gem, located real close to Denver. Lots of trails with great views of the mountain ranges beyond. A permit is required to shoot here, but it’s worth it for really pretty views!

10. Sapphire Point

One of the most popular mountain locations that’s an official venue space. Sapphire Point can be reserved, or you can take your changes on a first come first serve basis. This location overlooks beautiful Dillon Reservoir, and is central located between several awesome mountain towns – including Breckenridge and Frisco. You can combine Sapphire Point with locations right on the water for an incredible combination of views.

11. Leadville

Leadville is the highest city in America, and also features some jaw-dropping scenery. Whether it’s the beaches at Turqouise Lake, or the trails leading to alpine lakes, this place has it all. Just a short drive from here is Independence Pass where you can see sweeping views of the Collegiate Peaks.

12. Buena Vista

Buena Vista has towering mountains, raging rivers, and snow that melts faster than in other places in the mountains. That means you can have adventures here in May and June. This is a perfect spot for a Jeep engagement, or a hike in the mountains.

13. Rocky Mountain National Park

One of America’s greatest parks and for very good reason. There are so many trails and gorgeous places in this park that you absolutely can’t go wrong. Just note that you will have to apply for a photography permit, and reserve an entry time, to access the park and take photos here. Depending upon where you go, you will also encounter plenty of people as well. But don’t let that stop you from seeing one of America’s crown jewels.

14. Estes

Located just outside Rocky Mountain National Park, this quaint little town has gorgeous views of the Rocky Mountains. If you know where to go, you can find some real wonderful gems out there.

15. Great Sand Dunes National Park

The Sand Dunes is one of the most unique and badass places in all of Colorado. Nestled at the foothills of towering snow-capped mountains are America’s largest sand dunes. This place is so much fun, and can be combined with some really cool other locations, whether it’s nearby rivers, alpine lakes, or just the town of Alamosa. You’ll need a photography permit to shoot here, but it’s worth it.

Check out this incredible Sand Dunes Shoot.

16. Telluride

The first thing you’ll notice when you are in Telluride is that the mountains seem to rise straight up from the ground thousands of feet above you. It’s a view unlike anything else in Colorado for the sheer scale of the mountains towering over you. The town of Telluride is fantastic, and the views around the mountains spectacular. Some consider the San Juans mountains, located near Telluride, to be the best mountain ranges in the continental US.

17. Steamboat Hot Springs

Steamboat’s hot springs are both refreshing and beautiful. You can even rent a private pool within the hot springs for just you and your boo.

18. Winter Park

Another stunning mountain town, that’s known as a more local spot than some of the other mountain towns. This is an excellent spot for snowmobiles, hiking, mountain biking and exploring. 

When To Take Colorado Engagement Photos

Summer Colorado Engagement Photos –

Summer is when the mountains and lands are lush with greenery, and warmer temperatures. He Front Range can get really hot, while the mountains will vary between 40s at night and 70/80s during the day. If you love mountain activities, this is the perfect time to go for a hike, swim, kayak, take a jeep ride or more! One important thing to note is that the summer brings the rain. From June through July, you can expect showers, and in the mountains you should always plan for thunderstorms and rain in the afternoon.

Fall Colorado Engagement Photos – 

The fall brings in cooler temperatures and wonderful colors with changing aspen leaves. This is the perfect time for sweater weather, colorful warm toned scenery, and enjoyable temperatures, especially in the front-range.

Check out this comprehensive guide to fall engagement photos.

Winter Colorado Engagement Photos – 

Winter provides lots of opportunities for really fun activities with the most stunning backdrops. It’s hard to compete with 14,000 foot snow-covered mountains as your background! Go skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, snow shoeing, or just cozy up around a nice warm fire! 

Check out this comprehensive guide to winter engagement photos.

Spring Colorado Engagement Photos – 

Spring is perhaps the toughest season for engagement photos because the weather is so unpredictable. It can snow in Colorado’s front range all the way until the end of May, and even later in the mountains. The snow melts quickly in the front range, but it’s never clear when the trails will melt out in the mountains. They melt at varying times throughout June. That being said, there’s still plenty of options! The front range, sand dunes, and lower elevation locations that melt faster (Think Crested Butte, Salida etc…) are wonderful options.

Weekday Vs Weekend

Weekends are typically far busier than weekdays. If you can swing it, try to take your photos on the weekdays so that you can have a bit more seclusion and privacy. 

Sunrise or Sunset

Sunrise typically has far fewer people around than sunset, however, you gotta wake up super early to make it happen. Sunrise also typically has better weather, and you are far more likely to see stars and avoid showers and storms. The plus side of sunset is that you don’t have to mess around with your sleep schedule. You can wake up at a regular hour and ease yourself into sunset photos. You’ll also probably be far looser when it’s time to take photos, having had time to warm up with your photographer.

How Much Do Colorado Engagement Photos Cost

Engagement photos really vary in cost. Some photographers will take them for around $100, while others will charge over $1,000. Things to consider when looking at price is their experience, how much they put into the planning and logistics coordination, how many hours you get for the price.

I charge $600 for one hour, though I highly recommend booking for 2 hours, which is $900. I’ve been photographing elopements for years in Colorado and beyond, and help you put together the best possible day.

How Much Time Do You Need for Colorado Engagement Photos

This is a great question. A lot of photographers will book one hour, but I highly recommend at least 2! Here’s why – 

It takes time for every couple to warm up in front of the camera. For some couples thats only 15 minutes. For other’s it can take longer. But more importantly, you this is such an important time in your life and you definitely don’t want to shortchange yourself! You want to give your love freedom to express itself, and for you two to have fun.

And why limit yourself to what you can do? Some engagement activities require more time than others – whether it’s hiking among wildflowers, or snowmobiling through the winter mountains. Use this time to really enjoy yourselves. These photos can be a warm-up to an adventure elopement, or they can even knock that portion out if you are having a more traditional wedding. You also get practice with a photographer, perhaps the photographer you were thinking of booking for your actual big day! So definitely consider taking as much time as you need to capture the love you two have.

Engagement Photo Activities:

Just because this isn’t your actual wedding doesn’t mean you have to go short! There are lots of things you can do for your engagement photos, and I highly recommend doing at least one. This is a perfect time to capture you and your love doing what fills you with joy. The more you incorporate the things that you love to do, the more your photogs will represent you both and just as important – you’ll have a damn good time!

Here’s a list of things you can do during your Colorado engagement photos:

1. Jeep ride
2. Snowmobiles
3. Snowshoes
4. Swim
5. Kayak
6. Climb
7. Picnic
8. Snowboard
9. Ski
10. Brewery
11. Surf
12. Get Naked 
13. Paint
14. Hot Springs
15. Cook
16. Get high
17. Mountain Bike
18. Bar hop
19. Restaurant HOp

Colorado Engagement Photo Packages

My engagement photo packages include the following:

1. Location Recommendations
2. Outfit Recommendations
3. At least 2 outfit changes
4. Timeline recommendations
5. Planning recs throughout
6. Free hi-res photo downloads
7. Sneak Peaks within 7 days
8. Full gallery within 8 weeks

$2,400 – 8 hours
$1,400 – 4 hours
$900 – 2 hours (my most popular package)
$600 – 1 hour

All packages are for 1.5 hours within Denver. Travel fees apply to locations outside 1.5 hours.

Engagement Photo Outfits

Do you wanna lewk HAWT for your engagement photos? Check out this comprehensive guide for engagement photo outfits.