Best Photography Spots in Colorado – Colorado Photoshoot Locations

When searching for the best photography spots in Colorado, it can be a little overwhelming, there are so many options! Well here are some of my favorite Colorado photoshoot locations– written by a Colorado wedding and portrait photographer! Whether you’re looking for an epic mountain backdrop for your engagement session or a wide open field for your family shoot, Colorado has it all! But this is just the tip of the iceberg. All booked clients receive my full Colorado Location Guide with over 50 incredible (and top secret) locations. So inquire below to get even more incredible photography locations in Colorado.

And make sure to scroll all the way to the bottom for a little discount on your upcoming photoshoot!

The Best Photoshoot Locations in Denver

Cheesman Park

Cheesman Park is my favorite of all the inner city Denver parks. I love the cool white columns and all the gorgeous pine trees. In the Spring and Summer there is also tons of beautiful rose bushes providing a gorgeous pop of color.

Best time of day : sunrise or hour before sunset
Cost : free!
Parking : street parking
Accessibility: great. The terrain is quite flat.

Denver Botanic Garden

The Denver Botanic Garden is one of the best photography spots for photos because it looks gorgeous all year round! I love the variety of backdrops at this location, it’s such a great spot if you want a more manicured look.

Best time of day : the morning is best because the light is less harsh and it’s less busy!
Cost : $100 permit fee
Parking : plenty of large lots.
Accessibility: great. The terrain is quite flat super well kept.

Union Station

Downtown Denver is one of my favorite places to take engagement photos. I just love the architecture and feel of the area. It is even more magical at Christmastime.

Best time of day : early morning or 2 hours before sunset
Cost : free
Parking : free metered parking and paid lots
Accessibility: great. Everything is super flat and compact.

Best Photo Locations Near Denver

Matthew Winters Park

I love Matthew Winters Park! It is a relatively quiet location in Golden. It has some small mountain hills, a beautiful stream and a little bridge. It’s super accessible and is gorgeous at sunrise!

Best time of day : sunrise or hour before sunset.
Cost : free
Parking : big lot, can get a little full on the weekend.
Accessibility: great, super flat and accessible.

Mount Falcon

Mount Falcon is one of my favorite photography spots in Colorado. You get an epic mountain backdrop without a long commute from Denver and it has tons of variety, forest, mountain, etc. It is definitely my most frequented located as a Colorado engagement photographer.

View more of this Mount Falcon engagement session

Best time of day : 2 hours before sunset. The sunset at Mount Falcon is gorgeous, but depending on the time of year can go behind the mountain sooner than you expect!
Cost : $50 permit fee
Parking : two big lots, but they can fill up quickly on the weekend.
Accessibility: medium, there are some trails that are quite easy to traverse, but some rocky terrain.

Boulder

There are lots of great photo locations in Boulder. If you’re wanting a mountain overlook or the iconic Flatirons, consider taking a 30-45 minute drive up to Boulder for your photos. Boulder really has some of the best Colorado photography locations but without a super far drive into the mountains!

Best time of day : hour before sunset or sunrise.
Cost : $50 permit
Parking : one large lot near Flatirons, some street parking.
Accessibility: the Flatirons are pretty easy to traverse, the overlook is super rocky– no heels!

Best Colorado Photo Locations with Epic Mountain Views

Rocky Mountain National Park

There are so many epic spots in Rocky Mountain National Park, but as your photographer I know all the hidden gems! If you’re wanting lakes, mountains, valleys, forests– RMNP has it all! This is truly one of the best locations for your Colorado photoshoot.

View more info on how to have a session at Rocky Mountain National Park

Best time of day : sunrise! I love sunrise at the mountains because there’s less people and you have more light to work with.
Cost : $300 travel fee
Parking : totally depends!
Accessibility: medium to poor. Most mountain locations require some sort of hike or have some difficult to navigate terrain. Plan accordingly!

Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs is about 30 to 90 minutes from Denver, depending on where in the city you are and traffic. My favorite spot for photos in the Springs? Garden of the Gods! This gorgeous park is situated right in the city and has the most incredible red rock structures. If you’re wanting a unique look for your Colorado photoshoot, this is a great option.

Learn more about engagement photos at Garden of the Gods

Best time of day : sunrise or hour before sunset. The lighting can be super harsh during the day.
Cost : $300 travel fee
Parking : parking can be difficult since some of the lots only have very few spots.
Accessibility: medium. Some rock formations are super close to the parking lot, but other require more walking and climbing.

Breckenridge

There are so many incredible epic mountain locations in Colorado, but some of my favorite spots are found near the town of Breckenridge. Breckenridge is about 1.5 hours drive from Denver and has one of my favorite main streets with ice cream shops and restaurants. It’s a super popular ski destination, but for your Colorado photoshoot you’ll want to schedule for July-September.

Best time of day : sunrise or hour before sunset.
Cost : $300 travel fee
Parking : lots of different parking options, but some roads require higher clearance vehicles
Accessibility: great, both spots are within a few minutes walk from your car

Best Colorado Mountain Towns for Photoshoots

Vail

Vail is an amazing location for photos! Vail Village is stunning and looks like a Hallmark movie. And the Gondola makes for such a fun, unique spot.

View more of this Vail engagement session here

Best time of day : sunrise or two hours before sunset. Keep in mind that the sun vanishes behind the mountain before sunset!
Cost : $400 travel fee
Parking : parking is rough, especially on the weekends. There is a big lot to park at in Vail village.
Accessibility: great. Vail Village is super flat and the mountains are easy to access.

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If you’d like to see more of my favorite Colorado photoshoot locations or if you have any questions, send me a message!

And since you’ve made it to the bottom of this post, I’d love to offer you 10% off on any Colorado photoshoot! Use the code denver10 when booking online. You can book your session online here!

If you’re looking for more resources for planning your portrait session, here are some helpful posts to check out:

Learn more about Leah Goetzel Photography and our photoshoots!

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