Top 17 places in Colorado for a couples session!

Lookout mountain. Lookout mountain is great anytime of the year (think evergreens and boulders and an epic view). It’s about 35 minutes from downtown Denver and a beautiful drive! There are a few stops and requires almost no hiking! About a 5 minute walk in. Stop in Golden on the way out for a drink at one of their local breweries. $850

Denver Botanic Gardens. With indoor and outdoor options, there are hundreds of little nooks to explore and spots that make it look like you are in the jungles of Hawaii. They do require a $100 permit for photographers, which is why it’s a little more expensive, but definitely worth it! $950

Lost Gulch Lookout. Another spot that is good anytime of the year although it can be windy and cold in the winter so dress appropriately. And wear shoes with grip! Here are some examples of a winter, summer and foggy day up at Lost Gulch. It never disappoints. And it’s only about 15 minutes from downtown Boulder and is a perfect spot for sunset photos. It can be a little crowded in the summer with CU students but don’t worry I know some secret spots! If you decide on Lost Gulch we can meet at Starbucks on Baseline and Broadway, grab a warm drink and jump in my car for an adventure! Make it date and grab some sushi at Japango after (my favorite sushi spot) $850

Downtown Denver. Perhaps you are having a mountain wedding and want to mix it up. Or you just love the city life. The city at sunset is beautiful to me and I have multiple location ideas. We could start at 15th and Wewatta (the iron bridges) and do a loop! There are a ton of cool spots and buildings. Or we can get some epic street art and wander through Rino. We can meet at Denver Central Market. Or we can find some fun spots on South Broadway. If you want the view of the city - Zuni and 26th is your spot! $850

Rocky Mountain National Park - Summer or Fall is the perfect time to head to RMNP. I have an all parks pass so we would meet at Coffee on the Rocks - grab a warm drink if you wish and jump in my car! There is a good chance you will see elk and the colors in the fall are to die for! Estes Park is a little over an hour from Denver. Grab some Mexican food at Ed’s Cantina and Grill or a drink and live music at Rock Inn Mountain Tavern or if you are feeling fancy a cocktail at the haunted Stanley Hotel. This is considered an adventure session and is 2 hours of coverage and cost $1200.

Burning Bear Trailhead off of Guanella Pass. This scenic byway is about one hour and 20 minutes from Denver (a little longer if it peak with traffic) and is especially beautiful in the Summer and Fall. You can take the route through Georgetown on the way out and grab some food. There is no intense hiking involved - just some high grass, mountain views and evergreens! And some Aspens if we time it right in the fall! $950

Paintmines. The Paintmines is a super unique spot in the middle of nowhere (about 25 minutes from Colorado Springs - so an hour an a half from Denver). You feel like you are on mars. I would recommend going in the warmer months as it can get quite windy! If you like more dramatic/artsy look this spot is for you! Extra $950.

Sand Dunes . About 4 hours from Denver the Sand Dunes is a must see National Park. It is miles and miles of sand and looks different at all times of the day. I recommend May/early June or September/early October as it can get pretty hot mid summer. In May you can still get some run off water in this little river which is fun to play in! You can camp (with reservations) at the dunes or Zapata falls. Or you can stay at Joyful Journey - a hot springs about 45 minutes away. This is considered an adventure session and is 2 hours of coverage and cost $1500.

Roxboroug State Park. This park brings me back to the dinosaur era! It is red rocks on steroids. I love shooting around sunset but we would want to allow about an hour and a half. The gates close AT sunset. There is a $60 permit to shoot here and an $10 entrance fee. You can also get an affordable permit to have a small wedding here! $850

Red Rocks. Yes, it’s the best music venue in the state (maybe the country) and for a reason. There are a ton of cool trails and lookouts which are especially great if you are hoping for a session between October-March when most things are dead. Red Rocks still looks beautiful. Although, these days Red Rocks has a concert or event almost every night. So this is especially good if you are looking to do a sunrise session. $850

Mount Falcon. There are two parking lots/trails for Mt. Falcon. The photos below were taken at the Mount Falcon Park in Morrison off of Vine street. There is also a West trailhead - that is about a 13 minute drive further from Denver and both are beautiful. The first one also has an option to do a 30 minute hike with the views below (not neccesary). You also get views of Red Rocks. $850

Your house. I love at home sessions. Take note of when your house is getting some good light in (mornings…afternoons?) We can take some of you eating Chinese food and drinking wine. Or pizza and beer. Or just snuggling up in bed or on the couch. Maybe you like to make coffee together on Sunday mornings and listen to records. Let’s capture it! $850 if you are within 45 min of Denver

Strawberry Park hot springs. Sunset would be awesome to get a steamy session of you two taking a dip in the beautiful hot springs. I have been to quite a few in Colorado and Strawberry Park is my favorite. You are surround by evergreens and natural rock. There is a $15 per person entrance fee, cash only. This is considered an adventure session and is 2 hours of coverage and cost $1500.

Dowdy Trail in Boulder. If you live here we are all familiar with the crowded, hard to find parking, chautauqua park. But I know of a secret spot with a beautiful view of the Flat Irons. Best time is spring and summer! There is a steep hill to climb up so bring a change of shoes if you need! $850

North Table Mountain in Golden. It is a little bit of a hike (not long (about 15-20 minutes, but very steep). So bring some water and come check out some views for sunset! Only about 20 minutes from Denver. $850

Indian Peaks The hike to Lake Isabelle is an out and back and is beautiful the whole way so we don’t need to do the entire hike. There is a lower lake as well - Brainard Lake. I would recommend about 3 hours total or more (45 minutes of hiking in - an hour and a half of shooting - 45 minutes of hiking back with some more stops along the way) if you want the views pictured below. Bring bug spray and keep your eyes out for moose! I saw three my last time we were there! This is considered an adventure session and is 2 hours of coverage and cost $1500.

Rooftop/Parking Garage Photographers have discovered the fun downtown feel of being on the rooftop of a parking garage. The best thing about these locations is the privacy (hello, no one is parking on the roof) and the views. Here are a few recent shoots from some parking garages in Denver! $850

Sapphire Point/Lake Dillion Sapphire Point Overlook is about an hour and a half from Denver but a popular spot for a reason. You get lake and mountains and pine trees - plus the glow of the sunset. I have done quite a few elopements up there as well! It’s a short 12 minute drive from downtown Breckenridge. $950







Kate Ivy

An adventure photographer based in Denver. 

https://www.kateivyphotography.com
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Haley and Dan Get Married in Estes Park

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Rocky Mountain National Park Wedding | Hayley and Chaz