While “adventure sessions” do make for some of my favorite photo session experiences, long drives up mountain dirt roads and intense hikes through the woods aren’t the only way to get to photo locations with epic views. Some spots are hiding right where you’d least expect! Here are photos from sessions that took place at locations that were SUPER easily accessed (not even joking — literally a few steps from a parking lot or within a short 2-minute walk)
These spots are perfect for people who:
-Have small children
-Have an injury/disability/a difficult time walking
-Want to spend less time hiking and more time photographing
-Might have booked a long session and want to include multiple separate locations while still maximizing photo time
1.) You want dreamy “golden hour” photos. I strategically schedule sessions during two specific parts of the day in order to take advantage of the most flattering light: sunrise (or the first two hours of daylight) and sunset (or the last two hours of daylight) are the best times of day in terms of lighting for photos.
2.) You want an intimate experience. Colorado Springs is touristy, y’all. Expect to work around lots of people and other photographers at popular locations during sunset times — especially during weekends in peak season (summer/fall). But if you want to almost guarantee a location all to yourselves so you can better stay in the moment or maybe calm some nerves, sunrise is the way to go. Trust me, nothing compares to a quiet, still morning in nature with the company of love of your life and the wildlife waking up with the sun.
3.) You can handle it being a little chilly. Colorado mornings are sometimes brisk, even in the summer and especially in the mountains. Prepare to wear layers, or at least bring a light jacket along to throw on in between shots just in case you get cold. I normally only suggest sunrise sessions during warmer months when the temps are mild, unless the couple requests a specific location in winter and the location is only suitable during sunrise.
4.) You are flexible about locations. Because of the orientation of the mountains to the west here in COS and the sunrise to the east, some locations only work well for sunset photo times. This means that location options are slightly limited for sunrise sessions. NO WORRIES, THOUGH. Because limited locations does NOT mean less beautiful locations. It just means we will try to only shoot at locations that are going to set you up for flattering light and great views.
*IF YOU ARE DEAD SET ON A SPECIFIC LOCATION, LET ME KNOW BEFORE SCHEDULING YOUR SESSION SO THAT I CAN TELL YOU IF IT’S BEST SUITED FOR SUNRISE, SUNSET, OR BOTH.
My top favorite locations for sunrise sessions in Colorado Springs are pictured below. One is a mountain location that feels like absolute MAGIC in the morning having the whole place dead quiet and empty as the sun gradually floods the valley. The other is Garden of the Gods, and I’m not even joking when I say that most mornings I’ve shot at GOTG there hasn’t been another person in sight the whole time (which if you’ve ever been to GOTG, you know is crazy because there’s always hundreds of people there anytime else).
Here are a handful of photos from sunrise sessions I’ve shot at those locations!
Family photos are an occasion that I know a lot of parents dread. I get it — finding the right photographer, aligning everyone’s schedules, coordinating outfits (and then keeping the kiddos’ clean and stain free on the way), making sure everyone gets their naps in, etc. can all be super overwhelming. I’m here to assure you that absolutely does not have to be the case, though. Here are some tips to make your family photo session as easy-breezy as possible.
1. Find a Photographer you TRUST.
SO much weight is lifted off of your shoulders when you can arrive to the session location knowing your photographer has everything under control. The key to finding the right photographer for you is doing your research to make sure they align with your values and priorities, chatting with them beforehand to ensure clear expectations are set, viewing a full family photo gallery to get a feel for what you’ll be receiving after all is said and done if you do decide to book with that photographer, and reading your contract thoroughly so you know you’re taken care of.
2. Pack ALLLL the Things
You can never be too prepared, especially when kiddos are involved. Pack an extra outfit for everyone just in case. And even better, don’t get the kids dressed in their outfit until you arrive to the session location to avoid spills or spit ups in the car. Also know that there’s a time and place for bribery and a family photo session is just that. Pack plenty of snacks that your kids love and take quick snack breaks if needed. Bringing one of their fave toys is also a great idea, that way they can take a little break to focus on something else if they’re not loving the camera in that moment.
3. Let Your Photographer Take the Lead
You might think you’re helping when you hold onto your toddler’s shirt and tell him to “stop squirming and smile for the camera”. But really you’re just making your photographer’s job 10x harder, not to mention taking the joy out of the experience for your whole fam. Trust me, if a pose/prompt isn’t working, I will tell you and we’ll switch things up. Keeping kiddos happy and engaged and having fun is the key to a memorable and successful photo session and I can only make that happen if you let go of the reigns and help me do my job.
4. Plan According to Your Family’s Lifestyle
This part is common sense, but so often overlooked. If you know your lil bub is crankiest around 5pm, DO NOT schedule your session for that time. If you know your husband will be stressed out because he had to rush home from work in traffic to make it to the session on time, maybe plan for a weekend date. If you know you hate hiking, DO NOT pick a hiking session just for the view. If you know your dog can’t handle himself in public, DO NOT bring him to your session. If you know your toddler is going to be hating life after 20 minutes, DO NOT book a full hour long session. Consider all the aspects of your day-to-day life that are unique to your fam, and then do what works best for YOU specifically with that in mind.
YOU GOT THIS, FAM. And if you start to feel overwhelmed, just remember that when those babies aren’t babies anymore, you’ll thank yourself for having the guts to get in front of the camera with them any chance you got.
Choosing a photoshoot location in Colorado Springs is one of the most exciting parts of planning your session here — mostly because there’s no shortage of EPIC landscapes in every direction you look. That being said, it can be overwhelming to narrow the never-ending list of scenic spots down to your one picture-perfect photo session location. Here are some tips for choosing your Colorado Springs engagement photo location:
1. Ask your Colorado Springs photographer
If you don’t know where to begin, the first thing to do is turn to your photographer for help. I’m Erin Malcolm and I’m a Colorado Springs based photographer. All of my clients receive my exclusive Colorado Springs Photo Location Guide upon booking. It has an extensive list of my top photo locations in and around Colorado Springs, along with in-depth descriptions, and photos from actual sessions I’ve shot at each place. If you still can’t pick a spot after reviewing my ideas, I’m more than happy to set out and location scout to find a totally new location that exceeds your wildest dreams! I’ve lived in Colorado all my life and know most of the state like the back of my hand. I’m so glad to be in your corner to help you pick the perfect place!
2. Seek out the Sentimental
Sometimes it’s not all about the views a photoshoot location offers, but rather the memories. I love it when clients pick a location because of its sentimental value to them specifically. For example, the couple pictured above chose to have their Colorado Springs Photo Session at Red Rocks Canyon Open Space because it was the location of their first hike together when they moved to Colorado. Now this spot signifies more than just their “firsts” when moving to Colorado, but their “firsts” when starting their life and family together. The emotion that is evoked when looking at photos with such careful intention woven through them is like nothing else. Take a bit to brainstorm some places in Colorado that have significant meaning to you and send me a list with reasons why. It’s okay if they’re a little out of the norm — we might be able to come up with some cool concepts around them!
3. Consider the Experience
What kind of photo experience you have will be heavily impacted by the location you choose. If you want an intimate session, picking a popular tourist spot like Garden of the Gods is not your best option. If you want a quick session, a spot with lots of hiking or driving involved like Pikes Peak won’t work. If you want unique views that nobody else has, staying in town at a local park like Bear Creek probably isn’t ideal. Think about the type of experience you want, and I’ll help suggest locations that will start to piece the photo session of your wildest dreams together!
If there’s anything I can do to help make your Colorado Springs photo session location selection process easier for you, reach out! The planning process is meant to be fun and exciting, and I’m always here to help make that happen for you.
I pride myself on taking a regular old photo session and transforming it into a full blown memory-making experience that my clients will never forget. And when I find clients who are extra eager to have an unforgettable photo experience at whatever cost, I suggest this location to them.
It’s not for the faint of heart, however. A session here looks like driving up a historic mining road into the Rocky Mountains of Colorado Springs. It’s a narrow dirt road, full of twists and turns, and old tunnels that tell stories of their own. We drive until we find a pull off with sprawling mountain views, then we get back on the road to find the next hidden gem!
Perhaps one of my favorite parts is that the road leads to one of my favorite trailheads, so if there’s enough daylight after your session ends, you can end the experience with a fun post-shoot hike and views that reveal the entire city of Colorado Springs down below!
This is the spot that Alexa and Dalton decided on for their engagement photos. And by the looks on their faces (and their reaction to these previews), the experience does not disappoint.
These love birds are newbies to Colorado Springs, so I knew I had to pull out all the stops when they decided to give me the privilege of picking the location for their annual couple photo session.
I get SO giddy when couples ask me to pick their session location! A.) It allows my creative juices to FLOOD. B.) It tells me that they trust my direction which is SO essential. When clients FULLY trust their photographer to take the reins and do what they do best, the results are MAGICAL.
And the location I chose is magical too, let me tell ya. This Southern Colorado Springs oasis has it ALL. Mountain views, a pond, trees, greenery, field space, red rock formations, you name it. Basically, it’s a mini, lesser-known Garden of the Gods with a whole lot more variety and a whole lot less tourists. BINGO! That’s my kind of place. Pair that with almost-autumn scenery, a precious couple, real connection and emotion, some bomb lighting, and well, the result is this….
Olga and Shane requested mountain views, laidback adventure vibes, and proximity to Denver for their Colorado engagement session.
My immediate response: Mount Falcon Park.
We hiked, climbed rocks, frolicked in flower fields, and had the time of our lives exploring one of my favorite photo session spots near the foothills. A storm rolled in once our session ended and I couldn’t help but take a seat in the rain on top of one of the rock outcroppings and thank God that I get to meet kind couples and explore His creation with them to document their love in one of the most beautiful places on earth FOR A LIVING.
When this sweet couple received their gallery, Olga sent me an email that said, “Oh! My! Goodness!!! These are beautiful! I can’t believe that’s actually us! I absolutely love them. Thank you thank you thank you! I have no words!!! These are absolutely perfect! Thank you so so much. I honestly cannot stop looking through them. We love them! Thank you again for being such an amazing photographer. You made our engagement shoot so memorable.”
It’s reactions like that that make this photographer’s heart SWELL UP and OVERFLOW. Olga and Shane, if you’re seeing this, THANK YOU for being such amazing, generous clients and for making this dream job of mine so worthwhile!
Your significant other has been acting kind of fishy. They take you on this weekend getaway, but keep you in the dark about all the details. You know something’s up. They’re planning a surprise, but you don’t really know what yet. You pull up to your favorite spot and that’s a surprise in itself. Maybe it’s where you had your first date, maybe it’s a scenic park, maybe it’s a stunning AirBNB with a picturesque view of downtown Austin like this one. You think that is the surprise, but then you head to the backyard and see THIS elaborate display. WHAT?!?!? Now THAT’S definitely the surprise. And a darn good one at that. The creative, kind, talented folks at Love and Picnic, a Texas- and Florida-based luxury picnic company, set this scene up for a couple one evening and can I say I’m a little jealous??? As soon as I saw the whole space come together I was in awe! And it’s even better in person. What a unique date night idea!
Pro Tip: Hire a photographer to capture the whole thing, too! From setup, to your partner’s reaction upon arrival, to the cute moments shared enjoying the space, you’ll be glad to have the memories to look back on!
Erin L Malcolm Creative 