Best Places in Colorado for Fall Engagement Photos
Fall is one of my favorite times of year for photos in Colorado. The Colorado mountains light up with beautiful, crisp fall colors. The air cools off, and the engagement session outfits get warm and cozy. Fall is by far the busiest season in Colorado for engagement photos. Fall is also one of the busiest seasons for weddings, which makes sense! There’s something so magical about Colorado in the fall.
If you’re planning an engagement session in Colorado this fall, this blog is for you!
Planning Ahead for Your Fall Engagement Session
Fall is iconic in Colorado, and for good reason! It’s one of the busiest times of year for all kinds of photography, engagement sessions, weddings, family photography and senior portraits. Because of that, it’s important to plan ahead.
Reach out to your photographer sooner rather than later. Especially if you’re planning something like a surprise proposal. Colorado Photographers tend to book up weeks, and sometimes months, in advance for fall!
If you know you want those golden aspen trees and cozy fall outfits. You won’t want to wait until the leaves are changing to reach out.
What to Know About Fall Engagement Photos in Colorado
There are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind if you’re planning a fall engagement session in Colorado.
Be Prepared to Shoot on a Weekday
The first thing I recommend is being open to having your session on a weekday.
Fall is popular in Colorado, and the most iconic locations get VERY busy. IF you truly want to enjoy a fall day with your partner without having to wait for crowds to disperse, consider planning your session for an off day like Tuesday or Wednesday.
If the weekend is your only option, I recommend getting up early and planning your session around sunrise. Not only will you have a better chance of avoiding crowds, but you’ll also get what soft morning light.
Be Prepared for Changing Weather
The second thing you’ll want to keep in mind is the weather. In Colorado you have to be prepared for fall conditions to change a lot and quickly! It can be hard to know what’s going to come next when it comes to the weather in Colorado. This is why booking a local photographer is so important. With our experience working in Colorado for many years we know all of the ins and outs about keeping an eye on conditions. We also make sure we choose locations that are beautiful and safe during this time of year.
Trust Your Photographer’s Location Suggestions
Lastly, I recommend being open to your photographer's suggestions. There are so many beautiful spots shared on social media and blogs, but the GOOD spots? Those are typically stored away on your photographers Google Maps.
The locations I’m sharing below are general locations, I keep the specific locations I like to bring my couples to private because I want to protect these areas and preserve the experience for my clients.
Plus half the fun of working with a local photographer is getting access to places you probably wouldn’t find through a quick Google search. hehe
Where to Take Your Fall Engagement Photos in Colorado
Evergreen Colorado
This beautiful spot is close to Denver and perfect for couples who want a combination of forest vibes, mountain scenery, and lake views, without having to travel too far from Denver! Located just west of Denver, Evergreen makes a great outdoor getaway while still being fairly accessible from the city.
Rocky Mountain National Park
If you’re looking for a little more adventure for your engagement session, Rocky Mountain National Park is hard to beat. With dramatic mountain peaks, scenic drives, alpine landscapes and so many beautiful views, RMNP offers so many options for adventurous couples.
And you don’t necessarily have to hike to get incredible photos here! There are so many incredible areas that can be reached via car.
This is one of those locations where you do frequently want to check on the parks conditions! Choosing a local photographer will help with that.
Georgetown/Guanella Pass
Georgetown and Guanella Pass aren’t exactly hidden gems, they’re very close to Denver and are incredibly popular. This area is especially iconic in the fall with the golden foliage and mountain scenery. There are also spots along the way that are very scenic but feel a little more private if you know where to look. Because of its popularity, this is one of those Colorado locations I recommend going to on an off day for your fall engagement photos.
Crested Butte
Crested Butte is one of my favorite locations for elopements, but it is also a stunning location for engagement photos, too! If you’re coming from Denver or from out of town, this is a perfect area for a little two or three day getaway, and the views are definitely worth the drive.
This gorgeous area has that Colorado mountain-town charm, combined with incredible scenery and beautiful fall color.
San Juan Mountains
The San Juan Mountains are a TREK from Denver, so again, make it a weekend getaway! But if you’re willing to make the drive, it will be worth it. The San Juan Mountains will forever have a place in my heart as this is where my husband and I were married!
This area is especially incredible in the fall when the mountains are covered in bright yellow aspen foliage.
Twin Lakes
Twin Lakes is home to two beautiful glacially carved natural lakes. These breathtaking bodies of water are some of my favorite spots to visit during the fall. The reflection of the fall foliage on the lakes is something out of a story book.
This area of Colorado is a beautiful option for couples who want water, mountains, and fall color all in one location. This area is a MUST see during the fall whether you’re planning a Colorado engagement session or just visiting.
Breckenridge
Breckenridge is another fantastic option if you want to combine your engagement session with a mountain getaway. About two hours from Denver, in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, Breckenridge is a historic mountain town with TONS of character.
There are plenty of beautiful areas around town to explore the fall colors and because there’s so much to do nearby, it’s easy to turn your engagement session into a trip!
If you’re still on the hunt for that perfect Colorado engagement session spot, be sure to reach out so we can start planning your session! Like I mentioned above, the locations in this blog are more general areas. My personal favorite Colorado engagement session locations I save for my couples to preserve the area and keep the locations beautiful for you!
