Redrock Portrait Design Top Location List

In this blog post you will find my top favorite photoshoot locations around the front range, including photo examples and everything you'll need to know about choosing the best location for your session! I take a lot of time each year finding the best locations for you and making sure I stay up to date with knowing they are the best options, (and most importantly so they don't get overcrowded), I ask that you please not share this blog or these locations with anyone, as they are for booked clients only. I also appreciate that you don't tag your location on social media after receiving your photos. Scroll through images of each location for multiple examples, and please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or clarification on anything!

South Mesa Trail (Boulder)

This location is easily accessible and beautiful all year round. You can't go wrong with this spot, there is great variety between the foliage, aspen trees, wooden bridge, and mountain views. It is just a short flat walk from the parking lot to the trees, and just a little further (about 5-10 minutes) to the mountain views. Overall, this is a great beautiful and easy option all year round for families of all ages and sizes, and dog friendly! Available only at golden hour about 2 hours before sunset.

NCAR (Boulder)

Another beautiful location all year round. There is great variety here with stunning up-close mountain/flatiron views, evergreen trees, and big rocks for little ones to climb and play on. Plan on a 10(ish) minute easy walk from parking to the views! Once again, you can't go wrong with this location and is great all year round for families of all ages and sizes, dog friendly! I recommend this location for golden hour, 2 hours before sunset.

Chautauqua Park (Boulder)

The famous Chautauqua park is a Colorado icon, and for good reasons! This stunning backdrop is a great location all year round, being at the base of the foothills with an easy walk, you will get those nice big up close mountain backdrops! If you plan on being here in the spring and early summer, you will probably get some wildflowers too! Plan on a 5-10(ish) minute easy walk from parking to the best photographic spots. However, this can be a very busy location, so plan extra extra time for parking. Due to the business of this location, it is recommended for week day sessions only. Dog, family, and kid friendly! This is also a great spot for extended family sessions, or really any session for that matter. I recommend this location for golden hour, 2 hours before sunset.

Flatirons Vista (Boulder)

Get out your walking legs for this one! The wide views of the mountain range and big open sky make this a stunning location worth the walk! The best photoshoot spots are a good 15 minutes from the parking lot, and the last 5 minutes is flat, but uphill. Although an easy hike/walk, it is a little jaunt to the best spot. This is another location I would recommend all year round, and for any families that don't mind a little exercise. Dogs are welcome! There are no trees here, and due to the openness of this location, it is only available at golden hour about 1.5 to 2 hours before sunset.

Lost Gulch (Boulder)

This location is the known for epic views without having to drive TOO far. It is still a little bit of a drive up a windy mountain road, so be prepared for that. However, once you get up there, it's just a short 5 minute or less walk to the most incredible views and unique rock structures. This location is a little more of a challenge when it comes to accessibility, and it requires walking or even crawling over some big rocks to get to the views, so definitely a location for the more adventurous. This location is also great all year round, but would not recommend on a day of snow or ice because of the drive up there and the fall potential while climbing the rocks. It sure is beautiful all year round, and because of that, I should also mention there is usually quite a bit of people up there, so you won't really get a private experience. This is definitely not a location for children. I recommend maternity sessions, couples, or families with older children for this one. Available only for golden hour about 1-1.5 hours before sunset.

Harper Lake (Louisville)

A beautiful late spring, summer, and early fall location! An overall very easy location which is best in the morning. Plan on a 5(ish) minute easy walk from the parking lot on a flat gravel path around the lake! A great spot for families, especially if you prefer a morning session! Summer wildflowers are beautiful here! No dogs allowed at this location.

Sloan's Lake (Denver)

This is a great central location, and great neighborhood park! A beautiful and easy spot for family sessions! It can get busy on nice days and weekends so plan a little extra time to find street parking. This location offers huge mature trees so as you can imagine, it is perfect for late spring, summer, or fall- but would actually work great year round! A great option for early mornings or golden hour sessions! A very easy location for families of all sizes and ages, dogs included!

Evergreen Lake (Evergreen) travel fee $75

If you love water, lakes, and rolling green hills, this is the location for you! With only a 45(ish) minute drive from Denver, it is absolutely stunning for a summer golden hour evening session! The spots I like to photograph at require a 15(ish) minute walk down the flat path (to the furthest point), but I like to stop at different spots along the way. In the example photos you'll see the variety we can get here with the trees, fencing, and different lake spots with some views! Perfect for families of all ages, but great for maternity (couples). Available only at golden hour about 1-1.5 hours before sunset.

Beaverbrook Watershed (Evergreen) travel fee $75

Although it would still be beautiful in the spring summer or fall, this is one of my favorite winter locations. I just love the giant evergreen trees, and the *almost* guarantee of snow it will have in the winter time. It is a pretty short easy walk from the parking area to the open space of evergreen trees, and about another 10 minute walk to the aspen trees. Another bonus, this place is pretty private- every time I have photographed here, I see almost no one the entire time. Perfect for maternity sessions, couples, and families of all ages. About a 45 minute drive outside of Denver for this spot, and I recommend a golden hour start time about 2 hours before sunset.

South Valley Park (Littleton)

For the more southern families who love an adventurous location, South Valley Park is perfect! It offers a gorgeous golden hour, beautiful views, some open fields with foliage and wildflowers in the summer, and cool red rocks to easily climb on! Perfect year round spot, even in the snow. This location requires a 10(ish) minute walk uphill to the furthest spot. It's perfect for families of all ages, and little ones usually LOVE being adventurous and crawling on the rocks. I recommend a golden hour start time about 1-1.5 hours before sunset for this one.

Red Rocks (Morrison)

The trading post trail at red rocks is my favorite spot for photos here. A quick 5-10 minute walk down the easy flat trail and you'll find absolutely beautiful up close and unique red rocks, rolling hills, and gorgeous foliage in the summer and fall. However, due to concerts it makes it a limited location option, and week days are usually best. Summer time is tricky at this location due to sunset time and concert start times, the traffic and parking situation can be tough. Spring and fall season are usually much better here since the sun sets earlier and concerts start later. Winter time is usually a safe bet too! Great location for families of all ages. I recommend golden hour 1.5 to 2 hours before sunset. Dogs are welcome!

Clear Creek History Park (Golden)

A great location for early morning sessions (7-8am) or golden hour evening sessions 2 hours before sunset. This location offers so much variety between the brown barn, white barn, bridge, fenced trail with beautiful trees, and creek! It's a great spot all year round, but I will say the creek location here is only accessible in late summer and through fall due to high waters in the spring and summer. So if you love that part about this location, keep that in mind. Other than that, it's a great and pretty central location for families of all ages!

Rose Garden (Littleton & Longmont)

The perfect spot for summer color! I stumbled upon this rose garden in Littleton years ago and have been bringing clients here ever since. It is so beautiful for being such an easy location! Literally steps from the parking lot, and perfect for early morning sessions (8am) OR evening golden hour sessions 1.5 hours before sunset. This location is appealing to lots of families with little kids who are best in the mornings, and evening summer sessions are just too late for them. This location is only available mid June through late September/early October. *If you are up north, the Longmont rose garden is an option and just as beautiful!

Cherry Creek State Park (Denver/Aurora)

A great early morning session location with no crowds! (This spot will also work for evening golden hour sessions as well). Lots of trees here which make it most desirable in the summer and fall! A very easy location steps from the parking area, and not too much walking to the different photo spots which make it perfect for families of all ages, dogs included! Note- there is a parking permit entrance fee of $11 per vehicle.

Denver Botanic Gardens (Denver)

If you're looking for gorgeous colorful and unique Denver location, you can't go wrong with the Denver botanic gardens in spring/summer/or fall! This amazing place speaks for itself, and offers so much variety! It is great for golden hour sessions, about 1.5-2 hours before sunset. Parking is in the parking garage across the street, and depending on how far you are comfortable walking, we can make it a short easy walk, or a little further to explore a variety of spots. (Also great for those who need an easy walk-able place). This location is great for maternity/couples, and families! No dogs allowed.

Cheesman Park (Denver)

A very versatile location! This is a favorite all year round, and perfect for early morning sessions! (will also work for evening golden hour sessions as well, but on nice days it will be very crowded). If you love the look of bright white columns, flower gardens, or big evergreen trees right in the heart of Denver, this is a great spot! Just a short walk from street parking, and perfect for families of all ages, extended families too!

Washington Park (Denver)

Another versatile location! In the summer this park offers two different big beautiful flower gardens, in the fall it's perfect with it's huge colorful trees, and all year round I love to use the boat house for an urbany-clean look! A great location for early morning (8am) or evening sessions 1.5 hours before sunset! Perfect for families of all ages, and a great central location and short walk from parking!

City Park (Denver)

One of my favorite spring locations! I love the cherry blossom trees and the huge lilac bushes that city park has to offer in the spring time. Late April to mid May(ish) is absolutely beautiful! Summer time is great too with it's lush big trees and walking path's around the lake. It's a great early morning session AND golden hour evening session spot, and perfect for families of all ages. A short easy walk from parking, and a great central location!

Golden Ponds (Longmont)

This location is prime in the fall in my opinion! With tons of trees, it gets so colorful, and so pretty! This location also has some unique variety with it's bridge and even a little waterfall area! It's perfect for families of all ages with easy accessibility. Plan a 5-10 minute easy flat walk from the parking lot. Perfect for evening golden hour (1.5 hours before sunset) sessions.

Sandstone Ranch (Longmont)

An easy location for northern families! The big brown barn is a staple here, but even if that's not your thing, this location also offers pretty trees (great for fall) and a bridge! I recommend this location at golden hour 1 to 1.5 hours before sunset, and for families of all ages! Note- the parking lot is very small and it can be a popular photo spot, arrive early to wait for parking if needed.

McKay Lake (Westminster)

This is a very popular photography spot, for good reasons! However, it can get busy especially in the fall and summer evenings and the parking lot is small, so plan enough extra time. This location offers huge mature trees so as you can see, it is perfect for fall! A great option for early mornings or golden hour sessions! A very easy location for families of all sizes and ages with just a short walk from the parking lot!

Secret Blossom Location (Westminster)

Another one of my very favorite spots for spring! This is a secret spot (because it's that good!) and it's totally not your typical location, as in, it's on the side of the road. BUT makes for gorgeous white blossom photos. They only last about 2 weeks a year, so this location needs to be timed right, and is only available beginning(ish) May to mid(ish) May! I recommend having a backup plan or a reschedule plan in case the flowers aren't in bloom yet, or leave us too early. This location is perfect for early morning sessions and golden hour sessions!

White Barn (Thornton)

An easy and unique location for northern families! This big white barn offers a unique and rustic backdrop, and this location has some great variety and also offers a cool fence, and pretty trees great for summer and fall! I recommend this location at golden hour 1 to 1.5 hours before sunset, and for families of all ages! Parking is easy, and it is about a 5 minute walk to the barn.

Horsetooth Reservoir (Fort Collins) travel fee $75

Another epic gorgeous year-round Colorado location for water lovers! You really can't go wrong with this location, it's stunning! If you're willing to make the drive, it's worth it for families of all ages, maternity, couples, and more. There are several spots here to get amazing photos, whether just steps from the parking lot, or a 10-15 minute "hike". Only available for golden hour 1 to 1.5 hours before sunset. *Note, there is a $9 parking fee per vehicle.

Sunflower Fields (Longmont & Windsor) rental fee applies

A beautiful, unique and fun end of summer pop of color! The sunflower fields are available mid August to early or mid September. There are two sunflower fields I use, one in Longmont and one in Windsor. They are both private fields that we rent so they are totally legal. The beauty speaks for itself here and is totally perfect for families of all ages and sizes, maternity sessions, milestones, and more! Available only for golden hour about 1-2 hours before sunset.

Studio Locations:

Interested in a studio session instead of an outdoor session? No problem! I have a few studio options including my own, Little White Photo Studio in downtown Frederick, CO. If you prefer a different studio, I offer sessions in both Denver and Longmont locations. These are beautiful options for a clean, bright, timeless look. They are great all year round, and an especially wonderful option for winter months. Milestones, newborns, families, babies, kiddos, maternity, headshots, all are welcomed for studio sessions. If all this doesn't sound good already, another bonus is that we can schedule these sessions at any time during the day to work around your schedule. However, since it is a rental and scheduled by the hour, studio sessions must be scheduled in advance and are dependent on availability. Each studio is a little different, but all locations include some furniture- couches, bed, chairs, etc. You are welcome to add in anything you'd like including furniture or props, cakes, balloons anything! Need help planning decor for a milestone session, just ask :)

Little White Photo Studio, Frederick CO: (no additional charge)

Denver Studio: (add $200 rental fee)

Longmont Studio: (add $100 rental fee)