As Colorado engagement photographers, we know a thing or two about bringing our couples’ Colorado engagement photos and adventure sessions to life. From finding our couples the best engagement photo locations to helping them figure out how to choose the best outfits for their Colorado engagement photos, we’re here through it all.
And through that process, we’ve collected a few tips and tricks along the way that have enabled our couples to have engagement photos that aren’t just pretty pictures with nice views…but also photos that are exciting and fun to take.
Getting your engagement photos taken is an awesome opportunity to work with your photographer and have your picture taken before the big day. It’s much more low key than the actual wedding or elopement day, and it really gives couples the chance to get used to being in front of the camera and vibe with their photographer so that once the wedding or elopement day comes around, you’re even more excited about what’s to come.
One of the biggest differences between elopements and weddings is how many moving parts (and extra stress) is involved during a traditional wedding day. And that’s exactly why engagement photos are such a nice option for couples who aren’t choosing to have an adventure elopement. They give you and your partner a chance to have some private time together, without having to worry about mingling with guests or getting back to a party.
If you’re looking for wildflowers and high alpine lakes in the background of your Colorado engagement photos, the summer months (particularly July and August) are your best bets. If you prefer a winter wonderland, January is an awesome option. And for fall colors, depending on where you are in Colorado, mid to late September is ideal.
Personally, we don’t recommend springtime for engagements because of how crazy and bipolar the weather still is. Hail storms and random snow storms are still common at this time of the year. And while Colorado’s weather in general can be quite unpredictable, spring has its own level of uncertainty.
If you’re planning on using your Colorado engagement photos on your save the dates or invites, we recommend scheduling your engagement session around five to six months before your wedding or elopement day. That will give your photographer enough time to edit the photos and get them back to you so you can give your guests a few months to send back their RSVPs.
If your engagement photos are just for you two, the time of year you choose is much more open. The only thing we recommend is not waiting until the last minute to book, because depending on the season you’re considering, photographers might be booked up. That being said, scheduling your session further out than 6 months is a little excessive and many Colorado engagement photographers won’t book engagement sessions that far in advance, since we also have couples inquiring about elopements and weddings on those dates.
For starters, most photographers block off weekends exclusively for weddings, so availability is typically limited for engagement sessions during this time, unless you’re planning to book very last minute and your photographer happens to have that last minute weekend available.
But the primary reason we recommend weekdays for Colorado engagement photos is because of crowds. Colorado is, as you might have guessed, a pretty popular travel destination. And visitors and locals alike love spending their weekends in the mountains, which can make it hard to find privacy during your engagement session. For this reason, weekdays are prime time for getting your engagement photos taken.
Most locations in Colorado require a permit if engagement photos are taken there. You can expect to see this with national parks, state parks, and even certain national forests. It’s always a good idea to check in with a ranger to see what their policy is, depending on which location you’re considering. As Colorado engagement photographers, we make it a part of our job to find out permit information on behalf of our couples.
As Colorado engagement photographers, we’ve photographed engagements and adventure sessions all over the state, from Breckenridge to Telluride. Personally, we’re big believers that Colorado engagement photos are the best kind of engagement photos. And can you blame us? This state is pure magic, and we’re so proud to call it our home base.
As Colorado engagement photographers, we pride ourselves on not just documenting your Colorado engagement or mountain adventure session, but helping you plan out all the little details as well — like helping you figure out the perfect time of year for your session or finding you the best locations in the Rocky Mountains to have your photos taken.
We’re firm believers that your Colorado engagement photographer should be a resource and guide to you during the whole adventure planning process. So if that sounds like your vibe, we’d love to chat with you about your Colorado engagement.
Check out some of our favorite elopement and adventure wedding planning resources:
Empowering You To Have Your Adventure Elopement, Your Way
Colorado Elopement Photographers + Adventure Wedding Photographers