The Best Denver Senior Photo Locations

I grew up here in Colorado and I’ve been a Denver senior photographer since 2005. In my 20 years of photographing all over the Denver metro area, I’ve learned quite a bit about all of the various beautiful locations there are to use here in Denver. It’s been a lot of trial and error to figure out which places tend to work best for creating unique senior portraits here in Denver and I’m really excited to share my personal favorite senior photo locations in this article. Many locations require a permit or a location fee and I talk about some of the pros and cons for each of these Denver spots for senior photography. I included example photos taken at each of these locations. I did my best to include mostly senior photography but here and there I supplemented with other types of sessions if I felt they showed the location well.

You may notice that I’ve left off some of the more high profile locations that are commonly talked about in Denver senior photoshoot location guides but I’ve done my best to mention them and explain my reasoning for the alternative options I’ve come up with. This is not an exhaustive list of the best locations for senior photos in Denver, Colorado. If you had a special place in mind that you were hoping to use, please don’t hesitate to tell me about it. Senior Photos are all about expressing who you are and what you love. Plus, I enjoy photographing new senior picture locations near me and also spots that are further away too

Garden Locations for Denver Senior Portraits

These are the best senior photo locations Denver has to offer, specifically focusing on beautiful garden spaces. I probably could have included these with the Nature locations in the following section, but I think there’s a big difference between these professionally designed and manicured-style garden spaces and the more rustic and wild beauty of the locations in the nature section. For that reason, they get their own section in this article. If you’re looking for places to take senior pictures in Denver that provide a colorful, cultivated aesthetic, these gardens are perfect choices.

Denver Botanic Gardens

I am super excited to start off this list of gorgeous Denver area locations with Denver Botanic Gardens. It’s my number one most favorite location to photograph high school seniors in all of Denver. If you’re wondering where to go for senior photos Denver, this place should definitely be at the top of your list. I would never want to photograph at only one spot forever, but if I was forced to pick just one, I would probably go with Denver Botanic Gardens because it has such an incredible amount of variety in the gardens. I find it almost impossible to take bad photos there. They have water gardens with fountains, an indoor greenhouse with huge tropical plants, a native garden area featuring arid Colorado style plants like cacti and a sea of tall grasses, and they have many different colorful annuals planted throughout the space. I love that they have some really unique features like a Victorian style solarium, a round Japanese circle gate, a couple of really unique doors, and other really cool non plant features to use in addition to the beautiful plants in their gardens. I have photographed here quite a bit because it’s one of the best spots for senior pictures near me. Because I photograph at Denver Botanic Gardens so frequently, I know it very well now so I can lead the way and show you my favorite spots or you can show me yours!

Permit Needed? Yes, the gardens charge $100 for a one time portrait permit to use their gardens. However, if you hire me, I buy the annual photographer permit so we can photograph here for free!

Pros: Absolutely stunning, free to use if you hire me, usually there is plenty of parking, and it’s pretty centrally located.

Cons: No mountain views, dogs are not allowed. (We can get mountain views and have your dog right next door at Cheesman Park so if you are really dying to have those two things and use Denver Botanic Gardens we could use both locations) Also, once October arrives, they close much earlier making it hard to photograph right at sunset which is not ideal. During that time of the year I usually recommend starting at Denver Botanic Gardens and then ending closer to sunset at a nearby location.

Hot Tip! Clicking on a photo in this article will lead you to the “sneak peek” from that photoshoot with even more photos so you can really get a good idea of what each of the locations in this article look like.

Hudson Gardens

Hudson Gardens is another pretty garden location located in Littleton, Colorado in the suburbs of Denver. I personally much prefer Denver Botanic Gardens over Hudson Gardens because I find that they have more variety and their gardens are a little more filled in. But, Hudson Gardens is a pretty place in its own right and is sometimes easier to get to for those who live in the southern suburbs of Denver. They have a big red barn at their location so if you want a garden location that’s a little more rustic in vibe, Hudson Gardens is a great place to go for your senior photos. Plus, they do have a little bit of a mountain view off in the distance which can be nice to have in a location. There’s a reason that many high schoolers like to go here for their homecoming photos. I see big groups of teenagers there when I’m doing fall sessions sometimes!

Permit Needed? Yes, Hudson Gardens charges $50 to use the gardens for your senior photos.

Pros: Sits on a large amount of land so it’s easy to feel like you have your own space here, mountain views, generally has a decent amount of parking.

Cons: At certain times of the year they have holiday events where they take over a large part of the gardens which limit the options for backdrops quite a bit.

Nature Locations for Denver Area Senior Photography

The following section highlights my personal favorite nature locations for Denver senior yearbook photos in the metro area. Most of these are on the outskirts of Denver or are in Boulder but I tried to limit this section to the locations that are all within about an hour’s drive from downtown Denver. These spots are some of the best places to consider when deciding where to take senior photos in Denver, offering the perfect natural backdrop. These are the Denver photoshoot locations featuring water, mountains, rock formations, woods, fall color and more!

Castlewood Canyon State Park

Castlewood Canyon is a newer location for me as I just recently started photographing seniors at this scenic state park a little bit southeast of Denver in Franktown, Colorado. I’ve had some seniors who needed a pretty place to go to that was a bit closer for them in the Parker/Castle Rock area so I decided to check this place out and fell in love with it. I admit that I tend to prefer west side locations that are closer to the mountains and foothills but Castlewood Canyon offers a stunning east side option. It’s perfect for those living in Aurora or other other east side Denver metro areas who want beautiful Denver senior pictures without the long drive. As the name states, its defining feature is the large rocky canyon that runs through the park. I like to photograph on both sides of the park (there are two entrances) so that we can get the waterfall in some photos and then the views from the top of the canyon from the southern entrance. There are wide open skies here, making it a fantastic spot for senior photo locations in Denver; a beautiful sunset photo is not out of the ordinary at Castlewood Canyon State Park. I do like that it has some trees as well so it doesn’t feel as barren as some east side Denver locations can feel.

Permit Needed? Yes, Castlewood Canyon State Park charges $40 for the photography permit.

Pros: Has trees, cool rock formations, smaller mountain views off in the distance and even a small waterfall! Every time I have gone, it’s very quiet with very few visitors which is nice.

Cons: Watch out for snakes here. They charge a $10 entrance fee per car unless you have the Colorado State Parks Pass. If you are a Colorado resident, check if you purchased it with your vehicle registration!

City Park in Denver

Here in Denver, there has always been a little bit of a rivalry between City Park and Wash Park and I have always firmly been in the City Park camp. I do love Wash Park’s smooth road for roller skating but I love City Park more for almost everything else. With regard to photography, I find City Park to have so much to offer. First and foremost, it has Denver’s most iconic view of the city skyline with the mountains behind it that countless photographers have sought to photograph. The view all by itself would make this place a contender for best spots in the Denver metro for senior photos but the fact that it also has a rose garden, lovely mature trees and lilac bushes, as well as a very neat looking boathouse really secure its spot on my list of favorite places to take senior photos in Denver. Don’t forget about the super cool entrance pillars on the west side of the park too!

Permit Needed: No photo permits are needed in Denver as long as you keep your group to less than 5 people and don’t use anything but a hand held camera. For those who wish to use lighting equipment, you may need to apply for a permit.

Pros: The mountain view with the city skyline backdrop is iconic and there is a good variety in the plant life depending on the time of year.

Cons: I can’t really think of any. The only one that comes to mind is that it’s become a more popular location during fall in recent years and can sometimes be hard to get the fall color backdrop you want due to the number of other people trying to do the same thing.

Evergreen, Colorado

Remember earlier when I said if I could only pick one location to photograph at I would maybe choose Denver Botanic Gardens? Well, this gorgeous mountain meadow is the reason I couldn’t completely commit to saying that. This location has so much going for it. I especially love it during mid summer because it often has pretty wildflowers in the field and also because it’s so much less crowded at that time of year. During fall, it can be horribly crowded because the secret seems to be out about the pretty fall color. This location is the only place with aspen trees that are very large and mature that’s close to Denver. Of course, there are other locations somewhat close to Denver with aspen trees but they are nowhere near as large and beautiful as this aspen grove is.

Permit Needed? Depending on the exact locations you use there might be permits needed depending on who is in charge of the land.

Pros: Mountain views, wildflowers in the summer, and fall color during Autumn. It’s probably my most traditionally “Colorado” option on the list that doesn’t require a longer drive.

Cons: Extremely busy during fall especially on weekends. You have to be more go with the flow at that time of year for this spot but still worth it! The drive up has a lot of switchbacks which can be tough for those vulnerable to car sickness.

Morrison Trailhead (East Mount Falcon)

Here is where I address the fact that a lot of seniors really love music and want to get photos of Red Rocks and the trails surrounding it. I love Red Rocks too and at certain times of the year, it can be a beautiful place to photograph. However, during the time frame that most seniors are getting their yearbook photos done, Red Rocks can be really hard to navigate for a portrait session due to their concert schedule. Trust me when I say that I have tried to drive around on concert evenings to get to the various locations I like to use around Red Rocks at my photoshoots and it was near impossible to park where you need when a concert or event is happening. And because it’s super important to schedule your senior photos when the light is beautiful (close to sunset) that makes Red Rocks a no go for me as a photographer during the concert season. Having said all of that. I have a pretty incredible alternative location that we can use called Morrison Trailhead. It used to be called “Mount Falcon East” and it’s just south of Red Rocks. There are views of the famous amphitheater there. This has been one of my most popular locations for seniors to use because it’s such an easy to use location that’s also very pretty. If you’re looking for good places to take senior pictures in Denver, Morrison Trailhead is definitely one of them.

Permit Needed? Yes, you will need the Jeffco Open Space permit. They charge $100 for the year for all of their parks and open spaces. Or you can buy a one day permit for $25. I buy the permit every year so if you book me for your senior photos, I have you covered at this location.

Pros: Incredible views of Red Rocks, tons of parking, don’t have to walk super far.

Cons: Watch out for snakes at this location. It’s also become SUPER popular as a photo location so it can sometimes be a bit tricky to find your own space to use here since there’s not a lot of trees and it’s kind of a wide open type of location without much to use to hide distractions. It hasn’t gotten to the point where I want to take it off of my list, but it’s getting there due to the crowds.

Roxborough State Park

Roxborough State Park is also a wonderful location for senior photos for those who really love the dramatic red rocks like the ones you can find at Red Rocks Amphitheater. I actually think it’s even more beautiful than the music venue. It’s a little bit of a drive to get there but I think it’s worth it. I actually think it’s one of the most underrated state parks in Colorado. I don’t mind that it’s underrated and kind of hope it stays that way because it’s very peaceful there. I like it best during summer and fall but it’s really beautiful year round. During spring there are a few trees that flower with spring blossoms on the branches and during winter the red rock formations provide a lot of beauty when it can be kind of dead and ugly elsewhere in the Metro area.

If you’re looking for one of the best places in Denver for senior pictures, Roxborough is definitely a spot you should consider.The rangers at this park are very protective of the park and will chastise you for going even one foot off of the trail so this is not the spot to go if you want to run through the fields (not advisable anyway since it’s a known rattlesnake location). It’s also part of how they keep it so pristine and nice looking so please don’t go off trail here or they will stop allowing photoshoots there and that would make me so sad.

Permit Needed? Yes, they charge $60 and it lasts for one quarter of the year.

Pros: Stunning red rock scenery, quiet without many crowds so it’s pretty private, looks beautiful year round.

Cons: Watch out for snakes here. They charge $10 per vehicle to park unless you have the State Parks Pass. Your Colorado vehicle registration may have the pass so check that first before paying to enter.

Shanahan Ridge Trail in Boulder

There is a beautiful wooded area in south Boulder called Shanahan Ridge that I discovered as an alternate spot to use when the South Mesa Trail was closed. It quickly became one of my favorite spots to suggest to my clients because of the gorgeous mature evergreen tree forest. It also has some mountain views of the rugged Boulder mountains. It’s not the Flatiron mountain backdrop but it’s very similar. One unique thing about this trail is that they lease the land to ranchers so every once in a while you might come across a cow grazing on the land there. I like to pair this spot with Viele Lake which is just a couple minutes drive down the road to get a little bit more of a wide open mountain view.

Permit Needed? Yes, you will need the Boulder OSMP photo permit. They have a couple different options (the one I buy is limited and costs $50 for the year) but you’ll need to fill out some insurance paperwork to get the permit. I secure this permit every year so if you book me you won’t have to worry about it.

Pros: It has mountain views and the thick forest provides nice cover from the bright sun and we usually have the place to ourselves at photoshoots which is nice.

Cons: There is a steep hill that you do need to get up before you get to the flatter area so it’s not the best spot to go to if there are any mobility issues.

South Mesa Trail in Boulder

South Mesa Trail’s best feature is the gorgeous, dramatic mountain views. I prefer this location over Chautauqua because the crowding and parking at Chautauqua Park (particularly during the nicer months) can be a lot to deal with. It’s gotten so crazy there that they’ve started implementing a shuttle system. South Mesa may not have the exact famous view of the Flatirons that Chautauqua has but I think the mountain views at South Mesa have a similar rugged look to them. There is a river near the parking area and some cool huge lichen covered rocks, tall grasses and even an old historic stone homestead home. There are a lot of unique features we can use in the photos at South Mesa. Plus, not very far away is a super cool pull off with a wide open mountain view just south of there.

Permit Needed? Yes, this location requires the Boulder OSMP Permit. It’s $50 for a limited permit and $300 for the annual unlimited.

Pros: Gorgeous mountain views! In the fall it has some of the only red fall colors that I’ve been able to find with the sumac plants.

Cons: Watch out for snakes at this spot. When I first started my career I always had South Mesa to myself but that’s no longer the case. It’s now definitely become one of the go to photoshoot locations in the Denver/Boulder area so it’s a bit crowded these days. I do think most of the time it’s not too difficult to carve out our own space to use though.

West Mount Falcon

West Mount Falcon is another very popular option for senior photos in Evergreen, Colorado. I love this location because it has a lot of pretty evergreen trees and mountain views plus some cool rock formations and even some taller grasses in a field. It’s very versatile and even though it’s one of the more popular and crowded trailheads in the Denver Metro it has a lot of space and it’s not too difficult to find your own areas to use without feeling too crowded here. West Mount Falcon is widely considered to be one of the top rated, best spots for senior photos in Denver and should definitely be considered for your senior yearbook photoshoot!

Permit Needed: Yes, you will need the Jeffco Open Space permit which is $100 for the year. (Or you can opt for the one day permit for $25)

Pros: Mountain views, forests, fresh mountain air!

Cons:The only downside is that it’s sometimes a bit crowded, especially on the weekend.

Urban Locations for Senior Photos in Denver

Colorado is a destination location for those wanting to explore the great outdoors but that doesn’t mean we don’t have some super cool options for urban senior photos too. As a self proclaimed city girl, I absolutely love exploring downtown Denver and finding all kinds of fun backdrops to use for senior photos. A huge plus for the following urban locations is that they are the best spots for senior photos in Denver that are free! My advice for seniors who want a city session with urban backdrops is to wear good shoes because at these sessions we tend to walk quite a bit so that I can pack in lots of unique backdrops for your photos. So if you’re wondering where to go for senior photos in Denver downtown, take a look through these urban locations below!

Centennial Gardens and Cherry Creek Trail Along Speer

I’ve done some really great senior sessions where we met up at Centennial Gardens and then walked along the Cherry Creek Trail/Speer Boulevard toward Larimer Square. This is a great option for seniors who might want a bit of nature from the river and the plants at Centennial Garden but also want some urban city style photos mixed in too. There is a bit of street art and there are a few historic old iron bridges along this route that look neat in photos. The buildings of the city also look really great from this area, making it a fantastic spot for senior photos in downtown Denver.

Permit Needed? Only if you have more than 5 people and use your own lighting.

Pros: Lots of variety and you can mix plants/garden type of backdrops with a more urban environment.

Cons: The con for this area will likely be the same for all of these urban locations and that’s just that it is a big city that’s experienced some issues with crime in recent years. I definitely don’t want to fear monger because I have been photographing urban downtown sessions with seniors for a long time and have never run into any problems and really enjoy doing these kinds of senior photoshoots. But I also know that everyone has a different comfort level and wanted to mention it.

Downtown Denver

There are a ton of different areas in downtown Denver that offer incredible photos, making it easy to decide where to take senior photos in downtown Denver. I’ve started way over on the east side of downtown near 17th and Sherman and walked all the way down 16th street before. I’ve also created some really cool photos with the sculptures and water features at Skyline Park and also got the historic clock tower in the photos too. There can be some cool photos done around the Denver Performing Arts Complex too. One of my favorite photo spots in Downtown Denver is Union Station where we can get an amazing senior photo with the famous neon sign out front. There’s even the option to contact the Byron C White Courthouse and get the permit we need for the classy white columns and stairs. The beauty of a downtown Denver senior photo session is that we can create a route focused on your personal favorite spots or we can just pick a starting location and go explore together. I always find great backdrops for senior yearbook photos in downtown Denver.

Permit Needed? Generally no, but you might need one if we have more than 5 people and lighting equipment.

Pros: Variety! Also, downtown Denver looks great year round. It’s nice to do them during summer or fall when the plants around downtown are there, but because it’s an urban city vibe, there are enough interesting backdrops that we aren’t reliant on plants being alive to get gorgeous photos.

Cons: Requires a lot of walking and some folks don’t feel safe being downtown.

Golden Triangle and Civic Center Park

It’s been a little while since I photographed in the Golden Triangle neighborhood of Denver, but I’ve been spending a little bit of time in this area recently and I think it deserves a spot on this list due to all of the street art, cool shops and storefronts and just general cool city vibes that are found in this area. Plus both the Denver Art Museum and the Central Branch of the Denver Public Library are right there and have a lot of fun areas to use for photos. And if you keep walking north you’ll hit the pretty park space sandwiched between downtown Denver to the north, the Colorado State Capitol to the east and the historic courthouse to the west. So if you were thinking it might be nice to get a bit of nature with your urban senior photos we can get a little bit of both in this area. You can even find an old British red telephone booth outside of Pint’s Pub which I always think is fun to use at senior photoshoots. It’s such a fun area that’s overlooked as a photoshoot location.

Permit Needed? As with all of the other Denver locations, if we stick to 5 or less people and don’t use lighting equipment that touches the ground we’re good.

Pros: Lots of variety, centrally located, colorful street art can be found in this area, and can get both nature and city vibes if you use Civic Center Park too.

Cons: Civic Center has not been very easy to use as a photoshoot location in recent years but they’ve been cleaning it up and I’m ready to take back the park as a photoshoot location because I’ve always loved the classic white columns of the Greek theater and the gardens.

Larimer Square Senior Photos in Denver

Larimer Square is a longtime favorite location of mine in downtown Denver. It really looks best at dusk and sunset when the lights start to show up really nicely in your photos. I often recommend it as one of the best locations for senior photos in downtown Denver, especially for those who want to capture the city’s vibrant energy. I usually like to use this spot as an ending point for some of my downtown sessions when a senior doesn’t want to have to drive to my secret skyline view. It’s pretty easy to pair Larimer Square with lots of other downtown Denver locations.

Permit Needed? No, unless you have more than 5 people and have lighting equipment.

Pros: Unique Denver landmark and it’s closed to cars these days.

Cons: On weekends especially, it can be full of people and it’s not always easy to remove them from backdrops though I try my best to avoid them, hide them in your backdrop, or remove them when possible.

LoHi Neighborhood and Highland Bridge Senior Portraits in Denver

Just on the west side of I-25 from downtown Denver lies a fun neighborhood some people like to call “LoHi.” Since it’s close to downtown Denver, it has an eclectic mix of shops and restaurants mixed in with old Victorian homes and large apartment complexes. Wandering around this area is a lot of fun and offers some of the best spots for senior photos in downtown Denver, including the chance to get some great shots on the Highland Bridge.In the past, I’ve also done senior sessions where we started on the other side of the river and walked toward LoHi finding fun places to use in this area near downtown Denver.

Permit Needed? No, unless you have more than 5 people and have lighting equipment.

Pros: You can get some nature if you start off on the east side of the Highland Bridge and there’s lots of variety in this area. 

Cons: It’s a lot of walking.

Milk Market/Dairy Block Senior Photo Location

The Dairy Block Milk Market location can be a fun starting point for a downtown Denver senior photoshoot. They have a really nice alley with street art and colored lights hanging overhead. It’s one of the great places to take pictures in downtown Denver since relaxing the rules to allow photography. As long as you aren’t using lighting or being obtrusive by blocking pathways you should be ok photographing here. I think it’s a fun stop along the way for a downtown Denver senior session.

Permit Needed: No, but it’s best to check beforehand since they have been known to charge a fee in the past.

Pros: Cool backdrops, easy meet up spot, string lights!

Cons: Depending on when you go, it can be crowded. I would consider avoiding weekends.

Rino/Five Points Senior Photography in Denver

Just north of downtown Denver is a neighborhood I used to live in when I was about to graduate from college called Curtis Park which I think is a neighborhood within an area known as Five Points (which I also thought was a separate neighborhood but now we’re getting into the weeds a little bit and doesn’t matter for the purposes of this list) Back then, the term “Rino” did not exist for this part of Denver but it has since been rebranded as such. I have always loved photographing portraits in this area even before the influx of restaurants and street art. It’s now more widely known as a great place for photos and street art. It’s quite a large area and you have a lot of choices about where to begin exploring. Many people like to start off at the Denver Central Market which I also think is a good jumping off point. But, don’t sleep on the blocks south of there as well as much further north from there. There are a lot of really cool nooks and crannies to check out in this part of Denver.

Permit Needed? No, unless you have more than 5 people and have lighting equipment.

Pros: Super colorful street art all over the place that changes fairly often so there’s always new murals to see plus there are still a lot of fun old school Denver buildings mixed in with the new buildings.

Cons: Lots of walking, city location that some folks feel uncomfortable in.

Secret Denver Skyline View

I am sorry to be so secretive about this last urban location, but it’s not the biggest area and I love it so much that I don’t want it to become overrun with other people the way so many other favorite locations of mine have. But, it’s basically one of my very favorite places to take pictures in downtown Denver because the skyline looks so incredible lit up at night. It’s definitely an off-the-beaten-path kind of spot, but so worth it for the view!

Permit Needed? No, unless you have more than 5 people and have lighting equipment.

Pros: That incredible Denver skyline view!

Cons: Parking is a bit weird and it’s kind of trashy and full of weeds. (I swear it’s worth it despite that description!)

Locations Outside of Denver but are Worth the Drive!

This article is all about the best Denver spots for senior photos, but I also wanted to share a few of my personal favorite locations that are further away from Denver. These are some of the best locations in Colorado for senior pictures, and they’re totally worth the drive, or even a Colorado staycation, depending on how far away they are from where you live.

Crested Butte Senior Photos

I have so much love for Crested Butte. It’s one of the most beautiful places in all of Colorado which by default definitely makes it one of the best places for senior pictures in Colorado. I particularly love it during the wildflower season, which tends to peak in July, also when their wildflower festival takes place. There are mountain views from pretty much any direction you look, and the town itself is adorable, making it a great setting for senior photos in that area. Right now I only have photos to show Crested Butte from a wedding but plan to update with senior photo examples soon!

Permit Needed? It depends on which part of Crested Butte you plan to use.

Pros: Colorful, pretty mountain views in every direction you look, wildflowers in the summer

Cons: It’s a 4ish hour drive from Denver!

Fort Collins Old Town Senior Photography Location

I am from Longmont Colorado so I wanted to give a shout out to the awesome towns along Colorado’s northern front range. Because it’s a college town, Fort Collins has the best little main street area of the major cities up there (Sorry, Longmont! Yours is cute too though!) The Old Town shopping district is one of the best places for senior pictures in Colorado, especially with the charming string lights hanging over the Old Town Square. This area is filled with independent stores, cozy coffee shops, the unassuming Aggie theater (where I had many fun nights checking out shows when I was a teenager), boutique hotels, and it even has a beautiful old Carnegie Library building. It’s a really great place with a ton of variety in the backdrops for a senior yearbook photoshoot in Fort Collins.

Permit Needed? This is one that I am unsure of. I have not had issues with permitting in the past but that doesn’t mean the town of Fort Collins doesn’t require one.

Pros: Quaint small town vibe to the area, lots of variety in the backdrops

Cons: It can be a lot of walking and it’s a bit of a drive to get there from Denver (the amount of time it takes can really vary based on when you go)

Garden of the Gods Senior Photos

I absolutely had to include Garden of the Gods on my list even though it’s located in Colorado Springs because it’s one of the most unique and wondrous outdoor spaces in the entire state. The people of Colorado Springs are so lucky to have this gem of a place right in their backyard. If you’re looking for places to take senior pictures in Colorado Springs, Garden of the Gods is definitely at the top of the list.I’ve been photographing there for many years and even though the drive through the park can be a bit strange with all of the one ways and heavy tourist traffic, I have my system down for how to make the most of a session there. It’s hands down one of the best places for senior pictures in Colorado Springs, and it is 100% worth the drive to get senior photos at Garden of the Gods.

Permit Needed? No

Pros: Stunning scenery with mountain views and red rock formations combined! Plus it’s a free senior photography location.

Cons: Watch out for snakes here. It’s a bit of a drive from Denver and it can take some patience to find parking at the various spots we’ll want to use.

Guanella Pass

I had to include Guanella Pass for the Denver seniors who really want some fall color photos for their yearbook photo. I will give the caveat that I will not photograph at Guanella on the weekend during peak fall color season because I don’t hate myself, haha. But, if you’re able to do a weekday when it’s not quite so busy and full of people it can be a really amazing place for fall color senior photos. If you are searching for where to take senior pictures in Colorado, Guanella Pass should be near the top of your list, especially during the autumn season though I also love how it looks during summer. A bonus location for Guanella is that if we start on the Georgetown side, their little downtown area is super cute for photos too!

Permit Needed? No

Pros: Stunning fall color senior photos

Cons: During fall color season, it can be extremely busy depending on the day you go.

Indian Peaks Wilderness (Brainard Lake Recreation Area)

The Indian Peaks Wilderness area is another pretty epic senior photo location not too horribly far from Denver. (It’s far enough that I didn’t include it with the other Denver locations though) It’s located near the town of Ward, Colorado about 45 minutes west of Boulder. This location is best from about mid summer through fall because they often don’t even open the upper roads up there until sometime in June or even early July. It’s a beautiful alternative to Rocky Mountain National Park. It’s a very popular place and requires parking reservations which they release on a 15-day rolling window schedule starting May 31st. So this location does require a little more planning than other spots but imo it’s well worth the extra hassle. (I look forward to adding senior photo examples. For now I have a wedding and a family session to give an idea of what the scenery is like near Long Lake)

Permit Needed? No

Pros: Gorgeous mountain views, a lake, woods, quintessential “Colorado” location.

Cons: Need parking reservations and they also charge $14 for entry unless you have the America the Beautiful Parks pass.

Maroon Bells Aspen, Colorado

Maroon Bells is definitely another more complicated location both to get to and to get the reservation we’d need to be able to photograph your senior photos there. But, it’s the most iconic mountain view in all of Colorado for a reason and during summer and fall it’s a gorgeous place to go for senior pictures. I generally advise doing an evening session since it’s much easier to get those reservations because most people want to visit the Bells at sunrise when the pretty alpenglow light is hitting the mountains. While it’s gorgeous at sunrise, I find that sunrise sessions don’t last as long as evening sessions and getting up long before dawn is pretty rough for most people, especially teenagers! Summer is easier to reserve than the fall color season too. The earlier you can plan and get your reservations here, the better.  For anyone searching for some of the best locations for senior photos in Colorado, Maroon Bells needs to be on your radar. (I will update this article with senior photo examples once I have them. For now, these family sessions should give a good idea of what the scenery is like at Maroon Bells)

Permit Needed? Not to my knowledge, you just need a reservation.

Pros: Iconic mountain view, a lake, aspen trees, wildflowers during the summer

Cons: Requires some pre-planning due to needing a reservation to be able to park there. Long drive from Denver.

Rocky Mountain National Park in Estes Park

If you’re a Colorado senior looking to take your senior photos with an epic mountain view and you’re willing to drive a little bit from Denver, I highly recommend Rocky Mountain National Park in Estes Park. I’ve created some amazing senior pics at RMNP and Estes Park. I’ve even gotten wildlife like elk, deer, and even a moose in the backdrops for other seniors in the past though there’s no guarantee, of course. Sprague Lake, Moraine Park, and even Trail Ridge when it’s open during summer all provide gorgeous backdrops for your senior portraits.

Permit needed? Not anymore! Though they do require reservations at certain times of the day. I usually schedule sessions closer to sunset so we often do not have to worry about getting a reservation to photograph inside the park.

Pros: Epic mountain views and wildlife is often there!

Cons: Longer drive from Denver, weekends can be more busy

Sapphire Point, Summit County

Sapphire Point has long been a favorite lookout on Swan Mountain Road in Summit County. It’s an amazing little place because you can get incredible mountain views without having to go on a hike. The downside is that this place is often pretty crowded with tourists and other people also getting their photos taken, but it’s not usually too difficult to carve out our own little areas to use. Plus I have various other little spots in the Summit County area that I love to pair with Sapphire Point to give you some variety at your senior photoshoot.

Permit needed? No

Pros: Gorgeous mountain views that you don’t have to hike for! It’s also pretty year round.

Cons: At least somewhat crowded most of the time.

Twin Lakes, CO

Twin Lakes is another underrated gem of a mountain location here in Colorado that would make a beautiful place to get your senior photos done. It’s located between Leadville and Aspen right before Independence Pass. Lots of seniors ask me about getting a lake in their photos but sadly, Colorado really doesn’t have that many lakes throughout the state. However, this is one of my favorite lake locations in Colorado with epic mountains right behind the lake making for a beautiful senior photo backdrop. If you’re looking for the best places to take senior pictures in Colorado, Twin Lakes should definitely be on your list. Hopefully I can add actual senior photos from Twin Lakes soon! These Twin Lakes photos below should give you a good idea of how pretty the scenery is there!

Permit Needed? Usually you don’t need a permit for USFS land unless you’re doing a larger group activity.

Pros: Stunning mountain views with a lake

Cons: Long drive from Denver

This completes my list of the very best places to go for senior photography in Denver and beyond. I have many other awesome locations up my sleeve as well, but these are my personal favorite spots. I have other secret places I enjoy as well that I can share with you once you are my client and we are in the planning process. Part of hiring me is to get my help in the planning of where to go and timing that will work for your senior photos. Let’s create a plan together with backdrops you’ll love! I know some photographers have online appointments but I like to communicate with you first to make sure you have the prices and all of the information you need before we set a date so please check out the SENIORS page of my website to find the session fee prices as well as some FAQs and email me when you’re ready!