Colorado Springs engagement photos are ideal for the perfect mix of scenery, adventure, and simplicity. As a Colorado local and photographer, it’s easily one of my favorite places to capture couples and families.
Colorado Springs is filled with natural beauty and unique locations for photos, whether you’re looking for an adventure or an easily accessible experience. In this article, I’ll share the best places for engagement photos in Colorado Springs and helpful planning tips for a fun, memorable, and stress-free session.
Is Colorado Springs good for engagement photos?
Colorado Springs is one of the best places for engagement photos in Colorado. The variety of scenery, from red rock formations to wide open spaces, allows for a beautiful and unique experience. Many locations are free or only require a small fee, making planning simple and flexible.
The area offers well-known parks alongside quieter, lesser-known spots. You can plan an adventurous session or keep things relaxed — whatever matches your ideal plan. Many locations are also pet-friendly, which makes it easy to include your dog. There’s truly something special for every couple.
The Best Places for Engagement Photos in Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs has many beautiful places to propose and take engagement photos. Each location offers a different experience, scenery, and overall feel. Whether you want something iconic or more secluded, there are plenty of options.
Garden of the Gods
As a National Natural Landmark, Garden of the Gods is the most iconic place for an elopement or engagement session. The massive red rock formations and sweeping mountain views create a dramatic, one-of-a-kind backdrop you can’t find anywhere else.
The park is free, pet-friendly, and easy to access, making it a favorite for many couples. You can plan a simple, relaxed session or explore trails for a more adventurous experience.
Red Rock Canyon Open Space
Red Rock Canyon Open Space offers similar red rock scenery in a quieter setting. It feels more tucked away and less busy than Garden of the Gods.
The trails are fun to explore together, and you might also see wildlife. While the red rocks are stunning year-round, there’s also lush greenery and colorful wildflowers during summer.
Palmer Park
Palmer Park offers various landscapes, perfect for changing up the backdrops for your photos. You get gorgeous views of Pikes Peak, open spaces, and rugged trails.
Casually explore the park for a relaxing experience or hike and climb rocks for more adventure. Palmer Park is also one of the best spots for Colorado Springs engagement photos if you want to bring your pets along.
Bear Creek Regional Park
Bear Creek Regional Park blends natural beauty with playful elements. It’s surrounded by greenery and scenic trails, with lots of space to walk, explore, and relax.
Sports courts add a fun, personal touch to sessions. There’s also an archery range and equestrian skills course, making Bear Creek Regional Park the ideal spot for couples who enjoy active experiences.
Paint Mines Interpretive Park
Paint Mines Interpretive Park is an open space known for its colorful rock formations and unique landscape. There are also four miles of hiking trails that rise over 500 feet in elevation if you want to add some adventure to your session.
Depending on the time of year, there may also be wildflowers and wildlife during your session.
Planning for Your Colorado Springs Engagement Photos
While I help every couple I work with create a timeline and experience that perfectly fits their vision, here are some helpful planning tips to get started.
When to Take Your Engagement Pictures
The best timing for an engagement session depends on your unique experience and preferences, but most couples take photos six to eight months before the wedding.
If you’re having a large wedding and want to use your engagement pictures for save-the-dates or announcements, allow for more time. If you’re having a simple elopement, less time is okay since there isn’t as much planning involved.
My favorite time of year for Colorado Springs engagement pictures is summer and fall, although it’s beautiful year-round. During summer and fall, the weather and scenery is gorgeous. Winter and spring are quieter seasons and great for fewer crowds or snowy sessions.
Weekday sessions during sunrise or sunset are also ideal, especially to avoid the crowds in popular areas.
Cost of Colorado Springs Engagement Photography
One of the best parts about planning engagement photos in Colorado Springs is the affordability. When planning your engagement session, here are the main costs to consider:
- Location fees – Most outdoor locations are free or have a small day-use or parking fee
- Travel expenses – Costs vary if you’re visiting from out of town
- Outfits – You can splurge, stay on budget, or wear something you already own
- Photography – Professional engagement photos are usually around $1,000 and offer a special way to celebrate your engagement and announce your elopement or wedding
What to Wear for Your Engagement Session
Deciding what to wear for your engagement photos can feel both exciting and overwhelming. You want to look like yourselves while feeling comfortable and confident. Since most sessions in Colorado Springs are outdoors, your outfits should also work well with a natural setting.
Keep the following in mind when choosing your engagement session outfits:
- The season – Let the scenery and weather guide layers, fabrics, and colors
- A color palette – Neutrals photograph beautifully, with optional pops of color if that matches your usual style
- Patterns – While solid colors usually work best, one partner can wear a pattern for added personality
- Accessories – Jewelry, hats, or layers can elevate or change your look
- A timeless outfit – Trends might be top of mind, but you want to love your photos for years to come, so choose pieces and colors with this in mind
- Comfort – Make sure your clothes and shoes are comfortable, especially for adventure sessions
- Each other’s outfits – While you don’t need to match perfectly, consider complementary colors and styles
- The location and experience – Flowy dresses, casual looks, or hiking-friendly outfits all work depending on your style and session plans
- An outfit change – While this is optional, it can help add variety without switching locations
Bringing Pets for Your Session
Many locations in Colorado Springs are pet-friendly, and I love when dogs join sessions! Including your pets can make your engagement session even more special and fun.
Some of the best places for couples to bring their pets for Colorado Springs engagement photos are Garden of the Gods and Palmer Park. Both locations can be easily accessible for pets who are less active, or you can spend more time exploring.
Colorado Springs Engagement Photos: FAQs
Here are a few common questions couples ask when planning their session.
Best place to take engagement photos in Colorado Springs?
There are many beautiful places to take engagement photos in Colorado Springs. Popular spots include Garden of the Gods, Palmer Park, and Red Rock Canyon Open Space. Each location offers stunning views and a fun experience.
Garden of the Gods is one of my favorites. Its natural beauty is unmatched and the red rock formations offer a stunning backdrop for engagement photos. It’s also the perfect place for a simple session or more adventurous experience.
Are engagement photos worth it?
Engagement photos are definitely worth it. They offer a fun experience and capture a meaningful season of your relationship. An engagement session can also help you connect with your photographer and feel comfortable in front of the camera before your wedding day. After your session, you can use the photos for announcements, invitations, and wedding details.
How long do engagement photos take?
Engagement photos can take up to a couple of hours. My engagement photo packages include 1 or 1.5 hours of photography. Your photographer will work with you to figure out the best timing for your unique session.
Let’s Plan Your Colorado Springs Engagement Session
Colorado Springs engagement photos offer beautiful scenery and flexible options, making it easy to create a unique and personal experience.
If you’re ready to start planning your engagement session, I’d love to help. As a Colorado Springs engagement photographer, I have packages that include up to an hour and a half of photography, edited high-resolution images, an online gallery for viewing and downloading, and travel within the Colorado Springs area. I can also help you find the perfect location and plan a fun and special experience.
kinsley + caden
“Brooke was the perfect choice for our wedding day! We had a micro wedding at Sapphire Point in August. I had never been to Sapphire Point and Brooke was so helpful suggesting vendors, picture locations, parking, marriage license info etc. She was so kind and helpful before and during the whole process and was a large part of why the day went so smooth. She does so much more than just show up and take pictures, Brooke will truly go out of her way to make your wedding day perfect! The photos are gorgeous and I keep getting so many compliments! I truly cannot recommend her enough!”
"Brooke was a large part of why our day went so smooth and will truly go out of her way to make your wedding day perfect!"
We chose Brooke to capture our Colorado elopement and she did exactly that and more. She made it easy to plan our day out with locations and timelines so that we could focus on ourselves. We decided last minute to change our afternoon/evening elopement to a 6am sunrise one so beat the heat of the day. Brooke accommodated us without hesitation and even created a new timeline for us so that we knew where to be for the perfect sunrise. She was kind and understood what we wanted in terms of our elopement and we are so grateful to have her capture the day. Our photos turned out beautiful and truly helped us relive the day. I would recommend Brooke to anyone wanting their special day photographed.
"Brooke accommodated us without hesitation and even created a new timeline for us so that we knew where to be for the perfect sunrise."
erica + stacy
kirstie + colin
Brooke not only photographed our mountain elopement beautifully, but she put so much thought into the details and knew all of the answers the questions I didn’t even know to ask. She really puts a lot of thought into each photo and brings her expertise while still remaining very open to what we wanted and ideas we had. She even helped pick the perfect spot for us and advised us on the logistical details like securing a reservation at the mountain lake where we wanted our ceremony. She is SO easy to work with and very friendly and chill. My husband and I are super awkward in front of a camera but she made it so natural and easy - and the shots came out better than we could have imagined.
"She really puts a lot of thought into each photo and brings her expertise while still remaining very open to what we wanted and ideas we had."
amanda + jace
Brooke is many things; talented, calm, flexible, experienced/ knowledgeable, patient, incredibly responsive, organized, resourceful in a pinch, supportive, creative, professional yet a blast to work with, and goes above & beyond w her clients. Our wedding was a spectacular dream and we couldn't be more grateful that she made that single day last forever. Whether she's photographing nature or an intimate event, her pictures tell a story of peace, love, whatever your vision may be. We couldn't recommend her more and we look forward to booking with her for all of our vow renewals, seasonal and family pictures for as long as she'll have us.
"Whether she's photographing nature or an intimate event, her pictures tell a story of peace, love, whatever your vision may be."
linden + brent
Working with Brooke was a dream come true! Before we even met, my husband Brent and I were impressed by her portfolio. After meeting, we were even more convinced that her photography skills and knowledge, and her fun and easygoing personality were exactly what we were looking for in an elopement photographer. Brooke was able to take our vision and facilitate everything so that it worked out beautifully, especially when it came to finding the perfect location (the incredible mountains surrounding Ouray). Throughout the entire planning process, she was honest and flexible, and made it clear that her goal was for us to be 100% happy. In the end, her creativity and our happiness totally shine through in every single photo.
"Throughout the entire planning process, she was honest and flexible."
lauren + branden
I can't begin to express my gratitude for the intimacy and beauty behind Brooke's photographs. In capturing our wedding day, she went above and beyond to document our story, our families, and the depths of our love in ways that I'll forever be grateful for. Brooke has an eye for not only capturing the adventure and magic of your love, but deeply connects with your personal story, understands your relationship, and then gives that back in the most incredible way. She is truly an artist and tells your story in an authentic and creative way for you to look back on for years to come. We are forever grateful to Brooke for spending the time to get to know us, our story, and capturing the memories that we'll relive for years to come.
"Brooke deeply connects with your personal story, understands your relationship, and then gives that back in the most incredible way."
heather + jedd
“If you're contemplating which photographer to go with, THIS IS YOUR SIGN TO CHOOSE BROOKE!!!! She is so so so talented and was able to capture our elopement exactly how I pictured and wanted! We eloped in Ridgway, CO this past September and she was so helpful figuring out picture locations, recommendations of timeline for the day, and just made the whole day feel so smooth. She schedules multiple check ins, phone calls, etc., leading up to the big day to ensure everything is as you want it. Brooke has such a calming, down to earth presence and is one of those awesome people you feel like you've known forever after just the first time of meeting."
"Brooke has such a calming, down to earth presence and is one of those awesome people you feel like you've known forever."
christy + austin
Brooke is the absolute best. She truly went above and beyond for my fiancé and I to be able to get our engagement photos taken with the fall colors. Brooke is so sweet, fun, personable and incredibly talented. We could not be more in love with our engagement photos! Our engagement session with Brooke was such a special experience and a memory we will cherish forever.
"Our engagement session with Brooke was such a special experience and a memory we will cherish forever."
