If you’re recently engaged and planning your Colorado engagement session, you’re in the right place. As a Boulder-based documentary-style wedding and engagement photographer, my goal is to create images that feel natural, authentic, and true to your story. This guide will help you plan a dream Colorado engagement session that feels like you!

1. Mindset Matters

I have to start with this one because it makes a huge difference in how your session goes!! The best engagement photos happen when you’re relaxed, present, and focused on each other. Treat your session like a date—not just another wedding planning task. Spend the day together beforehand: grab brunch in Boulder, explore a favorite trail in the Rocky Mountain National Park, or sip cocktails at a local bar. Arriving with good vibes will only make your photos feel more genuine and joyful!

Remember—your engagement photos aren’t just for Instagram or save-the-dates. They’re for you, to look back on this season of life and remember how it felt.

2. Best Engagement Session Locations in Colorado

Choosing a location is one of the major decisions you’ll have to make when planning your Colorado engagement session! If you choose an experienced photographer (hi, it’s me!!), they should have lots of helpful resources to help you narrow down locations that fit your vision. I have a super in-depth location guide that I send to all of my couples, but here are a few of the best Colorado engagement photo locations:

• Chautauqua Park (Boulder) – classic views of the Flatirons
• Lost Gulch Overlook (Boulder) – dramatic mountain sunrises
• Lookout Mountain (Golden) – sweeping overlooks
• Brainard Lake (Ward) – alpine lake and gorgeous greenery
• Sapphire Point (Dillon) – stunning views of Dillon Reservoir
• Rocky Mountain National Park – endless mountain scenery (& wildlife)
• Mount Falcon West – distant mountain views, golden fields, and stunning rocky cliffs
• Downtown Denver – bustling city vibes, cozy coffee shops, and historic architecture

Pro tip: you don’t need a “famous” location to get amazing photos. Sometimes the most meaningful spot is where you already spend time together—whether that’s a park near your home, your favorite brewery, or even your living room.

3. What to Wear for Engagement Photos in Colorado

Your outfits should feel like you. Whether that’s a flowy dress and boots, ripped jeans and a tee, or something in between, how you feel in your outfit will absolutely translate to how you feel about your photos. Here are some tips for styling your engagement session:

• Keep it neutral: Earth tones and soft neutrals photograph beautifully in Colorado’s natural landscapes.
• Mix & match: If one of you wears a pattern, the other should go solid for balance.
• Add texture: Knits, denim, linen, and layers add depth and visual interest.
• Movement is magic: Flowing dresses, layered jackets, and fabrics that catch the wind create dynamic images.

Not sure where to shop? Great options for photogenic, timeless styles include Aritzia, Madewell, Anthropologie, Free People, Zara, and Nordstrom.

4. Personal Touches & Props

Another way to make your photos feel true to who you guys are is by adding in accessories and props. Look at Alex & Dakota’s photos – they infused their personalities by bringing two different types of hats and it made their engagement session gallery feel more diverse. Hats, jackets, and jewelry can add personality! Adding in some props is another fun way to highlight some of your favorite things to do together. Big picnic lovers? Bring a bottle of wine or your favorite brews and a snack! Adventure seekers? Let’s capture you on your bikes or with your pup. Homebodies? Bring a board game and we can capture all the cozy vibes!

Final Thoughts

Your Colorado engagement session should feel true to who you are, not forced or overly posed. Whether we’re adventuring in Rocky Mountain National Park, catching a colorful sunrise at Lost Gulch, or making coffee in your own kitchen, my goal is to capture your connection in a way that feels real.

If you’re looking for a Colorado engagement photographer who will seamlessly guide you through the process and create timeless, story-driven images, fill out my inquiry form. Let’s dream up a session that feels authentically you and create photographs you’ll treasure forever!

Kind Words From Alex + Dakota

“The Best Decision We Made – From One Wedding Photographer to Another, Nicole Is PURE MAGIC! As a fellow wedding photographer, let me start by saying this: I have high expectations—and Nicole exceeded every single one. From start to finish, she delivered one of the most fun, easy, joyful, and memorable experiences we’ve ever had. I cannot scream her praises loud enough!! We had our engagement session in Rocky Mountain National Park, and Nicole took care of everything. She handled the permits, the planning, the location details—you name it, she was on it. It was completely seamless. I didn’t have to lift a finger or even think about logistics. I just got to show up and enjoy it all, which honestly felt like a dream. Leading up to our session, Nicole was incredibly organized and professional, but also so warm and down-to-earth. Her communication was consistent and thoughtful—everything from invoices to prep emails was crystal clear. She truly thought of everything, and I never once had to worry or second guess a thing. What really blew me away, though, was how personalized the whole process felt. From the very beginning, Nicole took the time to get to know us—what we love, what makes us laugh, how we connect—and it showed in every step of the experience. It didn’t feel like we were just another name on her calendar. It felt like we were the only couple she was thinking about. That intentionality? You can’t fake that. That’s heart. Now, the session itself? PURE. MAGIC. It was so easy, so fun, and so full of laughter. We’re not models by any means, but Nicole made us feel like we belonged in front of the camera. We never felt stiff or posed—she gave just enough guidance to make us feel confident, and the rest was just us being us. The photos? They look like no one else’s. They feel like us in our truest form. Real, joyful, and full of love. To any couples out there searching for your dream photographer: don’t just hire someone with a portfolio—hire someone who gets you. Someone who feels like a best friend, who brings the energy, who makes the session about you, not about checking off a shot list. That’s what Nicole did. Her creativity didn’t overshadow us—it celebrated us. And because of that, the results are everything I dreamed of and more. The biggest reason I’d recommend Nicole over anyone else? She’s the full package. She’s funny, intentional, incredibly talented, and genuinely one of the kindest, most passionate people I’ve had the pleasure of working with. She’s your hype girl, your calm presence, your creative partner, and your biggest cheerleader—all rolled into one. Nicole, you’re a true artist and an even better human. I would choose you again a thousand times over. Thank you for making our session unforgettable—you’re a once-in-a-lifetime kind of photographer, and I’m your biggest fan for life! With so much love, A fellow wedding photographer who will never stop singing your praises”

If you loved Alex and Dakota’s Rocky Mountain National Park engagement photos, I think you’d also like a few other mountain engagement sessions that are up on my blog now! Feel free to check out this Brainard Lake engagement session, or this Mount Falcon engagement session if you’re envisioning a mountain engagement session for yourself!