Top 10 Best Places to Take Pictures in Colorado Springs
Whether you're planning an engagement or planning the big day, capturing every moment through photographs is an absolute must. If you're tying the knot here at CLAY Venues, you're in luck! CLAY Venues is surrounded by stunning natural beauty and unique backdrops that make for perfect wedding or engagement photos. To help you find the ideal photo-op, we've curated a list of the top 10 best places to take pictures in Colorado Springs, along with helpful tips and tricks to consider as you decide on your wedding day photo destination and hopefully avoid unnecessary stress.
Where Are Some Places to take pictures in Colorado Springs?
Our favorite locations to take pictures include the following: local parks, national parks, and mountaintop scapes. Many think that finding a location to shoot your engagement or wedding photos is a feat in itself, but we are thankful to say that Colorado Springs has a wide variety of amazing locations that are all within driving distance of each other and CLAY Venues.
Have you booked your wedding venue yet? Check out CLAY Venues and get ready to party!Where Are Some Places to take pictures in Colorado Springs?
Our favorite locations to take pictures include the following: local parks, national parks, and mountaintop scapes. Many think that finding a location to shoot your engagement or wedding photos is a feat in itself, but we are thankful to say that Colorado Springs has a wide variety of amazing locations that are all within driving distance of each other and CLAY Venues.
Have you booked your wedding venue yet? Check out CLAY Venues and get ready to party!
Photography Rachel Case Photography
What Are the Top 10 Best Places to Take Pictures in Colorado Springs?
#1. Garden of the Gods
Photography Jennifer Glenn Photography
Photography Jennifer Glenn Photography
Just a 15-minute drive from CLAY Venues, Garden of the Gods is a geological marvel that boasts breathtaking red rock formations against a backdrop of Pikes Peak. The dramatic rock formations, lush vegetation, stunning vistas, and towering red rocks, jutting out from the rolling hills, are an awe-inspiring sight that will take your breath away. The park is home to more than 300 million years of geological history and features incredible formations such as Balanced Rock - making it a dream location for your engagement or wedding photos (if you choose to do photos at Garden of the Gods, we recommend opting for a first look!).
#2. America the Beautiful Park
If you're looking for a beautiful place for photography, whether that be for engagement shoots or wedding photos, America the Beautiful Park is perfect. Located by the Arkansas River, America the Beautiful Park has many things to offer such as a lovely lake, lush greenery, and walking trails. The park also features a stunning view of the Rocky Mountains in the background-- bringing in the stunning nature of classic Colorado scenery and intimate quarters of the newly established park grounds. The pedestrian bridge over the river is iconic and makes for a great urban setting for photos.
#3. Palmer Park
Photography Samantha Ruscher Photo
Nestled in the heart of Colorado Springs, Palmer Park is a local favorite for its stunning panoramic views of the city and the mountains beyond. This vast park offers plenty of options for unique and picturesque wedding photos, from tree-lined trails to open meadows and rock formations. The stunning views of Pikes Peak and the surrounding landscape make it a perfect spot for romantic sunset shots. Many of our couples get engaged at this very park for its grandiose nature and views as far as the eye can see-- making it a perfect location to take pictures of you and your partner on your wedding day. Not to mention it's only an 8 min drive from CLAY Venues!
#4. Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College
The Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College is a great choice if you want a mix of urban and artistic atmospheres. This historic campus offers modern glass walls and rich facades that combine contemporary architecture and classic elegance. This destination also has a beautifully landscaped courtyard and sculpture garden that would make a truly unique background for your wedding photos. There is something timeless about a historic campus that has stories to tell for days, and we'd recommend joining alongside a community that has indulged in the artistic beauty these grounds have to offer. Truthfully, the options for intimate photography scenes are endless when it comes to this incredible campus.
#5. Cheyenne Mountain State Park
Located just south of downtown Colorado Springs, Cheyenne Mountain State Park offers a serene and natural setting for your wedding photos. With its rolling meadows, lush forests, and panoramic mountain views, this state park provides a picturesque backdrop for capturing your love in the midst of Colorado's stunning wilderness. The park also has several hiking trails that lead to scenic overlooks, perfect for capturing intimate moments with your partner. Cheyenne Mountain State Park is also a great spot for wildlife viewing, so you can take advantage of the opportunity to capture unique wildlife shots in addition to the romantic photos of your love story. We wouldn't recommend trying to pose with deer although they are quite friendly here in Colorado!
#6. Red Rock Canyon Open Space
Photography Lauren Pippin
Red Rock Canyon Open Space is a natural oasis located just west of downtown Colorado Springs. These grounds offer stunning red rock formations, scenic trails, and panoramic views of the city-- providing a striking and adventurous backdrop for capturing your wedding or engagement portraits. The unique landscape provides a great variety of settings for your photos, from the high peaks to the hidden valleys. Red Rock Canyon is also filled with an abundance of wildlife, so you can have fun capturing shots with animals in their natural habitat! This destination will give you the perfect mix of urban and rural elements for some truly memorable photos.
#7. Downtown Colorado Springs Art Alley
Photography Erin Walton Photo
Located in downtown Colorado Springs between Kiowa Street and Bijou Street, is a vibrant and dynamic location adorned with colorful murals and street art. This urban alleyway provides a trendy and artistic backdrop for capturing edgy and modern wedding photos. The bold and eclectic artwork adds a pop of creativity and urban flair to your photos, making them truly unique and contemporary.
#8. Downtown Colorado Springs Urban Murals
Downtown Colorado Springs is home to several large-scale murals that offer a modern and artistic backdrop for wedding photos. These colorful and unique murals can be found on various buildings throughout downtown, adding a contemporary and urban element to your photos. From abstract art to nature-inspired motifs, these murals provide a creative and visually interesting backdrop that will make your wedding photos stand out. These murals are also quite large in scale, so you can easily plan ahead and shoot your portraits and wedding party photos all in one location. By moving even an inch, your photographer's lens will capture a whole new side of these murals. We can assure you that your wedding photos will be one of a kind against these original and staple pieces of Colorado Springs.
#9. Downtown Colorado Springs City Streets
Photography Rachel Case Photography
The streets of downtown Colorado Springs themselves can serve as a fun urban backdrop for wedding photos. Just step outside CLAY’s front door and turn on Pikes Peak Ave for an amazing view of pikes peak all while embracing the urban feel of downtown. Go for a classic Beatles moment, or stop traffic for your perfect moment; whatever you do, we are here for these timeless and urban wedding photos!
#10. Downtown Colorado Springs Rooftop Terraces
Several buildings in downtown Colorado Springs boast rooftop terraces that offer panoramic views of the city and surrounding mountains. The city skyline and mountain vistas in the background create a stunning backdrop for a moment in time you will cherish forever.
Best Photography Spots Near Colorado Springs
Great Sand Dunes National Park
The Great Sand Dunes National Park is home to the tallest sand dunes in North America and provides a truly stunning backdrop for wedding photos or engagement photos. From lush pine forests to epic views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, this park offers an array of captivating scenery that will make your photos stand out from the rest. Not to mention your beautiful white wedding dress will pop in the neutral waves of sand and flow in the sunset's wind. This dreamy location is a 2-hour drive from Colorado Springs, however, a trip that is worth taking for photos you'll cherish forever!
Red Rocks Amphitheater
A natural stage fit for a full band and more, the Red Rocks Amphitheater is a unique and memorable spot for photos. This iconic venue offers stunning red rock formations, breathtaking views of the Denver skyline, and a variety of distinctive backdrops for your special day. The amphitheater’s outdoor location provides an intimate setting that allows you to capture your love in front of this truly one-of-a-kind landscape. This scenic spectacle is only an hour from Downtown Colorado Springs -- allowing for a relatively easy commute for engagement photos or even day of-wedding photos.
Kenosha Pass
If having a fall wedding, the Kenosha Pass will suit as a perfect scenic backscape for all your wedding party photos. Home to some of the most gorgeous aspen trees in Colorado, Kenosha Pass not only serves as a place for nature lovers to join and camp over a fall evening, but it also has a rich history. Kenosha Pass was a well-known route for Native Americans for many years until it was discovered by European explorers in the early 1800s.
Loveland Pass
Only 2 hours from Colorado Springs, Loveland Pass offers stunning panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains, as well as a variety of secluded spots for weddings and engagement photos. Loveland Pass is especially known for its incredible sunrises and vibrant wildflowers in the spring and summer months -- making it the perfect location for outdoor wedding photos. The pass also features several large rock formations that provide great opportunities for group photos and intimate portraits.
No matter the season or style of your wedding, Colorado Springs has a plethora of breathtaking spots to make your special day even more memorable. From sandy dunes to rocky mountains and from lush forest trails to downtown city streets, no matter what type of photo you want on your big day there is an ideal spot for you! So bring your wedding party and photographer, and explore the landscape of Colorado Springs to capture those perfect moments that will last a lifetime!
What You’ll Need for a Colorado Wedding Photography Shoot
Back-Up Shoes for the Bride and Groom
Colorado is lovely during the Summer seasons with only light rain showers and tons of greenery and plants. However, Colorado is known for its temperamental weather schedule. It is almost impossible to guarantee that your day will consistently stay at a specific temperature.
That being said, some light rain showers could turn into downpours -- leaving your beautiful scenic destination muddy and sticky. If this happens, DON'T SWEAT IT! Bring an extra pair of shoes that you wouldn't mind getting dirty and can easily swap out for the ceremony and reception. No one will know you're wearing different shoes in your wedding photos, and your special shoes will remain perfectly intact for your walk down the aisle.
Light Jacket for Transportation
Similar to the unpredictable rain and snow showers that occur in Colorado, the gusts of wind that cascade down from the Rockies are also to be expected and more importantly, planned ahead! Packing a light jacket for you and your partner will make your in-between moments of transportation just a little more comfortable. Especially if you are taking outdoor photos during the Winter and Spring seasons where Colorado sees the most effects of wind.
Small Bag of Make-Up
No matter where you are taking your wedding photos, don't forget to pack a small bag of your wedding day make-up for quick and easy touch-ups. Whether is hot outside and you need to powder your forehead or crazy cold and need to touch up your lipstick - having a small transportable make-up bag will give you an extra leg up on ensuring your wedding photos come out absolutely perfect.
How Do I Choose The Best Photography Spots In Colorado Springs?
Choosing the best photography spots in Colorado Springs can be a daunting task-- with so many incredible locations to choose from, it's hard to know where to start. From stunning mountaintops and lakeside vistas to lush forests and vast deserts, the options are endless. Luckily for you, we've compiled a list of our top tips and tricks to consider that can leave you feeling confident that you chose the most photogenic locations for your engagement or wedding day shoot!
Distance from Wedding Venue to Photography Destination
If your wedding day is running on a tight schedule with lots of moving pieces, it may be best to coordinate your portrait locations close in distance to your wedding venue. Wedding day-of schedules are bound to be slightly altered due to unforeseen circumstances, but planning ahead in preparation for transportation and unexpected traffic will keep your schedule a little more predictable for you and your guests.
However, if you have a flexible wedding day schedule with lots of open time to get ready and take things slow, consider adding an hour or two of transportation for your wedding photos to be located at your dream destination. Many national parks are within a reasonable drive to CLAY Venues, but we would encourage this mainly for those who can afford the extra transportation time. *Hint, it's DEFINITELY worth it to have the most dreamy and gorgeous wedding photos at Great Sand Dunes National Park for example!
Consider Bringing Your Wedding Party Along to Your Portraits Location
Having your wedding party along for your portrait session provides extra hands in assisting the bride and groom, and also the photographer. You knock out both the bride and groom's photos and bridal party photos in one location-- meaning you can all get back to the main event: the wedding! But it also provides a supportive and fun atmosphere, which will shine through your photos. When you have an entire group of people laughing and smiling together, the energy that is captured in the photos is totally UNREAL.
Keep in mind there are certain locations where bringing ALL the members of your wedding party may not be feasible due to time constraints and/or accessibility issues. If this is the case, consider bringing a few members of your wedding party to assist you with getting ready or even just for some friendly moral support during the portrait session!
Budget Out Extra Time
Let's be real, if you're reading this article that means you likely hired a fantastic photographer and want to make sure you pick the right location for their photography skills to shine. In order for that to happen, make sure you budget enough time for you and your partner to get all the photos you need for your wedding day. It's always best to be over budget when it comes to timeline than under budget.
CLAY Venues Wants You to Have the Wedding Photos of Your Dreams
Photography Samantha Ruscher Photo
Photography Jenna Keene
Downtown Colorado Springs and its surrounding areas offer a plethora of stunning locations for capturing your wedding photos. From majestic red rock formations to picturesque parks, historic sites, and urban backdrops, there's something for every couple's unique style and vision. These top 10 locations will provide you with the perfect spot to create lasting memories of your special day. So, grab your photographer and get ready to capture your love story against the stunning beauty of Colorado Springs!