Boulder Outdoor & Adventure Photographer

Boulder is where the mountains meet the city, and that's exactly where I like to work. If you want photos on the Flatirons, along the NCAR trails, or somewhere deeper in the high country, I'm your photographer.

Adventure Photography in Boulder

This is the reason I moved to Colorado. I came from Florida, where the highest point of elevation was a highway overpass. The first time I hiked to Royal Arch and looked out over Boulder, I knew I wasn't going back. Now I get to photograph people in these places for a living, and it still feels like I'm getting away with something.

Outdoor and adventure photography is about showing people in the landscapes they love. Not just standing in front of a pretty view, but actually moving through it. Hiking, climbing, running, biking, scrambling up rocks with a dog pulling on the leash. The real stuff.

Boulder's Best Adventure Locations

I could write a book about where to shoot in Boulder. Here are the spots I come back to again and again:

Chautauqua Park and the Flatirons. This is the iconic Boulder shot, and for good reason. The meadow below the Flatirons is beautiful in every season. Spring wildflowers, summer green, fall gold, winter snow. I've shot here hundreds of times and it never looks the same twice. The trail system connects to Royal Arch, the First and Second Flatiron approaches, and dozens of other routes.

NCAR Trail and South Mesa. The National Center for Atmospheric Research sits at the base of some of my favorite trails. South Mesa connects to the Mesa Trail, which runs along the base of the Flatirons for miles. The light here about 45 minutes before sunset is extraordinary. Warm, directional, and golden.

Flagstaff Mountain. Drive up (or bike, if your legs can handle it) and you get panoramic views of Boulder and the plains stretching east. Great for sunrise sessions. The Flagstaff overlook is popular, but there are quieter pulloffs along the road that I prefer.

Sanitas Valley and Mount Sanitas. A quick hike right from town. The valley trail is mellow and great for portraits with a mountain feel. The summit trail is steeper and more adventurous. Both work well for photography, depending on what you're after.

Boulder Canyon and the high country. Head west on Canyon Boulevard and you're in the mountains within minutes. Nederland, the Indian Peaks, and the alpine lakes above 10,000 feet are all within reach for longer adventure sessions.

How Adventure Sessions Work

Every adventure session starts with a conversation about what you actually want to do. Some people want to hike to a specific summit and have me document the journey. Others want something shorter, like a 30-minute walk on a scenic trail with photos along the way. I've done both, and everything in between.

I carry my own gear and I'm comfortable on technical terrain. I won't slow you down. I shoot while we move, during rest breaks, and at the spots where the scenery demands we stop. The result is a collection of photos that tells the story of the day, not just a single posed shot at the top.

For timing, I almost always recommend golden hour sessions. That means starting about 90 minutes before sunset (or at sunrise if you're an early riser). The light in Boulder during golden hour, especially in fall and winter, is the kind of light that makes photographers relocate their entire lives. I would know.

What to Expect

Wear what you'd normally wear on the trail. Bring layers because Colorado temperatures shift fast, especially with elevation gain. I'll suggest locations based on your fitness level, time commitment, and the look you want. A Chautauqua Meadow session is very different from a Royal Arch summit session, and I'll make sure we pick the right one.

I deliver a curated gallery of 40 to 80 edited photos within a week. Every image is color-corrected and polished, but I don't over-process. These are real places and real moments. The photos should feel that way.

Learn more about my outdoor & adventure photography services