Adventure Couples and Engagement Sessions
The best couples photos I have ever taken happened on a trail, not in a studio. Here is how adventure sessions work and why they produce the kind of photos you actually want.
Why Adventure Sessions Produce Better Photos
I am going to be direct about this: couples who do something together during their session look more connected in their photos than couples who stand in a park and pose. It is not about the scenery (though Colorado scenery certainly helps). It is about what happens when two people share an experience instead of performing for a camera.
On a trail, you hold hands because the footing is uneven, not because I told you to. You laugh because one of you tripped on a root, not because I said something funny. You lean into each other at the summit because you are both a little tired and a little proud, not because I arranged you that way. Those moments are real, and real is what makes a photo worth framing.
I moved to Colorado from Florida partly because of what this landscape does for couples photography. A flat park in Orlando gives you green grass and palm trees. A trail in Boulder gives you 2,000-foot rock formations, alpine wildflowers, golden aspen groves, and light that makes people glow. The backdrop matters, and Colorado delivers in a way very few places can.
Types of Adventure Sessions
"Adventure" does not mean you need to summit a 14er. I shoot a range of adventure levels, and each one produces great photos:
The Mountain Walk
A 1 to 2 mile hike on a moderate trail. Think Chautauqua to the Flatirons viewpoint, the lower trails at NCAR, or a walk along the shores of Brainard Lake. This is the most popular option and works for almost everyone. You get mountain scenery, changing terrain, and natural movement without needing trail running shoes or a fitness plan.
The Alpine Lake Hike
A longer hike (3 to 6 miles round trip) to a mountain lake above treeline. Destinations like Blue Lake in the Indian Peaks, Dream Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park, or Lake Isabelle near Brainard Lake. These sessions require more planning, earlier start times, and a higher fitness level, but the payoff is a backdrop you cannot get any other way. Turquoise water, snowfields, granite peaks. It is worth the effort.
The Ridgeline Sunset
For couples who want drama. We hike to an exposed viewpoint or ridgeline and shoot during golden hour with the Front Range or Continental Divide stretching out behind you. Flagstaff Mountain, Lost Gulch Overlook, and certain spots along the Peak to Peak Highway work well for this. Wind is a factor on ridgelines, which can be a plus (dramatic hair, flowing fabric) or a challenge, depending on conditions.
The Trail Run
For couples who run together. I have shot trail running sessions where we move fast along a route and I position myself at scenic spots to capture the couple running through. It is physically demanding for everyone involved, but the photos have an energy and authenticity that is hard to replicate any other way.
Planning the Logistics
Adventure sessions take more planning than a standard portrait session. Here is what goes into it:
Timing
For hikes under 2 miles, I plan the session so we arrive at the most scenic spot during golden hour. For longer hikes, we start earlier to make sure we have enough daylight and do not feel rushed. Alpine lake hikes often mean a 5 AM trailhead departure to reach the lake by sunrise or to beat afternoon storms.
Weather
Mountain weather is more volatile than what you experience in Boulder. Storms build faster, temperatures drop sharply at elevation, and conditions above treeline can change in minutes. I monitor forecasts closely and have backup dates built into every adventure session booking. If the weather looks threatening, we move the session. Safety is always the priority. See my weather planning guide for details.
Permits
Commercial photography permits are required in most public lands around Boulder and across Colorado's national parks and forests. Rocky Mountain National Park, Boulder Open Space, and many county parks require advance permits. I handle all of this. The cost is typically minimal (sometimes free, sometimes $50 to $150 depending on the jurisdiction), and I include it in the session fee.
What to Wear on an Adventure Session
The key is finding the overlap between "trail-appropriate" and "how I want to look in photos." Here is what works:
- Shoes: hiking boots or trail runners. This is non-negotiable on real trails. Sandals and fashion sneakers do not work on rocky terrain.
- Layers: start warm and peel off as you heat up. A flannel, light jacket, or sweater tied around the waist looks great in photos and keeps you comfortable.
- Dresses work (sometimes): a flowy dress over leggings with hiking boots is a fantastic look on moderate trails. Just make sure you can move freely in it. Skip it for steep, rocky hikes where the fabric will catch on everything.
- Earth tones: greens, browns, creams, navy, and rust all blend beautifully with Colorado landscapes. Avoid neon or heavy patterns that compete with the scenery.
- Skip the props: no signs, no confetti, no smoke bombs. The mountain is the prop.
Real Moments vs. Posed Shots
I will be honest with you: I barely pose couples on adventure sessions. Maybe 10% of the shots are directed, and those are mostly "stand here and look at each other" moments at a particularly beautiful spot. The rest are candid. Walking, talking, resting, pointing at something, sharing a snack at the summit.
This works because the trail gives you a shared experience. You are not standing in an empty field trying to figure out what to do with your hands. You are stepping over rocks, crossing creeks, climbing switchbacks. Every few minutes, something natural happens that is worth photographing. The laugh when someone slips on loose gravel. The quiet moment sitting on a boulder, looking out at the view. The forehead kiss at the top of the climb.
I shoot with longer lenses on adventure sessions so I can capture these moments from a distance without being in your space. The more you forget about me and focus on each other and the trail, the better your photos will be.
Engagement Sessions Specifically
If you are recently engaged and want your engagement photos to feel like they belong in Colorado, an adventure session is the way to go. Here is what most of my engagement couples want to know:
- Show the ring naturally. I do not do those posed hand shots where someone holds their ring finger toward the camera. Instead, I catch the ring during natural moments: holding hands on the trail, adjusting a jacket, resting your hand on your partner's shoulder. It shows up in the photos without looking forced.
- Two locations in one session. Some couples want both a mountain setting and a Boulder urban scene. I can combine a short hike with a stop at Pearl Street or The Peoples' Crossing for variety. Just know this takes a longer session to pull off well.
- Champagne at the top. If you want to pop a bottle at the summit or the lake, go for it. I will catch the pop, the pour, the toast, and the moment you both look out at the view with glasses in hand. Bring a trash bag for the cork and foil.
Ready to Plan Something?
Adventure sessions take about two weeks of lead time to plan properly, more if permits are involved or if you are targeting a specific peak color window. The earlier you reach out, the more flexibility I have to find the perfect trail and timing for your session. Send me a message with what sounds exciting to you, and I will build a plan from there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do we need to be experienced hikers for an adventure session?
Not at all. I match the adventure to your experience level. Some couples want a casual walk to a scenic overlook, and some want a multi-hour hike to an alpine lake. Both are adventure sessions. Tell me what feels exciting but not stressful, and I will build a plan around that. There is no minimum fitness requirement or hiking resume needed.
What should we wear for a mountain engagement session?
Wear something you can move in that you also feel good in. For hiking sessions, that might mean trail shoes, comfortable pants, and a nice top. Dresses work if the trail is not too rugged, and boots-and-dress is a great look against a mountain backdrop. Bring a layer for warmth at elevation. Avoid brand-new shoes that have not been broken in. Check my what-to-wear guide for more detail.
Do we need permits for engagement photos in the mountains?
It depends on the location. Rocky Mountain National Park requires a commercial photography permit, which I handle in advance. Most Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks locations require a permit through the City of Boulder (bouldercolorado.gov). National Forest land (like the Indian Peaks area) has different rules. I take care of all permit logistics. You do not need to research or apply for anything.
What if one of us is afraid of heights?
I have plenty of mountain locations that feel adventurous without exposed ridgelines or steep drop-offs. Alpine meadows, lakeshores, forest clearings, and valley viewpoints all give you that mountain feeling on solid, comfortable ground. Let me know about any concerns when we plan, and I will choose locations where both of you feel safe and relaxed.
Photography Services
These services connect to the topics covered in this guide.
Have a question about your session?
I am happy to help. Send me a message and let's figure out the details.