Hiking Sessions: What to Expect
A hiking session is not a traditional photo shoot that happens to be on a trail. It is a hike where I happen to bring cameras. Here is what that actually looks like.
What a Hiking Session Actually Looks Like
We meet at a trailhead. I have already scouted the route, checked the weather, and picked a trail that matches your fitness level and the light conditions for the time of day. We start walking, and I start shooting. That is basically it.
There is no standing-around-in-a-meadow portion of the session. The hike is the session. I photograph you walking, talking, holding hands, pointing at something in the distance, stopping to catch your breath with the mountains behind you. The movement creates natural, unposed moments that look and feel real because they are real.
We do stop at spots along the way where the light or backdrop is particularly good. I will ask you to pause, face a certain direction, or stand in a specific spot. These stops last maybe two or three minutes, and then we keep moving. It is a hike with intentional pauses, not a photo shoot with occasional walking.
How Far We Go
Most hiking sessions cover 1 to 3 miles round trip. That is enough distance to get into some interesting terrain without turning the session into an endurance event. For reference, the Chautauqua Trail to the base of the Flatirons is about 1.5 miles round trip. The Royal Arch trail is about 3.4 miles round trip with significant elevation gain. I have done both, but Royal Arch is on the more ambitious end.
The distance depends on you. When we talk before the session, I ask about your comfort level with hiking, any physical limitations, and how much time you have. Then I pick a trail that fits. Some of my best hiking sessions have been on half-mile loops where we took our time and explored every angle. Distance does not determine quality.
Choosing the Right Trail
Trail selection is the most important part of planning a hiking session. I think about several things:
- Your fitness level and hiking experience. I am not going to take someone who has never hiked in Colorado up to a 10,000-foot ridge. We start with what is comfortable and build from there if you want more.
- The light. Different trails face different directions, which means the light hits them at different times. A west-facing trail is best for sunrise. An east-facing trail catches golden hour beautifully in the evening. I match the trail orientation to our session time.
- Crowd levels. Chautauqua on a Saturday afternoon in July is packed. The same trail at 6 AM on a Tuesday is empty. I factor in when and where the crowds will be, because other hikers walking through your frame breaks the intimacy of the moment.
- Visual variety. The best hiking session trails offer more than one type of scenery. Forest, then meadow, then rock outcrop. A creek crossing, then a viewpoint. Variety in the backdrop keeps your gallery interesting and gives you different looks without driving to multiple locations.
What I Carry
My hiking setup is stripped down compared to a standard portrait session. Everything goes in a camera backpack that I have carried up hundreds of trails. Here is what is in it:
- Two camera bodies (one backup, because you do not get a redo on a hike)
- A wide-angle lens for landscape context and a medium telephoto for portraits
- Extra batteries and memory cards
- A lens cloth (dust and wind are constant)
- Water for myself
- A basic first aid kit (blister bandages, ibuprofen, antiseptic wipes)
- A portable phone charger
Total weight is about 18 pounds. I have carried this pack up Flagstaff Mountain, through Boulder Canyon, and across the Indian Peaks Wilderness. It is not light, but it is manageable, and it has everything I need to handle whatever the trail throws at us.
What You Should Bring
Keep it simple. Here is the short list:
- Water. Colorado is dry and you are at altitude. Even a short hike dehydrates you faster than you expect.
- Comfortable shoes. Trail runners or hiking boots you have already broken in. Please, not brand-new boots. Blisters are miserable and they show on your face.
- A layer. Temperature can shift quickly, especially if we start in shade and end in sun, or vice versa. A lightweight jacket or flannel that ties around your waist works perfectly.
- Sunscreen. Apply it before we meet. The UV at 6,000 feet and above is more intense than most people realize.
- Snacks if you want them. Especially important if you are bringing kids.
I would skip heavy backpacks, trekking poles (unless you genuinely need them for stability), and bulky bags. Less gear on you means more natural movement, and natural movement makes better photos.
Balancing the Hike and the Photos
The rhythm of a hiking session is different from a standard portrait session. There are stretches where we are just hiking, talking, enjoying the trail. I am shooting during these moments, but from a distance, catching candid movement and interaction. Then there are the pauses at scenic spots where I get more deliberate with framing and direction.
The ratio is roughly 60% hiking, 40% stopping for photos. But that is not a rigid split. Some hikes have a dozen great stopping points. Others have one perfect clearing and a lot of beautiful trail in between. I read the landscape as we go and make decisions in real time.
The one thing I try to avoid is making the hike feel like work. If I am stopping you every 30 seconds for a pose, you are going to feel self-conscious and the photos will look stiff. The whole point is to let the trail set the pace and capture the moments that happen naturally along the way.
Trail Etiquette and Logistics
A few practical things that come up on hiking sessions:
- We yield to other hikers. If someone is coming through, we step aside. It takes five seconds and keeps the trail friendly.
- We stay on established trails. Boulder's open space rules are strict about this, and for good reason. I am not going to trample wildflowers or cut switchbacks for a photo.
- Parking can be tight. Popular trailheads like Chautauqua fill up early, especially on weekends. I will give you parking advice when we plan the session, and for certain locations I recommend carpooling to the trailhead.
- Permits. Some areas require permits for commercial photography. I handle this. If a permit is needed, it is already taken care of before we show up.
Is a Hiking Session Right for You?
Hiking sessions work best for people who enjoy being outdoors and are comfortable walking on uneven terrain for an hour or more. They are perfect for couples, engagement sessions, adventure-minded families, and anyone who wants photos that feel like Colorado rather than photos that could have been taken in any park anywhere.
If you are not sure about the hiking part, that is completely fine. I have plenty of locations that give you a mountain backdrop without requiring a hike. Check out my trail accessibility guide for easier options that still look incredible.
Frequently Asked Questions
How fit do I need to be for a hiking session?
You do not need to be an athlete. Most hiking sessions are on moderate trails, 1 to 3 miles round trip with gentle elevation gain. We go at your pace, and I build in plenty of stops for photos (which also doubles as rest). If you have any mobility concerns, I have great options for shorter, flatter trails that still give you a mountain backdrop. Just let me know and I will match the trail to your comfort level.
What do you carry on a hiking session?
Two camera bodies, two lenses (one wide-angle, one portrait length), extra batteries, a microfiber cloth, and water. Everything fits in a camera backpack that I haul on every hike. I also carry a basic first aid kit and a portable phone charger. My total pack weight is about 18 pounds. You do not need to carry anything except water and maybe a layer.
Can we bring our kids on a hiking session?
Absolutely. I have done hiking sessions with toddlers in carriers, kids who run ahead on the trail, and teenagers who needed some convincing to put the phone away. I choose trails based on the youngest person in the group, so nobody is struggling. Kids tend to love hiking sessions because they get to explore instead of standing in one spot.
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Have a question about your session?
I am happy to help. Send me a message and let's figure out the details.