Aurora, Colorado
Aurora, Colorado photographer
Portraits and couples around Aurora's reservoir, open space and prairie, from a photographer who lives about 80 minutes south.
Aurora has a large reservoir, wetlands and open prairie, and all three photograph well.
Getting there
Same drive as Denver, different backdrop.
Aurora is the same drive as Denver. If you're torn between the two, the choice is water and open sky against gardens and red rock.
An Aurora session can be a single evening at golden hour, so you won't need a hotel night.
Where we would shoot
Four places to start, and what to know first.
Aurora Reservoir
City of Aurora Parks, Recreation and Open Space
A large reservoir with a seasonal swim beach. Water behind you gives a portrait depth that a wall can't.
Photo rules here: Aurora requires a film permit for photography on city property that is meant for sale or wide distribution beyond personal use. That covers the reservoir, parks and open space.
Read the official rulesStar K Ranch
City of Aurora Parks, Recreation and Open Space
Cottonwood-shaded trails near the Sand Creek Greenway Trail. Shade like this softens afternoon light when the open prairie is too bright.
Photo rules here: City open space follows the same film permit rule as the reservoir.
Read the official rulesJewell Wetland
City of Aurora Parks, Recreation and Open Space
A wetland boardwalk, a pond and a butterfly garden. It's green and quiet, and probably not what you picture for Aurora.
Photo rules here: Same rule as Star K Ranch.
Read the official rulesCherry Creek State Park
Colorado Parks and Wildlife
The park is anchored by a reservoir of 880 surface acres, with prairie hills around it.
Photo rules here: Colorado Parks and Wildlife says wedding and special-event photos taken by a professional portrait photographer may require a photography permit.
Read the official rules
Place rules last checked November 5, 2026. I check them again before we book.
Light
Open prairie means a long, low sunset.
Aurora sits on the plains east of Denver, with the Front Range a long way off to the west. The sun doesn't drop behind a close ridge the way it does in Boulder, so low evening light stays on the open prairie and the water.
| Date | Sunrise | Best evening light starts | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 20 | 7:03 AM | 6:36 PM | 7:12 PM |
| June 21 | 5:32 AM | 7:50 PM | 8:31 PM |
| September 22 | 6:47 AM | 6:21 PM | 6:56 PM |
| December 21 | 7:17 AM | 3:55 PM | 4:38 PM |
Golden hour is the soft, warm light before sunset. Times are local (MST and MDT).
Sessions
What people book in Aurora.
Questions
Fair questions about Aurora.
Do I need a city permit to be photographed in Aurora?
Aurora asks for a film permit for photography on city property that is meant for sale or wide distribution beyond personal use. Cherry Creek is a state park, so the state's photography permit may apply there.
Aurora or Denver?
Pick Aurora if you want water and open sky, and Denver if you want a garden, red rock or city blocks. They're the same drive from Colorado Springs.
What time of day works best at the reservoir?
The hour before sunset, when the sun is low over open prairie. The table above shows when that hour starts on four dates.
Sources
Tell me where in Aurora.
Send a rough date and tell me if you'd rather have the reservoir or the wetland.
Inquire