Denver, Colorado
Denver photographer
Portraits, couples and elopements in Denver and the foothills, from a photographer who lives about 80 minutes down I-25.
Denver's parks each have their own rules for paid photography, so the rules help decide where we shoot.
Getting there
Denver is about 80 minutes away.
That's close enough to shoot a sunrise in the foothills and still have the day ahead of you. A Denver session can be a single morning or evening, so you don't need a hotel night. For two looks in two parts of the city, book a longer session and we'll plan the drive between them.
Where we would shoot
Four places I'd start with, and the rule that comes with each.
Washington Park
Denver Parks and Recreation
The park's boathouse looks over its flowerbeds and broad landscape, which puts layers of color and open green behind a portrait without leaving the city.
Photo rules here: Denver requires a permit for a shoot with 25 or more people in a park, or with gear beyond handheld or a single tripod. The city lists no fee and asks for five business days' notice on simple projects. A small portrait session may be under those limits.
Read the official rulesRed Rocks Park
Denver Mountain Parks
Named for its towering sandstone formations on the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains, so the red rock is the backdrop.
Photo rules here: Drones are prohibited in Denver Mountain Parks, Red Rocks included. All visitors must stay on designated trails.
Read the official rulesDenver Botanic Gardens, York Street
Denver Botanic Gardens
An urban garden in the middle of the city. It has the strictest rules of the four places here, so it works best when you've set your heart on it.
Photo rules here: Portrait photography needs a paid one-time or annual permit. One-time permits for one to six people were $125 for members and $150 for non-members when I checked. Commercial photography is a separate category and is not permitted, and ceremonies need an advance reservation.
Read the official rulesCherry Creek State Park
Colorado Parks and Wildlife
An 880-acre reservoir with a natural prairie landscape of gentle, rolling hills. You get water, long sight lines and a lot of sky.
Photo rules here: Colorado Parks and Wildlife says paid photography may need a permit or agreement from the state. That includes wedding and special-event photos by a professional portrait photographer.
Read the official rules
Place rules last checked November 5, 2026. I check them again before we book.
Light
Denver light is high and bright.
Denver is exactly 5,280 feet above sea level, according to the city's tourism office. On a clear day the midday sun is high and hard, so I build sessions around the first and last hour of light.
| Date | Sunrise | Best evening light starts | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 20 | 7:03 AM | 6:37 PM | 7:12 PM |
| June 21 | 5:32 AM | 7:51 PM | 8:31 PM |
| September 22 | 6:48 AM | 6:21 PM | 6:57 PM |
| December 21 | 7:18 AM | 3:56 PM | 4:39 PM |
Golden hour is the soft, warm light before sunset. Times are local (MST and MDT).
Weather
What the weather does.
- January high
- 45°F
- January low
- 19°F
- July high
- 90°F
- July low
- 60°F
- Rainiest month
- May
Station: Denver International Airport. Figures are NOAA averages for 1991 to 2020. For your date, the shoot planner shows the forecast.
Sessions
What people book in Denver.
Portraits
Solo sessions in the city or the foothills, from a corporate headshot look to something looser.
Couples
Sixty to ninety minutes together, with the park rules sorted before the day.
Elopements
Foothill ceremonies at sunrise, before the trails fill up.
Questions
Fair questions about Denver.
Do I need a permit to be photographed in a Denver park?
Denver requires a permit for 25 or more people in a park, or for gear beyond handheld or a single tripod. A small portrait session may be under those limits, but some places have stricter rules. The Botanic Gardens need a paid permit for portrait photography.
Can you photograph an elopement in Denver?
Yes. We pick the place first, because Denver's gardens and state parks each ask for something different.
Can you shoot at Red Rocks?
Yes, within the park's rules. Drones are not allowed, and everyone stays on the designated trails.
Sources
Tell me which part of Denver.
Send a rough date and the park or neighborhood you have in mind.
Inquire