Fort Collins, Colorado
Fort Collins photographer
Portraits and couples around Horsetooth, the foothills and Old Town, from a photographer who lives about two and a half hours south.
Fort Collins has a rock you can see from the plains and a historic downtown. I'd shoot both in one weekend.
Getting there
About two and a half hours north.
It's the farthest Front Range city on this page, so it pairs well with a second session in the same weekend.
Where we would shoot
Four places, and the permit behind each.
Horsetooth Mountain Open Space
Larimer County Department of Natural Resources
Larimer County calls Horsetooth Rock a familiar landmark you can see from the plains. The open space has 2,711 acres, 29 miles of trails and Horsetooth Falls in the spring.
Photo rules here: Photography permits start at $25 for a one-time permit and $150 for an annual one. They need proof of insurance ($1 million per occurrence, $2 million total) and at least 30 days' notice, and an entrance permit is also required, so tell me the date early.
Read the official rulesLory State Park
Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Next to Horsetooth Reservoir, with 28.1 miles of trails. Colorado Parks and Wildlife describes it as foothills scenery.
Photo rules here: Professional wedding and special-event portraits at Lory may need a photography permit. The park is open daily from 5 a.m. to sunset, with a $10 to $15 daily vehicle pass.
Read the official rulesOld Town Fort Collins
City of Fort Collins Historic Preservation
A historic district around the core of the early business area, with landmarks like the Linden Hotel and the Northern Hotel.
Photo rules here: No photography-specific rule is listed for the public streets.
Read the official rulesCache la Poudre River
Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests
The scenic byway follows Colorado's only wild and scenic river, per the Forest Service. It's the place for river-and-canyon portraits.
Photo rules here: The official page lists no photography rule that I could find.
Read the official rules
Place rules last checked November 5, 2026. I check them again before we book.
Light
The foothills take the last light a little early.
Fort Collins sits on the plains with the foothills to the west. The town loses direct sun a little before the sunset time in the table.
Spring brings the most rain, and March is the snowiest month.
| Date | Sunrise | Best evening light starts | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 20 | 7:03 AM | 6:37 PM | 7:13 PM |
| June 21 | 5:30 AM | 7:53 PM | 8:35 PM |
| September 22 | 6:48 AM | 6:21 PM | 6:57 PM |
| December 21 | 7:21 AM | 3:53 PM | 4:37 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
- 18°F
- July high
- 87°F
- July low
- 59°F
- Rainiest month
- May
Station: Fort Collins. About 51 inches of snow fall in an average year. Figures are NOAA averages for 1991 to 2020. For your date, the shoot planner shows the forecast.
Sessions
What people book in Fort Collins.
Portraits
Solo sessions in Old Town or the foothills.
Couples
An hour at golden hour at the reservoir.
Elopements
A small ceremony in the foothills, with the county permit lined up first.
Questions
Fair questions about Fort Collins.
Do I need a permit at Horsetooth?
Yes. Larimer County asks for a photography permit that starts at $25, with proof of insurance and at least 30 days' notice. For weddings, the county says a ceremony of up to 20 people can look into a photography permit.
What does the city require in its natural areas?
Inside city natural areas, a paid photographer needs a permit. It costs $50, takes up to 15 business days to review and requires liability insurance.
Where would you start in Fort Collins?
Old Town for a first portrait session, since its public streets have no photography-specific rule listed. Lory State Park when you want foothills.
Tell me if you want Old Town or the foothills.
Send a rough date and I'll tell you what the permits need.
Inquire