Jordan and Andrew chose Red Rocks for their engagement photos, and it ended up being the perfect place to capture their love. I spent the evening exploring the area with them, taking advantage of the incredible variety of scenery, and capturing everything from dramatic red rock landscapes to grassy open spaces.
Jordan and Andrew also let me know that they love the look of film photos. I brought along my Canon AE-1 film camera and shot a roll throughout the evening. I love clients who appreciate the slower and more intentional process behind film photography. Seeing the film images come back and fit alongside their digital photos was one of my favorite parts of the session. The warm-toned landscapes created images that felt like a western film.
A few of my favorite film photos from Jordan and Andrew’s Red Rocks engagement session.
Why Red Rocks Is One of My Favorite Engagement Photo Locations
Red Rocks is one of my favorite engagement photo locations because of the incredible variety of scenery available in such an accessible area. The dramatic landscape and iconic red rock formations create a backdrop that feels uniquely Colorado and give couples the opportunity to capture amazing landscapes without having to drive hours into the mountains.
Golden hour at Red Rocks is especially beautiful, but timing is important. I recommend arriving at least an hour and a half before sunset. The surrounding mountains and landscape can hide the sun earlier than you might expect, especially compared to shooting out on the plains. Arriving early gives us time to explore multiple locations and take advantage of the warm light before it disappears.
Another thing I love about Red Rocks is the variety of locations throughout the area. Even on busy concert nights, it can still be surprisingly easy to find space away from the noise and crowds. There are multiple pull-off spots along the roads that I love to use, each offering a different backdrop and helping create more variety throughout your photos.
Some of the roads around Red Rocks are also perfect for capturing more playful and candid moments. Running together down the road with the red rock formations rising in the background can create some of my favorite images from a session. The variety of backdrops and easy access from Denver makes Red Rocks an incredible option for couples who want their engagement photos to feel unique.
Planning Your Own Red Rocks Engagement Session
Red Rocks is an incredible location for engagement photos, but a little planning can make your session much smoother. During the warmer months, concerts and events are frequently happening at the Red Rocks Amphitheater, which can significantly affect traffic. If there is an event scheduled during your session, I recommend getting into the area at least two hours before the event starts and using the lower entrance instead of the upper entrance. Planning ahead helps us spend more time enjoying the session and less time sitting in traffic.
When choosing outfits for your Red Rocks engagement session, I love how whites and blues look against the warm red tones of the rocks. I would personally recommend earth-toned colors that complement the surrounding landscape and help your photos feel natural and timeless. I also recommend choosing clothing that isn’t overly stiff and has some natural movement. Flowing fabrics can move with you as you walk, run, or interact with each other, adding the look and feeling of motion to your images.
Between the dramatic red rocks, mountain views, golden light, and variety of locations throughout the area, Red Rocks is an incredible place to capture engagement photos near Denver, Colorado. If you’re looking for a Colorado engagement photographer and are planning your own session at Red Rocks or somewhere else in the mountains, I’d love to help you create photos that feel nostalgic and true to you.
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