The Best Maternity Photo Locations in Colorado
A photographer's guide to where to shoot, when to shoot, and what each region of Colorado actually looks like through a camera. Built from eight years and hundreds of maternity sessions.
Garden of the Gods. Red Rocks. Some meadow with mountains. The articles are written by SEO writers who've never held a camera in this state.
I have. Eight years. Hundreds of sessions. Every region, every season, every elevation. I've shot in dozens of locations across Colorado, and I can tell you which ones actually work, which ones get oversold, and which ones almost no one is using yet.
This guide covers all of it. The Front Range corridor where most of my work happens. The Foothills that get ignored because they're not flashy enough. The high country that requires real planning. Southern Colorado's red rock. The Sand Dunes. The destination cities I travel to when clients want something specific.
Every region gets a real assessment. Where the light works. Where the crowds don't. What's accessible at 32 weeks pregnant and what isn't. The honest version of Colorado maternity photography, from someone who actually does it.
If you're planning a session, this is where I'd start.
You're searching for "best maternity photo locations Colorado" and you're getting the same five Pinterest answers everyone else gets.
How to use this guide
Each region below covers the locations themselves, what they look like, what makes them work. The seasons each one peaks. Practical access notes for late-pregnancy considerations. And the trade-offs nobody tells you about.
If you want a deep dive on a specific region, click through to the city or topic pillar at the end of each section. The Denver, Boulder, and Colorado Springs sections each have their own dedicated guide. So does the high country.
If you want the short version, the Colorado Location Guide is a free 18-page PDF that compresses all of this into something you can read on your phone.
The Front Range: Where Most of My Work Happens
The Front Range is the corridor running roughly from Colorado Springs in the south, through Denver and Boulder, up to Fort Collins. It's the most populated part of the state and the most accessible, which is why most of my outdoor sessions happen here.
It's also where most prospective clients underestimate the range of what's available. The Front Range isn't one landscape. It's at least five.
Denver and the studio
Denver is where I shoot most often, but not because I'm chasing urban backdrops. It's because the studio is here.
The studio sits in Denver's Art District on Santa Fe Drive. Tall ceilings, multiple backdrops, a curated client closet, professional lighting, and live tethered capture on a 42-inch monitor so you see every shot at scale. Most of my Signature and Goddess sessions happen here, and most of the time clients arrive thinking they want outdoor and leave realizing the studio gave them exactly what they were looking for.
For clients who do want urban backdrops, the Art District itself offers brick walls, weathered murals, and the kind of texture that contrasts beautifully with the softness of pregnancy. RiNo and LoDo offer similar palettes. I take these on when they fit the session, but the studio is the workhorse.
Denver shoots are year-round. No weather concerns, no permits, no parking logistics. If you want a session that doesn't require planning around Colorado's elements, this is where to start.
Lookout Mountain, Golden
Twenty minutes from my studio. Iconic Colorado view. Denver in the distance, foothills rolling out below, sky doing what Colorado sky does. Lookout is one of the most accessible "epic" locations in the metro area, and one of the easiest for late-pregnancy sessions because the parking lot is right at the overlook. Avoid weekends and summer evenings, the parking lot will fill and there’s no easy alternative parking.
The light here works best in late afternoon as the sun starts wrapping around the hills. Sunrise also works if you want no crowds and alpine glow.
This is a main location for me. Not flashy, not unique, but consistently produces strong images and easy on a 34-week mama. Best for moms who want mountains without the drive.
Red Rocks Park, Morrison
Most people know Red Rocks for the amphitheater. The surrounding park is what I shoot. Sandstone formations, juniper and prairie grass, a quality of light at golden hour that doesn't exist anywhere else in the metro area.
Crowds are real on weekends and concert nights, but a weekday morning at 7 a.m. is mostly empty. The red rock against a blue Colorado sky photographs in a way that feels distinctly Western without being overdone. Always double check the Red Rocks concert calendar to avoid concert evenings, it’s just not possible to try to get into the park and have any level of privacy.
Best in late spring through early fall, though the bare winter trees against the red rock have their own appeal. I generally avoid this location if moms want privacy, it’s rarely not crowded. If you want the iconic Red Rocks look, plan in advance to find a date without an event!
Lost Gulch Overlook Flagstaff Mountain, Boulder
Boulder's Flagstaff has multiple pullouts and accessible meadow areas. Lost Gulch Overlook is where I keep coming back. The front range sits dramatically in the background, the rock gives you foreground depth, and the western view means the sun is always setting into the frame.
Best in early summer after the CU students have left Boulder and crowds are thinner. Late summer also works for this reason. Don’t even attempt this spot in September when it’s flocking with starry-eyed CU Boulder Freshman looking to get their feet in the mountains. Permit required for commercial photography on Flagstaff during peak season, which I handle.
The light here is some of the most reliable in the Front Range. Lost Gulch in particular catches the kind of golden hour wraparound that makes outdoor maternity work look effortless. Bring stable shoes, as it requires a bit of scrambling over rocks to get to the best views without anyone in the background.
Chautauqua Park, Boulder
Lower elevation than Flagstaff, but the view of the Flatirons is the most recognizable in Boulder. Wide open meadow, established trails, good early morning light before the crowds arrive. There are only a few spots that are officially allowed for photography. And as much as I love to bend the rules, this is a spot where you get yelled at instantly. Expect other photographers. We will find a semi-private spot and get that iconic Boulder view.
This is one of the best late-pregnancy outdoor locations in the state. Flat, accessible, parking right at the meadow. If you're past 36 weeks and want a Boulder shoot, Chautauqua is where I'd start. Again, avoid graduation week in May unless you want 300 newly minted grads as your backdrop!
Horsetooth Reservoir, Fort Collins
The reservoir's signature rock formation, the namesake "horsetooth," sits behind one of the prettiest lakeside backdrops on the Front Range. Multiple pullouts and trails. Good water reflections at sunrise.
Fort Collins-based clients tend to default to Horsetooth and there's a good reason. The combination of water, rock, and mountain in one frame is rare in Colorado at lower elevation. Plan on evening for this location.
Boulder Creek and Clear Creek (for water)
Two water options worth mentioning because clients ask for them often.
Boulder Creek runs through the city of Boulder and offers easy access to flowing water, rounded rocks, and natural foreground depth. Best in late spring and summer when the flow is steady. The water is cold. Genuinely cold. Bring layers to warm up if you want to get wet!
Clear Creek runs through the heart of Golden and looks brilliant in the fall. It’s shallower, so envision more ankle deep shots than fully submerged.
For maternity sessions with water in the frame, both work well. Just plan on Colorado temperatures if you’re getting in.
The Signature Spot
There's a location I don't name publicly. I've shot some of my most popular maternity photos there. It's quiet, it's private in a way nothing public can be, and it's reserved for sessions that fit the look.
Intimate light. Sweeping foreground. A sense of being completely alone in the West.
If you book with me and the look fits, that's where we'll go. I won't tell you where it is until then, and I don't share it on social media. Some things stay between me and the mothers I shoot there. This is THE spot for private, intimate, outdoor maternity photos. If you want to try implied nude outdoors, this is one of the only locations private enough for it.
The Foothills: The Underrated Outdoor Spots
The Foothills sit in between the Front Range and the high country, both geographically and visually. They get ignored because they're not as dramatic as the high mountains and not as iconic as Red Rocks. But they're where some of my most consistently beautiful sessions happen.
The light in the Foothills is unique. The terrain rolls in a way that catches afternoon sun differently than flat meadows or high alpine basins. The result is golden, soft, painterly. The crowds are minimal because tourists default to either Boulder or Aspen. Most of the Foothills are between those two extremes, and most photographers skip them entirely.
Beaver Brook Watershed Trailhead
This is one of my absolute favorite locations in Colorado. Beaver Brook is a working watershed trailhead in the Foothills with sweeping views, low traffic, and a quality of light that hits differently than anywhere else nearby. Expect other family sessions in the meadow in the fall. No cell service means we need to plan ahead. If we are lucky, we might catch it after a storm rolls through and term “golden hour maternity” sings in the backdrop.
It peaks twice a year. Spring brings wildflowers across the meadows. Autumn brings golden leaves layered against the mountain backdrop. Both windows are short. Both are worth planning around. And both book up months in advance.
Less than 30 minutes from Denver. Easy parking. Accessible for late-pregnancy mamas. The kind of spot that doesn't show up on Pinterest because it’s a place only a Colorado photographer knows about.
Brainard Lake, Indian Peaks Wilderness
Higher up than the rest. A subalpine lake at 10,000 feet with the Indian Peaks rising above it. Permit required during peak season. Snow lingers into June. Worth it for clients who want a real high-country backdrop without driving four hours into the mountains.
Brainard is a favorite for fall sessions. The aspens around the lake turn gold in mid-September and the reflection in the water is one of the most photographed scenes in Colorado for a reason. It’s also a very underrated spot in the winter. It’s winter trailhead near Red Rock Lake means a short 5 minute walk gives you unmistakably Colorado alpine views. BRING LAYERS. This is one of the windiest and coldest spots in the front range. Expect winter wind chill to be well below freezing.
This is not a 36-week-pregnancy location. The walk from the parking lot is short but the elevation is real. If you're not acclimated, give yourself a day or two before the shoot.
Evergreen meadows
The high meadows around Evergreen turn gold in late summer and early fall. Aspen groves on the edges. Little crowds compared to the Front Range trails. A good choice for clients who want mountain backdrops without the high-altitude logistics.
This is a great out-and-back hike, so we can find views that feel unique and private. The advantage of the Foothills is that there's always somewhere new.
The High Country: When You Want Real Mountains
When clients say they want "Colorado mountains," this is what they're picturing. The high country delivers, but the logistics are real. Higher elevation means cooler temperatures, thinner air, and longer drives.
I shoot in the high country regularly, but I'm honest with clients about what it requires. Late-pregnancy mamas often do better with Foothills or Front Range sessions and are surprised by how good those locations look. Colorado mountain sessions reward early planning and good acclimation.
Sapphire Point Overlook, Summit County
One of the most photographed spots in Colorado for a reason. Lake Dillon spread out below, mountain ranges on every side, and a short walk from the parking lot to the overlook. Good for pregnancy because the trail is paved. It’s also very accessible in the winter. Just plan for ski traffic if you’re trying to shoot on a weekend.
Best at sunrise or just before sunset. Crowded in the middle of the day during summer. Off-season visits are nearly empty and the light is just as good. Winter it can be a snowy heaven or a windy peak. So plan for a backup location further down Swan Mountain Pass.
Loveland Pass
The pass itself sits at 11,990 feet. One of the highest paved passes in the country. The views are unbeatable. The thin air is real.
I'd avoid this location for anyone past 36 weeks unless you're already acclimated to elevation. Sessions here work best in early summer when the snow is melting and wildflowers begin to push through, or in early fall before the snow returns. It is positively gorgeous near Pass Lake. A great spot if you want to feel like you’re on top of a Colorado Peak without actually having to hike.
Also a great spot for some alpine lake views and snow capped peaks behind you. It’s snowed in in the winter so we will pivot to the actual top of Loveland Pass for winter sessions here.
Alpine lakes
Various alpine lakes scattered across Summit and Eagle counties offer some of the most pristine backdrops I shoot. Most require some hiking. I assess each one based on accessibility for the client's stage of pregnancy and pace expectations.
A few favorites stay off the public list because the access is sensitive. If you book a high-country session and the conditions align, we can plan to hike there.
See the mountain maternity photography guide →
Southern Colorado: Where the Landscape Changes
The southern half of the state has a different visual language than the rest of Colorado. Drier, redder, more open. If you want photos that don't look like every other Colorado maternity shoot, head south.
I shoot in southern Colorado less often than the Front Range, but when I do, the images stand out. The red rock and high desert give portraits a Western feel that you can't replicate in the Foothills or alpine country.
Paint Mines Interpretive Park, Calhan
About 30 minutes east of Colorado Springs. Hoodoos, eroded sandstone formations, a landscape that looks more like Utah than Colorado. The light here at sunrise is some of the best in the state. There’s also a hidden cave, pictured above, that produces beautiful soft light and is private enough for outdoor nude. Remember when I said my Signature Spot was the best for implied nude outdoors? This is the next most private and intimate if you want to show your pregnancy without limitation.
The Paint Mines are unique in a way you'll see immediately when you scroll through portraits shot here. Other-planetary, almost. Worth the drive from anywhere on the Front Range. Requires no permit, which is a perk.
Garden of the Gods area, Colorado Springs
The park itself can be tricky during peak hours, but the surrounding red rock formations offer plenty of less-trafficked alternatives. Best in early morning before the tourists arrive.
Great for clients who want red rock without driving to Moab. The combination of the formations and the Front Range view is distinctly Coloradan.
The plains east of Colorado Springs
Most photographers ignore the eastern plains. They're the unloved cousin of the mountains. But the wide-open prairie at golden hour, with grass in every direction and not a single building in sight, photographs like nowhere else in the state.
I've shot a handful of sessions out here. They're memorable.
Sand Dunes and the Western Desert
If you're willing to make a real trip of it, the western and southern reaches of Colorado offer landscapes most maternity photographers never touch. The Great Sand Dunes are unlike almost anywhere in North America. So if you want desert goddess vibes, this is where to go.
Great Sand Dunes National Park
The tallest sand dunes on the continent, they are set against the Sangre de Cristo Mountains just outside Alamosa, Colorado. The contrast of soft, sculpted dunes against jagged peaks produces some of the most distinctive maternity images in my portfolio. About four hours from Denver. Worth the drive for the right session. During spring, you can get surge flow, or waves of uneven snow melt gently swishing over the sandy basin. It’s ice cold most mornings and too hot to touch by noon. So if we are shooting here, plan on a mid morning shoot.
The light here is unlike anywhere else in Colorado. Sunrise turns the dunes pink. Sunset turns the mountains red. Between those windows, the sun is direct and unflattering.
I've shot Sand Dunes sessions for clients flying in from California, Florida, and the East Coast specifically because there's nowhere else in the country with this combination of dunes and mountains in one frame. It's a destination location even for Coloradans.
This is one of those locations that will require a travel fee on my end, so get in touch well in advance to see if I’m hosting minis there this year.
The Western Slope and slickrock country
The western edge of the state, the areas approaching the Utah border, share that classic Southwestern desert look without crossing state lines. Slickrock, juniper, sage, wide open sky. Available for clients building a longer destination shoot.
Grand Junction, Fruita, and the surrounding canyons offer red rock at a fraction of the tourist traffic of Moab. If you want desert maternity photography but don't want to leave Colorado, this is where to go.
Destination Colorado: Available On Request
The locations above are the ones I shoot most often. They're not the full list of where I'll go. I also travel for sessions in:
Aspen.
White River National Forest, Maroon Bells, the iconic mountain town vibe. Premium destination, premium experience.
Vail.
Similar terrain to Aspen with a different visual character. Clients planning a Vail babymoon often add a session.
Crested Butte.
Wildflower capital of Colorado. The summer wildflower bloom in CB is genuinely world-class. Sessions here in late July are spectacular.
Telluride.
Box canyon dramatic. Smaller crowds than Aspen, similar visual impact. A favorite for editorial-leaning sessions.
Steamboat Springs.
Mountain town energy with a working ranch backdrop in places. Different feel from the rest of the high country.
These are all available on request. They're not on the main map because I don't shoot them frequently enough to claim deep expertise, but I've shot in all of them and the images are stunning. If a destination matters to you, bring me there.
I also travel out of state. The Pregnant Athletes series included sessions in places that fit the editorial vision, regardless of geography.
Seasons: When Each Location Actually Peaks
Colorado has four real seasons and each one transforms what these locations look like. Most maternity location guides ignore this. I won't.
Spring (April–May).
Everything is muddy and most high-country trails are still snowed in. Front Range and Foothills locations come alive. Wildflowers begin in the lower elevations and peak late May through early June. Best for studio sessions or early-evening Front Range outdoor sessions. April sessions can be gorgeous on a sunny week and a curveball on a snowy one. Plan with weather backup day. Again, Colorado weather is key here. Some years, April is sunny, green, and as spring-like as Ireland. Other years, we get buried with over a foot of snow in May. Don’t know what’s happening this year? Reach out to your Colorado Native photographer and I’ll make sure we work with the weather.
Summer (June–August).
Peak season for high-country and alpine sessions. July is wildflower peak in the mountains — Brainard Lake, Loveland Pass, Crested Butte, the Indian Peaks Wilderness. Sand Dunes are spectacular at sunrise but brutal at midday. Studio is a great escape from afternoon heat. We have thunderstorms most afternoons and evenings, so don’t fall in love with your date. Plan early in case we need to push your outdoor maternity session a week to avoid hail and lightning. This is when the Colorado Alpine is most accessible, so reach out by spring to secure your adventure maternity session at your favorite trailhead.
Fall (September–October).
The aspens turn gold mid-September through early October. Some of my best work is shot in this window. Limited timeframe. Books out fast, often by August. DO NOT WAIT TO BOOK. These are my most popular sessions and for good reason. The stunning Colorado Aspens usually have about 5 days of peak color. You read that right, 5 days. So if you want these, get in touch with me no later than august to secure your fall maternity session.
Winter (November–March).
Yes, winter here in Colorado is close to half the year (I hate it too). Two things happen for winter maternity sessions: you get beautiful snow or you get brown. Colorado is fickle, so hope for winter wonderland, plan for brown and windy. Snow changes everything. Studio sessions dominate, but a snowy outdoor session at Brainard Lake, Sapphire Point, or in the foothills produces images that feel like fine art. Cold weather logistics are real. Late-pregnancy mamas need warm wardrobe layers and short shoot windows. Some days can reach 70+ along the front range, so embrace the warmth and rock the bare bump. Seeking out foothills with evergreen trees is key for contrast here. Want more than brown plains? Head west. Want guaranteed snow? Head above 8,000 ft.
Access and logistics: what to know before you go
Permits.
Most public lands in Colorado require a commercial photography permit for paid sessions. National parks astonishingly don’t require permits as of 2025. Some city parks require business licenses. I handle all of this. Clients don't need to think about permits.
Parking and access.
Some locations have limited parking, especially during peak season weekends. I scout each session's access ahead of time and arrive early to claim space. That said, during peak season, locations like Red Rocks, Lost Gulch Overlook, and Lookout Mountain are best avoided.
Late-pregnancy considerations.
If you're past 34 weeks, we lean toward locations with shorter walks, paved or smooth trails, and easy bathroom access. I've never had a client unable to access a location they wanted, but we plan for it.
Weather.
Colorado weather is unpredictable. Outdoor reschedules are an option, and the studio is sometimes available as a backup. Either way, we don't shoot in bad weather. We adapt.
Altitude.
If you're flying in from sea level, give yourself at least 24 to 48 hours to acclimate before a high-country shoot. Drink electrolytes, not just water. Move slow. The first day at altitude is rough for most pregnant women.
Temperature.
Colorado summers in the mountains can drop into the 40s at sunrise even in July. Always bring layers, especially if we are going west. I have seen and been in fresh snow every single month of the year in this state, yes even in June, July and August. Don’t underestimate our high-alpine environment.
Studio vs. outdoor: the decision most clients get wrong
I'd be doing you a disservice not to address this here, even though it's covered more deeply in the Maternity Style Guide.
Most clients come in already convinced they want one or the other. About half are right. About half I gently suggest the opposite, and they thank me later.
Choose the studio if…
you want sculptural, editorial, fine art images. You want full control over lighting and backdrop. You're shooting in winter or shoulder season. You're planning intimate or implied nude work. You want the entire client closet at your fingertips. You don't want to deal with wind, mud, hiking, or weather.
Choose the outdoor if…
you want a sense of place in the frame. You're drawn to golden hour. You want movement, wind catching fabric, hair in motion. You have a connection to a specific landscape. You want the photos to feel like Colorado, not just maternity.
Want both?
I don't split a single session between studio and outdoor. The logistics break down and the session suffers. What I do offer is a double session bundle: the Glow Session at $749, booked twice, with 10% off the second session. You get one studio shoot and one outdoor shoot, with five more photos total than the Signature Collection, for only $50 more. Note that the bundle doesn't include the client closet or print credit, which the Signature includes by default. But for clients who genuinely want both Studio and outdoor photos with me, multiple sessions is the way to go.
Most clients picking between one location and two sessions go with two. The flexibility is worth it.
Ready to plan a session?
Inquire with your due date and the location you're imagining. I'll respond within a few hours with availability, ideas, and any logistical notes for the location you have in mind.
The location questions I get most often
What's your favorite location in Colorado?
1
Honest answer: it depends entirely on the session. The location that's right for an editorial film session is different from the right location for an athletic session in motion or a couple's intimate outdoor shoot. I have favorites for each kind of session, not one universal favorite. The Signature Spot might be the closest to a single answer, but I only bring clients there when the vision fits. Reach out and let’s talk about it!
Should I pick the location or should you?
2
Getting started is simple. Get in touch through my contact form or schedule a call—I’ll walk you through the next steps and answer any questions along the way.
Can we shoot somewhere not on this list?
3
Yes, absolutely! The best sessions often come from clients who take me somewhere I've never been. A favorite trail. A meadow your family has been visiting for three generations. Bring me there.
What if it rains?
4
Outdoor reschedules are an option. Most clients with weather issues prefer to wait for a clear day rather than move indoors. The studio is also available as a backup if the schedule allows, but the studio sometimes books separately for other sessions, so a reschedule is the more reliable plan. Either way, we don't shoot in bad weather. We adapt.
How far in advance should I book?
5
Six to eight weeks during peak season (May to October). Three to four weeks during off-season (November to April). Specific weekend dates and golden hour outdoor sessions book out faster. If you have a specific date in mind, get on the calendar early.
The location is the easiest decision to overthink.
Most spots in Colorado produce stunning maternity images. The one you choose matters less than you think. What matters is that you show up, let the light do its thing, and trust the process.
If you've made it this far, you've already done more research than most. Reach out and let's plan a session.
Show up pregnant. I handle everything else.
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