Behind the Lens: A Colorado Senior Photoshoot Adventure Across Four Locations
I’m back to blogging! I have a lot to say so get ready for a lot of information coming soon!
Looking back on my Colorado photosessions over the last two years, there is one special session that I never blogged about, and since it will soon be Senior Photoshoot season, I thought it was the perfect time to write about it. This was my niece’s Senior Pictures we decided to shoot across a few days in July. My brother, sister-in-law and niece came in town from Missouri to visit, and while they were here we had an epic senior photoshoot adventure! She was looking for a variety of settings to showcase her awesome personality, including her love of the mountains as well as her love of Stephen King and all things horror. We chose four incredible locations to split up the sessions: Chautauqua Park at sunrise, South Mesa Trail along with South Boulder Creek Trail at sunset, and the historic Stanley Hotel in Estes Park. Each location provided something unique and added its own flair to the final collection of photos.
Chautauqua at Sunrise: A Peaceful Start
We kicked off one day bright and early at Chautauqua Park (when I say early I mean EARLY - we got there at 5:20 am - she was a trooper!). This is such an iconic spot, with its classic view of the Flatirons, and it’s perfect place for senior photos, especially at sunrise. The soft, golden light of early morning made everything feel calm and almost ethereal—ideal for capturing natural, relaxed portraits. The park was still quiet - I think we saw maybe two other people there - so we had plenty of space to get creative with shots without worrying about crowds.
Chautauqua offers a lot of variety when it comes to framing your photos. From close-ups with the tall grasses in the foreground to wide shots with the mountains looming behind, there’s no shortage of gorgeous compositions. The early morning light highlighted the surrounding scenery, creating some stunning moments that balanced Sophia’s personality with the beauty of the outdoors.
Boulder Senior Photoshoot Chatauqua Park
South Mesa Trail and South Boulder Creek Trail at Sunset: Golden Hour Goodness
After a morning filled with light, we made our way to South Mesa Trail for sunset on the next day. This spot offers breathtaking views of the foothills, and the warm glow of the evening sun made the whole scene feel magical. We found a few spots where the light was just perfect—whether it was catching the Sophia in a beam of golden light or framing her against the colorful sky as the sun dipped behind the mountains.
The South Mesa Trail has a good mix of open fields and wooded areas, so we were able to vary the types of photos we were taking. Some were wide, capturing the full beauty of the landscape, while others were more intimate, focusing on the subject framed by trees or silhouetted against the sky. Sunset on this trail is one of my favorites, and it gave us the perfect moment to capture my niece in a relaxed, natural state.
Down the street is the South Boulder Creek Trail, which showcases amazing mountain backdrops and vast fields. We were SO lucky when we were there as the Queen Anne’s Lace flower fields were in full bloom. We spent about 30 minutes here, and they turned out to be some of my favorite photos of the few days,
Boulder Senior Photoshoot South Mesa Trail and South Boulder Creek Trail
The Stanley Hotel: History, Mystery, and all things The Shining
A couple of days later, we headed up to Estes Park to do her final senior shoot at the Stanley Hotel. This location offered a dramatic shift in vibe, with its historic architecture and its somewhat eerie yet beautiful atmosphere. Known for inspiring Stephen King's The Shining, the hotel provided a unique setting for senior portraits, especially as the sky began to darken and the lights from the hotel started to glow.
We focused on some wide shots of Sophia on the staircase as well as in the hallways that you may recognize from the movie. We also used the classic Victorian and moody vibes. The Stanley Hotel has so much character, and it was a fun contrast to the more natural landscapes we’d shot earlier in the week. The evening light gave the hotel a slightly mysterious feel, but it also added a bit of elegance to the final shots.
Boulder Senior Photoshoot Stanley Hotel
The Perfect Week for Senior Photos
From the peaceful sunrise at Chautauqua to the golden hour magic of South Mesa Trail and the historic charm of the Stanley Hotel, this photoshoot in Boulder was a dream! The diverse locations offered plenty of opportunities to capture different sides of my niece’s personality and beauty—from relaxed and natural to dramatic and striking.
Boulder is full of stunning places to take senior portraits, and during this week, we had a great reminder of how much variety you can pack in for one senior. Whether you're looking for the perfect nature shot, a historic backdrop, or just the right lighting, the area has it all. And in the end, it’s all about capturing who you are in that moment—something that these locations helped tell beautifully.
Interested in seeing more? Check out my Senior Portfolio!
