Best Location for Family Pictures in Colorado Springs
If you’ve ever wondered whether Garden of the Gods is the best location for family pictures in Colorado Springs, the answer is absolutely yes. This iconic landmark offers towering red rock formations, sweeping mountain views, and easy-to-access trails that make it ideal for families with kids of all ages. Whether you’re visiting from out of state or you’ve lived here for years, it’s one of the top spots to create a mix of candid moments and stunning portraits. For Casandra and her crew, this session was years in the making, a chance to finally step in front of the camera together and capture the connection they’ve built. In this post, I’m sharing their story, the experience of working together at this location, and why Garden of the Gods might be the perfect backdrop for your own family photos.
A Session Years in the Making
Casandra first connected with me years ago through a mutual friend, Tam, who was part of my life in another season. Over time, she followed my work, quietly tucking away the idea of a session of her own. Then, earlier this year, I celebrated my 10th anniversary in business with a giveaway, offering a few free sessions as a thank-you to the community that has supported me for a decade. Casandra entered, and won. After years of wanting family photos, the timing finally aligned.
Choosing the Perfect Spot
When we started planning, I gave Casandra access to my client-exclusive location catalog. It’s a password-protected guide filled with my favorite local spots, complete with descriptions, photos, and details about accessibility, something I’ve created to make choosing a location simple, whether you’re from Colorado Springs or visiting from out of town.
Garden of the Gods quickly rose to the top of her list. It’s a location that allows for an earlier start time than many mountain spots because of its unique placement near the foothills. We picked a trail that climbs gently to the top of a mesa, giving us incredible views without requiring a strenuous hike, perfect for most families, though not ideal for those with significant mobility challenges.
The Session Experience
From the moment we met in person, it felt like we’d known each other for years. We talked about Tam, about family, and about the way life shifts with time. Casandra’s husband, son, and daughter were warm and easy to connect with, and the session flowed naturally, laughter mixing with quiet moments in between.
Up on the mesa, the red rock towers framed them perfectly, and the soft evening light wrapped the whole scene in gold. I photographed them walking hand in hand, snuggled close on a rock ledge, and laughing together as the kids chased each other through the grass. It was less about posing and more about creating space for them to simply be together.
Why Garden of the Gods Is Ideal for Family Photos
Beyond its obvious beauty, Garden of the Gods offers variety: open fields, dramatic rock backdrops, mountain views, and easy-to-navigate trails. For families, that means we can create a diverse gallery without needing to spend hours hiking or relocating. Its accessibility and parking options make it a stress-free choice, especially important for families with young children or tight schedules.
And for Casandra, the location was more than just scenic, it was the setting for a session she’d been dreaming about for years.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been wondering about the best location for family pictures in Colorado Springs, Garden of the Gods is a hard one to beat. It’s beautiful, versatile, and welcoming to families of all shapes and sizes. Whether you’ve been planning your session for years or just decided last week, the right spot can make all the difference in how you feel, and how your photos look.
Casandra’s session was proof that sometimes the perfect place, the right timing, and a long-awaited dream come together in one golden Colorado evening.
