Garden of the Gods is one of the most romantic places in Colorado Springs to propose. From glowing red rocks at sunrise to hidden overlooks at sunset, it’s a landscape built for unforgettable love stories.

This guide shares the best proposal spots, from iconic landmarks to quiet corners known only to locals. With timing tips, celebration ideas, and real examples from Cade & Nicky and Kyle & Raquel, you’ll find everything you need to plan your own perfect proposal.

Kyle had been planning for months to propose to Raquel during their Colorado Springs vacation. After six years together, he knew Garden of the Gods, with its timeless red rocks and sweeping mountain views, was where he wanted to ask her to marry him.

Even with rain showers and last-minute pivots, the moment unfolded perfectly. On a quiet overlook, Kyle dropped to one knee and Raquel’s joy lit up the evening. Their session flowed seamlessly from surprise proposal to tender, joy-filled portraits, proof that Garden of the Gods is one of the most romantic places to propose in Colorado.

Cade and Nicky’s couples session at Garden of the Gods held a beautiful surprise, a proposal on a quiet overlook just as the red rocks lit up at golden hour. What began as laughter in the rain turned into tears of joy and a heartfelt yes.

This post shares their full story: how Cade planned the perfect moment, why Garden of the Gods is one of the most romantic places to propose in Colorado Springs, and how a couples session can make a proposal even more meaningful.

Two months before their wedding, Aili and Austin celebrated their love with an engagement session at Lake George, a spot that offered both intimacy and wide-open Colorado mountain views. The light fell golden across pale stone, wildflowers filled the meadows, and their laughter carried through it all.

This post shares their story, why engagement sessions matter, and why Lake George is one of the best Colorado engagement photo locations. From laughter to legacy, these photos capture a chapter that makes the wedding day even more meaningful.

High on the Continental Divide, Cottonwood Pass is one of Colorado’s most breathtaking places to take photos, and the best part is, you don’t need a permit to capture its beauty. With sweeping views of the Sawatch Range, it’s a place where awe and intimacy live side by side.

For Dan and Emma, this session was about more than photos. It was about chasing the light together, standing steady in the wind, and soaking in a landscape they’ve dreamed of calling home. In this post, I share their story, why Cottonwood Pass makes for an unforgettable couples session, and tips for planning your own Buena Vista photography experience.

A golden sunset, mountain views, and the sweetest young love—this Lake George couples session for Ivie and Nick was full of heart. From wildflower crowns to first-time dips, it captured their story beautifully.

Nick and Ivie are just beginning their journey together, and it was an honor to photograph them in this quiet moment of togetherness. Their connection, supported by family and rooted in trust, shines through every frame.

Sarah and Kenji traveled from Texas to Estes Park for a romantic mountain getaway, and a photo session to remember it by. What they didn’t expect was that their couples session would turn into a surprise proposal at Sprague Lake in the heart of Rocky Mountain National Park. With the original plan at Brainard Lake no longer an option due to seasonal closures, we quickly pivoted to one of my favorite hidden gems in RMNP, and it turned out to be the perfect backdrop for this once-in-a-lifetime moment.

This blog shares the full story of their spontaneous engagement, why Sprague Lake is such an ideal proposal spot, and how I help couples, especially those visiting from out of state, plan unforgettable photo experiences in the Colorado mountains. If you’re dreaming of popping the question during your vacation in Estes Park or Rocky Mountain National Park, this one’s for you.

Where to begin? Dana and Tom, this is what 30 years together looks like, friends. Take a moment and soak it all in. Thirty years of laughter, all-nighters, frustration, blissful times, sad times, downright hellish times. I am sure that you two have seen it all with so much tread worn in your journey. When you connect so deeply that you don’t know how else to feel or think. What a world to live in. A world where you are each other’s anchor. Rooted in the ground so firmly that nothing can disturb the solid foundation.

Maybe those are just wild dreams? What if love isn’t any of that? What if love is simply the choice to keep choosing each day to do what moves you. To keep with the vibe until the vibe isn’t what you want anymore? I know that people say that relationships are hard. Damn fact, friends.

A Garden of the Gods engagement session in Colorado Springs featuring sweeping views of Pikes Peak and the Front Range. I took Jordyn and Matt to my secret spot over at Garden of the Gods. Not too many people hang out over where I like to go and I like it that way. This engagement session was extra special because Jordyn is the niece of one of my favorite people in the world. I swear, their genes run strong because Jordyn and her Aunt Courtney look so much alike. So beautiful in all the ways.

Jordyn and Matt are extra special people for yet another reason. They are pediatric nurses. Matt is diabetic and he didn’t say it but I am sure that his profession probably has something to do with his experiences as a child and wanting to help those babes who need all the love and understanding they can get while in his care. Navigating whatever new thing has come their way is super scary and having someone on your side is the absolute best. What they do is amazing work and I love that I got to witness their love firsthand.

This is the second time I got to connect with Madeline and Nick, this time for an anniversary session in Garden of the Gods. Super special friends. Thank you for letting me part of your trip once again up from Arkansas. One day we will get to hang out on your turf and you can show me all the cool places around where you live. Let’s plan a date!

One of the many things that I love about this photography gig is that no two sessions are ever the same. Every couple is unique and brings their own personality to our time together. While every season has its own benefits, I have to say, I love winter sessions, they are a close second to fall. There's just something so beautiful about snow during a couples session. It adds a layer of magic and romance to the photos. Plus, it's the perfect excuse to bundle up in cozy clothes and snuggle close to your bae. If you're considering booking a session, don’t let the fact that it’s winter stop you. Photographing couples in the snow can be a challenge, but with a little bit of effort, you can create some beautiful images.

We know that in most cases, when the weather forecast predicts snow, people either cancel their photo session or reschedule to a later date. However, if you have a travel photography session scheduled like Madeline and Nick did with me, don't let a little snow stop you from getting great images! Just be sure to dress appropriately and take along a few extra blankets and snacks in case you get stuck somewhere because snacks are life and your car can run a surprisingly long time at idle with a full tank of fuel.

When a couple reaches out to me to book me for their wedding, the first thing on my mind is, when can we meet? It is important for you to get to know your wedding photographer and you can do that by booking an engagement session with them too and that is just what Caroline and Tommy did. Your wedding photographer is spending quite a bit of time with you on your wedding day, it makes sense to make sure you vibe together well. An engagement session (along with pre-wedding meetings) helps create a feeling of trust with your photographer and them with you.

For Tommy and Caroline, including Caroline’s son, Gabe, in their engagement session was something that meant a lot to both of them. I get questions from clients often who book an engagement session asking if their children can join. My answer will always be yes! My own family is a blended family so I truly understand the feelings surrounding not leaving anyone out. Sometimes I hear worries of it being more of a family session and less of a celebration of your love. Please don’t worry about that part. It is easy to create space and time for your engagement photos as well as document the love you have for your whole family during our time together. I got you!

These two babes. We met through some mutual friends and while on a camping trip outside of Santa Fe, New Mexico. I had the joy to document their sweet love in this amazing space. Tall cliffs all around, quiet, desolate, perfect. I had been here before and had been dreaming of photographing a couple here for some time. Hunter and Alex made all my dreams come true with their authentic love.

These two lovebirds and I met for their couples session at Garden of the Gods during their vacation trip to Colorado Springs. I know it sounds unbelievable when I say it but, about 40% of my clients are vacationing couples and families. Colorado Springs is in a wonderful location to spend quality time with the people you love. Situated closed to the Front Range and Pikes Peak, Colorado Springs offers the perfect scenery to take advantage of while visiting for a photography session.

Steph and Chris brought their sweet pup Eddie with them on their trip and to their session. I always ask the lovely folks I photograph if they plan on bringing their fur baby(ies) with them to their session. This just makes planning logistics easier and more smooth. I want to make sure we use a location that will keep everyone safe and feeling happy, pets included! I love getting my clients prepped for their time with me. From what to expect to the location to clothing. I am here for you!

Erin lives in another state and they both have jobs that make travel hard with the restrictions in place. Erin was lucky enough to get some time during the holidays to make the trip to Colorado to spend some much needed time with Bobby. Erin and Bobby had only seen each other a handful of times when we met for their session at the end of 2020 because of the COVID pandemic. It was so lovely to see their love on fire for one another during our time together.

Shaylyn and Taylor wanted something different for their engagement session with me. Lovers of the outdoors and all things nature, they really wanted to showcase the beauty of where we live near the mountains. This location immediately came to mind and just in time because if we would have waited just a few more weeks, this spot would have been inaccessible.

I used to think that if you fought in your marriage, that you didn’t have a good one. This was because I wasn’t taught what marriage truly looked like. It has taken me YEARS (I am 34) to finally figure out that marriage is so much more than what I thought it was. It is respect and fighting with respect. It is love and fighting with love. It is agreeing and disagreeing and all the things in between. What makes a marriage is not perfection or bliss. It’s the desire to stay with the one that stole your heart and choosing them. Every. Single. Day.

Have you ever met someone you didn’t know that just made your heart soar? This family does that to me. Sweetness to the core. Tiffany reached out to have her sweet boy Liam and her family documented. Liam had a hard landing into life and Tiff and Cam wanted to celebrate their sweet boy by documenting their first family photos.

Tiff is wearing one of my client closet dresses, my favorite one in fact. It allows the freedom of the wind to blow and create movement and feminine grace in her images with her son. Shortly into our time together, sweet Liam wanted to nurse. It was so enjoyable for me to spend time with Tiff, Cam, and Liam as Tiff gave the tiny human she held in her arms nourishment from her own body. How amazing are women that we can not only grow a person but an entirely new organ and THEN keep them alive, well-fed, with nothing more than what we already have?

Whew! I am coming out of the woods guys. My October was insanely busy with sessions this year! I had 22 sessions in 30 days, which is insane. I wanted to get everyone in and I did it, even if gallery delivery times had to be extended a bit to accommodate everyone. When I deliver a gallery like this, I know that, just like the painful waiting of closing on a house, or having a baby, when you get your final product, you forget all about the waiting. You are just so happy with the end result that you focus on that goodness. Madeline, I know you have been waiting for this gallery for longer than you expected but I know that you are going to love it!

Anniversary Sessions. They are the best. Paula reached out to plan a surprise session for her and her husband of one year, Jake during their vacation to Colorado Springs. Paula and I worked to coordinate what would work best for them and their time here.

In the end, she couldn’t keep the secret from Jake any longer so he knew about the session when they showed up at our location for the evening but it was still super fun planning this surprise and it added to the dynamic of the night!

Kara, how are you so pretty? I swear, each time we see each other, your smile and warmth just capture me. I can still remember waking up that cold morning in my tent to photography your elopement with Tyler by your side. The night before, sitting around the campfire eating yummy things and talking the evening away. Here you two are now, loving, laughing, and LIVING OUT OF A VAN! I think that is ridiculously cool.

When Kara reached out to me, she told me they wanted photos of them in the van they were now living in with their two pups. I jumped at the chance to hang out with them. Location was key as we wanted to be sure the van was situated in a space that reflected the beauty of nature. I had shot in Frisco at this location the month prior and I was excited to be going back.