Denver & Boulder Family Photography Locations
One of the first questions I get after someone books a family session is:
“Where should we go?”
There are a lot of beautiful places around Denver and Boulder, but not every pretty spot makes for a great family photography location.
I’m looking for more than a good view. I want somewhere your kids can move, where we can find good light, where we aren’t hiking for an hour just to get to the pretty part, and where we can get enough variety that your gallery doesn’t look like 30 photos taken in the exact same spot.
After years of photographing families around Denver, Boulder, and the foothills, these are some of my favorite places to take families.
And if you’re not sure which one is right for you, don’t worry. That’s part of my job.
Boulder Family Photography Locations
South Mesa Trail head
The vibe: Colorado foothills, open space, mountain views
Best for: Families who want that classic Colorado look
South Mesa is one of my favorite Boulder-area locations for family photos. You get beautiful mountain views, open fields, trails, and plenty of space for kids to move around without feeling like we’re standing in front of one giant backdrop for the entire session.
It has a slightly more rugged feel than some of the more manicured parks around Boulder, which I love. We can wander, let the kids explore, and find a mix of wide-open mountain views and more intimate photos along the way.
This is a particularly good choice if you want your photos to feel very Colorado without needing to turn your family session into a major hiking adventure.
Choose South Mesa if: You want mountains, open space, tall grasses, and a little bit of adventure.
Table Mesa
The vibe: Open, relaxed, mountain views
Best for: Families who want scenery without a complicated location
Table Mesa is another great Boulder option when you want those big Front Range views without making the session overly complicated.
There’s room to walk, explore, and let kids be kids, which is important to me. I’m not looking for a location where everyone has to stand perfectly still. Some of my favorite family photos happen when we’re simply moving from one spot to another.
The open landscape also gives us beautiful evening light and plenty of room to create variety throughout your gallery.
Choose Table Mesa if: You want classic Boulder scenery and an easygoing outdoor session.
NCAR
The vibe: Dramatic, modern, distinctly Boulder
Best for: Families who want mountain views with something a little different
NCAR is one of those locations that feels completely different from a typical Colorado field.
The architecture, rock formations, open landscape, and mountain views give us lots to work with. It’s especially fun if you want your family photos to feel a little more modern and less like a traditional “stand in a field” session.
It’s also a good option for families who don’t want a long hike. We can get beautiful scenery without making everyone work too hard for it.
Choose NCAR if: You want dramatic mountain views but also like architecture, texture, and a slightly more editorial feel.
Boulder Trailhead
The vibe: Natural, wooded, quiet
Best for: Families who prefer trees and a softer Colorado setting
If big mountain views aren’t really your thing, this little trail is a completely different experience.
This location has a more natural, tucked-away feel with trees, trails, and plenty of texture. It works beautifully for families who want something quieter and a little less “look at the mountains!”
I also love locations like this for families with younger kids because there are things to explore. We can walk, stop, play, snuggle, and keep the session moving instead of asking little people to cooperate with a series of posed portraits.
Choose Boulder Trailhead if: You want trees, trails, and a more intimate outdoor setting.
Denver, Westminster & Foothills Family Photography Locations
Standley Lake
The vibe: Open, relaxed, big skies, mountain views
Best for: Families on the north side of Denver who want Colorado scenery close to home
Standley Lake Regional Park & Wildlife Refuge is one of my favorite options for families who don’t necessarily want to drive all the way to Boulder for their family photos.
You get a little bit of everything here—water, open space, trails, big skies, and views toward the Front Range. And because there’s so much room to move, it works really well for families with kids who would rather explore than stand still for pictures.
I especially love the combination of the open landscape and the lake. It gives us a completely different look from the foothills and wooded locations around Boulder.
It’s also a great choice if you live in Westminster, Broomfield, Arvada, or north Denver and want beautiful outdoor family photos without making the drive a whole event.
Choose Standley Lake if: You want mountains and open space but would rather stay closer to home.
Bear Creek Lake
The vibe: Water, open space, mountain views
Best for: Families who want variety
Bear Creek Lake is a great middle ground between a traditional park and a foothills session.
There are open areas, trails, water, and mountain views, so we can get a lot of variety without traveling between multiple locations.
It’s also a good option for families who want a Colorado feel without necessarily wanting the more rugged look of a mountain trail.
Choose Bear Creek Lake if: You want water, mountains, and plenty of room to explore.
High Line Canal
The vibe: Green, natural, more intimate
Best for: Families who want trees and a quieter setting
The High Line Canal is one of my favorites when you want your family photos to feel natural and a little less “epic Colorado landscape.”
The trees and winding paths give us a softer backdrop, and the setting feels more intimate than some of the wide-open mountain locations.
It’s especially pretty when everything is green and works well for families who like the idea of walking and interacting rather than spending the whole session looking at the camera.
Choose High Line Canal if: You want trees, greenery, and a more relaxed neighborhood-outdoor feel.
Mount Falcon West
The vibe: Foothills, open space, big views
Best for: Families who want the Colorado mountain experience
If your idea of family photos involves mountain views, golden grasses, and a little more of that wide-open Colorado feeling, Mount Falcon is a great choice.
This is one of the locations where I would consider your kids’ ages and your family’s willingness to walk when deciding if it’s the right fit.
The payoff is beautiful: sweeping foothill views, open landscapes, and gorgeous evening light.
Choose Mount Falcon if: You want your photos to feel like a Colorado adventure.
Golden History Park
The vibe: Historic, charming, a little unexpected
Best for: Families who want something different
Golden History Park is a fun alternative if you don’t want the typical mountain-and-field family photos.
The historic buildings, open space, trees, and surrounding foothills give us a lot of visual variety while still feeling distinctly Colorado.
It’s also a great option if your family likes locations with a little character. You don’t necessarily need a giant mountain view for your photos to feel like they belong here.
Choose Golden History Park if: You want something with history, texture, and a little more personality.
Which Family Photography Location Should You Choose?
Honestly? You don’t have to know.
When you book a session with me, I’ll help you choose a location based on your family, the time of year, the ages of your kids, and what you want your photos to feel like.
A few general guidelines:
Want big mountain views?
South Mesa, Table Mesa, NCAR, or Mount Falcon.
Have kids who need to run?
South Mesa, Table Mesa, Standley Lake, or Bear Creek Lake.
Don’t want much hiking?
NCAR, Standley Lake, or Golden History Park.
Want trees and a softer backdrop?
Boulder Trailhead or High Line Canal.
Want something a little different?
NCAR or Golden History Park.
Live north of Denver?
Standley Lake may be the perfect option.
And if none of these feels quite right, I have plenty of other ideas.
What Makes a Good Family Photography Location?
A beautiful view is great. But when I’m choosing a location for a family session, I’m thinking about a few other things too.
Good light
The prettiest location in the world isn’t going to save us from terrible light. Timing matters, which is why most of my outdoor family sessions happen in the evening.
Room to move
Especially with young kids, I want somewhere we can walk, explore, play, and move around. That’s how we get genuine expressions and photos that actually feel like your family.
Variety
I want your gallery to have more than one look. Ideally, we can get wide environmental portraits, close-up family photos, individual images of the kids, and all the little in-between moments without going very far.
A setting that feels like you
Maybe that’s mountain views. Maybe it’s a trail near your house. Maybe it’s a lake or an old building in Golden.
The “best” family photography location isn’t necessarily the most famous one. It’s the one that works for your family.
You Don’t Have to Know How to Pose
And you definitely don’t need to know what to do with your hands.
I’ll give you direction when you need it, but I’m not interested in turning your family into a collection of perfectly posed people staring at the camera.
We’ll walk. We’ll talk. I’ll ask you to do things with your kids. They’ll probably run away from you at least once.
That’s okay.
Those moments are usually where the good stuff happens.
My goal is to create family photos that feel like your family in this particular season of life, not a collection of poses that could belong to anyone.
Frequently Asked Questions About Denver & Boulder Family Photos
What are the best places for family photos in Boulder?
Some of my favorite Boulder family photography locations include South Mesa Trail head, Table Mesa, NCAR, and Hollyberry Trail. The right choice depends on the look you’re after, your kids’ ages, and how much walking you want to do.
What are the best places for family photos near Denver?
For Denver-area families, I love Bear Creek Lake, High Line Canal, Mount Falcon West, Golden History Park, and Standley Lake. There are also plenty of other locations depending on where you live and what you’re looking for.
What time of day is best for outdoor family photos?
For most outdoor locations, I prefer the evening because the light becomes softer and warmer as we get closer to sunset. The exact start time changes throughout the year.
Do you help us choose our location?
Absolutely. You don’t need to spend three hours scrolling Google Maps trying to decide where to go. Tell me what you’re looking for, and I’ll help you narrow it down.
What if we have really young kids?
That’s when location choice becomes even more important. I look for places where kids can move safely, where we don’t have to hike too far, and where there’s enough going on to keep them interested.
Do we have to hike?
Nope. Some locations involve more walking than others, but there are plenty of options where we can get beautiful photos without turning your family session into a workout.
Can we use a different location?
Of course. These are simply some of my favorite family photography locations around Denver and Boulder. If you have a meaningful place in mind—or you want something completely different—let’s talk about it.
Let’s Find Your Spot
You don’t need to find the perfect location before you book your family photos.
Tell me what you’re envisioning, how old your kids are, and roughly where you’re coming from. I’ll help you choose a spot that makes sense.
Denver. Boulder. Westminster. The foothills. Somewhere in between.
Let’s find a place that feels like you.
