BEST PHOTOSHOOT LOCATIONS IN DENVER

By Denver Photographer Tim Gillies

Updated December 8, 2023 | Denver is full of amazing locations for photoshoots for any season. Whether you are looking for an urban setting, in-studio, or a beautiful mountain backdrop, Denver photographer Tim Gillies lists his favorites in and around the Mile High City. These locations are great for portraits, commercial photography, families, and couples.

1. RINO ARTS DISTRICT

RiNo is one of my favorite places and I think it is one of the best places to take senior pictures in Denver.  It is full of color, textures, and awesome murals and artwork that make it one of a kind in the mile high city.  RiNo used to be a rough, gritty industrial area of Denver that has since turned into one of the hippest neighborhoods thanks to artists and other initiatives that have helped evolve this area.  It is made up of four distinct neighborhoods: Globeville, Elyria-Swansea, Five Points and Cole. However, I believe the best place to start a photoshoot is at The Denver Central Market located at Larimer and 27th.  It is a an open marketplace with several food and beverage vendors, as well as a public restroom that can be used for wardrobe changes and last minute check-ups. There is a ton of awesome street art right around here and is the core of the Crush Walls commissioned murals by local artists that make RiNo so iconic.

Best time to shoot: Mornings & Evenings

Related Posts: Downtown Denver Senior Pictures in RiNo

2. UNION STATION

I love Union Station and so does everyone else!  What was once a hub for the occasional Amtrak rider is now home to a bustling array of trendy restaurants, hotels, bars, and shops.  And with the addition of the A-line taking visitors from Denver International Airport directly to Union Station, it is a busy place full of travelers and tourists ready to explore the Mile High City.  It is gorgeous inside and can be great for taking photos. I caution the shy type due to the sheer amount of strangers that will be in the direct or general vicinity during your photo session. However, there are plenty of areas around Union Station including new modern architecture and historic buildings that make for great locations for the more timid. 

Best time to shoot: Mornings & Evenings

3. RED ROCKS PARK

Red Rocks is a must see item and is located along the front range of Denver.  It is great for doing portrait sessions, senior photo sessions, families, maternity, and engagements.  I could go on and on about Red Rocks but the photos speak for themselves. A little history about Red Rocks from its wikipedia page:  The walls of Red Rocks contain records dating back to the Jurassic Period over 160 million years ago. John Brisben Walker had a vision of using the natural amphitheater for concerts, which had most likely been used perviously by the Ute tribe.  He produced the first concerts there in 1906 and the City of Denver later bought the land from him 1928 for $54,133. Renowned opera singer Mary Garden put Red Rocks on the map after naming it the finest venue at which she had ever performed.  After the formal construction of the amphitheater was completed, it has held regular concert season every year since 1947, which is kicked off every year by an Easter Sunrise Service. Notable early rock and roll performances at Red Rocks include The Beatles on August 26, 1964 and Jimi Hendrix on September 1, 1968.

PLEASE NOTE: Red Rocks Park officials are strict with staying on-trail!

Best time to shoot: Evenings

Related Posts:

• Maternity Photoshoot at Red Rocks

• High School Senior Photos at Red Rocks

4. BEAR CREEK GREENBELT

The thing I love about the Bear Creek Greenbelt is that it has all of the things you’d want… trees, open fields, tall grasses, and views of the mountains. And because it’s not right up against the mountains, you get that longer golden hour with the magical light. It’s relatively easy to get to… off of Wadsworth and Yale. Off 285 which is nice if you are coming from South of Denver. Parking usually isn’t an issue and there’s usually nobody else doing photos there (until they read this). I love doing family photos at Bear Creek Greenbelt in Lakewood and it’s also good for engagements and couples, even high school senior photos! It’s in Lakewood, CO about 20 mins from Denver. Below is the GPS location of the parking lot that I usually like to meet at. Be aware it is diffent than searching for it on Google Maps!

Best time to shoot: Evenings

GPS Location: Bear Creek Greenbelt Wadsworth Parking Lot

5. LOHI/RIVERFRONT PARK

LoHi is located right across I-25 from Downtown Denver and offers views of the city skyline as well as cool bridges that make for a great photoshoot. It is cool and trendy with lots of fun restaurants and bars and new modern architecture. It is mostly suited for individual portraits and lifestyle photos and families that want a modern, downtown feeling. There is a nearby park with views of the city and lots of urban textures and buildings, with the Platte River nearby.

Best time to shoot: Mornings & Evenings

6. MOUNT FALCON (WEST TRAILHEAD)

I’ve been loving Mount Falcon lately! It has amazing views and it gets great light late into the sunset because it sits up high. It’s about 40 mins from Denver and you get a great feel of the mountains without having to go too far. It works great for high school senior photos, family photos, engagement photos, and any type of photo that requires a Colorado vibe! Mount Falcon has it! And the nice thing about Mount Falcon is that it is friendly to photographers and photoshoots, so we don’t have to worry about getting kicked out! There is usually plenty of parking (two lots).

Best time to shoot: Evenings

Related Posts:

• High School Senior Photos at Mount Falcon

• Family photos at Mount Falcon

7. MOUNT FALCON (EAST TRAILHEAD)

Mount Falcon has two trailheads and they offer very different looks for photoshoots. Mount Falcon East trailhead is closer to Denver and is near Red Rocks and Morrison. It offers tall grasses and views looking down the Front Range area. It is more of a “plains” vibe as it doesn’t have any trees and is mostly wild grasses and views of the mountains. It also has a unique perspective of Red Rocks, looking down on the entire park! The brown towns of the grass can be perfect for family photos and the area also has a view of a pond that can be really cool for reflecting blue skies. Parking is not an issue as there are two large parking lots at the trailhead!

Best time to shoot: Evenings

Related Posts:

• Family Photos at Mount Falcon East Trailhead

8. BROADWAY & DENVER ART MUSEUM

The Denver Art Museum offers a wide variety of modern architecture in an urban setting and is one of the best denver photography locations.  It is good for portraits, senior photos, and families who want something different from the typical park family photos. And although it is considered to be downtown, the Denver Art Museum offers views of the Denver skyline which work well for people who want that urban look.

Best time to shoot: Evenings

9. EAST COLFAX AVENUE

This 26 mile road stretching from Golden to Denver has some amazing character.  It gets a bad rep but it has tons of iconic Denver landmarks and neon signs that make for some great photos.  I like shooting near the Blue Bird theater and while it doesn’t have quite as many options for a ton of diversity, it is two blocks from City Park which can offer a great mix of nature, urban, and views of the Denver skyline.

Best time to shoot: Evenings

10. CHAUTAUQUA PARK

PERMIT REQUIRED

Chautauqua Park is classic spot near Denver that has some amazing views of the Flatiron Mountains.  This iconic spot in Boulder is great for families, couples, and individual portraits. There are hiking trails and Flagstaff Road which leads up Flagstaff Mountain and offers sweeping views of the city of Boulder and the Flatirons.  This spot is about 45 minutes from Denver and is a great option if you are looking for something in nature.

** Not included in 30-minute MINI sessions

Best time to shoot: Evenings

Related Posts:

• Engagement Photos at Chautauqua

• Catherine S. - Personal Branding & Lifestyle

• High School Senior Photos at Chautauqua

11. RAW PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO

If you’re looking for something in the studio, RAW Photographic Studio has you covered. With over 3,000 square feet of shootable space, RAW has everything we need to get the job done. RAW is conveniently located near I-70 and Peoria near Stapleton. **RAW Studio is an hourly rental (minimum 2-hour) additional fee. Contact me for more details.

Best time to shoot: All Day

Related Posts:

• Modeling agency test shoot with Tia, World Management

12. SOUTH MESA TRAILHEAD

South Mesa Trailhead is quickly becoming one of my favorite places for family photos. It has beautiful views of the mountains just south of Boulder. It is about a 40 minute drive from Denver and is well worth it. It is great for family photos, senior portraits, or active lifestyle portraits. It is best to do this location at sunset when the sun is going behind the mountains.

** Not included in 30-minute MINI sessions

Best time to shoot: Evenings

Related Posts: Family Photos at South Mesa Trailhead

13. CHEESMAN PARK

Cheesman Park is right in the heart of Capitol Hill and one of Denver’s best parks. It was once a cemetery built in 1858 but was turned into a park in 1893. There were over 5,000 graves at what was once called Mount Prospect Cemetery. An undertaker named E.P. McGovern was tasked with relocating the bodies. During that process, the undertaker was found to have mishandled the bodies and was dismissed from his duties, leaving an estimated 2,000 corpses still in the ground to this day. Skeletons are often unearthed during routine irrigation work at the park. Anyway, it makes for a great spot for photos, whether it’s haunted or not!

Best time to shoot: Evenings

14. BRECKENRIDGE & SUMMIT COUNTY

Okay Breckenridge is obviously not in Denver but if you are looking for a true mountain experience, Summit County has the views you’re looking for. I shoot lots of family photos in Breckenridge and the surrounding areas and this works perfectly for people who want to capture the quintessential “Colorado” look. I have several spots that I can suggest that are off the beaten path and offer gorgeous views of the mountains, complete with high alpine lakes. So if you’re looking for something truly “Colorado”, this is your option. ** I charge a travel fee for Breckenridge and surrounding areas, but rates may vary.

** Not included in 30-minute MINI sessions

Best time to shoot: Evenings

VOTED TOP 10 BEST DENVER LIFESTYLE & PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHERS

With over 100 5-Star reviews on Google, Yelp, and Facebook, Tim Gillies is one of the highest rated photographers in Denver. Click below to see what others have already experienced!