Top 5 best places for Senior Portrait Photography on the Front Range of Colorado | From Mountains to Secret Castles

Are you looking to get stunning senior portraits done in Colorado? At Lorikeet Weddings, we know all the top secret spots for incredible portraits along the Front Range. From classic mountain vistas, to secret castles, read on to find our top 5 spots. We have saved the best for last!

Shanahan Ridge | Boulder, CO

Image of Shanahan Ridge in Boulder, CO. Perfect spot for pine forest senior portraits

Picture this, you're in Boulder, but in a magical pine forest where the light glows and seniors look ethereal in their portraits. That's the vibe at the Shanahan Ridge trailhead in Boulder. Now here are a few key things to note about this location. Boulder Open Space requires photographers have a permit to do shoots here (or on any City of Boulder maintained trail). Be sure your photographer has one because you can be asked to show it at any point. Lorikeet Weddings gets a yearly one to ensure all of our clients are covered. Also know that you will need to hike about 1/2 a mile in to get to the more forested area. The very first part of this hike is a bit steep and can get muddy after rain. There are also NO BATHROOMS on this trail. If you have multiple outfits, bring a pop up tent to change. We still absolutely recommend this trail in Boulder for senior portraits, even with it not having bathrooms and requiring a small hike in.

Here is a link to the Boulder Open Space and Parks listing for the location.

Just know the photos they have of this spot do absolutely no justice to how gorgeous it is in person. It photographs incredibly well for portraits.

Cheesman Park Colonnade | Denver, CO

A recent med school grad holds us "dr" shaped balloons in the grand colonnade. The white marble is a very classic look for portraits in Colorado. — Med School graduation photos taken at the Cheesman Park Colonnade in Denver, CO. Taken by Lorikeet Weddings

You want something grand and classic for your senior portraits? Look no further than Cheesman Park in Denver, CO. Want to hear the best part? There are no permits required for groups of 5 or less. We did a set of med school graduation pics here a few years ago and loved having the big "DR" balloons in the shots. Bringing props here is totally fine, and they can really pop against the white marble.

These were shot in the middle of the day, and there was a Quinceanera waiting to use the spot right after us. It's best to use this location in the early morning if at all possible, but usually photographers are happy to share when needed. Do note that there are some nearby restrooms for outfit changes, but they are not right next to this exact spot.

According to local lore, this entire park is haunted because it (and the neighboring botanic gardens) were all once a massive graveyard. We warned you haha.

Here is the listing for this location on Denver Parks.

One last note, we do recommend this spot over the nearby botanic gardens because the gardens charge a fee, and it's nearly impossible to avoid having other people in the background of some shots. You do not get exclusive access when paying these fees at the gardens. Usually fees like that include exclusive access...like we mention at the final venue listed in this article.

Rocky Mountain National Park

When you say you want mountains, we give you mountains! Rocky Mountain National Park is an amazing spot for senior portraits fi you're willing to drive up to Estes Park. In the Fall, changing leaves bring out orange and yellow backgrounds. In the Spring and Summer lush green brings a richness to shots that just can't be beat.

There are a few things to note about this location though. You may need a reservation to enter the park depending on the season unless you go in before 7:00 am. We suggest, going in before 7:00 am any way to get great lighting though. You also do not need a permit to shoot in national parks, but definitely pick a photographer that has been to the park before and can tell you the exact location for pictures. We do suggest avoiding things like trail ridge road and upper sections of the Fall River area. These aren't great spots for photos and they have delicate eco-systems. At Lorikeet Weddings we know the park very well and will happily guide you through a stress free photoshoot!

Daniels Park | Castle Pines, CO

Two girls walk towards an artistic visita at Daniels Park Colorado. This image shows one of the best senior portrait spots in Colorado. — Sisters during a senior portrait shoot walk towards an artistic vista featuring a stone shelters and winding path at Daniels Park.

Rolling mountain vistas, a stone shelter that photographs beautifully and... ONSITE BATHROOMS TO CHANGE IN!!!! Yes, Daniels Park in Castle Pines, Colorado has all this and more. The park is maintained by the City of Denver and does not require permits for groups less than 5. It also has some beautifully groomed flower beds near the shelter that make for stunning senior pics. This is actually our favorite outdoor park to do any photoshoots in.

The bathrooms are very close to the shelter, which makes outfit changes a breeze. You also do not need to walk far to find stunning shots. The park is fairly flat if anyone is wearing heels. What's the downside to Daniels Park? There really isn't one. It truly is one of the best spots for professional portraits in all of colorado. We might write an entire blog dedicated to this location soon. Thats how much we love it.

A few tips, if you can do your photos during sunrise or sunset here (golden hour). There is not a ton of shade around. We have done midday shoots here, but we extensively used polarizing filters and diffusers. Be sure your photographer knows how to handle brutal sunlight if you're here from 10 am on. There truly are no large trees to provide shade. At Lorikeet Weddings we have decades of experience with professional photography and know how to handle any conditions. We actually enjoy the challenge and love the photos that come out of it.

Here is the listing for Daniels Park on the Denver City site.

AND NOW...ARE YOU READY FOR THE BEST SPOT FOR SENIOR PORTRAITS IN COLORADO?

Cherokee Castle and Ranch | Sedalia, CO

Two sisters are posed on a couch in the churchill room of the cherokee castle in Colorado. It shows the best senior portrait location in Colorado — Two Sister sit in the Churchill Room of Cherokee Castle in Colorado. The image shows one of the best senior portrait locations in all of Colorado.

A high school senior poses with a book looking out one of the iconic arches at cherokee ranch in colorado. The shot shows off why Cherokee Ranch os the Best spot for senior portraits in Colorado. — Here a senior poses reading a book and overlooking the Front Range in one of Cherokee Castles iconic arches.

Ok, we are officially spilling all of Lorikeet Wedding's secrets here, but we want you to have incredible senior portraits. We first learned about Cherokee Castle and Ranch shooting a wedding there. The minute we stepped on property our jaws hit the floor. We had never heard of this "castle" before and when we saw it in person, we literally couldn't believe it had been hiding this whole time. If you're planning a wedding, absolutely check this fairytale venue out!

As the Cherokee Castle and Ranch's website puts it " Cherokee Castle is a rare example of a 15th century Scottish castle. Built over 100 years ago, this historic castle houses a collection of world-class art, antiques and rare books."

Now for senior portraits, you do need to book a time with them to reserve the castle. You have to pay a per hour fee for this location, but truly you just need 1 hr for something like senior portraits. We will also vouch that the fee is affordable and totally in line for access to a venue like this. They have stunning arches that overlook the whole front range, indoor settings filled with antique european furniture, and museum pieces everywhere. There is no location like this in the entire state. You can get both rolling mountain vistas and classic european architecture all within 100 feet of each other here.

If you want senior portraits that no one else has, book a shoot here with a professional photographer. You will not be disappointed.

Final Thoughts

We hope you enjoyed reading our top recommendations for senior portrait locations. Photos at any of these spots will be wonderful. These are all great locations for family photos, and some could even be great for wedding portraits (don't hike shanahan in a wedding gown haha). If you're looking for senior portraits, family photos, or wedding photos and film in Colorado, reach out to Lorikeet Weddings. We would love to capture your big moments in fine art!