If you are a couple looking to have a session that is equal parts whimsical photoshoot and memorable adventure, then do I have the place for you– Blue Lakes in Colorado!
Majestic mountain backdrop? Check. Cascading waterfall? Check. The bluest of blue lakes and lush forest surrounding it? Check. A moderate hike for more active couples? Got you covered. Beautiful vistas for couples who are just there for the rustic, adventurous portraits? Consider it done.
Adventurous Couples Photography near Breckenridge, Colorado
We truly captured the best of all worlds in this stunning spot between Ridgway and Telluride, only thirty minutes outside of Breckenridge. While location isn’t necessarily everything when it comes to capturing photos that feel magical, it sure was something in this couples photography session at the Blue Lakes Trail in southwest Colorado.
Nestled in the San Juan Mountains, the Blue Lakes Trail is a panoramic landscape of emerald and turquoise that resulted in photos I just want to dive headfirst into! They feel like something out of a mountain lover’s dream, and while it might look like we had to drive to ten different locations to capture a gallery like this, believe me when I tell you… this is just one spot!
The trail features three different alpine lakes – Lower, Middle, and Upper– and each of them is a vibrant shade of blue unlike any you’ve ever seen. Thanks to sunlight reflected off of glacial ‘flour’ present in the lake waters, these highly sought after blue lakes can be surreal when you see them in person (or in photographs!), depending on what time of day you go, as well as if you go during the warmer months. We opted to stay near the trailhead and go towards sunset for this particular photoshoot, but the lake was still simply lovely with the mountains reflecting and the last of the sun’s rays shimmering in its reflection.
What to Know Before You Go to Blue Lakes
If you’re thinking of planning your couples, engagement, or even elopement photos here, there are a few things you should consider before you go!
- If you’re not much of a wilderness person, but you still love the idea of getting photographs taken in this rugged and dramatic landscape, don’t worry: You can drive right up to the trailhead near where we took these photos!
- If you’re in it for the adventure, you might like to consider that the best time of year to hike the Blue Lakes is typically during the summer and early fall months. While I’m down for any adventure, this is when the trail is usually free of snow and the alpine wildflowers are in bloom.
- If you’re eloping here, don’t be afraid to get your dress a little dirty. By the end of my own wedding day in Arizona, my dress was covered in desert dust, but my memories (and my photos) are that much more whimsical and magical for it. I just wanted to be present in my surroundings with the love of my life, and it showed in every frame of my final gallery… and on the hem of my dress!
- If you want to do the hike up to Lower Blue Lake, factor in at least four hours to your photoshoot timeline just for the hike itself. Tack on a couple of hours for pausing for photos at viewpoints along the way!
- Allow yourself time to rest and savor the vistas. It’s not every day that you get a documentary-style photographer tagging along to capture your beautiful love story, and it’s important that you let yourself be immersed in the experience.
Looking for more ideas for your adventurous, documentary-style photoshoot? Follow along on Instagram or check out more inspo on my blog.
