If you are struggling to decide if a photo engagement session is worth it, my answer is YES! A photo engagement session gives you and your sweetheart a chance to feel comfortable in front of the camera, to spend time enjoying and celebrating your engagement, and get some beautiful, professional photos outside of your wedding.
And if you’re planning a wedding in the Colorado mountains, an engagement session in Crested Butte gives us an opportunity to explore some pretty incredible scenery
Why Have a Photo Engagement Session?
Get Comfortable with the Camera and Your Photographer
Engagement sessions are a great way to get to know your photographer and have some professional photos in a different season than your wedding. Couples often feel “awkward” in front of the camera. Well this is a great way to create a bond with your photographer and build trust so that on your wedding day you feel comfortable and at ease.
Most couples are not models and will need some coaching form the photographer. A good professional photographer will have lots of ways to help you feel at ease and make the session fun!
It is a Good Pre-Wedding Experience
A photo engagement session is a great practice run for your wedding day. Getting to know your photographer’s style and personality goes a long way for the wedding day when stress is high. This way when your photographer shows up on your wedding day you know what to expect and that your photos will look amazing!
What Should We Wear for a Photo Engagement Session?
Engagement session outfits should be comfortable and as dressy as a couple wants. If you’re doing a photo engagement session in the Rocky Mountains, you want to be aware of the terrain with sensible shoes and layers.
You want to feel and look like you, but the best version of you! Check out my blog: How to Feel Like You for more tips on looking and feeling like yourself in your photo engagement session!
How Much is a Photo Engagement Session?
Engagement sessions vary in price- they could be included in your wedding package if you have also hired this photographer for your wedding day. Photographers also charge by the hour ranging from $250-$350 an hour, with some photographers creating packages that include products and multiple locations for $900+. Visit Engagement Pricing for more details on engagement costs in Crested Butte.
Best Proposal Locations?
Great proposal locations are often spots that can create the illusion of doing something other than being proposed to such as going to dinner or happy hour drinks. This will get the other partner dressed up without being suspicious. Common locations in Crested Butte are in the downtown off Elk Avenue. If the couple would like a mountain back drop there are several great trail locations that don’t require much hiking in Crested Butte. Some of these locations are:
- the Woods Walk– easy to get to from parking lot, great view of the mountain and aspens
- the Lower Loop– a relaxed trail along the Slate river
- Gunsight Bridge– cute and unique bridge with mountain views and a river crossing
Best Photo Engagement Session Locations?
Crested Butte is full of great engagement locations and most couple’s photo engagement session will be at several different locations for a variety of backdrops.
Depending on the season, Crested Butte has endless amazing locations with mountain backdrops, aspen forest and cute downtown cabins. Chose a different season from your wedding for a variety of looks.
- The wildflower fields at locations like the Cb Campground and Washington Gulch are full of purple lupines in June and sunflower fields in July
- Downtown Elk Ave is a great location for winter engagement sessions with snowy mountains surrounding the colorful buildings
- Enjoy the golden aspens on Kebler Pass in September
Sunset or Sunrise?
Sunrise and sunset engagement photos are beautiful. Sunrise can be challenging in the summer as it requires getting up and dressed and to the location quite early- like 5am. Sunset is much more feasible in the summer and fall months and much warmer in the winter.
How Long is a Session?
A typical proposal or photo engagement session lasts 1- 2 hours. This is enough time for multiple locations and the potential for hiking or driving further into the mountains.
Can we Bring Champagne? What About Our Dog?
Yes you can absolutely bring champagne, but if you’re working with Third Eye Photography, I always bring a bottle of champagne and take some great pictures of popping the cork.
And yes you can bring your dog. It is worth discussing with your photographer beforehand to make sure the locations planned allow animals. Most locations in Crested Butte allow dogs and if your dog is well behaved, they can be off leash for some great dog photos!
Planning a Crested Butte Photo Engagement Session?
Whether you’re getting married in Crested Butte or simply want to make a trip to the mountains for your engagement photos, we’ll create a session around the two of you.
I’ll help with locations, timing, outfits and planning, and when it’s time to get in front of the camera, I’ll guide you so you don’t have to worry about what you’re supposed to be doing.
The goal isn’t to make you look like everyone else’s engagement photos. It’s to create photographs that actually feel like you as a couple.
Third Eye Photography | Crested Butte, Colorado
Engagement • Proposal • Wedding Photography
