Durango Portrait Location Ideas
Memorial Park: This location is my favorite spot for an afternoon session when we need shade. If your session is scheduled for the afternoon, before golden hour, this spot is perfect! In the summer, we can photograph here at 3 pm or later. During months when the days are shorter, we can use this spot even earlier.
Perins Peak: yellow flowers in fall, lots of green in spring/summer, drive up access on dirt road. This place is great for an evening or late afternoon session.
NEW! Echo Basin: I haven’t had the chance to bring a client to this location yet but I scouted it out and it’s perfect for an evening or morning session. This location is about 1 hour outside of Durango but includes easy access wildflowers that you can drive right up to (vehicle that can handle rough dirt roads is required). Blooms usually peak mid June but even without the blooms, it has stunning cliff views! ($35 travel charge for this location). These are just cell phone pics but I promise you, this location will not disappoint!
Falls Creek: red cliffs, open field with grass, green in spring/summer, lots of yellows in the fall. Falls creek is best for a very early morning session (before 8 am) or late afternoon or evening session.
La Plata Canyon: green in spring/summer, waterfall all seasons, mountains, forest, colorful aspens in fall. Best for a morning session (before 9 am) or late afternoon or evening session.
Cascade: epic mountain views, open field, tall pines and colorful aspens in the fall, green in spring/summer, gorgeous snowy peaks in the winter (may require 4x4 vehicle in winter). This spot is great for a morning session (before 9 am) but also works well for an evening session. It is not a great location for the early afternoon as it is very sunny.
Summit Lake, Mancos, CO: beautiful pine trees and lake, green in spring/summer in the forest, easy to access. Perfect for an evening session.
Purgatory: colorful aspens in the fall, green in spring/summer, beautiful snowy peaks in the winter. Perfect for an evening session.
Overend Park Trail in Crestview Neighborhood: easy access, yellows in the fall, green spring/summer, mountain view and forest. This location is great for a morning, late afternoon, or evening session.
Rotary Park: gazebo, lots of green grass, river access, yellows in fall, green spring/summer, easy access. This location is best for an early morning session, or evening.
River Path, Foot Bridge, and Powerhouse: easy access, river access, green spring summer along river path, yellows in the fall, cool urban features like foot bridge, tunnel, and brick walls, Great for an early morning or evening session.
Lion’s Den and Fort Lewis College: easy access, colorful in the fall, mountain views overlooking town of Durango, gorgeous snowy peaks in the winter. This spot is best for an evening session.
Elbert Creek Trail (Near Purgatory): small amount of walking on the trail, deep forest, colorful in the fall, very tall trees, creek runs in spring/early summer, green in spring/summer.
Baker’s Bridge: epic views, colorful in the fall, green in spring/summer, easy access, river access and cliff views, beautiful in winter. Best for a morning or evening session.
Downtown Durango: easy access, tons of fun urban features, different and unique
Lemon Reservoir: green in spring/summer, colorful aspens in the fall, lake view. Best for an evening session.
Junction Creek: evergreens all year, running water, some mountain views, easy access, yellow foliage in fall. Best for early morning or evening session.
Studio: perfect for any time of day with any weather, dozens of backdrops, furniture, and set pieces to choose from. Warm, dry, and convenient any time of year, classic and timeless portraits with creative and unique lighting. Great for any time of day!
