Want an Epic Mountain and Alpine Lake Backdrop for your Mountain Maternity Photoshoot? Try Brainard Lake.
Why Brainard Lake Shines for Maternity Photography
Mountains and Water All in One
It’s hard to get mountains and water together in Colorado for a maternity photoshoot, but Brainard Lake is one of the few gems that offers both. The peaks surround the lake, so multiple angles will still get you both. That means that capturing both the lake and the mountains can be done regardless of how north or south the sun may be at that time of year. That is a particularly hard trait to find in a location.
Short Walk
The parking is right next to the lake. It takes just minutes to get from your car to the lake. And, in fact, you can even drive right up to the lake. That makes this location very accessible. Although one with mobility issues couldn’t go all the way down to the shoreline, we can still get epic views from the roadway that surrounds the lake.
Diversity of Scenery
This lake is surrounded by beautiful pine forests and some of those areas can boast some amazing backdrops. It feels like a completely different world when you’re surrounded by these tall pine trees occupying all the areas around Brainard Lake. There is also a great pathway leading to the lake that provides great framing opportunities for photos.
Why This Location Might Be For You
I’d recommend this location for you if:
you want magnificent mountain views with a lake.
you don’t want anyone to second guess that you’re in Colorado.
you want to get a diversity of backdrops that include a lake, mountains, and beautiful forests.
your session is sometime between June 15 and October 15.
you’re prepared for winter weather year-round and can handle high altitude.
Quick Location Facts
Very short walk from the parking lot to the lake and surrounding forests
A parking reservation is required. It cannot be booked any earlier than two weeks before your session date. That does mean that a plan B location and prompt purchasing of the reservation are needed for this location.
An entrance fee is required. If you have the national parks pass, that will get you into Brainard Lake.
Bathrooms available on site
Winter weather should be expected year-round, as this is a very high altitude location
The main gate for the Brainard Lake Recreation Area is closed between October 15 and June 15, weather permitting. Therefore photoshoots at the lake itself can only be done between June 15 and October 15.
80 minutes from Denver, 45 minutes from Boulder, 60 minutes from Longmont, 90 minutes from Greeley, 90 minutes from Fort Collins, 50 minutes from Estes Park, two hours from Castle Rock, and 90 minutes from Aurora.
Full Session Slideshows
To see what a full photo session looks like at this location, check out the below slideshows.
Sara Herkes is a maternity, newborn, family, and senior photographer based in Longmont, CO. She serves the the Denver Metro Area, the Colorado Rockies, and the Northern Front Range and captures your pregnancy amidst the Colorado wilderness. Learn more about her services here.
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