3 Reasons Moraine Park in Rocky Mountain National Park is Perfect for your Maternity Session
Rocky Mountain National Park is the most visited national park and Moraine Park is one of it’s most popular spots. So it’s not surprising that this location is amazing for maternity photo sessions.
If you’re looking for drop dead gorgeous mountain vistas and the coveted water plus mountain combo, this is a location you definitely need to consider. There are so many reasons this location is amazing, but here’s my top three.
Reason #1: A Mountain Backdrop for the Ages
Moraine Park sits on the bottom of a valley. What does that mean for photography? Mountains in all directions, of course! You are literally surrounded by the mountains. This means that regardless of what direction I photograph, there will be mountains. It also means that this location provides an epic look that can only be gotten if you go to a place as special as Rocky Mountain National Park. You can’t get this in Kansas. You can’t even get this in Denver. It is a special backdrop reserved only for deep into the mountains
Reason #2: The Coveted Mountain, Water Combo
It is actually hard to find a location that combines mountains with a water feature. Water features around mountain peaks are typically at the bottom of inaccessible valley floors or hidden alpine lakes that require climbing to 11,000 feet. At Moraine Park though, you can get out of your car, walk 10 yards, and find yourself at a stream surrounded by mountains. It is one of the few locations where water and mountains meet and it’s accessible enough for someone in their third trimester.
Reason #3: There will Never Be Hoards of People
However you may feel about timed entry into Rocky Mountain National Park, there is one definite benefit. There are less people. That means that no matter how popular Rocky Mountain National Park is, we can get vistas without people behind us. We can access the good spots. And you can have the time and space to enjoy this special chapter of your pregnancy.
Quick Location Facts
Pretty easy access to photography spots. It is flat. However, this is not a wheelchair accessible location. The trail is in grass and sometimes muddy.
Pretty toddler friendly. Toddlers should be watched closely when near the water though.
Sunset sessions should start 45-60 minutes earlier than normal depending upon the time of year due to the sun dipping behind the mountains earlier there than in the Front Range
Unfortunately this location is not recommended for the summer due to timed entry. This location is down Bear Lake Corridor, which has timed entry until 6 pm. That is typically too late of a start time, even in the summer. Consult with your photographer about their approach to timed entry. And be prepared to have a plan B, as getting timed entry can be problematic.
Photo permits are no longer required at Rocky Mountain National Park for portraits. They are needed for styled sessions and marketing only sessions.
Nearly two hours from Downtown Denver, 75 minutes from Boulder, 70 minutes from Longmont, 90 minutes from Greeley, 90 minutes from Fort Collins
Please note that this location is closed from Sept 1 - Oct 31 every year to allow space for the elk bugling
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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