Pro Tips to Master Colorado Wedding Photography
Ready to turn your passion into a profession? Discover how to master the art of Colorado wedding photography and create unforgettable memories for couples in love.
The text arrives unexpectedly: "Would you photograph our wedding?"
Your heart races a bit. Taking portraits in your backyard or capturing Colorado sunsets is one thing. But a wedding? That's stepping into a whole new world. I've been there - staring at my camera gear the night before, wondering if I was ready to capture someone's biggest moments.
Here's the thing about wedding photography: whether you're dealing with unpredictable mountain weather or navigating downtown Denver's ever-changing light and foot and car traffic, it's always about the prep work you put in and then setting aside any expectations for the day as you rely on instinct and adaptability. Weddings and events are inherently imperfect. The couple wants to get married in the summer mountains, and it’s pouring rain, or they’re sweating profusely, begging to go inside. So, do your research, scout the location, track where the sun will be, memorize the schedule, and then hold all that prep work with a light grip, as most things will not go according to plan.
It’s about utilizing your technical skill to take amazing couple portraits on a less-than-desirable porch instead of the mountain backdrop because it’s raining. It’s about utilizing your emotional skills to support the couple when they leave their suit jacket back at the hotel, so they bump the ceremony and you adapt and do whatever photos you can do pre-ceremony.
You’ll find the perfect light on the porch, ease them into beautiful posing with your emotional skills, and when you can document that stunning mountain photograph, whether 30 seconds or 30 minutes, at some point. While they came to the mountains to get married or chose the Limelight Hotel in Denver so they could take photos at Union Station, their wedding day is about them, their people, and their love.
Those photos you’re so technically concerned about nailing? They’ll only be a fraction of the day and hang up in their house for a few years. But the photo where a groom is hugging his dad, and they’re both crying? That photo will stay on his bedside table for the rest of his life. Those same eyes that caught that stunning Garden of the Gods sunset? They're exactly what you need to capture authentic wedding moments.
I remember my journey from an eager amateur to a seasoned wedding photographer. It could have been smoother, but each challenge taught me something valuable. This guide shares the real lessons I've learned along the way—not just the technical stuff but the human side of telling love stories through your lens.
Capturing Love, One Frame at a Time
Photographing a wedding is often a request that starts with a friend or family member who sees your potential. It’s a unique honor but also a significant responsibility. Yet, mastering wedding photography in Colorado—whether in the serene Rocky Mountains or the bustling streets of Denver—doesn’t have to be as intimidating as it sounds.
With the right tools, preparation, and techniques, you can transform a daunting task into an artful celebration of love and commitment. I can tell you the things I’ve learned along the way.
The Essential Camera Gear
Without the right equipment, wedding photography would be difficult to master.
When it comes to wedding photography in Colorado, the right equipment can make or break your shoot. Here’s what you’ll need to ensure your gear is as ready as you are:
The Two-Camera Advantage: Carrying two camera bodies is non-negotiable for professionals. Colorado’s weddings often feature dynamic environments—think mountain backdrops transitioning into elegant reception halls. One camera with a wide-angle lens and another with a telephoto lens allows for versatility without wasting precious time swapping lenses.
Memory Card Savvy: High-capacity, reliable memory cards are essential for capturing hundreds of high-resolution images. Always bring spares—Colorado’s picturesque locations will have you clicking more than you anticipate. I keep a 512 GB CF card in one of the two memory card slots on my camera the whole season. This allows me to always have a backup that I don’t delete for six months, in addition to my computer back ups. In case my card corrupts, I always have two memory cards per camera. Also, make sure you’re purchasing high-speed memory cards. While more expensive, the rugged SD cards are some of my favorites because, unlike traditional SD cards, they’re not hollow inside, so they’re much more “rugged” and durable, as the name suggests.
Lenses for Every Scene: A standard 24-70mm lens is perfect for candid moments, while a 70-200mm telephoto lens captures those intimate vows from a respectful distance. Add a prime lens, such as 50mm, for artistic shots that highlight Colorado's natural light.
Natural Light vs. Flash: Many couples adore Colorado’s golden hour glow, so mastering natural light photography is key. For indoor receptions or unpredictable weather, a portable flash ensures consistent results.
The Bare Minimum: If you’re about to shoot your first wedding, you might just have one camera and one lens. If you’re about to buy your gear for your first wedding, I’d recommend a full-frame mirrorless camera, a 50mm lens, and a Godox flash. When I first started wedding photography, I did info interviews with over 50 photographers, and many of them shared how you really can capture a whole wedding day on a 50 mm. Also, sometimes I fall into the trap of getting bogged down by “do I have the right lens on?!”. When shooting your first wedding, it’s nice to have minimal gear, as it helps with decision fatigue.
The Real Preparation
Preparing for the perfect shot is vital.
Tons of preparation is needed when photographing a wedding. Make sure to remember all these key details:
Having a Backup Photographer
Depending on the couple’s budget, it’ll be a good idea to get a second photographer. I learned the hard way about backup photographers when my battery died right before the first dance—talk about a nightmare scenario. Luckily, my second shooter captured the beginning of the first dance as I switched out my batteries. In other cases, a second photographer can also help because those candid guest reactions deserve to be captured while I'm focused on the couple's big moments.
I always tell my couples that I fully believe in the buddy system. Them adding an extra $300-600 for a second shooter is not only double the photos on the wedding day, but also insurance that in case something happens to me or my gear, they won’t need to worry. When hiring a second photographer, try to meet with them in person, have them sign a contract that they will be showing up, send them a google calendar invite to the wedding day, and send them your expectations.
Early on, several second shooters canceled on me weeks or days before the actual date. Doing this prep work and meeting with them beforehand allows you to avoid some of these struggles.
Understanding the Couple’s Vision
Fun wedding photos capture the personality of the couple.
When it comes to understanding a couple’s vision, it's less about a checklist and more about connection. We usually talk about their story - how they met, what makes them laugh together, what moments matter most. Some couples light up when they're just being themselves, while others feel most confident with gentle guidance. You have to learn to make them feel comfortable.
Also, understanding a couple’s photography priorities is essential. Are they excited about their brand name shoes, the mountain photographs, the photographs of them and their people? Knowing what matters most will ensure you get them the results they want. You don’t need to stress if you don’t get every candid moment or every extravagant detail, but getting more candids vs details, or more details vs candids, will depend upon the needs of the couple hiring you.
Mastering Photo Editing Software
The largest amount of work often starts after the celebration. That’s when the editing begins. Sometimes, it’s to bring out the warmth in a father's proud smile or capture the exact shade of that mountain sunset that made everyone gasp. Good editing enhances the story without screaming "filtered." I recommend Adobe Lightroom for its combination of ease of use and powerful automation. It can even use AI to "learn" your style and apply it to your entire album - then you can go in and fine-tune from there. Big time saver.
I’d also recommend diving into YouTube and finding a style you like. Paying for courses is also a huge time saver initially, as you can learn editing tips and tricks from the experts.
Scouting Iconic Colorado Locations
No place even comes close to Colorado's venues. But it isn’t easy all the time. Sure, you can Google the best spots at Red Rocks, but what about when unexpected things happen, like when construction blocks your planned shooting location? Or when you find that perfect Golden Hour spot but it’s suddenly full of tourists?
Spending time at these places, watching how the light plays across the gardens throughout the day, discovering those hidden corners - that's what turns a good photo session into an unforgettable one.
Pro tip, download light tracking apps to track in person where the sun will set. I show up 1-2 hours early to scout the venue and surrounding areas. You can always scout ahead of time too. In addition you can scout virtually via Google Earth Pro - the desktop version. Just make sure this isn’t your only means of scouting, as nothing replaces in-person planning.
Day-of Wedding Photography Tips
Wedding Photography at Blue Lake.
Navigating the Getting Ready Suite
The morning of a wedding has this special energy. The first time I walked into a getting-ready suite, I was struck by how the room just buzzed with excitement and nerves. Now I know to arrive early, find a quiet corner, and just observe for a few minutes. Sometimes, the best shots happen when nobody's paying attention - a mom wiping away tears while her daughter's getting her makeup done or bridesmaids sharing childhood stories between champagne sips.
Capturing Key Details
Those tiny details everyone fusses over for months? They matter. But here's what I've learned: it's not just about taking pretty pictures of rings and flowers. It's about capturing why these details mean something. Maybe it's grandma's pearls woven into the bouquet or those hand-written vows tucked into a suit pocket. These small things tell the bigger story.
Using Layers in Your Photos
Speaking of stories, depth makes them better. One of my favorite techniques came from an accident—I was trying to stay out of the way during a Lookout Mountain ceremony, shot through the inside of the venue, and discovered magic. Now, I look for these natural frames everywhere, whether it's mountain wildflowers or the geometric lines of downtown Denver architecture.
Balancing Perspectives
Forget everything you learned about always shooting at eye level. Some of my most memorable shots came from literally lying on the ground (pro tip: always pack a change of clothes) or climbing up venue stairs for an overhead view. Just watch your step - I once (and by once I mean many a time) backed right into a groomsman while focusing on my composition. During the wedding day I like to keep a little refrain going in my head “up, down, in out”. Can I shoot from above, below, closer, further? Asking yourself this will give you so many more dynamic images.
Keeping the Bride and Groom’s Coverage Even
Balance is everything on a wedding day, and not just in your photos. I learned early on that while one partner often gets the spotlight, some of the most touching moments happen when you catch a groom's parent seeing him in his suit for the first time, or those quiet moments as he reads a letter from his soon-to-be spouse. Both partner’s stories deserve to be told, and make sure you’re capturing some of both of their favorite people too. Sometimes, one partner’s parents or crew can draw your eye more easily, but that doesn’t mean the quieter side shouldn’t be documented just as much.
Post-Production Essentials
Backing Up Files: After a long day, the first thing you should do is to back up everything you shot. You can use external hard drives, memory cards, or cloud storage - whatever you have available.
Basic Editing Techniques: Learn how to enhance natural beauty by adjusting the exposure, contrast, and color tones. Here’s a color guide I use sometimes. Additionally, you can influence the viewer’s emotions by intentionally using certain colors. I love how this photographer does just that. That’s a very important thing that photographers can do. Also, pro tip: find a photographer's style you love, use their photos as a reference image on Lightroom, and stick to that style for a whole 6 months. One of the biggest things that bog wedding photographers down is trying to change their style mid-season.
Delivering the Final Product: Set a deadline for delivering your photos, and stick to it - I usually give myself 2-3 months to deliver the final product to ensure what I'm giving them is the best possible quality. It's longer than other photographers, but I'd rather set that expectation up front with the couple and deliver a fantastic product.
The Human Side
The photography courses will teach you about f-stops and shutter speeds, but they miss the heart of wedding photography. Sometimes you have to put the camera down - holding a tissue for a tearful mother, or helping the flower girl find her missing shoe, or just being a calm presence when nerves are running high. With that, capturing these moments can be so special, so if there’s another vendor around, a helpful friend, or your second is nearby, have them do these things for you.
These small acts of kindness do more than just help the day run smoother - they let people forget about the camera and just be themselves. And that's when you can capture something beautiful: real laughter, authentic tears, and unfiltered joy through your lens.
Ready to Capture Love in Its Most Beautiful Form?
It’s okay to have doubts about your abilities. I had them too. The important thing is to try your best. I shared what I’ve learned over the years so you would have the best advantage a budding photographer can have.
Soon, you’ll be capturing amazing photos where every frame tells a unique love story. Go get ‘em!
If you’re interested in one-on-one coaching feel free to connect with me here.
