It turns out that there are a plethora of beautiful wedding venues and locales in Southwest Colorado and the Durango region.  This is one of the reasons Durango photography has captivated me.  If you happen to drive Northwest out of Durango for about an hour you may end up in a cute little town known as Dolores.  If you head East through downtown Dolores you will likely be headed to Telluride, and if you attempt to count the amount of beautiful locations for weddings, Colorado wedding photography, and or Colorado elopement photography spots you would end up with a fairly large number.

Sage and Kiliyah found a beautiful spot for their intimate ceremony in an aspen glade just uphill of the Dolores River fairly close to the historic town of Rico.  If you are interested in renting this property for your event or vacation in the area here is the link:
https://www.vrbo.com/1684432

The Dolores river valley is absolutely stunning and as a Durango photographer I only wish that I could take photos at so many of the gorgeous properties along the drive.  Thankfully there are properties like this one that allow events to take place in the midst of this scenery!

If you are looking for Colorado elopement packages and possible locations for your elopement plans the Dolores River valley via Highway 141 from Stoner to Lizard Head Pass to Telluride has just about anything that you could ask for: Red Sandstone river gorges, aspens as far as the eye can see, snow capped mountains, high alpine lakes, and plenty of places to easily get away from the crowds.  Durango photographers like me get very excited when clients plan their events in this area.

Eloping in Colorado can be a truly magical experience.  In the case of Sage and Kiliyah it was exactly that, magical.  The Durango to Telluride area offers endless possibilities and stunning views as far as the eye can see.  I highly recommend planning your event here!  For more information on my elopement packages click here: Elopement
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For more information regarding the area around Rico and the Upper Dolores River Valley click here: www.uncovercolorado.com/towns/rico/
Here is a list of great hikes in the Dolores area: www.alltrails.com/us/colorado/dolores

Approximately 45 miles West of Durango, between Mancos, Cortez, and Dolores, there is an absolutely beautiful ranch owned by a man named "Jimbo;" I was lucky enough to be the Durango photographer for Elisha and Abi's wedding there.

Jimbo's land wasn't developed for Southwest wedding photography; however, it might as well have been.  The property is encompassed by excellent views of the surrounding Sleeping Ute Mountains and desert ridges, it includes a large pond, aspen glen, old growth Weeping Willows, a large rock fountain, a private garden, and plenty of room for all of the wedding necessities such as a giant reception tent.

Durango photographers never know what kind of clients are going to contact them and book them for photography sessions because Durango is such a hub for all sorts of tourists, travelers, and events.  This being said, I always want to meet my clients before I decide to work for them so that I have a sense of who I'll be working with (which seems reasonable, right?).  Well, I had a good sense of what I was getting into with this crew and it went swimmingly.

Thankfully my contact was Efrain and he filled me in on exactly what to anticipate.  I'm always excited to work with folks who are likely to have a good time and this crew did not disappoint as evidenced by this series of photos:

This wedding was a perfect blend of serious and light-hearted and it made for some spectacular Durango photography.  

Durango Wedding Magazine is a great resource for exploring Durango's local wedding venues and you can find them here: durangoweddingsmagazine.com/venues/

If you would like to see more of my photography you can click the following links:
Wedding / Elopement Gallery

Every wedding and elopement is unique.  Even after meeting my clients and going over locations and itineraries I never know exactly how a wedding is going to go.  So many vendors are involved, not to mention attendants, and the weather is impossible to dictate.  Well, sometimes everything is perfect.  That was the case at this wedding.  About 12 miles outside of Durango, Colorado, on the way to Vallecito Reservoir there is an absolutely stunning ranch which Caitlin and Elex were lucky enough to get married at.  Durango photographers tend to do photography at many of the same venues so I am usually excited and slightly nervous when I am hired to take photos at a new location.  This locale exceeded any and all of my expectations and so did these two brides! 

Every time I arrive at a new location I immediately reconnoiter the area to see where I am going to take couples and groups for photography.  This ranch was an absolute dream.  There was a creek.  There was a giant meadow.  There was a pond with a waterfall!  I was in heaven.

This wedding was a Durango photographer's dream come true.  Caitlin and Elex were incredible to work with and very easy going.  They presented me with prolific opportunities to take great photos.

One fantastic thing about summer weddings is that the sun stays up well into the evening.  Many weddings are already dark by the time the first dances start; unfortunately, dark conditions don't typically bode well for great photography.  I have yet to meet a photographer who prefers shooting with a flash instead of natural lighting.  Caitlin and Elex scheduled their wedding day very well and I was lucky enough to have the sun lighting up the dance floor by the time the itinerary had the first dances begin!

This particular venue is private so having a wedding here requires friendship with the owner; however, there are plenty of beautiful venues in and around the Durango area.  I recommend the Ridgewood Event Center and River Bend Ranch if you want great views 15 minutes out of town or the Durango Powerhouse and The Smiley Building if you prefer to be downtown for your ceremony.  You can contact me here: Contact
For more photos click here: Wedding / Elopement Gallery
For Colorado Elopement Packages click here: Elopement

Chris and Charisse could not have chosen a better day to elope outside of Durango, Colorado, in early October last fall.  Conditions were absolutely stunning.  As a Durango Photographer I could not have asked for a better photography shoot.

Charisse originally contacted me about her wedding plans involving a beautiful aspen glade near Purgatory Ski Resort (approximately 20 miles from Durango) and I was immediately interested due to the timing and location of the event.  We spoke at length about my Colorado Elopement Packages and  set her plans straight into motion.  I love elopement photography and adventure photography, especially in beautiful locations, and this elopement was checking all of the boxes.

When the time finally arrived for Chris and Charisse's big day I was concerned because of some weather predictions that I saw forecasting heavy afternoon thunderstorms (as Durango photographers we are always concerned about the weather because it tends to change constantly).  Chris and Charisse were fortunate to have some rooms booked at Purgatory and they got ready while we watched some rain move through; however, the storms moved out just in time and we were left with wonderful conditions for intimate wedding photography.

When driving North from Durango you will immediately gain several thousand feet of elevation and will pass Purgatory around 8,500 feet above sea level.  From Purgatory Highway 550 continues to rise in elevation to almost 11,000 feet within a few miles!  Highway 550 then works it's way North another 20 miles or so to Silverton and all the while passes through absolutely gorgeous terrain with ample opportunities for landscape photography and elopement photography.  I feel very fortunate to call this area my home.  This day truly was Durango photography at it's finest!

For more information regarding Purgatory Ski Resort click HERE

To find out more about Highway 550 check out this article: ​https://www.rd.com/article/million-dollar-highway-guide/

To contact me in regards to your awesome elopement plans click this button:

As a Colorado Elopement Photographer I have seen many different types of elopements from just the couple by themselves in the woods to large parties carrying coolers and tables out into the wilderness.  Elopements are fantastic in that way because you can make them your own and turn them into exactly what you envisioned (that can be much more difficult and expensive when planning a wedding!).

The most popular Colorado elopement packages are typically the following:

• The Wilderness Elopement (My personal favorite photography package): This package includes a ceremony in a remote location, such as a mountaintop or a forest clearing. Couples can choose to hike to the ceremony site or be transported by a vehicle. These packages typically include photography, photo editing, and unlimited consultations for your planning.  Many photographers charge extra when delivering your photos after the event, I include all of the photos in the original price.  They may include things like videography, a wedding officiant, and transportation, but you need to talk to your photographer about that in most cases.
• The Alpine Elopement: This package includes a ceremony in the mountains, such as at a ski resort or a mountain lake.  Couples can choose to hike to the ceremony site or be transported by a vehicle, which may be challenging depending on the location and current weather! These packages also include photography and consulting, among other things, depending on the photographer.  As a Durango Photographer I love taking photos in the alpine!
• The City Elopement: This package includes a ceremony in a city, such as Denver or Boulder. Couples can choose to have their ceremony in a park, a museum, or a historic building. These packages typically include photography and consultations and may include things like videography and officiants depending on the company or photographer that you hire.  Keep in mind permitting for urban elopements!

The first thing you want to do when planning an elopement is decide where you want to elope, at least a general location.  After that, if you are planning a simple elopement, you want to find a photographer who can help you dial down your exact location and consult you on planning the rest of your event.  If you are planning an elopement involving, catering, videography, sound equipment, setting up structures, or other vendors, you may want to consider finding a wedding planner to help you dial down many of these extra details; however, your photographer can typically help with all of those things as well!

No matter what type of elopement couples are looking for, they can find a package in Colorado that fits their needs. Couples can choose from a variety of locations, services, and prices to create the perfect elopement day.
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Here are some additional things to consider when planning a Colorado elopement:

• The time of year: Colorado has four distinct seasons, so couples will need to choose the time of year that best suits their interests. For example, couples who love hiking and backpacking might want to elope in the summer, while couples who love skiing and snowboarding might want to elope in the winter.  I have laid in deep snow for hours while photographing a surprise winter proposal session!
• The weather: Colorado can be a very unpredictable place, so couples should be prepared for any type of weather. Durango photographers always recommend packing layers of clothing, as well as rain gear and sunscreen.
• The permits: Some locations in Colorado require a permit for weddings or elopements. Couples should check with the local authorities to make sure they have all the necessary permits.  Most Colorado photographers should be more than happy to assist you in this process.

With a little planning, couples can have a beautiful and memorable elopement in Colorado.  Just remember:  choosing the proper adventure photographer can make all the difference when planning and executing your perfect day!

If you need inspiration to find your perfect location check out this list of Colorado hikes: www.pinterest.com/pin/646829565201286103/

I would love to be your Colorado Elopement Photographer! To contact me click here! Contact

To view my Colorado Elopement Packages click here: Elopement

This blog has mostly been focused on photography, be it landscape photography,  Colorado elopement packages, Durango photographers, or Durango wedding photography; my focus has been writing to people that are most likely looking to get married, or have some sort of event.  Well, if you are getting married, or planning an event, you are going to need some help!  There is going to be a LONG to-do list and one of the first things on that list will be sending out cards, or stationary.  Meet Basic Invite, one of the best, most customizable, online stationary platforms for creating cards exactly how you want them to look.     

Basic Invite stands out because customers are able to order a printed sample of their product before submitting a final order.  This way you don't end up with a product that does not look how you intended!

Basic Invite even lets you customize the color of your envelopes with over 40 colors to choose from.  These envelopes have a peel and seal feature so that you won't have to lick all of them (Seinfeld fans know that too many envelope licks can be a bad idea).  

Are you planning on inviting a plethora of people?  Finding all of those addresses can take days of your time!  Basic Invite offers an address gathering service which takes care of that for you by allowing customers to share a link on social media to request your guest's addresses for you.  Furthermore, if foil is your thing Basic invite has you covered with foil available in gold, silver, or rose gold with options to choose flat or raised foil on all of your foil designs.

Here is a quick recap of the details:

• Customizable colors and fonts: You can choose the perfect colors and fonts to match your wedding theme and personal style.
• Instant previews: You can see how your invitations will look before you even place your order.
• Customized samples: You can order a sample of your invitations to make sure you're happy with the quality before you place your final order.
• Free custom foil text: You can add a touch of luxury to your invitations with free custom foil text.
• Free websites: You can create a free website to share all of the important details about your wedding with your guests.
• Free address collection: They'll collect your guests' addresses for you, so you don't have to worry about it.
• Fast shipping: They offer fast shipping so you can get your invitations in time for your wedding.
• Mailing service: They offer a mailing service so you can get your invitations mailed to your guests without having to deal with it yourself!

If you need a graduation invite, wedding announcements, or invitations of any kind Basic Invite is your spot and they are offering 15% off right now with code: 15FF51
To see more check out their social media below: @basicinvite
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If you would like to get in touch with me please click here: Contact

These new elopements are more concerned with finding a beautiful outdoor location to perform their ceremony and may even involve close family and friends forming a very small "wedding party" that is invited along. 

If you are considering an elopement I would highly recommend it, especially if you are considering doing it in Colorado or the Southwest!  There are many pros and few cons when comparing Colorado elopement packages to standard wedding pricing and follow-through.  As a Durango elopement photographer (and wedding photographer) I can attest that planning an elopement will result in much less stress, a healthier bank account, better photos, and a lot more peace of mind!  The only con is that some of your extended friends and family may be slightly upset with you for not allowing them to be there.  Explore my elopement packages here: Colorado Elopement Photographer Packages

Colorado and the Southwest are great places to elope for several reasons: the weather tends to be fantastic, the views are stunning, the crowds are easily avoided, flying is usually affordable, finding a great location is easy, and there are plenty of locations that don't involve too much effort to get to!  If you need help finding a spot for your perfect elopement ceremony I am more than happy to assist you for no extra charge.  Feel free to browse my landscape gallery for inspiration: Southwest Elopement Photographer Ideas Gallery

I absolutely love elopement photography and as an adventure wedding photographer mountain elopements are my favorite.  If you are planning your own outdoor ceremony you are off to a good start because you have already tracked down a Colorado elopement photographer!  The first important step in the process is choosing your ceremony location; this process can be a lot easier if you talk to someone familiar with the region that you are interested in IF you aren't already familiar yourself.  Once your location is set you'll need to decide what kind of services you want to be involved.  Do you want a videographer, photographer, and or an event planner?  In many cases most people only need a photographer because their photographer can help plan the ceremony *ahem*.  Time of year is obviously very important because winter weddings are much more difficult to plan and facilitate, yet may be worth it for the effort! 

A great elopement can be well done with a small budget, a few good friends or family members to help, a few decor items, possibly a few flowers (and/or beverages i.e. champagne), and a well formed plan.  Feel free to reach out if you need assistance with yours!

For inquiries click here: Contact
Interesting areas of the Southwest: Lonely Planet
To explore some ideas click here: www.pinterest.com/artandsoulevent/elopements-and-micro-weddings/
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I knew there was a reason I bought a telephoto lens this year and that reason became blatantly obvious during this particular photoshoot.  Justin and I wanted his girlfriend, now fiancé, to be surprised; which meant that we didn't want her to see me when he bent his knee and produced the ring.  As it turns out, it isn't always easy to hide and still snap great photos!  In this particular setting there was no where for me to hide within at least two hundred yards.  Luckily I have a 150-600mm lens that did the trick.

I dawned all of my snow clothes and arrived an hour early to find my hiding spot.  I felt like a spy in enemy territory.  The ebb and flow of the snowstorm during my wait added a bit of anxiety to my predicament; however, the snow treated us well and added an amazing touch to the final product.  Luckily I wasn't spotted until after the proposal!  As it turns out Durango photography isn't always straightforward, especially mid-winter.

Whether doing photography for a fall wedding with impending rain storms, spring High School Portraits with freezing temperatures, or completing a challenging high mountain Colorado elopement package, I have never been as nervous about messing up a photo shoot as I was for this particular Durango Photographer's mission!  Thank goodness I didn't screw it up and was adequately prepared. 

These two were amazing to work with and I'm really glad they didn't turn around before arriving at the proposed proposal location because the trek in was much more difficult than we originally expected.  Their proposal turned out to be incredibly beautiful and very much worth the difficulties; probably as gorgeous or more so than the majority of my elopement photography shoots that I have done, in my humble opinion.  As a Colorado elopement photographer I couldn't ask for a more majestic day.

You can find more information regarding my photography packages here:
Package Pricing
​For more photos from me check out the following gallery:
Wedding / Elopement Gallery
​Click the following link to find more relevant information regarding Durango and the surrounding areas: Durango

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So far this blog has been concerned with the following concepts: Durango wedding photography and Durango elopement photography.  Well, if you are here looking for those things please view my previous posts or check out my elopement/wedding gallery here: Wedding / Elopement Gallery
This post is going to be focused on my original photography passion, landscapes.

Durango photographers have a diverse skillset and this is likely due to the environment surrounding us.  It is beautiful, it draws tourism, it is the Southwest and the San Juans.  People come here to have their events and we take their photos!  Personally, it would be impossible for me to just be a Durango family portrait photographer, High School senior photographer, Durango wedding photographer, or Durango elopement photographer considering the stunning areas that I tend to do those types of photography in!  Sometime I just want to take photos of the things behind the people.

Honestly, if I had the money I would open up a landscape gallery in downtown Durango and never look back; however, I don't have the money for such an endeavor!  It's expensive... so I do portrait photography to pay the bills.  Don't get me wrong, I love taking photos of people, but they just aren't as majestic.  I would be surprised if you disagreed.

When I moved to Durango, Colorado, in 2006 I started exploring.  In a short time I saw many beautiful sights and regretted having no ability to capture the moments.  Eventually I bought my first camera.  After photographing the local landscapes I started taking photos of people, mostly my friends.  I then started hauling my gear into the backcountry while skiing to try to get some "powder shots" and this fascination with action portraits led me to general portrait photography and Durango wedding photography.  

For more information on the area in general please visit: ​https://www.durango.org/

For more of my landscapes check out this gallery: Landscapes Gallery

The timing was perfect.  The fall aspens were at their color change apex and the surrounding mountains had just received a light dusting of snowfall.  Conditions couldn't have been more gorgeous... And then there was the storm.  

As a Durango photographer I am constantly concerned about weather in the local mountains which tends to be erratic at best; Ally and John's wedding was no exception to "Murphy's law."  The weatherman said "it's gon' rain," and I would be lying if I told you that I was not concerned.  Photography in the rain is not ideal and when I pulled up to Purgatory it was a deluge!  Luckily, as Coloradans know, a typical rain storm in the Southwest does not tend to last long.  After a quick conference we decided to keep the ceremony on time and the wedding photography was a go!  The clouds were dark, the background was ominous, and the photos were stunning.  It did not rain again.  ​

Luckily, as Coloradans know, a typical rain storm in the Southwest does not tend to last long.  After a quick conference we decided to keep the ceremony on time and the wedding photography was a go!  The clouds were dark, the background was ominous, and the photos were stunning.  It did not rain again.  ​

Spirits were high, temperatures were moderate, and the cloud cover was low.  It was a Durango photographers dream.  The lighting was absolutely excellent.

If you are planning and a trip to Purgatory and want to check the weather this is my go to web page: NOAA
Purgatory is a quick 20 minutes from Durango, it has beautiful views, plenty of amenities, and makes for a great venue for your event!
To view more of my photography click here:
Wedding Photography Gallery
If you are looking for photographers in Durango you can book me or talk to me about your wedding, elopement, or event click here:
Contact