Where We Shoot
One of the most common questions I get: where do you actually go?
The answer is: it depends — on who’s being photographed, the look you’re going for, how much walking is realistic, and what the session is for. I don’t send every client to the same spot. Location is part of what I help you choose, and it’s one of the first things we work through together.
This page is a real look at every location I offer and suggest — what each one actually looks like, what makes it work photographically, and what you should know before you decide. Whether you’re already a client doing your research, or you just stumbled onto this page wondering where portrait sessions happen in Colorado Springs, this is for you.
If you’re ready to start planning a session, you can reach out here — I’d love to hear what you have in mind.
The Studio
Charlotte Harloff Portraits — Colorado Springs, CO
The studio is a fully painted white space — walls, floors, ceiling — with controlled lighting and multiple backdrop color options. It’s minimal, versatile, and completely weather-proof.
If you’re planning multiple outfit changes and it’s just you — or you and one other person — the studio is almost always the right call. We can move through looks efficiently, adjust the backdrop to coordinate with each outfit, and create a range of distinct images without driving anywhere or racing the light. It’s the most flexible option I offer, and clients are usually surprised by how much variety we can get out of one room.
The studio is also ideal for anyone bringing meaningful props or wardrobe pieces you’d rather not risk outdoors — formal attire, delicate fabrics, items that matter.
Accessibility note: There is one flight of stairs to navigate to reach the studio. If mobility is a concern, please reach out before booking so we can discuss options.
Palmer Park
East Colorado Springs
Palmer Park sits inside the city but feels completely removed from it. The terrain is rocky and dramatic — sandstone formations, scattered pine trees, and elevated ridgelines with open views of Colorado Springs below. The light here in the late afternoon does something genuinely beautiful with those rock faces.
This is not a flat, easy stroll — and that’s part of what makes it distinctive. We’ll move through the landscape, work with the formations, and find angles that feel more editorial than posed.
Accessibility note: This location requires navigating rocky, uneven terrain with some elevation changes. Comfortable, sturdy footwear is a must. It is not suitable for anyone with significant mobility limitations, and is generally not the right choice for generational sessions or young children who need flat ground. There are alternate locations within Palmer Park that are accessible, but they do not match these photos.
Fox Run Regional Park
North Colorado Springs (near Black Forest)
Fox Run is the lush one. The park is 417 acres of ponderosa pine forest with two ponds — one with a gazebo — and trails that wind through dense tree cover. The light that filters through the pines creates a warm, natural quality that photographs beautifully, and the water adds a reflective element that’s hard to replicate anywhere else in the Springs.
One practical note: there’s no cell service in the park, so we coordinate all the details before we arrive.
Accessibility note: Trails are gravel or dirt throughout. Most areas are walkable with comfortable shoes, though some sections are hilly and the gravel can be uneven/thick. It is doable with a stroller or wagon, but it’s a bit of work.
Woodmen Valley Park
Northwest Colorado Springs
Woodmen Valley Park is the most open of the outdoor options — a wide green field framed by the foothills, with mountain views that stretch west. What makes it genuinely distinctive are the hoodoos: natural rock spires formed over thousands of years that sit along a short trail at the back of the park. They photograph unlike anything else in the city.
The park is neighborhood-scale and quieter than the regional parks. Open field for clean, simple compositions; rock formations for texture and interest. A nice balance.
Accessibility note: The main park area and field are flat and easy to navigate. The hoodoo trail is short but natural terrain — uneven in spots. Porta-potty available on site; no permanent restroom facilities.
Bear Creek Nature Center
West Colorado Springs
Bear Creek Nature Center sits at the edge of the foothills on the western side of the city, and the setting shows it. The landscape here moves through scrub oak thickets, ponderosa pine forest, open meadows, and a mountain creek with a wooden boardwalk running alongside it. It’s layered and varied in a way that gives a single session a lot of visual range.
This is one of my top recommendations for generational sessions and families with members who need more accessible terrain. The paths near the nature center are paved and flat, the boardwalk is smooth and wide, and restrooms are on site. It’s the rare outdoor location that doesn’t ask much of you physically but still delivers genuinely beautiful portraits.
Accessibility note: Excellent accessibility. The Songbird Trail is paved and flat with a wooden boardwalk section along the creek. Paved parking and ADA-compliant restrooms on site. One of the most accessible outdoor options I offer — a strong choice for generational sessions, anyone with mobility considerations, or families with young children in strollers.
Monument Valley Park
Central Colorado Springs (near Downtown)
Monument Valley Park is a 165-acre linear park along Monument Creek in the heart of the city — and it photographs nothing like what you’d expect from an urban park. The mature tree canopy, stone bridges, formal gardens, creek views, and mountain backdrop give it a classic, timeless quality that works beautifully for portraits.
It’s on the National Register of Historic Places, which sounds like a fun fact until you’re standing in front of one of the stone structures and realize it’s actually just a remarkable-looking place to be photographed. I’ll select the specific areas within the park for your session — there’s a lot of ground here and I know where the light lands well.
Accessibility note: Excellent accessibility. Paved, flat paths throughout the main park areas. Van-accessible parking available. A strong option for generational sessions and anyone who needs easy terrain without sacrificing a beautiful backdrop.
*Photos coming soon!
A Note About Garden of the Gods
Everyone asks about Garden of the Gods. I get it — it’s gorgeous and it’s free and it’s right there. It’s also a crowd situation I can’t control, parking that is genuinely chaos, and strangers in neon shirts walking through your family portrait. My curated locations give you Colorado without all of that. If you want to make a case for it anyway, I’m listening.
Ready to Start Planning?
If you’re researching portrait photographers in Colorado Springs, I’d love to connect. Every session starts with a planning conversation — no obligation, no pressure, just figuring out whether we’re a good fit and what your session could look like.
Get in touch here — or if you already know you want to book, you can start that process here.
I know these locations well. I’ll help you pick the right one.