Senior Session Location Guide
Your session location shapes the whole feel of your portraits — the colors, the mood, the backdrop behind you. This page gives you a closer look at each spot I offer: what it actually looks like, what kind of session it’s best suited for, and anything practical you should know before you choose.
Take your time here. Browse the photos. When you’re ready, head back to the questionnaire and let me know which one feels right.
The Studio
Charlotte Harloff Portraits — Colorado Springs, CO
The studio is a fully painted white space — walls, floors, ceiling. It’s clean, minimal, and surprisingly versatile. Because I control the lighting completely, we can create a wide range of looks: bright and airy, dramatic and moody, or something in between. I have multiple backdrop color options to coordinate with your outfits.
The studio is also the best choice if you’re planning to bring things that matter to you — a band uniform, an instrument, athletic gear, academic regalia, ribbons, trophies, or anything else you’ve worked hard for and don’t want to risk outdoors. Those things tell your story just as much as the location does.
Best for: Seniors who want clean, classic portraits; anyone bringing extracurricular items or special outfits; seniors who want multiple distinct looks without location changes; anyone who prefers a controlled environment.
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 here is rocky and dramatic — sandstone formations, scattered pine trees, and elevated ridgelines with open views of Colorado Springs below. The light here, especially in the late afternoon, does something genuinely beautiful.
This is not a flat, easy stroll — and that’s part of what makes it special. We’ll move through the landscape, work with the formations, and find angles that feel more editorial than posed. If you want portraits that feel like they have some grit and dimension to them, Palmer Park delivers.
Best for: Seniors who want something bold and textured; outdoorsy personalities; anyone drawn to a more dramatic, Colorado-landscape feel.
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.
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.
The trails are gravel or dirt and gently rolling in most areas, though some sections are uneven. One practical note: there’s no cell service in the park, so we’ll coordinate all the details before we arrive.
Best for: Seniors who love a natural, forested feel; anyone drawn to soft light and organic textures; seniors who want variety — we can move between open water, tree canopy, and open field within the same session.
Accessibility note: Trails are gravel or dirt throughout. Most areas are walkable with comfortable shoes, though some sections are hilly and uneven.
Woodmen Valley Park
Northwest Colorado Springs
Woodmen Valley Park is the most open of the three outdoor options — a wide green field framed by the foothills, with mountain views that stretch west. What makes it genuinely unique are the hoodoos: natural rock spires formed over thousands of years that sit at the back of the park along a short trail. They’re not something you see at every Colorado Springs location, and they photograph unlike anything else.
The park is neighborhood-scale, which means it’s quieter and less trafficked than a regional park. The open field reads clean and simple; the rock formations give us texture and interest. It’s a nice balance.
Best for: Seniors who want open sky and mountain views; anyone drawn to wide, airy compositions; seniors who want a mix of open field and natural rock backdrops.
Accessibility note: The main park area and field are easy to navigate on flat ground. The hoodoo formations require a short trail walk on natural terrain — uneven in spots but manageable for most. Porta-potty available on site; no permanent restroom facilities.
Still not sure? That’s okay — just note it in the questionnaire and we’ll talk through it at your planning appointment. I know these locations well, and I’m happy to make a recommendation based on your style and the look you’re going for.