Brainard Lake Engagement Photos: Melissa and Bryan. Brainard Lake Recreation Area is a stunning Natural Oasis in Roosevelt and Arapaho National Forest, Colorado.
This gorgeous mountain location offers a little bit of something for everyone, including the perfect setting for engagement photos with a quintessential Colorado backdrop. With breathtaking views, crystal clear waters, and a wide range of recreational activities, it’s no wonder that this lake is a popular destination for both locals, campers, hikers and photographers alike.
Fun fact: Brainard Lake is actually fed by glacial melt from the Indian Peaks Wilderness. This makes it pretty chilly on the lakeside, so it’s a good idea to bring layers when picking out your engagement photo outfits! The lake is surrounded by towering mountain peaks, providing a breathtaking backdrop for a day on the water and the perfect setting for Brainard Lake engagement photos with a Colorado engagement photographer.
Brainard Lake Recreation Area is also home to a network of trails that wind through the surrounding forest, offering more photo opportunities. A few of my favorite mild hikes in the area with great backdrops are Long Lake, Lake Isabelle, Mitchell Lake and Blue Lake. Don’t forget – some of these other trails require a separate timed entry reservation than the one needed to get to the main lake.
It’s safe to say the stunning mountain scenery provides a romantic and picturesque backdrop for engagement photos that you and your partner will treasure for years to come. I’m glad Melissa and Bryan agreed because we picked the perfect date for their Colorado engagement photos with the fall colors!
If you’re planning a visit to Brainard Lake for your Brainard Lake engagement photos with a Colorado engagement photographer like Melissa and Bryan did, Fall is a great time to go. The cooler temperatures and colorful foliage make for a beautiful and comfortable visit, and the golden light of autumn is especially flattering for engagement photos. In Colorado, the fall foliage usually peaks in September and October, so these months are a great time to plan your engagement photo session. Just be sure to be prepared for the high altitude – the lake is located at an elevation of 10,500 feet and the weather can change quickly. Additionally, the lake is surrounded by wilderness in both Roosevelt and Arapaho National Forest, so it’s important to follow Leave No Trace principles to help preserve the natural beauty of the area.
Despite these considerations, Brainard Lake is well worth the visit for anyone looking to experience the natural beauty of Roosevelt and Arapaho National Forest and capture stunning Brainard Lake engagement photos with a Colorado engagement photographer. Whether you’re a seasoned outdoor enthusiast or just looking for a peaceful place to relax, this stunning lake is sure to leave a lasting impression.
There’s nothing like kicking off your engagement photo shoot by taking a shot of Fireball to help calm the nerves of being on the other side of the camera and to keep you warm ;)! Immediately added this moment to the long list of why Melissa and Bryan are so amazing!
Popping a bottle of soomething bubbly is a fun thing to incorporate into your engagement photo session! Pro tip: most people think you shake the bottle until the cork pops, but the best way to get champagne spraying photos and leave no trace is to gently remove the cork, then place your thumbs over the top of the bottle (like you would a garden hose!) and then shake to spray! Don’t forget to bring a second bottle, just in case you want to enjoy a little drink of it afterward, or in case the first spray doesn’t go as planned!
After exploring the area around Brainard Lake, we headed to a second location nearby to take photos with the changing aspen trees. The fall colors were popping off, so it was an absolute must to stop there for these fall engagement photos!
Engagement Photo Location: Brainard Lake Recreation Area