Quinceañera photo ideas
near Denver.

How to plan portraits for your fifteen in the mountains west of Denver: when to take them, which photos to ask for and what to bring. From Mily & Danny, in English or Spanish.

Start reading Quinceañeras

Step 1

When to take your photos

Most families take portraits before the celebration, not on the day.

  1. A few weeks before the big dayThere's no rush, the dress stays clean, and you can share the photos at the party.
  2. Reach out to a photographer earlyGood photographers book up, especially on spring and fall weekends. A couple of months ahead is a safe start.
  3. Leave time for editingIf you want photos for invitations or a welcome sign, ask your photographer how long editing takes and plan backward from there.

Step 2

Photos to ask for

Share a short list with your photographer so nothing important gets missed.

  1. The full dressFull-length portraits with the dress spread out and the mountains behind you.
  2. The detailsYour tiara, earrings, shoes and bouquet, up close.
  3. With your parentsTogether, and one with each of them. These are often the photos families treasure most.
  4. Padrinos and grandparentsThe people who helped make your day happen.
  5. Something that's just youA book you love, your dog, your instrument or your sports jersey.
Mily and her dad smiling on the patio at sunset, mountains behind them

Step 3

What to bring

Comfortable shoes for walking between spots, and a friend or your mom to help carry the train. The patio is flagstone and the forest paths are dirt.

A small kit with safety pins, bobby pins and hairspray, since it can be breezy at 7,630 feet. Water, a snack, and a warm layer for between shots.

Step 4

Time it to the light

Here the sun goes behind the peaks about 20 minutes before the official sunset. Plan your session to end around then.

Pink and purple sunset clouds over the Indian Peaks and layered foothills

Golden hour

Warm, soft light that flatters the dress and skin. The favorite for portraits.

Warm and soft
The flagstone patio and lawn under glowing string lights at blue hour

Blue hour

Right after the sun drops, a few photos under the patio string lights.

Calm and moody

Check sunrise and sunset for any date on our photo sessions page.

Open ponderosa forest on the property with room to walk between the trees

Step 5

Keep the group small

Sessions here are small: up to about 6 people, plus your photographer. Choose the people you most want in your portraits, like your parents, padrinos and a couple of friends from your court.

A smaller group also means more time for photos of you.

Plan with us in Spanish or English

Mily and Danny both speak fluent Spanish. Bring your own photographer, have Danny take your photos, or ask us for names of local photographers whose work we like.

Check a date Quinceañeras