How much does an engagement or proposal photography session cost in Crested Butte?
Crested Butte is a fantastic location for proposing to your loved one and scheduling engagement photos. Local photographers know the best locations, timing and will help you plan your proposal/engagement session. Prices vary based on:
- Photographer’s expertise
- Professional editing
- Final package products
- Session coverage
Some photographers offer an hourly rate while others offer packages with digital files and print credits. Engagement sessions are included in wedding-day packages.
- Hourly proposal/engagement session: $245-$600
- Small packages: $600-$1000
- Full proposal/engagement packages with products and planning: $950-$2700
How do I secretly plan a proposal photo shoot?
It is best to illicit the help of your photographer to plan your secret proposal. They will offer suggestions on the best locations in Crested Butte. A great secret proposal location in town is Totem Pole Park. This location is in the center of town and can be used in the ruse of going to happy hour or dinner.
Where can I propose in Crested Butte with the best view?
There are many great places to propose in Crested Butte. Easy accessibility with great views includes:
- Woods Walk: flower meadows, view of Mt. Crested Butte, aspen forest
- Lower Loop: flower meadows, Slate River, views of Mt. Crested Butte and the Paradise Divide mountains
- CB Campground: spectacular wildflower meadow, 360* mountain views
More remote locations with sweeping views include:
- Irwin Lake: mountain views and large lake
- Emerald Lake: green waters, mountain views and Crested Butte valley
- Mt. Crested Butte: views of mountains and Crested Butte town
What should we wear for engagement photos in the mountains?
Crested Butte stands at 9000 feet in the Rocky Mountains. This brings extreme conditions and weather patterns. It is important to prepare for the temperatures and weather conditions during your engagement photos. Temps are cooler in the morning and evening even in the summer. Plan for comfort and the uneven terrain:
- good walking shoes
- layers like a sweater or jacket
Being comfortable in your clothing will make you comfortable looking in your photos. Try not to wear clashing colors or anything with logos or multiple patterns. Dress to impress.
What time of year is best for engagement photos in Crested Butte?
Crested Butte is beautiful most times of the year. The summer boasts wildflower fields, green aspens, blue skies and after-thunderstorm rainbows. The fall is short but equally beautiful with orange and red aspens and snow-capped mountains. The winter is great for the adventurous couples who want photos on the top of the lifts with sweeping views of multiple mountain ranges.
- June- July: wildflowers, rainbows, green aspen grove
- Mid-September: magnificent orange and red aspen forest
- December- March: snowy mountains and skiing/snowshoeing adventures
How do we make engagement photos feel natural and fun?
A good professional photographer will have prompts and games for you and your significant other to engage in that will elicit natural and candid photos. Moving your body is a great way to relax and feel comfortable during your photo session. Movements include:
- Twirling
- Walking
- Jumping
- Running
- Dancing
Games that help relax and interact are:
- Whispering sweet nothings
- Telling each other what you love most about each other
- Sexy alphabet
- New pet names
Will a photographer help plan the proposal location and timing?
Yes! Professional local photographers will help with planning of both location and timing for your proposal session. They will suggest locations that work best for you as a couple. This includes aspects like:
- Privacy
- Adventure
- Time of day
- Backdrop
Timing will also be based on the specifics of the couple and the location.
What if the proposal is a surprise?
Surprise proposals can be very exciting and fun but also stressful. Let your photographer guide you on how to make your secretive proposal a success. Aspects like location and timing will affect the surprise. Plans on how to get your partner dressed in the appropriate outfit and be on time will be discussed with your photographer.
What if we don’t know how to pose for photos?
A good pro photographer will help you pose and provide prompts and tricks to help you relax and feel comfortable during your session. A pro knows how to reposition subjects to look and feel their best. Ask your photographer how much he/she will help you pose and feel comfortable before hiring.
How does a photographer make photo sessions easy?
A photo session will look easy if it feels easy. A good professional photographer will create a fun environment where you feel less like you are posing and more like you are interacting. Games and prompts will help you get comfortable and relaxed, simply creating easy looking photos.
What do I do with my hands in pictures?
Doing something with your hands is important to look comfortable in your photos. Hold on to your skirt, hold onto a hat or sunglasses, put your hands in your pockets with your thumbs out, hold your own elbows, or put your arms around your partner. Try to relax your fingers and loosen your shoulders and arms.
How do you get natural smiles instead of forced ones?
It’s easy to have natural smiles if you are busy interacting with each other and doing something physical. Great ways to relax and engage in a natural way are:
- Walking
- Spinning
- Laughing
- Tickling
- Whispering
Where to go in Crested Butte for couple photos at sunrise/sunset?
Crested Butte offers a variety of scenic locations with surrounding mountains, wildflower meadows, and aspen forests. Sunrise and sunset are popular times for couple photos in retribute. Getting up high into the mountains is best for sunrise and sunset photos. Locations include:
- CB Campground
- Slate River Rd.
- Washington Gulch Road
- Lower Loop
How early should we arrive for sunrise photos?
Depending on the month, you would want to arrive 30 minutes before sunrise and plan to shoot 30-60 minutes after sunset. This is when the light is best.
June: Sunrise 5:42–5:45 AM Sunset 8:36–8:37 PM
September: Sunrise 6:36–6:49 AM Sunset 5:53–7:37 PM
December: Sunrise 7:07–7:26 AM Sunset 4:46–5:48 PM
Which spots in Crested Butte are unobstructed views?
Getting up higher into the mountains is best for unobstructed views. Driving up Washington Gulch Road or Gothic Road or Slate River Road will get you up in elevation and farther away from crowds and obstructions. The CB Campground is a popular location for its wildflower fields and 360° mountain views.
Are there spots safe for climbing or adventure photos for couples?
Crested Butte is a perfect location for adventurous photos. There are many hiking trails with aspen and pine forests and spectacular views.
- Taylor Canyon is a very popular location for rock climbers
- The Upper Loop has several bouldering locations and a beautiful aspen forest to hike through perfect for climbing photos
- The Green Lakes Trail is a long and strenuous hike to a beautiful green lake and peaks of several mountains
- Paddle boarding and kayaking are popular at Irwin Lake or down the Slate River
Do sunsets or sunrises work better in summer or fall?
Photos are beautiful at any time of the year in crested Butte. In the summer sunrise is at 5:45 AM and sunset is at 8 PM. In the fall sunrise is at 6:30 AM and sunset is at 6:45 PM. In the winter sunrise is 7:30 AM and sunset is 4:30 PM. Different seasons will be best at different times and locations. As the season changes the sun gets lower in the sky resulting in more of a glow earlier. Winter lights are softer all day than high noon in the summer which can create harsh shadows.
What are hiking-friendly spots for engagement photos near Crested Butte?
Crested Butte has many hiking trails that range in ability levels. Mt. Crested Butte offers a variety of hiking and biking trails for all different levels.
Easy and scenic hiking trails include:
More difficult scenic hikes include:
- Caves Trail
- 401/403
- Green Lake Trail
- Upper Upper Loop
Which hikes are short and easy for couples?
A short and easy trail in Crested Butte is the Lower Loop which features an easily accessible double wide trail alongside the scenic Slate River. Another easy, couple-friendly hike is the Woods Walk trail through an aspen forest and wildflower meadow.
Where can we bring pets safely on trails?
All public trails are open to pets. Leashes are required within town limits. Great trails for dogs include the Lower Loop with its river access, the walk around Irwin Lake and the Woods Walk.
Which trails have scenic overlooks for photos?
Many trails in crested Butte are scenic with views of the surrounding mountains.
- Woods Walk trail has a popular meadow with a scenic view of Mt. Crested Butte
- Lower Loop has several scenic locations to view Mt. Crested Butte and Paradise divide
- CB Campground is a very popular scenic location with lupine and sunflower fields and 360° views of the mountains
- Caves Trail has a great scenic overlook of Crested Butte South
Proposal/Engagement Session Cost FAQ
How much should we budget for proposal and engagement photography?
Hourly proposal and engagement session are $250-$300/hour. This does not include printed products or digital files. Most photographers will include an online gallery and studio meeting after your photo session. Packages including products will range from $600-$3000 and will include multiple hours, printed products, digital copies and planning aid.
How much coverage do we need for a proposal and engagement session?
A local proposal/engagement session will be 1-2 hours. For those more adventurous couples seeking mountain tops or hiking sessions can range from 3-6 hours.
When should we book our photographer for a proposal session?
It is best to book your photographer as early as possible in Crested Butte. Local professional photographers are limited and high season is busy.
How long does it take to receive the images?
Most local photographers will meet with you as fast as the next day to review your images and walk through the products. Printed products will be 2-3 weeks, and digital copies will be delivered immediately.
Will products be included?
Depending on the photographer, some offer packages with print credits, printed products and digital files. Hourly photographers will plan a studio meeting to walk through images and sell products individually.
Need a pro photographer in Crested Butte? Check out Third Eye Photography for adventurous photos and year of experience.
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