Some couples want a quick photo session. Teagan and Nick wanted a whole-ass adventure. So Mike and I packed our gear, met them at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, and spent the day chasing epic views, perfect light, and maybe a little adrenaline.
We started the day with margaritas at a Mexican Restaurant nearby. For couples that partake, I love starting any engagement session with a drink to get everyone a little looser.
Everywhere we stopped; Chasm View, Painted Wall, Sunset View, the scenery was somehow more dramatic than the last. It’s one of those places that makes you feel really tiny. Teagan and Nick were naturals in front of the camera. No stiff posing, just real laughs, windblown hair, and lots of teasing and smooching. The weather was perfect: some dramatic clouds at times, but mostly those epic Colorado blue skies.
In the afternoon we stopped at one of the picnic sites for a little late lunch. These cuties brought a perfect little charcuterie setup.
Sunset. Holy crap, this was one of the most beautiful I have ever seen.
And just when we thought it couldn’t get more magical… the stars came out.
Black Canyon is a certified International Dark Sky Park, which means it’s one of the best places in Colorado for stargazing. I set up for one of my signature astrophotography portraits: long exposure, soft flash, galaxy vibes, and these two absolutely crushed it. There’s something extra special about ending a session with the Milky Way overhead and no other humans for miles.
Why Black Canyon Rocks (Literally and Figuratively)
Black Canyon of the Gunnison is one of Colorado’s lesser-known national parks, but that’s part of the magic. It’s remote, dramatic, and way less crowded than places like Rocky or Great Sand Dunes. The canyon itself is about 14 miles long, with walls plunging up to 2,250 feet at Painted Wall: Colorado’s tallest cliff.
The South Rim is the more accessible side of the park, with paved roads, overlooks, and picnic spots. The North Rim is quieter and more rugged, great for hardcore hikers but not ideal for a casual photo day. Either way, the whole park feels wild and untouched.
Nearby towns like Montrose and Gunnison make great home bases, with good food, breweries (shoutout to Horsefly Brewing), and plenty of other natural beauty nearby, like the Blue Mesa Reservoir or even a side trip to Crested Butte.
Turn Your Engagement Into an Adventure
Adventure engagement sessions like this are perfect for couples who want more than a 30-minute photo session at a local park. We spend hours together, exploring somewhere epic, laughing, hanging out, and getting a whole gallery of photos that actually feel like you.
I take care of permits and planning, so all you have to do is show up ready for an epic day. Want star photos? I’ll bring the tripod. Want to picnic mid-session? Let’s do it. Want to wear hiking boots under your flowy dress? You’re my kind of human.
And if you’re already dreaming up your own trip: Black Canyon pairs perfectly with other nearby Natinal Parks. Mike and I turned this trip into a loop through Mesa Verde, Canyonlands, and Arches, and it was perfect.
