One thing about me is that I am a STAN for Colorado’s high country. The pristine snow, the dramatic mountain backdrops, and the intimate atmosphere create perfect conditions for capturing love stories. It’s one of my favorite spots to bring couples since it blends together the natural beauty of the mountains and the serenity of the beautiful Twin Lakes. Recently, I was able to document Kate and Will’s Colorado engagement photos at Twin Lakes that perfectly exemplified everything that makes Winter at this location so special.

The Twin Lakes in Colorado

Nestled at the foot of Colorado’s highest peak, Mount Elbert, Twin Lakes offers one of the most dramatic and versatile backdrops for engagement or wedding photos in the entire state. The area features two vast glacial lakes (hence the name) surrounded by mountains, historic structures, and forests that completely transform into a winter wonderland when snowfall hits.

Located approximately 20 miles south of Leadville along Highway 82, Twin Lakes sits at an elevation of 9,200 feet. The historic mining village nearby adds character with its Victorian-era buildings and the iconic Interlaken Hotel ruins, providing diverse shooting locations within a relatively compact area.

What makes Twin Lakes particularly special for photos is the quality of light. The high elevation combined with reflective snow creates stunning opportunities for beaming light, which is exactly what we were able to get for Kate and Will’s engagement session.

Planning Your Winter Engagement Session at Twin Lakes

Best Time to Visit

Winter at Twin Lakes typically extends from late November through early April, with January and February offering the most reliable snow conditions. For photos, the shortened winter days are the most ideal, surprisingly, I know lol! The golden hour light lasts longer at this elevation and creates a warm, magical quality as it reflects off the snow and ice. With this in mind, we scheduled Kate and Will’s engagement session to be with peak sun opportunities, giving us jaw-dropping light beaming down on the two lovers.

Accessibility For The Twin Lakes

It’s important to note that while Twin Lakes is accessible year-round, winter conditions require some additional planning:

• Road conditions: Highway 82 over Independence Pass closes seasonally, but the route from Leadville remains open to Twin Lakes village.
• Parking: The main visitor areas maintain plowed parking lots. Although some smaller pullouts may be covered in snow, so keep this in mind!
• Trails: Many paths around the lakes and historic sites remain accessible with proper winter footwear.

Tips for Winter Engagement Photos at High Elevation

While this may seem like your run-of-the-mill engagement session, there are some things you need to take into consideration when having your engagement photos done at such a high elevation.

1. Embrace Layered Clothing

Kate and Will perfectly demonstrated how to balance keeping warm with style. Layering is going to be a key element in making sure that you stay warm and comfortable throughout your Winter session. Some things to note:

• Dress in layers that can be added or removed as needed
• Hand warmers in your pockets and shoes can be lifesavers to keep your hands and feet warm
• Accessories are your best friend (scarves, gloves, jackets)
• Wear the right footwear, aka BOOTS galore

2. Utilize Winter Light to Your Advantage

Winter lighting conditions at Twin Lakes offer us some of the best opportunities for some BOMB lighting:

• Extended golden hour: The lower angle of winter sun creates longer periods of ideal light.
• Snow reflection: Fresh snow acts as a natural reflector and filling in any shadows
• Alpenglow: The mountains surrounding Twin Lakes often catch stunning pink-orange light at sunset.

3. Incorporate Movement and Interaction

Cold-weather sessions benefit tremendously from incorporating movement. For Kate and Will, we:

• Captured them walking hand-in-hand along the shoreline
• Documented them wrapping each other in warm embraces
• Caught genuine laughter and playful moments

These dynamic interactions not only created natural-looking images but also helped keep the couple warm throughout the session. Their genuine affection for each other shone through in these moments, creating photos that were just breathtaking.

Planning Your Visit To The Twin Lakes

If you’re inspired by Kate and Will’s Twin Lakes winter engagement photos and want to plan your own session, consider these things:

• Accommodations: Nearby Leadville offers historic hotels and modern lodging options about 20 minutes from Twin Lakes.
• Photography permits: Currently, sessions require no permits in most Twin Lakes areas. Though keep in mind that this can change (always verify current requirements).
• Weather monitoring: Mountain weather changes rapidly; check forecasts on the morning of your session.
• Sunset timing: Winter sunset times vary from approximately 4:30-5:30 pm, meaning most sessions should begin by 2:30-3:00 pm.

Kate & Will’s Colorado Engagement Photos at Twin Lakes

Kate and Will’s Colorado engagement photos at Twin Lakes exemplify why Winter photos in Colorado can be some of the most elite. The landscaping is unmatched, and the scenery is something that is irreplaceable, imo.

If you’re looking for a queer and LGBTQ+ friendly wedding photographer who is down for all types of adventures in the mountains, inquire here and let’s chat through your vision!