Chic and Timeless: Bridal Portraits in Downtown Denver & Byron White Courthouse

CELEBRATING LOVE IN MOTION

One of the most delightful aspects of being a wedding and elopement photographer is witnessing the unique and personal touches that my couples bring to their wedding experience. When Lance and Gigi approached me with their idea for a bridal portrait session, I knew we were about to create something truly magical. This adventurous couple, who travel the country in their sports car with a trailer in tow, wanted to incorporate their car into their bridal portrait session in Downtown Denver, and I was absolutely on board with their creative vision.

SO, WHAT IS THE POINT OF BRIDAL PORTRAITS?

Let’s talk about the significance of bridal portraits. Bridal portraits were traditionally dedicated to the bride, but, today, the term has become a dated, gendered misnomer. Today, most bridal portrait sessions involve portraits of the happy couple, rather than solo portraits without one’s better half. In keeping with modern trends, Lance and Gigi chose to torch the wedding rulebook and do their session together. This decision perfectly reflects the idea that your wedding or elopement should be authentically curated to your unique vision and personality.

PUTTING TOGETHER THE FINAL LOOK

Having a separate bridal portrait session before your actual wedding or elopement offers a multitude of benefits. Notably, it gives the opportunity to experiment with hair, makeup, wardrobe, and accessories, providing a sneak peek of the stunning put-together look for your big day. Coordinating your bridal portrait session on the same day as your hair and makeup trials further allows for a delightful and unhurried space to explore different jewelry and looks. Essentially, it becomes a stress-free dress rehearsal exclusively for you!

STRESS-FREE WEDDING DAY TIMELINES

Scheduling bridal portraits also helps you avoid stress on your actual wedding or elopement day, as you won’t have to worry about squeezing in time for portraits amidst all the other wedding day tasks. By minimizing that time slot on the big day, you free up more opportunities to capture other meaningful, unforgettable, and candid moments. Yet, rest assured that you’ll still receive a complete bridal portrait gallery filled with bold, cinematic images. 

During the session, you can simply relax, have fun, and enjoy the experience without the hustle and bustle or the need to accommodate any other people. It allows you and your photographer to create timeless memories in a relaxed setting, making your wedding or elopement day timeline less cramped and more enjoyable.

EMBRACE CAMERA CONFIDENCE

Speaking of making memories with your photographer, having a separate bridal portrait session and getting comfortable in front of the camera, is an excellent way to ease those pre-wedding jitters. As someone who has both eloped and stood in front of the camera myself, I understand how vulnerable you can feel in front of the camera. That’s why, from the moment you book with me, I prioritize creating a comfortable and genuine connection with you. By getting to know each other throughout the process, you’ll feel at ease when it’s time for your bridal portrait session.

During the shoot, I’ll provide you with fun prompts and helpful advice to bring out your authentic expressions and emotions. At times, I’ll even step back and give you space to capture candid moments. This experience allows you to see firsthand how I work as a photographer, further building your confidence in front of the camera. By the time your wedding or elopement day arrives, you’ll feel like a pro, effortlessly embracing the camera and creating stunning, natural images that reflect your true selves

INFUSE PERSONAL TOUCHES AND ADVENTURES

Using bridal portraits as an opportunity to incorporate fun and personal activities is yet another creative advantage that Lance and Gigi embraced wholeheartedly. Sometimes there are activities or ideas you wish to include in your wedding experience that may not seamlessly fit into the timeline of the actual wedding or elopement day. That’s where a separate bridal portrait session becomes a perfect solution, allowing you to explore these unique elements without any constraints.

Choosing a bridal portrait session grants you the rare luxury of time, enabling you to engage in activities that hold sentimental value or symbolize your journey together. By exploring unique activities during your bridal portrait session, whether it’s including a shared hobby, visiting a significant location, or engaging in a special ritual, these elements add layers of intimacy and authenticity to your photos. 

Lance and Gigi brilliantly executed this concept by incorporating their cherished sports car into the bridal portrait session. Having traveled around the country together in the car, they understood its significance in their journey, and the resulting photos were nothing short of extraordinary, perfectly capturing the magic of their bond.

Incorporating such activities during a separate session also allows you to be fully present and focused on each other during your actual wedding or elopement day. Instead of worrying about squeezing in extra moments for those portraits or activities, you can be fully immersed in the celebration and the love you share, creating a day that feels relaxed, genuine, and truly unforgettable.

EXPLORING DIVERSE BRIDAL PORTRAIT LOCATIONS

Undoubtedly, the benefits of a separate bridal portrait session are numerous, and I have yet another one for you. A very big advantage is the flexibility to plan these sessions in different locations, offering a fabulous variety to your bridal portraits alongside the wedding day photos. It provides a chance to venture to other places you might have considered or debated on for your elopement or wedding but didn’t make it to the final plan. 

Moreover, if you prefer to spend your wedding day in one location, bridal portraits offer an ideal stress-free opportunity to create stunning memories without any rush or pressure in a variety of landscapes. The possibilities are absolutely endless, and it’s all about curating an experience that resonates with your unique love story.

REVVING UP THE ROMANCE

The locations Lance and Gigi selected for their bridal portrait session truly captured my photographer’s heart. Since they had a clear vision of incorporating their beloved sports car into the session, a parking garage seemed like the perfect setting to achieve the exact vibe and atmosphere they desired. Fully embracing this idea, we embarked on our journey, beginning with the parking garage, where we created some breathtaking and bold wedding portraits amidst downtown Denver.

The choice of a parking garage as a location for the bridal portrait session added a fun and distinctive element to the shoot. Despite the heavy rain, Lance and Gigi’s enthusiasm was contagious, and we embraced the challenge with excitement. 

Starting inside the garage allowed me to explore the creative possibilities of off-camera flash, resulting in some truly stunning images. Incorporating off-camera flash in portraits adds a playful and dynamic lighting technique that beautifully captures moments like these, especially in dark settings and night portraits

ILLUMINATING BRILLIANCE WITH OFF-CAMERA FLASH

As you consider the ideal locations for your bridal portraits, wedding, or elopement, don’t overlook the unique possibilities for night portraits. Embrace the abundance of fun and creative opportunities that come with creative lighting. With a skilled photographer who knows how to work with these lighting techniques, the resulting gallery is nothing short of one-of-a-kind. 

My past experience working in a photography studio has been incredibly valuable in my photography journey. It has allowed me to explore and experiment with various lighting setups and off-camera flash techniques, which I love to incorporate into photo sessions, just like I did with Gigi and Lance. 

This versatility enables me to adapt to any location you desire, no matter how dimly lit or creatively challenging it may be, such as the inside of a parking garage. So, if you have a unique and adventurous idea for your bridal portraits, rest assured that I’m fully equipped to bring your vision to life and create mesmerizing images that reflect your wild-hearted spirit.

BYRON WHITE COURTHOUSE BRIDAL PORTRAITS

After our exhilarating bridal portrait session in and on top of the parking garage, we ventured to one of my all-time favorite locations for capturing stunning photos downtown – the Byron White Courthouse. This architectural gem, dating back to 1916, boasts a neo-classical design that leaves a lasting impression in the historic heart of downtown Denver. The grandeur of its sixteen majestic, three-story marble columns has earned it the nickname, “a poem in marble.” 

  I absolutely adored how timeless and elegant Lance and Gigi looked as they gracefully posed on the steps and ran playfully through the grand columns. The rich history of the building seemed to embrace their love story with open arms. The combination of the exquisite historic setting and this delightfully fun couple made for a cinematic and blissful bridal portrait session 

What makes this place even more extraordinary is that the very same marble used to construct this courthouse was also employed in the revered Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the iconic Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. It is undeniable that the Byron White Courthouse serves as an exceptionally special and epic backdrop for bridal portraits that radiate timeless elegance and significance.

Not only does the Byron White Courthouse offer an exquisite setting for bridal portraits, but it also serves as a captivating venue for intimate weddings or elopements, evoking a sense of being plucked straight out of a romantic movie. However, eloping at this majestic courthouse requires a bit of preparation, as you’ll need permission from the US Marshals, Federal Protective Service, and the US Courts. But fear not, I have established valuable contacts at the Byron White Courthouse to assist with the necessary permissions.

So, if you’re considering this enchanting venue for your session, I’ve got the hook-up and can seamlessly handle all the logistics for you!

OTHER DOWNTOWN DENVER BRIDAL PORTRAIT LOCATIONS

Byron White Courthouse is undeniably breathtaking, but let me share with you a few other jaw-dropping locations in downtown Denver that I highly recommend for bridal portraits.

THE RAMBLE HOTEL

Downtown Denver offers a plethora of options to match your desired historic or sleek vibe. One such place is the Ramble Hotel, nestled in the artistic River North Art District, also known as RiNo. Drawing inspiration from Madame Rambouillet’s French Salons of the 17th century, this beautiful hotel exudes elegance and charm, making it a fantastic choice for captivating bridal portraits.

DENVER’S UNION STATION

Another spot that will make you feel like the protagonist in a romantic movie is Denver’s Union Station. A historic train station built in 1881, it boasts several fun and unique settings for your bridal portraits both inside the building and outside. Not only that, Union Station serves as a great homebase for further exploration of other areas in downtown Denver.

DENVER CLOCK TOWER

While the city offers numerous remarkable spots for bridal portrait sessions, I also have to mention the Denver Clock Tower. This remarkable Italian Renaissance-style building, erected in 1911, presents a rare opportunity to have your bridal portraits taken behind the iconic clock tower. 

Beyond that, it features five distinct floors with amazing photo opportunities and two balconies offering magnificent views of the Denver skyline, all encompassed by an undeniably sleek atmosphere. The Denver Clock Tower guarantees an extraordinary backdrop for your bridal portraits, ensuring a gallery filled with sleek and timeless images to match.

SO, ARE YOU READY FOR BRIDAL PORTRAITS?

In conclusion, integrating a separate bridal portrait session into your wedding or elopement planning offers an array of advantages. Lance and Gigi’s experience perfectly illustrates how this thoughtful approach allowed them to capture a complete bridal portrait gallery without interfering with their wedding day in the slightest.

From a preview of your hair and makeup to time-saving benefits, and the chance to get comfortable in front of the camera or explore multiple locations, bridal portraits offer a stress-free and extraordinary experience. The possibilities for these sessions are truly limitless, empowering you to curate your wedding or elopement exactly as your heart desires.

Whether you dream of exploring multiple locations or desire an intimate session in a specific setting, I am here to bring your vision to life. Your wedding or elopement deserves to be celebrated in all its beauty and uniqueness, and I would be truly honored to be a part of this joyous chapter in your lives