Delightful

Authentic

Adventurous

Enjoy a fun and light-hearted experience! Looking for a Colorado mountain wedding photographer that's laid back, caring, and invested in helping make your celebration unique and special? That's Nichole Emerson Photography in a nutshell.

We believe authentic images make for the best memories! That's why we strive to make you feel comfortable in front of the camera, working together to create photos that look and feel like you.

The Colorado mountains offer so many different ways to be adventurous! If you're interested in going for a hike, exploring a new area, wandering through the forest, or waking up before sunrise, Nichole Emerson Photography is on board! 

Inquire about your wedding date! 👉

Colorado mountain wedding photographer

Photographing weddings since 2018

I’m Nichole Emerson, a Colorado mountain wedding photographer for couples who want breathtaking scenery, meaningful moments, and an experience that feels effortless from start to finish. I specialize in intimate mountain weddings and elopements across Colorado—from venues with epic mountain peaks to alpine lakes and hidden trails—especially in and around Rocky Mountain National Park, Breckenridge, and the Indian Peaks Wilderness.

With years of experience photographing weddings at high elevations and in ever-changing mountain weather, I help couples feel confident, prepared, and fully present on their wedding day. From choosing the perfect location and navigating permits to creating a relaxed photography experience, I guide you every step of the way. The result? Authentic, joyful images that reflect your connection and the wild beauty of the Colorado mountains.

"Nichole was fabulous and beyond helpful on our special day! Our wedding, although small, was running late, and Nichole made the best use of the time still by getting shots around the property and some of the groups of portraits we wanted. 

Nichole was incredibly positive and helped a lot by paying attention to the little details to make sure we got the best shots. We could not have been happier, I would recommend her 1000x over!”

Kirby & Jim

Colorado mountain wedding portfolio

See Samples from Colorado weddings

This portfolio highlights real Colorado mountain weddings and intimate celebrations across the Rockies. From scenic elopements to full wedding days, we photograph couples who want their story captured authentically in some of Colorado’s most stunning mountain locations. Browse the gallery below for some of our favorite Colorado mountain moments.

See more real weddings 👉

I love adventures and exploring new places!  I'm the owner and lead photographer of Nichole Emerson Photography.  I've been working as a wedding photographer in Colorado since 2018 and believe love is awesome!  As a California native I always found myself driving towards the mountains rather than heading to the beach.  So, living and working here as a Colorado mountain wedding photographer makes me feel super lucky and grateful. When I'm not working, you can find me exploring the outdoors often with my husband Craig, camping, climbing and running.    

Having me as your photographer is like

a helpful friend guiding you through fun adventures and taking photos along the way.

Learn more about Nichole

Nice to meet you!

I'm Nichole

"Nichole is a fantastic photographer! Nichole is such a down to earth person and was so great doing our Estes park shoot and a small ceremony shoot a week apart from one another. She is so kind and the photos that she took are absolutely phenomenal. I would highly recommend hiring Nichole!"

Maddy & Aric

“We booked Nichole for our engagement photos and wedding and it was one of the best decisions! Nichole is professional, fun to work with, timely, and captured our day so beautifully! Nichole made us feel comfortable in front of the camera and created an atmosphere that allowed us to be ourselves and have fun!  Highly recommend her, thank you Nichole!”


Jessica & Patrick

"“My husband and I booked Nichole for our elopement photo shoot and were ecstatic with how everything went. Nichole was so friendly, professional, and helpful with everything.  Our day and ceremony were so beautiful and Nichole’s pictures turned out incredible. She is a treasure and I highly recommend her to anyone looking for a talented photographer.”

Dakota & George

Colorado Mountain Wedding Resources & Tips 

Favorite Colorado Mountain Wedding Locations

Outdoor Wedding Ideas for the Colorado Mountains

Discover and learn more about some of our favorite mountain locations for weddings and elopements across the state of Colorado.  

Learn more about doing your mountain wedding outdoors in places like national forests or other public spaces.  We'll go over things to consider and how to prepare.

Learn MoreLearn More

FAQ's for Mountain Weddings

Do you photograph small and intimate mountain weddings?
Yes!  That's my favorite type of wedding to photograph.  I love being able to capture candid memories of everyone who's there, and how they interact with the bride and groom during a smaller wedding.  Plus my expertise can be more valuable with intimate mountain weddings, helping with things like timeline planning, location suggestions., etc. 

I want to keep my wedding small but also want to include others, do you have suggestions on how to do that?
Yes! You’re not alone, this is a hard thing to balance for many couples who want to elope or have a smaller wedding. We can include family and friends through letters, virtual first looks, multiple ceremonies, and receptions at a later date. We’re happy to talk through some ideas that might work best for you.

What if the weather changes in the mountains?
It really depends on how bad it is and where we are. First and foremost, I want us to be safe. Lightning storms on mountain peaks can be extremely dangerous, so avoiding that is the most important. Besides that it’s a matter of being prepared and flexible.

If you’re planning on doing an outdoor wedding in the mountains, changing weather is just part of the process. I carry clear umbrellas that will help keep you dry and still photograph well. I recommend having more of these for guests also.  We’ll also work out a potential backup location and use weather apps to watch storms and change our timing if need be.

Can you help with permits & reservations in the mountains?
Yes!  We can guide you to help navigate permits and reservations. Rules vary by place to place. Some require a special use permit, some a reservation. Other areas only allow ceremonies in very specific spots, and in some places you don’t need anything at all. I'm happy to help be your guide through all these regulations, making sure you understand what you need and can find the resources to do it right.  

Have you photographed weddings in Rocky Mountain National Park?
Yes!  Its one of my favorite mountain wedding locations.  Permits are required in RMNP and ceremonies are only permitted in limited locations.  Here's a link to their ceremony site list.  I'm happy to share images of couples at specific locations.  If you'd like to see more, just ask!
RMNP Wedding Ceremony Sites

Do you travel throughout Colorado & beyond?
Yes!  I love exploring and happily travel throughout the Colorado mountains and beyond.  Travel fees vary by location and special rates apply to out of state places like California, Wyoming, Utah & Hawaii.

Colorado Elopement portfolio

Discover Colorado Elopements

Elopements are more than just small weddings — they’re intentional, meaningful experiences in stunning settings. As a Colorado mountain wedding photographer, I love helping couples choose locations that reflect their connection, whether that’s a hidden alpine overlook, a windswept ridge, or beside a quiet mountain lake. I’ll guide you through planning, timing, and logistics so your elopement feels effortless and focused on what matters most.

Explore Elopement Photography 👉

Why Choose me as Your Colorado Mountain Wedding Photographer? 

emphasis on planning and flexibility

We focus on what matters most to you

We believe beautiful wedding photography starts long before your wedding day. We help you build a custom timeline that allows space for what matters most — whether that’s sunset portraits, time with family, or a quiet moment together. 

We also understand that things often change, so we work to be as flexible as possible.  Adapting quickly and reorganizing the flow of the day if needed.

Our goal is simple: help everything run smoothly so you can relax and fully enjoy your celebration.

We're always happy to offer guidance and creative suggestions, but your wedding day isn’t about a checklist — it’s about what feels meaningful to you.

Maybe that means making sure every grandparent is photographed.
Maybe it’s creating space for a private vow reading.
Maybe it’s documenting the details you spent months creating by hand.

Before your wedding, we communicate clearly about what’s most important to you. On the day itself, we photograph with that in mind — telling your story in a way that reflects your values, your relationships, and your vision.

There are many options when choosing a wedding photographer. Here’s what makes working with Nichole Emerson Photography different — and how we can help your wedding day run smoothly,  feel meaningful, and be beautifully documented.

Have questions? Call or text anytime at (720) 280-9503.

Colorado Engagement portfolio

Engagements in the Colorado Mountains

These images highlight engagement sessions set in the Colorado mountains, from quiet trails to sweeping views. We focus on helping you create engagement photos that show off your genuine love and connection while having fun along the way. Click through to see more mountain engagement sessions across Colorado.

See more real engagements 👉

Colorado Surprise Proposal portfolio

See More Proposals from Real Couples

Proposals in the Colorado mountains are unforgettable, and capturing that once-in-a-lifetime moment is an honor.  These images feature real proposals photographed in the Colorado mountains. From planning to the final “yes,” I document authentic moments in breathtaking locations across Colorado. Browse the gallery to see more mountain proposal stories.  Or Click here to Learn more about planning your proposal with us!

Check out our searchable database for proposal location ideas 👉

All Photography Sessions include

a Sneak Peek within 3 Days

Personal Gallery with Online Store

Print Release for Unlimited Personal Use

Location Guidance & Scouting

Sneak peeks are delivered within 3 days through an online personal gallery that's open to downloads.  On average, the amount of images we deliver for a sneak peek is about 20 photos which make up highlights from your session or wedding.  

Your photos are delivered as high resolution JPEG files through a personal gallery.  The gallery has an online store attached to it, so that you can easily order prints and wall art to create lasting memories with your photographs.  

You'll also have a print release for your photos in case you would like to take them somewhere else to get them printed and need proof of permission.  We don't have restrictions in place for how you use your photos personally.  Post them on social media or print them anywhere!

One of our favorite things about being a photographer in the Colorado mountains is exploring!  We're happy to make suggestions on locations based on what you're envisioning for your photos.  And are also happy to scout out new areas if you'd like to discover more options.  

Let's Connect

Interested in working together or want to chat?  Leave me a message in the form below.

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