Denver & Boulder Dog Photographer: Should You Book a Portrait or Adventure Session?
It’s finally happening! The lower trails in the Denver foothills are drying out, Boulder’s Flatirons are looking positively glowing, and the high country is beginning to call.
As a Denver dog photographer, I spend much of my days navigating the balance between easy access and deep wilderness for my client sessions. Since we’re all itching to spend more time outdoors, I’ve been getting one question more than any other: “Which is actually better for me and my dog: a Portrait or Adventure session?”
Here’s the TLDR: neither is necessarily better, but one will definitely feel more like you.
Whether you want a chill morning at a local trailhead or a full-blown hiking dog photography experience, I’m here to breakdown how these two sessions actually look in practice:
| The Portrait Session | The Adventure Session | |
|---|---|---|
| The Location | A local trailhead or park in Boulder or Denver. Looks wild, but the car is always nearby. | Deep in the wilderness or a specific high-country trail. Think alpine lakes and jagged peaks. |
| The Wardrobe | Whatever makes you feel good. If you want to wear “real” clothes (not just GORE-TEX), this is it. | Hiking boots, layers, and probably a little mud. We’re amongst it, so function beats fashion. |
| The Energy | ~1 hour. Efficient but relaxed. We focus on a few key spots with great light and plenty of sniffing breaks. | ~2+ hours. We hike, hang out, and take photos as the landscape changes. It feels like old friends on a trail. |
| The Dog Factor | Perfect for seniors, dogs with mobility limits, or doggos who are “over it” quickly. | Great for the high-energy adventure pups or seniors who still love a gentle, scenic wander. |
| The End Result | 5 high-res files included. Perfect for the “hits,” i.e. the photos you’ll use for your holiday card. | 10 high-res files. A full story of your day, from candid trail moments to epic dog-in-landscape shots. |
Why the Extra Time Matters
The biggest difference between these two sessions isn’t actually the miles, it’s the clock.
One of the reasons I love adventure dog photography is that we’re on “trail time.” Because we usually hike for a bit before the camera even comes out, it gives everyone time to relax and a chance for your dog to burn off that initial “OMG WE ARE OUTSIDE!” energy.
By the time I start shooting, everyone’s settled in a bit, released a big exhale and felt their shoulders begin to drop. The experience is less like a photo shoot and more like a Saturday morning hike with friends.
Daisy the Aussie during her sunset adventure session. We spent the evening wandering through the mountains, letting her burn off some energy while the light cast its magic over the peaks. This is what "trail time" looks like.
Creating Art Out of The Adventure
Some people worry that they aren’t outdoorsy enough for an adventure session, but here’s the thing: my job is to handle all the heavy lifting so you don’t have to. I’ll be scrambling up hillsides and sliding down snowfields to create that epic dog-in-landscape image while all you have to do is simply enjoy your hike.
Whether we’re 100 yards from a Denver trailhead or 4 miles into the Indian Peaks, I’m there in it with you. We’re talking dirty paws, radiating smiles, and zero awkward poses, just you and your dog in your element while I take care of the rest.
Dexter the Lab proving you don't need a long hike for a dramatic view. We stuck close to the trailhead in the Boulder Flatirons to get these scenic portraits, keeping things easy and accessible for him while still capturing that iconic Colorado backdrop.
Finding Your Own Version of Wild
I’ve had clients book Adventure sessions simply because they wanted more photos and a more relaxed pace, even if we didn’t do any hiking. And I’ve had outdoorsy clients choose Portrait sessions because they wanted one nice photo of them and their dog not covered in trail dust. Both are totally valid!
From the lower elevations in May to high-country prime time in July, the window for that ethereal summer backdrop is shorter than you may think.
So if you’re wistfully looking at the peaks and feeling like it’s time to capture the story of you and your best friend out in the wild (no matter what your version of wild may look like) I’d love to help you tell it. ⛰️🐾