Colorado College in Colorado Springs is a beautiful campus for senior and graduation photos. The red sandstone buildings, historic stone doorways and big old trees give you a classic, collegiate look, and in the spring the whole campus fills with flowering trees. This session was with a spring 2021 graduate, and we spent it wandering between her favorite spots on campus before she said goodbye to it.
The best time to shoot on campus
One of the best things about this campus is the shade. The tall, mature trees cover so much of the grounds that you can get soft, even light throughout the day, not just at golden hour. That makes it an easy fit around class schedules and graduation plans. Spring is my favorite season here, when the flowering trees are in full bloom and add those soft pink backgrounds you see in these photos.
My favorite spots on campus
The blossoming trees on the quad are the showstopper in spring. From there, the historic stone doorways make a timeless backdrop, and the red sandstone steps and walls add warm color and texture that looks great with earthy outfits. With so much variety close together, you can get a full gallery without much walking.
What to wear
Warm, earthy tones look amazing against the red sandstone. Think olive, mustard, rust, cream and denim, with a cozy layer like a cardigan or jacket you can take off halfway through for a second look. Bring your cap and gown or a sash if you'd like a few graduation-specific shots too.
Good to know before you go
The campus is busiest around graduation week, so booking a few weeks before or a weekday morning keeps the backgrounds clear. Be mindful of classes and events in session, and plan a little extra time for parking in downtown Colorado Springs.
