Boulder, Colorado Senior Photos at Chautauqua & South Mesa Trail | Sienna’s Standley Lake High School Senior Picture Session

Senior year merits celebrating in a way that feels personal, beautiful, and so you. This Boulder, Colorado senior session with Sienna was exactly that. Between glowing summer sunsets, wildflowers in full bloom, and iconic Flatirons views, this session captured everything that makes Colorado senior portraits so special.

Sienna is a senior at Standley Lake High School, and from the very beginning, she knew one thing for sure. She loved sunsets. Because of that, we planned her session before and during golden hour at two of my favorite Boulder locations: Chautauqua Park and South Mesa Trail. And honestly? Colorado showed off in the best way.

Why Chautauqua Park Is Perfect for Boulder Senior Photos

First, we started at Chautauqua Park, which is one of the most popular spots for senior photos in Boulder, Colorado—and for good reason. The Flatirons create a dramatic backdrop that feels timeless and iconic. During the summer months, wildflowers line the trails and fields, which adds so much color and texture to senior portraits.

2025 was an incredible summer for wildflowers in this area. We had a very wet spring, and this resulted in the tallest grasses and wildflowers I’ve seen in the past decade. At Chautauqua, the sweet peas were out of this world.

South Mesa Trail Senior Photos at Sunset

After Chautauqua, we headed to South Mesa Trail, which is another favorite for Boulder senior photography. This location has a lot of variety, with rolling trails, mountain views, and tall grasses and trees. Because Sienna loved sunsets, this was the perfect place for part two of her Colorado senior session.

Since Sienna wanted sunset photos, the warm light hitting the mountains created the softest glow. That golden Colorado light is unmatched. It added warmth to her skin tones and gave the entire session a dreamy, summery feel.

Outfit Details That Made This Senior Session Pop

Now let’s talk outfits, because Sienna truly brought the vision to life. We started her senior session at Chautauqua Park with a neon pink top that seriously popped against the Colorado landscape. Not only did it photograph beautifully, but it also perfectly matched the sweet peas in bloom around the trails. That bold color paired with summer wildflowers made her photos feel fresh, fun, and full of personality.

colorado senior photo girl in boulder

From there, Sienna changed into a white A-line strapless ¾-length dress, which added a softer, more elegant contrast to the rugged Flatirons backdrop. This outfit was so gorgeous with the tall flowers and added a feminine look to her images.

For the second half of the session at South Mesa Trail, Sienna switched into a white and blue floral print top with cutoff shorts, which was ideal for the open trails and relaxed vibe of the location.

She also swapped for a yellow top, which popped against the green grasses and river.

We also incorporated her letter jacket, which added a meaningful, senior-year touch and tied her Standley Lake High School experience into the session.

Mixing bold colors, soft feminine pieces, and personal details created a well-rounded senior gallery that felt authentic, stylish, and fun. And we managed to photograph five outfits easily, by pairing two tops with the same shorts and by adding in a letter jacket.

Planning a Boulder, Colorado Senior Portrait Session

Overall, this Boulder senior picture session was a perfect example of how location, timing, and personal style come together to create meaningful senior photos. If you’re planning senior pictures in Boulder, Colorado, locations like Chautauqua Park and South Mesa Trail are just two of a variety of locations that offer stunning scenery and timeless results.

If you’re a high school senior (or a parent of one) looking for senior photos in Boulder or anywhere in Colorado, I’d love to help you plan a session that feels fun, relaxed, and totally you. Reach out today to book your senior session and secure your date via my form here. ✨