Denver Union Station Engagement Photos
I have been looking forward to working with Ilona and Alex ever since she decided to work with me for her wedding!! We met at my studio and immediately clicked and hit it off. The first thing she said to me was how frustrated she had been looking through traditional posey wedding photos until she found my work. I knew our priorities were aligned 100% and that we would be an amazing fit. I jumped for joy when she emailed and said they wanted to do Union Station for their engagement photos. I had been going up into the mountains for weeks for other sessions and weddings so the idea of getting urban and doing Union Station engagement photos was SO refreshing.
The day of their session they arrived in the best outfits EVER. Seriously, check out Ilona’s boots!! Alex’s leather jacket added just enough trendy edginess to their “look” and it worked so well with the Union Station ambiance.
Ilona wanted to keep things very relaxed and natural (of course) for their Union Station engagement photos. So, we walked around, got some coffee and found some cute nooks here and there for them to snuggle up. They’re naturally giggly and fun together, so we spent the whole time laughing and joking around. We went outside near the end of the session to capture some photos on the outside wall of Union Station. It has such gorgeous texture that it made an amazing background for some intimate closeups of the two of them.
How to do your engagement photos at Denver Union Station
To be frank, it’s a little complicated! The space does require a permit, and while it is free, you need to apply on the website for the inside of the station. They require the photographer to have limited liability insurance, and provide a couple particular certificates to them at least two weeks prior to the session.
They only allow sessions inside at the station between 1-3pm on Wednesdays and Sundays, so make sure you are planning your dates accordingly.
If you want to use the area outside the station, you can use the plaza area in front of the station without getting a permit or getting permission, but your group needs to be less than 5 people, and you can’t obstruct traffic in any way.
The back side of the station requires another permit from the RTD office for you to use the area, and they do have security actively patrolling the area who will ask you to leave if you don’t have the appropriate forms to show them.
You are not allowed to go upstairs (technically hotel property) or into Cooper’s Lounge unless someone you are working with is currently staying at the hotel. There’s no way to get permits for that area.
While the main indoor Union Station area is up for grabs if you have all your permits in order, it is still courteous to ask permission before going into the shops and food vendors inside the area. And, if you’re going to take photos, have the courtesy of getting something from the business too! Ilona + Alex grabbed some coffees, and at another session I did there, we got ice creams and walked around with them outside after the session. So cute!!
Engagement photos in Union Station
Thanks for reading!! Here’s a couple more details about Ilona + Alex and their Union Station engagement session if you’re curious:
Engagement Session Location: Union Station in Denver, Colorado (if you want to use this location, keep in mind it requires a permit and takes two weeks to reserve).
Featured Book Shop: Tattered Covered Bookstore
Featured Coffee Shop: Pigtrain Coffee Co.
To schedule your engagement session, or chat to me about wedding photography, please reach out and contact me!!
Wow these are stunning! The moments are so genuine and this whole post is contagious with warmth and joy <3
Wow these are stunning! The moments are so genuine and this whole post is contagious with warmth and joy <3