Fall Engagement Photos at Molas Pass in Silverton, CO

Samantha + Ryan wandered around Molas Pass Overlook and Little Molas Lake outside of Silverton for a casual, nature-focused engagement session exactly a year before their wedding date.

After choosing Durango for their destination wedding in September 2025, they chose to make a trip this year to officially tour their venue, meet with their vendors, and explore more of what the area has to offer. Mid-September is the perfect time for the fall leaves to peak in color in the CO high country, so we took advantage of the yellow/orange hues and found some panoramic mountain views. Being from Texas, they are both so excited to experience the mountains with their friends and family next year, especially in the peak leaf season.

We explored two different locations for their engagement photos, which made for enough time for us to really get to know each other. This is one of the most important parts of an engagement shoot in my opinion. You will be with your photographer pretty much all day on your wedding day, and they are likely the person you will be spending the most time with aside from your partner. Doing an engagement shoot and meeting in person beforehand really allows for maximum comfortability on the wedding day. Also, you’ll already have a feel for being in front of the camera and how your photographer works.

As soon as we started shooting, their natural and comfortable love for each other made me smile from ear to ear. Their interactions were equal parts romantic and goofy, which says a lot about their relationship- they had a level of ease between them that was amazing to watch. What an honor to capture these two this fall and next in the autumn San Juans.

Molas Pass Overlook

Little Molas Lake

Looking for an engagement photographer in the Durango/Silverton area? Here is a link to my portfolio so you can see if my approach aligns with you! Contact me here if you’re ready for your own natural, organic photos and we can start planning your shoot.

For more info about the spot that these photos were taken, see this link from Visit Durango. Molas Pass is an amazing spot for outdoor adventuring and view chasing if you’re in the area!