Recently Matt and I headed down to Colorado Springs for a getaway for my birthday.  We splurged a little and headed to the Broadmore, which has been on my bucket list for a while.  I will share more about our visit there in another post. Anyway, we also planned some fun outdoor time and hit the Garden of God's.  So very cool!  We were here too short of time but enjoyed every second of it.  

As a photographer, I obviously wanted to grab some killer shots while their and we had the perfect moment where the sun was out and wrapping around the rocks just perfectly.  The light reflected off some other white rocks nearby and it was perfect.  Five minutes later and the sun changed up.  Just goes to show to grab the opportunity for something before you miss out!

I would like to give you all a glimpse of this dreamy winterwonderland that is my backyard. We have fun garden plans to really create something beautiful and keep it beautiful for all seasons of sessions. From that snowy winter photoshoot here in Longmont, to the vibrant spring and summer florals. Sunflowers in the later summer and early fall and of course we have the beautiful fall colors. For dreamy winter photoshoots with the frosted trees, it is best to plan a session with me in the morning when a storm is expected as with many of these Colorado snow storms, the branches will melt off by afternoon.

Don't you love fresh powder. When this storm came in naturally we had some excitement at out house as my 6 year old couldn't wait to go skiing with dad.
Rebecca is located in Longmont, CO. To book or inquire email Rebecca@effervescentmediaworks.com

* You will now find our family portrait work at https://rebeccamabeyphotography.com/

 Last year we bought a home in Longmont and have a beautiful large backyard on our property which I now have the opportunity to play with and turn into our studio gardens.  Soon I will be starting my seedlings, most of which are from FloretFlower a family-run flower farm.  This year I will be planting Snap Dragons, Nasturtiums, Celosia's, Clarika's, Larkspur, Clary Sage, Fox Glove, Black-Eyed Susan, Sunflowers, Peppers, Cherry Tomatoes, Peas, Onions, and Beets.

I can't wait to develop a beautiful setting for family and children's portrait sessions right here in Longmont! I have created an Instagram page @delightful.dahlia to share that process in all its fun in detail.

I have been drawing my inspiration from the beautiful Gamble Gardens of Palo Alto (below) The summer/ early fall colors were so pretty in their variety. 

Frankly, I am pretty new to gardening.  Aside from what experiences I had growing up and helping with the yardwork, learning to deadhead and trim the roses etc, but I have already been learning a lot from Erin on Floret and all about starting flowers from seeds.  For example, their fragile state requires they be watered from below in their seeding trays, instead of from above which can disrupt the soil, and that it is needed to use heating mats to keep a consistent temperature on them as well.

Last July I had the privilege of photographing my nephew and his wife for their formal wedding portraits at the Annual Flower Trial Garden in Fort Collins near the CSU campus.  This is always such a color-packed stop in the late summer for sessions which I of course love.

So this post is my official Colorado garden bucket list!  I want to visit all that beautiful gardens and share them here in time with you. 

Gardens at Spring Creek

Location: Fort Collins

This looks like a fun stop to make with the kids, so it is going on the bucket list.  An 18-Acre network of community and botanical gardens with activities for the kids in all seasons. They have classes for adults in Arts and Crafts, Beekeeping, Cooking, Gardening, Urban Homesteading, Wellness, and more.  Count me in!

I am also interested in going to see the butterflies that they have.

Modern sculptures decorate the gardens throughout giving it a more contemporary vibe.  And of course, this is an outdoor venue option for couples getting married.

Another fun thing they have is the Garden Explorer Club.  This sounds just like something right up my kid's alley.

Perennial Garden at the University Center for the Arts

Location: Fort Collins

This is a smaller local neighborhood garden. As I understand it will soon become the Heritage Garden showcasing Colorado's agricultural legacy.

Garden Sweet

Location: Fort Collins

This would be categorized as a farm, BUT the flowers here are so beautiful!  It is on my bucket list for sure. I love every detail from the quaint white picket fences, the good ol' hometown vibe.  Check out this video of Garden Sweet.

I can't wait to bring family and cousins by in the summertime and enjoy fresh-picked peaches, strawberries, flowers, and more.

Treasure Island Demonstration Garden

Location: Windsor, CO

Website: https://m.facebook.com/Treasure-Island-Demonstration-Garden-253227694875730

This sweet and simple locals garden regularly demonstrates Roses, Dahlia's, an annual garden a vegetable garden, a summer bed of zinnias, Autumn Joy Sedums, and more.

Some fun facts about this garden are many of the plants and seeds are donated. And the veggies harvested from the garden make their way to the Windsor Food Pantry. In 2020 they donated about 4,000 pounds of food!

Longmont Memorial Rose Garden

Location: Longmont

This garden I got to visit briefly at the end of the summer.  Having just had a baby, life is pretty full! So I just grabbed a few cell phone pictures with my daughter for future planning.  I look forward to coming back many times next summer to soak in the peace and serenity at the magic hour and capturing some beautiful brides, couples, senior pictures, and sweet children frolicking about. 

Denver Botanic Gardens

Location: Denver

Even in the middle of winter, these indoor/ outdoor gardens have so much to see.  The is large tropical forest to enjoy.  There are many themed areas and you can easily spend hours wandering the property.  And what a beautiful wedding venue option.

More to come as we explore Colorado!

Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms

Location: Littleton

The Horticultural Art Society Demonstration Garden

Location: Colorado Springs

Heritage Garden

Location: Colorado Springs

Rebecca is located in Longmont, CO. To book or inquire email Rebecca@effervescentmediaworks.com

This summer I had a grand adventure climbing Mt Elbert with my husband Matt. Mt. Elbert... sounds more like a Sesame Street character than a name for a mountain. Matt did all the planning. It was our little get away for our wait for it... drumroll... 9 year anniversary! Whhhatt?? How did this even happen? Time moves too fast. In the course of 9 years we both finished our Bachelor degrees, had two children, moved 3 times, traveled to 16 states as well as Europe and Mexico, started a business together, shared tears, fears and joys! I feel crazy blessed. Anyway, escaping to nature and spending several hours above the clouds seemed like a perfect way to celebrate being on cloud nine.

Me... acting legit... because I am really pretty pro at this as you can probably tell. Wink wink. Pretty much I am a goon.

If you are planning a honeymoon on a tight budget than I would highly recommend on keeping it simple and planning a hiking and camping trip so you can simply hold each other by a crackling fire and look up at the stars. There are few things as peaceful as that. And it simply just feeds the soul and restores one's energy to jump back into the craziness of life.

In the morning waking up to the birds chirping we enjoyed Mountain House Biscuit and Gravy meals. It may have just been the elevation or fact that we hiked up several hundred feet but I was seriously AMAZED at how good it was. Better than an everyday breakfast. I still crave it sometimes.
A magical setting to wake up to.





I had to stop at least a dozen times to capture the delicate beauty of the mountain side flowers that cling to the cracks in the rocks. How beautiful it would be to capture a wedding ceremony that would take place up here above the clouds with natures decor surrounding the scene.


After a somewhat vigorous two days (for me anyway) we wanted to of course enjoy a little pampering so we stayed in Vail, CO to relax after our mountain top adventure.  We enjoyed a little shopping and fine dining and enjoyed a lovely stay there.

To check out more of our travels and travel prints for purchase click here.