You can make buyers feel the calm of Indian Peaks living without stepping over a single property line. With the right angles and timing, your photos can show open space, mountain vistas, and everyday moments that sell the lifestyle. Use this guide to plan a shoot that is beautiful, accurate, and fully compliant.
Know the setting
Indian Peaks Golf Course is a public, 18-hole Hale Irwin signature design at 2300 Indian Peaks Trail in Lafayette. The fairways open to views of the Indian Peaks and the Flatirons, which are prime subjects to feature in your compositions. For course details and amenities, refer to the Indian Peaks Golf Course site.
You are also close to a connected trail network and city parks. Highlight trail access with a wide, inviting scene from the Coal Creek Trail, and capture community downtime around Waneka Lake Park when the light is soft.
Respect lines and rules
Property lines first
Verify what the property truly adjoins. Use the Boulder County open-space maps to confirm parcel boundaries, trail corridors, and park edges. This lets you write accurately and choose legal public vantages.
On-foot photography
Still photography on Boulder County open space is allowed for individuals, while some commercial filming activities are restricted or prohibited. Review the open-space regulations and shoot from public rights of way or the property itself with owner permission. If you plan to include people, obtain releases as needed for marketing use.
No-drone shortcuts
Do not plan casual drone flights over county open space. Boulder County requires permits for UAS on open space and does not issue permits for commercial filming or photography. Confirm local policy and federal rules before any aerial work using the Boulder County drone policy and the FAA Part 107 overview.
Golden-hour game plan
Golden hour is the warm, soft light just after sunrise and just before sunset. It adds depth to greens, warms exterior materials, and reveals mountain contours. For day-of timing, use this golden hour guide.
- Evening golden hour: prioritize the 30 minutes before sunset for west-facing patios, long fairway views, and mountain vistas. See tips on timing in this overview of the best time for exteriors.
- Morning golden hour: favor east-facing façades and calm landscaping, especially for dewy, quiet ambiance.
- Blue hour: 15 to 30 minutes after sunset, interior and exterior lighting balance beautifully. This is ideal for “patio at dusk” ambiance, as in this guide to blue hour balancing light.
Seasonal note: in winter, the sun sits lower and golden hour lasts longer, which can reveal mountain profiles. In summer, foliage may block distant views, so adjust your angle or lens choice.
Angles that sell
From the property
Compose from the patio or upper deck with outdoor living in the foreground and the fairway or distant peaks beyond. Stage a small café table, soft throws, or a simple grilling setup for relatable cues. Avoid close-ups of identifiable golfers or neighbors.
From public spots
Use sidewalks, trailheads, or municipal streets to frame the home with a green corridor in the midground. A slightly elevated public vantage can show the trail, trees, and mountains together. Cross-check each spot on the county map before you go.
Community lifestyle b-roll
Gather supporting images at Waneka Lake or neighborhood trailheads that show walkers and cyclists at a distance. Keep your focus on the scene, not faces. These images round out the story without implying private course access.
Shot list and workflow
- Confirm parcel lines, trail access, and allowable public vantages using county maps.
- Decide on morning, evening, or both based on the home’s orientation and your must-have views.
- Build a three-part plan: property exteriors, public-trail perspective, and lifestyle b-roll.
- Pre-stage the patio with neutral props that read well in warm light.
- Arrive 45 to 60 minutes before the target window to scout and lock angles.
- Prioritize two hero scenes: patio with course or mountain backdrop, and a wide exterior that shows nearby green space.
- Capture a blue-hour set with house lights on for mood and depth.
- Avoid drone imagery unless you have all required permissions, policies, and certifications.
- Review images on site to confirm that no shot implies access that does not exist.
Key takeaway: choose legal public vantages, time your shoot to golden hour, and let simple lifestyle cues do the heavy lifting.
Ready to craft a listing narrative that showcases Lafayette’s course-adjacent lifestyle with care and accuracy? Reach out to Barb Passalacqua to plan a tailored photo brief and marketing strategy.
FAQs
Can I photograph from the fairway?
- Only with permission from course management, otherwise stay on public areas or the property itself and follow county regulations.
What if the home is near, not adjacent?
- Use public sidewalks, trailheads, or park edges to show proximity, and verify the claim with county maps before writing copy.
Are drone photos allowed near Indian Peaks?
- Drone use on county open space requires permits and commercial filming is not permitted, and any flight must also comply with FAA rules.
What time is best for mountain views?
- Evening golden hour typically delivers warm tones and long shadows that enhance west-facing views and distant peaks.
Do I need releases for people in shots?
- If people are recognizable and the images are used in marketing, obtain model releases and keep scenes general when possible.
