An Engagement Session at Macdonald Book Shop in Estes Park

There are engagement session locations that look beautiful in photographs, and then there are locations that feel like the couple who chose them. Macdonald Book Shop in Estes Park is firmly in the second category.

When this couple told me they wanted their engagement session in a bookstore, I didn't hesitate. Macdonald Book Shop has been a fixture on Elkhorn Avenue since 1928 — floor-to-ceiling shelves, narrow winding aisles organized by genre, a children's section bright with color, a romantasy nook tucked in the back. The whole place has the particular warmth of somewhere people have been coming to read for nearly a century. And it turns out that warmth isn't just atmospheric — the interior lighting in this store is genuinely beautiful to shoot in.

Why a Bookstore Works So Well for Engagement Photos

Most couples default to outdoor sessions — mountain trails, golden fields, lakeshores. And those are beautiful. But the best engagement photos aren't just pretty backdrops. They're locations that say something true about who the couple is.

For couples who love books — who met over a shared shelf, who have strong opinions about paperback versus hardcover, who can tell you exactly where they were when they first read Lord of the Rings — an independent bookstore is a natural fit. And Macdonald specifically offers a few things that are hard to find anywhere else:

Incredible interior light. This isn't a brightly lit chain store. Macdonald's lighting is warm, layered, and moody in exactly the right way — the kind of light that makes you look like you belong somewhere, not like you're posing in front of a backdrop. It wraps around people rather than flattening them. For a photographer, it's genuinely exciting to work with.

Endless variety in a small space. Every section of the store has a different feel — the main floor with its dense shelves of used books, the colorful children's section, the romantasy and fantasy nook tucked in the back with its hand-lettered wooden sign. You can move through the store and get a dozen completely different looks without ever stepping outside.

Built-in props that aren't props. Books invite natural interaction. Pulling a favorite title off the shelf. Holding up your opposite reads and grinning. Sneaking a kiss while your partner is still on the first page. These are real moments, not manufactured ones.

A relaxed atmosphere. There's something about being surrounded by books that settles people. Couples who walk in nervous about being photographed tend to forget the camera pretty quickly — especially when they're debating whether Tolkien beats Brené Brown.

About This Session

This couple brought incredible energy from the moment they arrived. They were relaxed, playful, and completely at ease with each other — my favorite kind of energy to work with. They also brought their dog, which turned out to be one of the best decisions of the session. The shot of the three of them framed in the doorway with books floor to ceiling on both sides is one of my favorite portraits I've made.

They also did something I'd encourage any couple to consider: they brought two outfits. The tonal shift between the darker, more classic look in the main sections of the store and the bright, joyful pink dress in the children's section gave the session a real range — grounded and romantic in one half, playful and vibrant in the other. It made the gallery feel like a complete story rather than a single mood.

A highlight of the session was watching them pick out their "signature books" — she grabbed Brené Brown's Atlas of the Heart, he went straight for a vintage copy of The Lord of the Rings. They held them up like trophies, grinning. It was completely unscripted and completely them, and it's one of the strongest images from the day.

How to Book a Photography Session at Macdonald Book Shop

Macdonald Book Shop actively welcomes photography sessions — they even have a dedicated page for it on their website at macdonaldbookshop.com. Here's what you need to know:

There is a $50 session fee to photograph inside the store. This fee may be waived for loyal customer members of their frequent buyer program, and is also negotiable in exchange for tagging the store on the photographer's social media.

Sessions must be scheduled at least one week in advance so they can ensure a staff member is available.

Timing: Sessions typically take place before 8 or 9 am, before the store opens to the public. Other times may be possible depending on the day of the week and time of year — worth asking when you reach out.

To book: Contact Nicole, their event coordinator, through the form on their photography sessions page. Mention whether you're part of their frequent buyer program and include your available dates.

The early morning timing is actually a gift. Estes Park before 9 am is a different town than Estes Park at noon — quieter, cooler, and without the foot traffic that fills Elkhorn Avenue by mid-morning.

Practical Tips for Your Session

Wear what you actually wear. This is not the place for a flowy white dress and bare feet. Bring an outfit (or two) that reflects who you actually are. Rich colors, interesting patterns, layers — they all photograph beautifully against the store's warm wood tones and colorful spines. Think about contrast: something that stands out against the shelves without competing with them.

Bring your dog. Seriously. If you have one, bring them. The store is dog-friendly and the addition of a pet completely changes the energy of a session in the best way.

Think about your books. Before you arrive, each of you pick one book that says something true about you — a favorite, a formative one, a funny one. Don't coordinate or overthink it. The contrast between your choices will tell more of your story than any pose could.

Plan to arrive a little early. Spend a few minutes just being in the space before we start shooting. Browse, pick things off shelves, get comfortable. The best moments in a session like this happen when people stop performing and start actually existing somewhere.

A Note on Indoor Sessions

I want to say something directly to couples who are wondering whether an indoor engagement session is "enough." It is. Some of the most beautiful and emotionally resonant work I've made has been indoors. The best engagement session isn't the one with the most dramatic backdrop — it's the one where something true happened in front of the camera.

Macdonald Book Shop, with its warm light and its century of stories, is very good at making that happen.

Interested in Booking Your Engagement Session?

If you're drawn to the idea of something a little unexpected — a location that feels like you rather than like everyone else's Pinterest board — I'd love to talk. I'm based in Fort Collins and shoot engagement sessions across Northern Colorado, Estes Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, and beyond.

Inquire about your engagement session →

Moon Myerson is a Fort Collins-based wedding and engagement photographer with a fine art and film background. She shoots across Colorado with no travel fees within an hour of Fort Collins.