Ah, Colorado! A paradise for nature enthusiasts and photographers alike,
where every season offers a unique canvas of breathtaking beauty.
I'm thrilled to share my insights on capturing the awe-inspiring landscapes
of Colorado during its most photogenic seasons: Fall and Spring. Whether you're a
seasoned photographer or a budding enthusiast, these seasons offer an unparalleled
opportunity to enhance your skills while soaking in nature's grandeur.

Colorado Fall Colors Photography Workshop

3-Day Photography Adventure in the San Juan Mountains & Kebler Pass

Trip Details

Start Location: Ridgway, Colorado

Meeting Time: 5:15 AM on Day 1. Please plan to arrive early so we can depart on time and capture the morning light.

Photography Locations: Million Dollar Highway, Crystal Lake, the San Juan Mountains, and Kebler Pass.

End Location: Ridgway, Colorado

Workshop Ends: After sunset on Day 3, followed by our return to Ridgway.

Pre-Workshop Zoom Meeting: Four weeks before the workshop, we will meet online to review the itinerary, recommended photography equipment, clothing, weather conditions, and answer any questions.

Weather & What to Expect

Fall in Colorado is spectacular, but mountain weather can change quickly. Early mornings are often cold, especially when we're heading out before sunrise. Temperatures generally warm up throughout the day, but once the sun goes down, it can get chilly again.

Snow is always a possibility in the Colorado mountains during the fall, and sometimes those unexpected weather conditions create the most incredible photographic opportunities.

We recommend dressing in layers, bringing a warm jacket, gloves, and rain gear. Comfortable, sturdy shoes are also important, as we will be exploring different locations throughout the workshop.

Daily Itinerary

Day 1 – Million Dollar Highway & Crystal Lake

Our adventure begins bright and early in Ridgway, Colorado, where we'll meet at 5:15 AM and make our way toward Crystal Lake along the famous Million Dollar Highway.

We'll arrive in time to photograph the beautiful morning light as it begins to illuminate the surrounding mountains and colorful aspen trees. Crystal Lake is one of those locations where the reflections, fall colors, and rugged mountain peaks come together to create incredible photographic opportunities.

After sunrise, we'll continue exploring the San Juan Mountains, stopping at carefully selected locations to capture the brilliant golds and yellows of Colorado's fall foliage. We'll photograph winding mountain roads, towering peaks, colorful hillsides, and beautiful aspen groves.

Throughout the day, we'll work on composition, lighting, and techniques to help you capture the beauty of the season.

We'll finish our first day photographing sunset in the mountains, taking advantage of the warm evening light as it spreads across the landscape.

Day 2 – Exploring the San Juan Mountains

We'll start our second day before sunrise, heading into the San Juan Mountains to capture the first light of the morning.

Today is all about following the light and finding the best fall colors. We'll explore beautiful mountain valleys, photograph golden aspens, and search for those special compositions that make Colorado such an incredible destination for photographers.

One of the advantages of traveling with Nature Exposed Tours is that we're not locked into a rigid schedule. We'll adjust our locations based on the weather, fall colors, and lighting conditions to give you the best photographic opportunities.

Along the way, we'll work on capturing depth in landscapes, using natural light, and creating compositions that tell the story of autumn in Colorado.

As the afternoon turns into evening, we'll make our way to another beautiful mountain location for sunset photography before returning to Ridgway.

Day 3 – Kebler Pass & Colorado's Golden Aspen Groves

On our final day, we'll head toward Kebler Pass, one of Colorado's most spectacular destinations for fall photography.

Kebler Pass is famous for its enormous aspen groves, where entire mountainsides turn brilliant shades of gold and yellow during autumn. As we travel through this beautiful area, we'll stop at some of the best locations to photograph towering aspens, winding roads surrounded by fall color, and sweeping views of the surrounding mountains.

We'll spend time photographing inside the aspen groves, looking for beautiful patterns, textures, and compositions that make these trees such wonderful photographic subjects. Whether you're capturing an intimate woodland scene or a wide landscape filled with golden aspens, there will be plenty of opportunities to create something special.

Throughout the day, we'll continue following the best light and exploring the changing scenery. We'll finish our workshop with one final sunset photography session, bringing our three days of photographing Colorado's spectacular fall colors to a memorable close.

After sunset, we'll make our way back to Ridgway, Colorado, where our workshop will officially conclude.

Please note: Our daily schedule and photography locations may change due to weather, road conditions, and the timing of peak fall colors. Our goal is always to put you in the best locations with the best available light.