Capture Colorado in Fall 2026

september 29–October 3 (tuesday-Saturday)
$2,375

Experience the peak fall color of western Colorado during this breathtaking
4-day and 4-night landscape photography workshop
(Limited to five Students)

Our small group will enjoy spectacular and rustic backcountry roads, to jaw-dropping vistas, with eye-popping color. Hard to describe, unless you’ve been there! And if you’ve been there, you want to go back! And you will be richly rewarded with the personal instruction that grows your photography.

Our basecamp is one of my favorite towns in Colorado: Ouray. Dubbed the “Switzerland of America,” Ouray is home to scenic byways, historic Victorian architecture, a classic western Main Street, micro-breweries, and even a natural and famous sulfer-free hot springs pool. So bring your swimsuit.

Colorado has had a special place in my heart since I was a teenager and tagged along on my Dad’s Wilderness Workshops in Photography. An accomplished fine art photographer, he led treks into the rare air of Mount Evans, and to the historic mining districts of Red Mountain Pass. Colorado inspires a bit of the Wild West in all of us, and I now regularly travel to this part of the Rockies, exploring rugged locations to both shoot and enjoy. From the coffee roasters to the bakeries, from the player pianos to the narrow gauge rail, this area makes for a full-on western adventure!

WHERE WE WILL TRAVEL

San Juan Mountains

The San Juan range forms the southern part of Colorado's Rocky Mountains and is thought by some to have the best, most varied scenery of all. Spanning the continental divide, it has numerous jagged volcanic summits, 13 of which rise to over 14,000 feet, many lakes, waterfalls and streams including the source of the Rio Grande, several historic towns and countless relics from the gold and silver mining era of the nineteenth century, this latter reflecting the extensive mineralization of the range, as evident from the vivid colors of many of the rocks.

Western Colorado offers visitors a authentic taste of the wild west and a glimpse back at the once rugged way of American life. The quintessential towns of this territory, such as Ouray, were built by the sweat of silver mining, and the wealth that followed is evident in the architecture that lines the many still unpaved roads of the town. The last operational mine closed in 1978.

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Allow Me to Introduce Myself

It is my privilege to share with you my knowledge of photography, which was instilled during my childhood by my late father and mentor, Lowell Anson Kenyon, Chief of the Office of Photography for the Smithsonian Institution.

My style is upbeat, and enthusiastic, and l provide a positive learning environment that nurtures your art, and grounds you in best practices through personalized instruction. My tips and time-tested techniques will help you pursue your brand of photography with greater purpose and with more intentional creativity.

I hope to share with you my passion, not only for capturing compelling photographs, but also for allowing yourself to be “captured” by the beauty and awe of this place – to connect with nature, and appreciate the relevance of our great western treasures.

These workshops are adventurous, and you will enjoy maximum time in the field.

There is no arguing that golden hour light is wonderful, but you will also learn how to maximize any lighting scenario, simply because we don’t always have the luxury of creating images in golden hour, or under perfect light for that matter. You will also be encouraged to use all of your lenses, whether that be a macro for Autumn still life compositions, or a telephoto to capture intimate landscape details otherwise far from view. Remember, you can always rent lenses if you don’t already own them.

To ensure you receive a well-rounded educational experience, following this workshop, I provide you with two-hours of HD video content from my Digital Darkroom series. The series is suitable for all skill levels in post processing, and use both Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop. If you are uncomfortable with Photoshop, please know there will be content processed solely in Lightroom.

So join me on Capture Colorado, where filling you with memories is as important as filling your memory cards with unforgettable images.

Trip Overview

WORKSHOP SNAPSHOT

Dates: September 29–October 3 (Tuesday-Saturday); (four days/four nights) Concluding Friday morning after a final sunrise and/or group breakfast
Price per person: $2,375 Deposit of $1,200 to hold your place, with final payment due approximately 120 days prior to the trip.
Group Size: Limit 5 Students
Photography Level: Beginner-Advanced
Terrain: Gradual slopes, may be uneven and rocky, high altitude (I can provide individual oxygen bottles)
Altitude: 6,200’-11,000’
Activity Level: Moderate activity with treks under a mile
Climate: Avg. Daytime temps: 60-70˚–– Avg. Nightime temps: 35-45˚
Nearest Town(s): Ouray, CO, Telluride, CO, Silverton, CO
Airports: Grand Junction, CO; Montrose, CO
Vehicle: All locations are accessible by stock high-clearance, four-wheel drive vehicles
Accommodations: I recommend in Ouray, the Timber Ridge Lodge

ITINERARY SNAPSHOT

Our first day together will look like this:
Date: Tuesday, September 29, 2025
Meet and Greet: 2:00 p.m. at the lodge
Check in Lodge: 3:00 p.m. (Timber Ridge Lodge, Ouray, CO)
Shoot: Depart lodge 4:00 p.m.

TRIP VITALS: We will kick off this fall photo feast at the Timber Ridge Lodge, with a Meet & Greet that will begin at 2:00 p.m., 9/29. On Saturday morning, 10/3, we will wrap things up, and say our goodbyes after shooting sunrise.

SHOOTING SCHEDULE: Our featured locations are generally under an hour from Ouray. Plan to rise early for sunrise on most mornings. Be sure to dress for the temps (it will be cold), bring snacks, stay hydrated! Detailed itinerary is emailed to you approximately 30 days prior to our start date.

We plan to explore breathtaking scenery,
I can’t wait to share some of my favorite locations!
Hope you join us!

This Workshop Includes 

I love sharing my knowledge of photography, and I trust these amazing places will inspire you. So come and enjoy an exciting, educational, and fun western adventure, all the while knowing that I am there to guide you through each photographic opportunity.

PLEASE NOTE: We will schedule a pre-trip Zoom meeting within 30 days of the workshop

We Will Explore (subject to change):

• Mount Sneffels Range

• Owl Creek Pass

• Dallas Divide

• Last Dollar Road

• Million Dollar Highway

• Silverton

• Red Mountain Pass (Mining district)

• Crystal Lake

• Wavy Aspens (a classic)

Instruction will Include

I will guide you through my workflow in the field, the art of approaching the scene, compositional techniques, scouting and strategy, and some creative philosophy to help you elevate your photography to new heights. From scouting and planning using my recommended phone apps, to my complete Milky Way workflow in the field, you will come away equipped with the knowledge, creative insight, and practical applications to achieve your goals.

instructional nightscape GUIDE

You will receive, via email, my “Capture the Night” guide to nightscape photography (PDF). This guide will review camera setup and settings that optimize your photography for both daytime and night photography.

Digital Darkroom INSTRUCTION

At no additional charge, each workshop attendee will receive two-hours of virtual post processing (via Zoom) as part of a group session. All attendees of your workshop will have the opportunity to join the meeting, and an effort will be made to accommodate the group’s schedule,.

FOLLOW THE LINK BELOW TO LEARN HOW YOU CAN
RECEIVE A DISCOUNT WHEN YOU BOOK
PRIVATE VIRTUAL SESSIONS WITH ME.

This Workshop Does Not Include

• Lodging: I will be staying at the rustic Timber Ridge Lodge in Ouray, CO. Please make arrangements for your stay in Ouray, ASAP, since the area is popular in fall.

• No transportation: Drive a 4 Wheel or all wheel drive high clearance vehicle. (car pooling recommended for fewer vehicles on trail)

• No food/beverages will be provided

• There is no insurance provided to cover your travel, trip, your gear, or your vehicle. (Trip insurance is recommended)

• No camera gear is provided

• There may be little or no cellphone coverage in certain locations

What to Bring

GEAR

• Camera: DSLR or mirrorless with a wide aperture (i.e., f/2.8 or wider) lens.

• Lenses: Wide angle: 14-24mm, Mid-range: 24-70mm, Telephoto: 70-200mm, 80-400mm, etc.(as noted in full frame focal lengths)

• Solid tripod and head

• Wired shutter release or wireless remote release, for long bulb-mode exposures (if camera is not equipped)

• Extra batteries for everything that takes batteries. You’ll thank me.

• Extra memory cards, so you don’t miss a single shot

• Lens cleaner/blower to save you from dust gremlins

• Circular Polarizer (if you only have one filter in your bag, this is it)

• 3-stop or variable neutral density (nice to have, but not required)

• Laptop, or other system to backup your images each day

PERSONAL

• Headlamp (did I say bring extra batteries?)

• Camera bag + rainfly (yes, even in the desert)

• Bring layered, warm, breathable, clothing, including a waterproof shell

• Comfortable supportive footwear, wicking socks (wool or synthetic) (keep your feet happy)

• Dress for the temps. Layers are recommended. Always check the local forecast as it varies.

• Bring snacks and stay hydrated (hydration especially important at altitude)

• Consider hand warmers for those early morning shoots, plus warm gloves or fingerless mittens

• Trekking poles (better safe than sorry)

• Bug repellant (highly recommend Picaridin by Sawyer for the local DEET-resistant night gnats)

• Sun Glasses, hat, handkerchief (Desert sand especially hard on the eyes, handkerchief for dusty wind)

• Toiletries

Requirements

• You are responsible for knowing your way around your camera and its menu system. My time with each of you will be spent learning to capture great images. Please do not burden others, and get less out of this event yourself – know and practice your camera, especially if you will be using any new gear on this trip.

• Our group must stay together. Please do not wander off without telling me of your where abouts. We will be in areas with potential hazards that include exposed cliffs, unstable terrain, and wildlife.

• You are responsible for knowing and following all park or jurisdictional rules. Leave No Trace. Let’s leave it better than it was! Thank you!

PLEASE NOTE: All deposits/payments received are non-refundable. Should you cancel your trip for any reason, your deposit (workshops only) may be used as a credit toward another workshop* (minus a $250 cancellation fee), for the current or following year, and 50% of any unused credit may be used for up to two years from the first day of the cancelled workshop.

Trip/travel insurance is highly recommended as no refunds are provided.
*Please refer to my Terms & Conditions when you click on the Book Now button.

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Create great memories, new friendships, and unforgettable images!