OCT 1-5th, 2026 OURAY, CO
WITH NICK SELWAY AND JOE GARZA
CLIENT REVIEWS
The San Juan Mountains are a high and rugged mountain Range in the Rocky Mountains in southwestern Colorado. The San Juan and Uncompahgre National Forest cover a large portion of the San Juan Mountains. This area has some of the largest and most breathtaking aspen groves in the state and endless back roads for countless opportunity's for large landscape and intimate scenes.We'll provide you instruction on how to capture the light and create unique compositions with the goal of providing a comfortable, fun environment to explore photography settings and techniques to help you learn and fine tune your photography skills. We'll even provide assistance after the workshop to help you with your post-processing editing to bring your images to life.
WORKSHOP INFORMATION
San Juan Mountains Workshop Schedule- The tour will begin on Oct 1st and we will be meeting at The Twin Peaks Lodge and Hot springs by 4pm. From there we will be checking in to our rooms and getting our camera gear ready so we can head out and shoot our first sunset. Before we take off, we will have a meeting downstairs meeting in front the lobby by 4:45pm to introduce ourselves to everyone and answer any questions and then let the fun begin.
We will be shooting sunrise and sunset every day and if the weather is in our favor we can shoot later into each morning. After each morning, depending on how everyone is feeling, we can head back to the hotel to rest and grab some breakfast.
Additionally, we will be shooting different locations each day depending on weather conditions and what areas look the best for peak Colorado fall colors.
Most importantly create a relaxed, fun and enjoyable atmosphere for an incredible experience. You will feel more confident taking your photography skills to the next level. Our Colorado fall color photography workshop will end Oct 5th after we shoot sunrise by 9am.Checkout at the hotel is 11am.
🌄 Epic Highlights of the Colorado Fall Colors Workshop 🍂
Get ready to chase golden aspens, jagged peaks, and glowing mountain light through the heart of the San Juan Mountains! This workshop is packed with jaw-dropping scenery and iconic backroads that photographers dream about. Here's what’s waiting for you:
🛣️ Million Dollar Highway – One of the most scenic drives in America, with twisting roads, dramatic drop-offs, and non-stop views.
🌲 Last Dollar Road – A rugged, classic Colorado backroad with sweeping mountain vistas, rustic cabins, and golden aspen groves around every turn.
🏔️ Mount Sneffels & Mount Wilson – Towering 14ers surrounded by vibrant fall foliage—perfect for sunrise drama and wide-angle magic.
📍 Dallas Divide – A bucket-list location for autumn color with a postcard view of the San Juans.
🏞️ Ouray – Known as the “Switzerland of America,” this mountain town is framed by sheer cliffs and fall-drenched valleys.
🏔️ Telluride – A charming mountain town backed by towering peaks, waterfalls, and cinematic landscapes.
🚂 Silverton – A historic mining town surrounded by rugged alpine beauty and brilliant color.
🎨 Molas Pass – Vast panoramic views of rolling mountains painted in gold, orange, and red.
🗿 Chimney Rock & Owl Creek Pass – Remote and dramatic with towering spires and cinematic backdrops (hello, True Grit fans!).
💦 Hot Springs at the Hotel – After a day of adventure, soak in natural mineral hot springs under the stars—pure Colorado bliss!
LODGING,TRAVEL & TRANSPORTATION
Group Size-Limited to 10 people
Booking- The fall color photography workshop will need to be paid in full by July 3 ,2026.Deposit Refunds are non refundable after the 60-day mark unless we can find another person to fill your spot.
Cost-Total cost for this tour $3450 Single Occupancy | $3150 Double Occupancy
Deposit- A 50% Deposit will need to be made at the time of registration which can me made at the bottom of this page.
Hotel-We have reserved a group of rooms at The Twin Peaks Lodge and Hot springs 125 3rd Avenue
Ouray, Colorado 81427. A bonus with this hotel is that it has Hot Springs on site for daytime and evening relaxation.You do not need to call the hotel once you sign up we will send you your room confirmation # in the following weeks
Travel-The nearest airport is in Montrose Reginal Airport, a 45min drive to Ouray or Grand Junction. For transportation from airport to hotel and back you will need to rent a vehicle in Grand Junction or Montrose if you are flying in to one of those airports.
Included -Permits, guiding, as much laughter as possible and our wealth of photo knowledge making sure we put everyone in the best possible locations for light and compositions to capture their own stunning fall color images.
Transportation Included- We will be renting 2 Large Luxury SUV's to drive everyone on the workshop to take everyone from the hotel to our shooting locations each day.
Not included- meals, transportation from the airport on arrival and back
🥾 Workshop Activity Level & Gear Recommendations
This Colorado Fall Colors Photography Workshop is designed for most fitness levels and offers a blend of convenience and light adventure. While the majority of our shooting locations are easily accessible, a few of the most spectacular spots will involve short hikes through mountain terrain with mild elevation gains—generally less than 400 feet.These short treks will reward you with remote, jaw-dropping vistas and intimate landscape scenes that are well worth the effort. To make the most of your experience, here’s what we recommend bringing:
✅ Recommended Gear & Essentials:
-Comfortable hiking boots – Traction and support for varied terrain
-A small backpack – To carry your camera gear, water, and snacks
-Layers of clothing – Mountain weather can change quickly
-Refillable water bottle & snacks – Stay fueled and hydrated for those golden hour shots
We’ll always move at a relaxed pace, with plenty of time to set up, compose, and shoot. Your comfort and creativity come first—so bring your curiosity and let’s chase the light through Colorado’s stunning high country!
Recommend gear to include but not limited to.
DSLR, Mirrorless cameras or whatever you comfortable with. Solid tripod with either a ballhead or equivalent. Shutter release setup for long exposures. Recommended lens 16-35mm, 24-70mm,70-200mm,100-400mm. If you have a macro lens there will be the opportunity for this. These are the lens we have found to be the best for all around coverage in the areas we will be. Make sure to have extra batteries, SD Cards
What You'll Learn – Hands-On Photography Instruction
📸Whether you're just starting out or looking to refine your craft, we’ve got you covered. During the workshop, you'll receive personalized, in-the-field guidance designed to boost your confidence, unlock your creativity, and take your images to the next level!Here’s a taste of what we’ll dive into:
⚙️ Master Manual Mode – Learn how to confidently shoot in manual using shutter speed, aperture, ISO, and depth of field to get full control over your exposure.
📸 Lens Secrets – Discover which lens to use and why—whether you’re chasing soft light, tight details, or sweeping scenes.
🎨 Unleash Your Creativity – Go beyond documentation. Learn how to shoot with vision and emotion.
🧭 Compose Like a Pro – Understand powerful compositional techniques like the rule of thirds, simplicity, and leading lines to make your images sing.
🌿 Find the Foreground – Learn how to use nearby elements to create depth and visual interest.
🏔️ Grand Landscapes – Capture the full drama of the scene, from sky to earth, in ways that stop viewers in their tracks.
🔍 Intimate & Abstract Shots – Discover the art of finding beauty in the small details and hidden patterns
.🖼️ Panoramic Magic – Stitch together wide, immersive images that do justice to the epic views in front of you.
🌈 Filter Like a Pro – Learn how and when to use polarizers and ND filters to enhance skies, control light, and make your photos pop.
Post Processing
Joe and I are dedicated to making every moment in the field count, ensuring you get the most out of your photography time during the workshop. After our days together in Colorado, we don’t just say goodbye. In the weeks following, we offer a personalized 1-on-1, two-hour post-processing session. You’ll choose three to four of your favorite images from the trip, and together, we’ll walk you through our entire editing workflow in both Lightroom and Photoshop. This hands-on session is designed to help you bring out the full potential of your shots, enhance your post-processing skills, and solidify the techniques we covered in the field.
