Colorado Fall Colors Landscape Photography Workshop 2026 SOLD OUT

Colorado Fall Color 6 Day Photography Workshop September 25th - October 2nd 2026

This Workshop Is Now Sold Out!! 

Workshop Registration: $2750 | 50% Deposit to Reserve Your Spot | Remaining Balance Due by July 1st, 2026

Colorado Fall Colors is a 6 day, on location hands on landscape photography workshop hosted by Aaron Reed during the peak of autumn in the San Juans and based out of Telluride, Colorado. This workshop will focus on the greater areas of Telluride, Ridgway, Owl Creek Pass, Ouray, Silverton and Crested Butte. 

I have secured a block of rooms for all of us at the Peaks Resort & Spa, an incredible place to stay and an experience all to itself! 

The landscape during fall in this area of Colorado is simply unmatched. Endless aspen and birch trees ablaze in the golds and oranges of autumn, breathtaking mountain vistas, rivers, creeks, ponds and lakes all combine for an unforgettable autumn experience. An entire portfolio of print worthy images can be captured during this workshop with opportunity literally at every turn.

Due to the planning, preparation and marketing that goes into this event, a non refundable 50% deposit is required to secure your space. The remaining balance will be due July 1st, 2026. In the event that you have to cancel, your deposit will only be refunded if your seat can be filled prior to the workshop. Please contact me via email to discuss this policy if you have further questions. For this reason, I highly suggest purchasing trip insurance for peace of mind in the event of an emergency.

What to Expect

The workshop will begin each day, like everyday should, with MASSIVE amounts of coffee. The sun rises close to 7am and sets at 7pm, making for a long but pleasant day in the mountains! Each day we will take a mid day break for lunch, a nap or simply MORE COFFEE.

The workshop officially begins at 5pm September 25th in Telluride, Colorado where will have a meet and greet and a brief overview of the coming days of chasing fall color! The rest of the workshop will be begin before sunrise and end after sunset, with the exception of October 2nd, the final day where we will photograph our final sunrise before going our separate ways with tales of adventure and memory cards full of beautiful images.

While we will not be going on any long hikes during this workshop, the physical difficulty is easy to moderate, with a long day on your feet and walks at elevations of 8500+ ft for short distances along dusty roads, dirt trails and through short vegetation.

You are free to stay anywhere else that you wish, share rooms with other attendees, sleep in your car or a grass field, but wherever you choose to stay, we will be meeting in Telluride each day, as early as  5am, so you will want to plan accordingly.

Transportation during the workshop will be provided for all attendees. Transportation to and from Telluride will be your responsibility and is not included in the cost of the workshop. For those who may choose to explore before or after the workshop, a 4x4 vehicle is recommended but not required.

During down time, there will be opportunity to meet as a group to share post processing tips using Photoshop, Lumenzia & Nik Color Efex as well as tips and best practices to prepare your images for both the web and for print!

The Experience - In The Field

• How To Pre-Visualize And Capture Compelling Compositions That Grab AND Maintain The Attention Of Your Audience
• 100% Manual Operation Of Your Camera And Creative Exposure Control For Best Results
• Reading, Understanding and Using Your Histogram To Capture The Best Possible Exposure In The Field
• How To "Fill The Frame" using Dynamic Compositions While Eliminating Negative Or Empty Space
• How To Identify Your Main Subject And Supporting Subjects With One Easy Trick
• How To Choose The Best Aperture, Shutter Speed, White Balance And ISO For The Image You Are Creating
• Tips N Tricks For Low Light, Backlit Scenes And Other Difficult Lighting Situations In The Field
• How To Tell A Story With Your Imagery
• How To Use Filters As A Creative Tool And As A Way To Balance Light Or Capture Deep, Rich Imagery In Any Situation
• Ways To Reduce Your Setup Time And How To Stay Fast On Your Feet While Shooting
• Tips For Planning And Scheduling Your Photo Expeditions Including Planning, Preparation And Finding Inspiration
• How To Use Balance, Depth, A Sense Of Motion And Light To Create Visually Stunning Images
• Learning When To Go Big And When To Find The Little Things In Your Images For Deeper Meaning And Connection With Your Audience
• Maximizing Depth Of Field And How To Maintain Maximum Sharpness In Your Images
  
  .....and much more!

Traveling to Telluride, Colorado

Traveling to Telluride offers a spectacular journey into the heart of the San Juan Mountains, where dramatic alpine scenery meets refined mountain living. While Telluride is more remote than many destinations, getting there is part of the experience—and well worth the effort.

Nearby Airports and Access

The closest airport is Telluride Regional Airport (TEX), located just minutes from town. It’s one of the highest commercial airports in North America, offering unmatched proximity—but it comes with limited flight options and occasional weather-related delays due to its elevation and mountainous surroundings.

A more reliable and widely used option is Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ), located about 65 miles from Telluride. Montrose offers daily flights from major hubs like Denver, Dallas, and Phoenix, making it the most popular gateway for travelers. From there, it’s roughly a 1.5-hour drive to Telluride.

Another option is flying into Durango-La Plata County Airport (DRO), about 120 miles away, which provides additional flight availability and a scenic drive through southwest Colorado.

Driving to Telluride

For those flying into Denver International Airport (DEN), the drive to Telluride is approximately 330 miles and typically takes 6 to 7 hours, depending on weather and route. While it’s a longer journey, it’s also one of the most scenic drives in Colorado.

Travelers often take I-70 west through the Rockies before heading south toward the San Juan Mountains. As you get closer to Telluride, the landscape becomes increasingly dramatic, with towering peaks, sweeping valleys, and dense aspen forests.

One of the most iconic routes nearby is the Million Dollar Highway (US-550), known for its breathtaking views and thrilling mountain curves. While it doesn’t pass directly through Telluride, it’s a worthwhile detour for those looking to experience one of the most famous scenic drives in the country—especially in the fall when the aspens turn brilliant shades of gold.

Getting from Montrose to Telluride

From Montrose, travelers can rent a car or take a shuttle for a smooth and straightforward journey into Telluride. The drive itself is scenic and far less intense than some of Colorado’s more rugged mountain passes, making it accessible year-round.

Several shuttle services operate between Montrose and Telluride, offering a convenient option for those who prefer not to drive. In the winter months especially, this can be a stress-free way to reach the resort town while still enjoying the surrounding scenery.

Safety & Reliability

Aaron Reed Photography, LLC is a licensed, fully insured business and a responsible member of the photographic community. I operate all of my workshops under the guidelines, rules and regulations of the National Park Service, State Parks & Forest Services. I am certified in Adult & Child CPR/AED & First Aid, Wilderness First Responder Trained and Follow Leave No Trace Principals. I have operated on location photography workshops since 2009.