Learn Nature Photography in the Field

Join me for a morning, evening, or photography hike in the landscapes I know best.

My private field sessions offer a different approach to traditional photography workshops and tours. Rather than spending an entire day driving between predetermined locations, we'll focus on one area and spend meaningful time photographing it together.

You'll have the opportunity to photograph alongside me, ask questions, get feedback, and see how I approach a landscape in real-world conditions. We'll work with the light and weather we're given, explore compositions, and adapt as conditions change.

These sessions aren't about following me to a tripod hole or checking off as many locations as possible. My goal is to help you develop skills and decision-making you can use on your own photography adventures.

Field Sessions

Sunrise or Sunset Session

We'll meet before sunrise or a few hours before sunset and spend approximately 3–4 hours photographing one area together. I'll provide guidance based on current conditions and your interests, but we'll give ourselves time to explore rather than rushing between locations.

Along the way we can work on composition, light, camera technique, scouting, weather, lens selection, and whatever questions come up naturally while we're photographing.

Photography Hike

Join me for a longer hike focused on exploring and photographing a landscape on foot. These sessions combine photography instruction with the practical skills involved in carrying a camera into the backcountry.

Depending on the outing and your interests, we can cover route planning, maps and navigation, camera carrying systems, outdoor equipment, safety, scouting, weather, and how I balance photography with moving efficiently through the landscape.

Photography hikes can range from relatively easy outings to more strenuous backcountry objectives depending on your experience and goals.

What Can We Work On?

Every session is different, and we'll emphasize the subjects most useful to you. These can include:

• Composition and working with natural light

• Camera technique and lens selection

• Scouting and interpreting landscapes

• Weather, seasonal conditions, and adapting plans

• Maps, navigation, and trip planning

• Hiking and backcountry photography

• Camera packs, outdoor equipment, and field systems

• Night photography

• Drone photography and video

• Image review and feedback

• Planning your own photography outings

You don't need a guide standing beside you for every photograph you make. I'm happy to provide general suggestions for your independent photography before or after our session so you can use the rest of your trip to explore and photograph on your own.

What This Is, and What It Isn't

Nature doesn't operate on a workshop schedule. Great light, wildflowers, fall color, snow, clear skies, and dramatic weather can never be guaranteed. Learning to work with that uncertainty is an important part of becoming a better outdoor photographer. We'll make the most of the conditions we have rather than racing between locations trying to reproduce predetermined photographs. For example that means if it’s harsh flat light we might look for opportunities in the forest or small scenes and abstracts.

These sessions are best suited to photographers who want to learn, explore, ask questions, and become more confident working independently outdoors. If you're primarily looking for a guided tour of as many established photography locations as possible, this probably isn't the right format.

These sessions are also intended for photographers who already understand the basic operation of their camera and have some experience using it in the field. You don't need to be an advanced photographer, but you should be comfortable with fundamentals such as exposure, aperture, shutter speed, ISO, focusing, and changing your camera's basic settings. Our time is better spent developing your photography and field skills than learning camera controls from scratch.

Locations

I'm based in Montrose, Colorado and primarily offer private sessions throughout the San Juan and West Elk Mountains, including the Ridgway, Ouray, Silverton, Telluride, Lake City, Crested Butte, Gunnison, and surrounding areas.

Sessions elsewhere in Colorado, Utah, the Southwest, and Wyoming may also be available depending on my schedule and travel plans.

Most sessions begin by meeting at or near our photography location. Transportation is generally not included, although riding together may be necessary for some backcountry and high-clearance/4WD locations.

Pricing

Private Sunrise or Sunset Field Session
Approximately 3-4 hours
$375 for one photographer

Private Photography Hike
Approximately 4-6 hours
You must be able to hike and carry camera gear at altitude on natural mountain trails that are often any combo of rocky, dusty, loose, muddy, or snowy. I can provide a pack list upon request.
$400 for one photographer

Additional photographers can join either session for $250 per person, up to a maximum of 4 participants.

A 50% deposit reserves your date and is due at least 60 days before your session. Full payment is required for bookings made within 60 days.

One-on-One Coaching for Aspiring and Advancing Photographers

Explore the world of landscape and nature photography with a mentorship tailored to your goals. Whether you're just getting started or looking to refine your craft, this program combines creative guidance with real-world outdoor experience.

My Areas of Expertise

• Landscape, adventure, night, and drone photography techniques

• Planning and logistics for backcountry travel

• Map reading and off-trail navigation

• Scouting and researching remote photo locations

• Editing workflow and image critiques

• Building a portfolio and long-term creative growth

Mentorship Options

Video Session – $350
A 60-90 minute Zoom session focused on your current questions, technical needs, or creative direction.

Longer Mentorships
Please contact me for inquiries about longer mentorships so we can discuss the best plan for your goals.

Spots are limited to ensure individual attention.

Transform your space with a gallery quality print created directly by me. Unlike mass-produced lab prints, each piece is printed in my home studio made to match my vision and provide a unique, luxurious addition to your home.

Key Features:

•Museum-Grade Paper: Printed on Palo Duro SoftGloss Rag 315, a 100% cotton archival photo paper designed for stunning landscapes and nature photography. This paper combines a lightly textured semi-gloss surface with true neutral white tones, ensuring vibrant, accurate colors and deep blacks.

•Professional Printing: Using the Epson SureColor P900 with UltraChrome Pro pigment inks, these prints deliver exceptional color accuracy, water resistance, and archival longevity rated up to 200 years.

•Limited Editions: Each print is hand-signed and numbered, limited to 50 editions per size for my personally printed series, making it a truly unique piece.