Mountain Gold & Milky Way
"Chasing Aspens and Stars in the San Juan Mountains"
October 4th through 8th, 2027
Join us for an unforgettable 4-night, 3 full-day photography workshop in the heart of the San Juan Mountains, where your lodging is included, so you can focus fully on the experience, not the logistics.
By day, we’ll chase golden hour through blazing aspen groves and high mountain passes during peak fall color. By night, we’ll turn our lenses skyward to capture the Milky Way arcing above rugged alpine peaks, some of the clearest night skies in the American West.
This isn’t just another workshop, it’s a high-altitude adventure designed to spark your creativity, sharpen your landscape and astrophotography skills, and immerse you in the wild beauty of autumn in the Rockies.
Whether you're looking to elevate your portfolio or reconnect with inspiration in the backcountry, this experience delivers. Lodging, stars, and unforgettable moments, all included.
Optional Add-On Experience
Extend your adventure with an exclusive Cowgirl & Ranching add-on the evening of October 8th. Just 2.5 hours west is the La Sal Mountains, Utah where we’ll photograph a real working cowgirl and her horses beneath Mount Peale. Capture the eving life on the range in silhouettes and golden light up close, personal, and authentically Western.
Adventure Dates
October 4th–8th, 2027
GROUP SIZE
Limited to a small group of 6 students to ensure that everyone receives 1:1 attention
Experience Level
All skill levels, from beginners to advanced practitioners, are invited to participate in this inclusive photography workshop.
HIKING
This workshop will involve moderate hiking, covering a distance of up to 1.5 miles Round Trip, across diverse terrain including rocky and sandy paths.
GOLDEN ASPENS
Experience the magic of Colorado’s peak fall—where endless golden aspens blanket the rugged Rocky Mountains in a sea of fiery color. It’s a breathtaking spectacle of nature at its finest, with every turn revealing vibrant, shimmering groves that feel like something out of a dream.
MILKY WAY CHASING
There’s nothing quite like the thrill of chasing the Milky Way high in the Colorado mountains. As the last light fades and the air turns crisp, the night sky ignites with stars—unfiltered, vast, and awe-inspiring. Surrounded by towering peaks and alpine silence, you’ll capture the cosmos in one of the most breathtaking settings on Earth. It’s an experience that stirs the soul and fuels the passion for adventure and photography.
OFFROADING
Buckle up in your 4×4 to venture down rugged backcountry trails into remote, alpine valleys bursting with golden aspen. After sunset, marvel at the Milky Way stretching across crystal-clear high-altitude skies as countless stars light up the night.
LODGING INCLUDED
This year's workshop, we're excited to announce that we've secured two beautiful four-bedroom condos at Bear Creek Lodge in Mountain Village, Colorado! Our accommodations will provide a comfortable mountain retreat where we can relax, recharge, and enjoy the spectacular scenery and amenities that Mountain Village has to offer. More importantly, these spacious condos will allow us to create the welcoming, family-like atmosphere that makes our workshops so special. From sharing stories over morning coffee to reviewing images and laughing about the day's adventures, this experience is about much more than photography. It's about building friendships, sharing our passion, and making memories that last long after the trip ends.
WORKSHOP HIGHLIGHTS
Off-Road Adventure
While high-clearance or 4x4 vehicles are not required, they are highly recommended to help you access the best shooting locations with ease. Some roads may be rough or uneven, and a capable vehicle will enhance your comfort and flexibility throughout the workshop.
If you're driving a standard vehicle, we'll work with you to ensure safe access and parking options near each site. Participants are also welcome to coordinate carpooling with one another if they'd prefer to share rides and work together during the workshop.
Astrophotography Adventure
As day turns to night, discover the enchanting realm of astrophotography. Capture the Milky Way sprawling above Colorado's San Juan Mountain landscape, guided by our experts who will teach you the secrets of capturing the cosmos.
Golden Hour & Blue Hour Magic
Witness the magic of the golden hours as you capture the interplay of light and shadow against the picturesque mountains in Colorado Stay up after sunset and learn how to infuse your photographs with depth and emotion during these enchanting moments.
Under the Stars
Experience the magic of Colorado's night sky as you gaze at constellations and capture the serene beauty of the mountains after dark. Share moments with fellow photographers under a canopy of stars and immerse yourself in the peaceful stillness of the alpine night.
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Optional Add-On: Cowgirl Sunrise Session in the La Sal Mountains
Step into the untamed spirit of the American West with this unforgettable add-on experience.
On the morning of October 9th, join us deep in the La Sal Mountains just a short 2.5-hour drive from our base in Telluride, for a sunset photo session featuring a real cowgirl living the ranch life under the towering shadow of Mount Peale.
This exclusive shoot takes place at a remote summer cabin, where you’ll capture the sunset light breaking over rugged mountain peaks, silhouetting horse and rider against the dramatic Utah sky. From intimate moments to wide landscapes, you’ll have the rare opportunity to photograph authentic western life up close, a perfect blend of portraiture and environmental storytelling.
Details:
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Date: Evening of October 8th
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Cost: $300 per person
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Experience: Lifestyle portrait and action shoot with a working cowgirl & her horse
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Not included: Lodging and transportation
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Recommendation: We’ll provide lodging suggestions near Moab, UT (just 30 minutes from the meet-up location)
The Team
We are excited to share our love of photography, nature, and adventures with you. Please check out our links below to learn more about us.
Mike Simmmons
Distant Light Photos
Brandon Black
Black Lion Photography
Included in the Workshop
PLANNING YOUR SHOT
– Scouting and evaluating conditions
– Composing an image to grab the viewer’s attention
– Composing an image with a person in the frame to show scale and tell a story
– How to work with light and how to find the best light for the scene
– Utilizing apps, such as PlanIt & PhotoPills, for more efficient planning
– Choosing the right lens, find your focal length
– How and when to use filters
– How to shoot with a plan or vision for editing
CAPTURING YOUR IMAGE
- Creative light painting techniques to bring your vision to life
– How to use and capture moonlight in your night scenes
– Histogram: How to read for perfectly exposed images
– Exposure control: How to use ISO, Aperture, and Shutter Speed in different scenarios
– Creative ways to use lens distortion
– Focus stacking & Focal Length Blends
– Bracketing and exposure blending
– Focusing at night to capture pin-sharp stars and foreground
– Blue Hour Blending: How to capture blue hour & Milky Way
– Stacking for Noise Reduction: how to shoot the proper frames to stack
BRINGING IMAGE TO LIFE
– Lightroom and Photoshop: Learn our post-processing workflow
– How to blend multiple images in Photoshop (Blue Hour Blends, Focal Length Blends, Exposure Blends, Composites)
– Luminosity Masks
– Dodging and Burning
– Blue-hour Blends
– Star-stacking: how to edit starry night skies with Starry Landscape Stacker (or Sequator)
– Understanding layers and masks
– Finishing touches using clone stamp and removing distractions
– Creating Orton glows and painting with light
– Sharpening: Creating sharpness in your final image
During the bright midday hours, we’ll shift gears and dive into post-processing. You’ll learn a powerful editing workflow to bring out the vibrant colors and exquisite details in your Mountain Gold and Milky Way images. Together, we’ll fine-tune each photo to reflect the spirit of your adventure. By sunset, you'll have a gallery of stunning images—ready to share, print, and treasure for years to come.
We understand how important it is to stay connected, especially when exploring remote locations. That’s why we provide complimentary access to Starlink satellite internet in areas without cell service. While many of our shoot locations have little to no signal, you’ll still be able to check in with family or handle any urgent communications—giving you peace of mind while focusing on your photography adventure.
We're excited to announce that we've secured two beautiful four-bedroom condos at Bear Creek Lodge in Mountain Village, Colorado! Our accommodations will provide a comfortable mountain retreat where we can relax, recharge, and enjoy the spectacular scenery and amenities that Mountain Village has to offer. More importantly, these spacious condos will allow us to create the welcoming, family-like atmosphere that makes our workshops so special. From sharing stories over morning coffee to reviewing images and laughing about the day's adventures, this experience is about much more than photography. It's about building friendships, sharing our passion, and making memories that last long after the trip ends.
RESERVE YOUR SPOT FOR THE EPIC ADVENTURE NOW!
Availability is limited to six spaces, and reservations are first-come, first-served. The workshop is supported by a duo of accomplished photography instructors who will be in attendance throughout its duration. This setup ensures personalized, one-on-one guidance, allowing you to enhance specific areas of your skill set that you wish to refine.
