• Field of purple wildflowers blooming among birch trees in a serene Crested Butte forest setting
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July 8-11‚ 2026 - Sold Out!

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Workshop Dates

Note: Transportation in Jeeps provided during the workshop

$3,295
$3,295
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  • Experience Level

    Beginner to Advanced 

    This workshop is designed for photographers of all skill levels. You'll receive personalized guidance to build on your strengths and overcome weaknesses. Expect to be challenged and grow, regardless of your starting point.

  • Fitness Level

    Easy to Moderate

    Features relatively short hikes, but the significant factor is high elevation (often above 9,000 feet). Even mild exertion can feel strenuous and cause shortness of breath more quickly than at lower altitudes. Participants should be prepared for the effects of altitude and comfortable walking on mountain trails which may be uneven or muddy.

    More Info 

  • Creative Focus

    Field Sessions & Classroom Instruction

    Field sessions focus on wildflower landscapes (grand scenes to intimate details). Classroom instruction covers composition, field techniques (DoF, focus stacking), and the'Rethink Landscape' processing methodology in Lightroom for vibrant, natural results.

  • Group Size

    Limited to 6 Guests

    We keep our group sizes small to ensure the individual attention you deserve.

  • Location

    Crested Butte, Colorado

    View Map 

  • Fly To

    Gunnison (GUC), Montrose (MTJ), or Denver (DEN)

    Check Flights 

Description

Immerse yourself in the vibrant wildflower spectacle of Crested Butte, the 'Wildflower Capital of Colorado'. This workshop goes beyond the blooms, guiding you to develop your creative vision amidst the stunning high-alpine environment.

Leveraging our extensive experience, we'll help you interpret the landscape – from intimate floral compositions to grand scenes featuring waterfalls, lakes, and peaks. Our focus is on slowing down, observing light and form, and finding unique perspectives that resonate personally, rather than chasing standard shots.

Field sessions are balanced with classroom critique and learning David's 'Rethink Landscape' processing methodology. This novel Lightroom system uses midtone contrast and targeted adjustments for natural results, empowering you to craft images aligned with your vision.

Join us to deepen your connection with the mountains and push your creative boundaries in this inspiring setting. Access to remote locations via instructor-driven Jeeps included.

Meet Your Creative Guides

  • David Kingham

    David is an accomplished professional photographer renowned for his evocative nature imagery. His work showcases intimate landscapes, stunning nightscapes, and masterful black-and-white photography. As the founder of Exploring Exposure, David is dedicated to mentoring aspiring photographers, helping them refine their skills and develop their artistic vision.

    View David's Portfolio 

  • Jennifer Renwick

    Jennifer is a professional photographer renowned for her captivating abstract and small scene imagery. With a keen eye for detail, she uncovers the hidden stories within grand landscapes. Jennifer is passionate about helping fellow photographers discover their unique style and guiding them to express their vision through meaningful projects.

    View Jennifer's Portfolio 

Visual Inspiration

Workshop Highlights & Creative Focus:

  • Beyond the Blooms: Develop your vision amidst peak wildflower season, focusing on creative compositions from grand scenes to intimate details.
  • Mastering Mountain Light: Learn techniques for floral landscapes, wide-angle to macro, harnessing dynamic alpine light.
  • Refine with Rethink: Learn the 'Rethink Landscape' Lightroom workflow to naturally enhance colors, tones, and textures in your images.
  • Expert Jeep Access: Benefit from included transportation in instructor-driven Jeeps to remote, high-elevation meadows and basins, maximizing field time away from crowds.
  • Personalized High-Altitude Guidance: Receive tailored instruction (3:1 ratio) on composition and technique in a challenging but rewarding environment.
  • Peak Season Access (July): Experience Crested Butte's renowned wildflowers and access high mountain passes typically open this time of year.

Logistics:

  • Lodging: Group block secured at a Mt. Crested Butte hotel. Book directly using info provided upon registration.
  • Transportation: Transportation during the workshop is included via instructor-driven Jeeps. Participants responsible for transport to/from Crested Butte. No personal 4x4 needed during the workshop.
  • Altitude Acclimatization Crucial: Arrive at least one day early to acclimatize to high elevation (town ~8,900 ft, field locations 9,000-12,000+ ft). This is vital for comfort and participation. Stay hydrated.
  • Road Exposure: Be aware that accessing locations involves travel on potentially exposed mountain roads. Comfort with heights is necessary

Itinerary

Preparation: Upon registration, a comprehensive itinerary will be sent to you, ensuring all the details are at your fingertips to help you plan your travel arrangements seamlessly.

Day 1: Arrival, Alpine Vision & Sunset Exploration

  • Meet at 2:00 PM in Crested Butte for introductions, orientation, and discussion on high-altitude photography.
  • Attend the afternoon classroom session (~2:00 PM - 4:00 PM) on seeing and composing in the alpine landscape.
  • Enjoy an early group dinner (~4:00 PM - 6:00 PM) at a local restaurant.
  • Embark on the first evening field session via Jeeps (~6:15 PM onwards) for sunset light on peaks and meadows.

Day 2: Intensive High Country Exploration

  • Depart pre-dawn via Jeeps for the Early Morning Field Session capturing first light on peaks and meadows.
  • Take a Mid-Morning Break (~10:00 AM - 1:00 PM) in town for rest and meals (on own).
  • Head out via Jeeps for the Afternoon Field Session (~1:00 PM - 5:00 PM), exploring different high-alpine basins.
  • Return for a Dinner Break (~5:00 PM - 7:00 PM) in town (on own).
  • Go on the final Evening Field Session via Jeeps (~7:00 PM onwards) for sunset/twilight compositions.

Day 3: Diverse Environments & Continued Exploration

  • Start with the Early Morning Field Session (Departing pre-dawn via Jeeps) focusing on specific wildflower areas or features.
  • Transition to a Late Morning Field Session exploring nearby complementary scenes (textures, forests).
  • Take a Midday Break (~10:30 AM - 1:00 PM) for lunch (on own) and rest.
  • Explore different subjects (lakes, waterfalls, reflections) in the Afternoon Field Session via Jeeps (~1:00 PM - 4:00 PM).
  • Return for a brief Dinner Break (~4:00 PM - 5:00 PM) in town (on own).
  • Embark on the final Evening Field Session via Jeeps (~5:00 PM onwards) for sunset/alpine glow.

Day 4: Final Shoot & Image Critique

  • Take the last Early Morning Field Session via Jeeps (Departing pre-dawn) for sunrise.
  • Return for a Breakfast Break (~8:00 AM - 9:00 AM) in town (on own).
  • Participate in the Morning Image Critique Session (~9:00 AM - 12:00 PM) for constructive feedback on workshop or portfolio images.
  • Workshop concludes around 12:00 PM.

What's Included:

  • Expert Instruction & Guidance: Field guidance and classroom instruction from David Kingham & Jennifer Renwick.
  • Small Group Environment: Max 6 participants for personalized attention (3:1 ratio).
  • Transportation During Workshop: Via instructor-driven Jeeps to all field locations.
  • Image Development & Critique: Classroom session on "Rethink Landscape" processing and group critiques.
  • Collaborative Workshop Zine: A curated 8x8 keepsake featuring participant images, delivered post-workshop.
  • Permits & Land Use Fees: For planned shooting locations.

What's Not Included:

  • Transportation: To/from Crested Butte, CO.
  • Lodging: In Crested Butte area (Group rate block available).
  • Meals: All meals are the responsibility of the participant.
  • Travel Insurance: Strongly recommended.
  • Personal Items: Camera gear, clothing suitable for variable mountain weather (layers!), reusable water bottle, etc.
Stack of Death Valley Intimate Landscapes 2024 zine workshops with textured desert landscape cover on wooden surface

Your Commemorative Zine

As part of your Exploring Exposure experience, we create a custom-designed 8×8 Zine featuring images from you and your fellow participants. It’s a tangible way to remember the time spent together and the landscapes you explored.

The process also encourages you to revisit your work, refine your edits, and select the images that feel most meaningful to you. About a month after the experience, you’ll share your selections with us. We take care of the curation, layout, and printing, and send you a finished piece that reflects the group’s collective experience.

It’s one more way we support your creative process, even after the trip is over.

Our Teaching Philosophy

Our goal is to help you develop your own creative voice through thoughtful, personalized guidance. We meet you where you are and work with you to build on your strengths, whether in the field or during group sessions.

Throughout the experience, we’re fully focused on your growth. We often work alongside you to demonstrate how we approach a scene or solve a problem, but our priority is always your progress, not our own photography.

We provide regular, constructive feedback in a supportive way, helping you refine your compositions, strengthen your ideas, and bring your images to completion. With small group sizes, we’re able to give each participant the attention they need without being overbearing.

Participants come in at different stages, and that’s part of what makes these experiences valuable. No matter your level, our aim is to help you see more clearly, think more intentionally, and continue growing long after the trip is over.

Above all, we strive to create an experience that is engaging, supportive, and genuinely enjoyable. We care deeply about the people we work with and the creative growth that happens along the way.

Safety First

Your safety is our utmost priority, especially when exploring remote locations. As certified Wilderness First Responders, David and Jennifer are prepared to handle any situation, big or small. We also carry satellite communication devices to ensure we can request rescue assistance if needed in areas without cellular coverage.

Responsible

As proud members of Nature First Photography, we are committed to responsible nature photography practices. We abide by and promote the seven principles of this movement to our clients, encouraging them to join us in preserving the natural world we capture through our lenses.

Join Nature First

Legal Compliance

At Exploring Exposure, we operate with the highest level of integrity. We obtain all necessary permits, carry comprehensive liability insurance, and acquire any required certifications to ensure our workshops are conducted legally and ethically.

For this workshop Exploring Exposure operates under a Special Use Permit on the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests. We are also an equal opportunity service provider.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are spouses/partners welcome?

Our workshops are designed as immersive group learning experiences. Participation in all activities, including field excursions and instructional sessions, requires full registration and payment of the workshop fee. Therefore, spouses or partners who wish to join must register as participants.

Will I have cell service during the workshop?

In many remote areas we visit, cell service and Wi-Fi can be extremely limited or non-existent during field excursions. Expect potential periods of being offline. Service is typically available at our accommodation, but cannot be guaranteed everywhere. We carry a satellite communication device for emergency use.

Will weather cancel the workshop?

Often, dramatic weather provides the best photographic opportunities! We prioritize participant safety, but the workshop will proceed in most weather conditions. Locations or schedules might be adjusted if conditions pose a significant safety risk (e.g., hazardous roads, extreme events). We encourage embracing the elements! Please note that no refunds or rescheduling are offered based on weather circumstances.

Do the instructors photograph during workshops?

Our commitment is first and foremost to your learning and creative exploration. While you might see us create some images during our time in the field, it's always with an educational purpose in mind. We might photograph to:

  • Walk you through how we evaluate and compose a scene, sharing the excitement and challenges together.
  • Demonstrate a specific technique (like focus stacking, long exposure, or ICM).
  • Make images during our field sessions that reflect the specific locations and conditions you're experiencing. This provides highly relevant examples for demonstrating the Rethink processing workflow, directly applicable to the images you're creating on the trip.

Engaging in the creative process alongside you can be instructive and helps foster a shared experience and connection within the group. However, this never takes precedence over providing personalized attention and ensuring you have the support you need to develop your vision. Our focus remains squarely on you.

Detailed Fitness Requirements & Terrain

Moderate (Primarily due to Altitude and Exposure)

  • Hiking: Short walks (<1-2 miles RT) from vehicles on potentially uneven/muddy mountain trails or meadows. Hiking difficulty itself is low.
  • Primary Challenge - Altitude: Significant time spent above 11,000 ft. Acclimatization is crucial. Not recommended if highly susceptible to altitude sickness.
  • Primary Challenge - Road Exposure: Travel on unpaved, narrow mountain roads with steep drop-offs is necessary. Not suitable for those with a significant fear of heights or driving exposure.
  • Fitness Expectation: Comfort walking short distances at very high altitude and tolerance for exposed mountain roads are the main requirements. Prepare for variable mountain weather (layers essential). Contact us if concerned about altitude or exposure tolerance.

How to Get There

Fly into:

  • Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport (GUC): ~45-minute drive. Closest option, limited flights.
  • Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ): ~1.5 to 2-hour drive. More flight options than GUC.
  • Denver International Airport (DEN): ~4.5 to 5-hour drive. Most flight options, longest drive.
  • Rental car needed to reach Crested Butte from the airport.

Cancellation Policy

We put a great deal of care into planning small, personalized workshop experiences. Because group sizes are limited and logistics begin well in advance, we must adhere to the following cancellation policy. We strongly recommend purchasing trip insurance to protect your investment in case of unforeseen circumstances.

  • Initial Payment: An initial payment (applied toward the total workshop fee) is required to secure your spot.
  • Cancellation More Than 90 Days Out: If you cancel more than 90 days before the workshop start date, your initial payment will be refunded minus a 5% processing fee.
  • Cancellation Between 60 and 90 Days Out: If you cancel fewer than 90 days but more than 60 days before the workshop start date, your initial payment becomes non-refundable. However, if we are able to fill your spot, we will refund your initial payment minus a 5% processing fee.
  • Final Balance Payment: The remaining balance will be automatically charged to the card used for your initial payment 60 days prior to the workshop start date. We will send a reminder a few days in advance. Please ensure your payment information is up to date. If you need to use a different card, contact us before the 60-day deadline.
  • Cancellation Within 60 Days (After Final Payment): If you cancel fewer than 60 days before the workshop start date, all payments made are non-refundable. However, if we are able to fill your spot, we will refund your payments minus a 5% processing fee. While we will make a reasonable effort to fill the space, this cannot be guaranteed, especially close to the start date.
  • Alternative Option: Store Credit for a Future Workshop: If your plans change, we’ll always do our best to help. In many cases, if we’re able to fill your spot, we can offer a store credit toward a future workshop so you don’t lose the value of your investment. Availability depends on timing and demand.
  • Process & Policy Understanding: All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing via email or mail. This policy applies regardless of the reason for cancellation, including illness, travel disruptions, or other unforeseen circumstances.
  • Trip Insurance (Strongly Recommended): To protect against unexpected events—such as personal emergencies, illness, or travel delays—we strongly recommend purchasing trip cancellation and interruption insurance. To find the right coverage for your situation, we suggest using a reputable comparison site such as Squaremouth or InsureMyTrip, where you can review plans from multiple providers side by side. We have no affiliation with these companies, so please review coverage carefully to ensure it meets your needs.
  • Workshop Cancellation by Exploring Exposure: We reserve the right to cancel a workshop due to insufficient enrollment or unforeseen circumstances (such as leader illness or park closures). If this occurs, you will be offered the option to transfer to a future workshop or receive a full refund of all payments made to Exploring Exposure. We are not responsible for additional expenses such as airfare, lodging, or rental vehicles. Trip insurance may help cover these costs.

Have Questions?

Feel free to reach out, we are happy to help!

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