Winter Photo Workshop
Refine your creative vision and deepen your craft during this immersive 3-day Winter Nature Photography Workshop in Rocky Mountain National Park. Led by Estes Park photographer Erik Stensland, this experience is designed for photographers who already understand the fundamentals and want to move beyond technical proficiency into the art of seeing. You’ll explore how to recognize subjects that stir emotion, compose with intention, and create photographs that express not just what you saw, but the emotions you experienced.
Based at Highlands Camp in Allenspark, Colorado, the workshop blends inspiring field sessions with engaging classroom instruction and hands-on editing. You’ll learn practical techniques for photographing in winter conditions, gain new insight into what makes an image visually and emotionally powerful, and practice refining your photos in Lightroom Classic. This is an ideal setting to stretch yourself, connect with nature, and bring fresh creativity to your photography.
The Essentials
Workshop Dates:
- February 2–4, 2026
Location:
The workshop will take place at Highlands Camp in Allenspark, Colorado—a peaceful retreat nestled among nearly 300 acres of meadows and forest, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. Located just a mile from the border of Rocky Mountain National Park and right off the scenic Peak-to-Peak Highway, it provides the perfect setting for creativity and inspiration. Highlands Camp is a 90-minute drive from Denver International Airport.
Price:
The total price for this workshop, INCLUDING the photo instruction, lodging, and all meals is $1,400. A $200 deposit is required to save your spot. Final payment is due on January 2, 2026.
Use the button below to sign up for the workshop. For questions regarding accommodations or for help with registration please contact Highland’s Program Director, Anna Judy, at [email protected] or 402-601-6178.
The workshop is now full.
Send an email to Anna to be added to the waitlist: [email protected]
The Details
Experience Level
Intermediate
Designed for photographers who understand their camera controls (shutter, aperture, ISO) , have some experience with landscape photography, and want to strengthen their creative vision. Participants should also have some familiarity with editing in Lightroom Classic, including importing, adjusting, and exporting images.
Bring your own camera and tripod. It is also recommended that you bring a laptop with a mouse. We’ll be using Lightroom Classic for editing sessions.
Curriculum
Mixture of Classroom Instruction and Practice in the Field
- Explore what makes a photograph emotionally compelling
- Learn to determine the sharpest aperture of your lenses
- Grow through a portfolio review
- Master masking and other local adjustment tools in Lightroom
- Practice winter shooting techniques: exposure, color balance, safety, and equipment care in the cold
You’ll leave with stronger technical control, a clearer creative direction, and new confidence photographing in winter conditions.
Physical Requirements & Conditions
This workshop takes place at high elevation (8,000–9,500 feet). Outings may involve hiking in snowshoes or microspikes while carrying your camera gear. Our sunrise hike to Dream Lake gains 470 feet in elevation, roughly the equivalent of climbing a 43-story building while wearing snowshoes and carrying your camera gear. Participants should be fit and comfortable spending several hours outside in cold, windy weather. If you prefer, you may opt out of the more strenuous outings and remain at camp during those sessions.
Note: Because of the elevation, this workshop is not recommended for those with heart, lung, or blood pressure concerns.
Group Size
This workshop is limited to 10 participants. Erik will be supported by a second instructor to offer plenty of personal guidance and feedback.
Lodging & Meals
You’ll stay in comfortable rooms at the Highlands Retreat Center, featuring twin or queen beds, private bathrooms with showers, and cozy sitting areas. Linens are provided.
All meals are included, prepared on-site, and most dietary restrictions can be accommodated with advance notice.
Preparation & Gear
Necessary gear: warm winter clothing (warm winter layers, a windproof jacket, insulated boots, warm mittens or gloves, and a windproof hat) and your usual camera gear. Snowshoes, microspikes, and hiking poles will be provided. A full checklist will be sent to you a few weeks prior to the workshop.
You may find it helpful to watch Erik’s short video on Dressing for Winter Photography.
To help your body adjust to altitude, consider arriving a day or two early and spending a night in the Denver/Boulder area (~5,000 ft). See Erik’s video on Preparing for High Altitude.
Common Questions
Are spouses/partners welcome?
We can only accept partners if they are registered as full participants.
Is there cell service or Wi-Fi?
Cell coverage is intermittent in the park and not available at camp, but Wi-Fi is provided in the main lodge.
How is transportation handled?
Participants will carpool to workshop locations
What if the weather is bad?
We don’t cancel for winter conditions, they’re part of the adventure! Dramatic weather often yields the most compelling images. We’ll adjust plans for safety as needed but will photograph in snow, wind, and cold.
Itinerary
DAY 1 – ARRIVAL & INTRO TO WINTER PHOTOGRAPHY
11:30 AM – 12:00 PM | Arrival & Check-In
Welcome to Highlands Camp! Find your room and enjoy the peaceful mountain surroundings.
12:00 – 1:00 PM | Lunch and Unpack
Relaxed lunch in the dining hall and first conversations, with time to go back to your room and unpack.
1:00 – 1:30 PM | Welcome & Orientation (Classroom)
Overview of the workshop, schedule, and logistics.
1:30 – 2:00 PM | Icebreaker Activity
Led by Anna — a fun, lighthearted way to get to know one another.
2:15 – 3:45 PM | Introduction to Winter Photography (Classroom)
Explore the beauty and challenges of photographing winter landscapes, from staying warm and safe to working with the subtle tones of snow and ice.
3:45 – 4:15 PM | Break & Prepare for Field Session
4:15 PM | Evening Field Session – Lily Lake
A gentle first outing close to camp, perfect for working with reflections, soft light, and patterns in snow and ice.
- Drive: 15 minutes
- Hike: Easy
- Sunset: 5:21 PM
- Return at 5:30 PM
6:00 PM | Warm meal back at camp
DAY 2 – FIELD ADVENTURE & HONING YOUR VISION
4:45 AM | Sunrise Field Session – Dream Lake
Head into Rocky Mountain National Park for one of its most iconic winter scenes.
- Drive: ~45 minutes to Bear Lake Trailhead (Arrive 5:30)
- Hike: 2.2 mile round-trip with 470 feet of elevation gain.
- Shooting time: ~90 minutes (Sunrise 7:10, best shade after 8:00)
- Hike back at 8:30am
- Return to camp arriving around ~9:30 AM
9:30 – 10:30 AM | Breakfast & Warm-Up at Camp
10:30 – 11:00 AM | Reviewing the Outings (Classroom)
Share what worked and where you struggled in the field. Gain insight on how to overcome the challenges of winter photography.
11:00 – 11:45 AM | Finding the Sweet Spot (Classroom)
In this session, we’ll explore why it’s so valuable to understand how each of your lenses performs at different focal lengths and apertures. You’ll learn how to identify the sharpest settings for your gear, and then we’ll work together to find the ‘sweet spot’ of your own lenses through hands-on testing and guidance.
11:45 AM – 2:00 PM | Rest, Lunch, & Independent Editing Time
Enjoy a longer midday break to rest, nap, explore nearby trails, or quietly review and edit your images.
2:00 – 3:30 PM | Group Portfolio Review
Each participant shares three photos. Together we’ll discuss composition, mood, and ways to refine the images.
3:30 – 4:15 PM | Finding Inspiration (Small Groups)
We’ll explore what makes photographs truly evocative, and in small groups we’ll learn to break down and understand the elements that make great images work.
4:15 – 4:45 PM | Break & Prepare for Evening Session
4:45 PM | Evening Field Session (Weather Dependent)
We’ll make an outing to a nearby location to photograph the last light on the peaks or, if weather is not ideal for photography, we’ll have a group discussion on “The Future of Photography in the Age of AI.”
6:15 PM | Dinner & Free Evening
Dinner together followed by relaxed free time to visit with other participants, rest, or continue editing.
DAY 3 – EDITING & REFLECTION
5:30 AM | Sunrise Field Session – Exact location TBD
We’ll head back out into Rocky Mountain National Park to spend another morning making photos. It might be lofty peaks, abstract photos in the ice, or out in the snowy forest. Erik will choose the location closer to the time to ensure that you get the best photo opportunity possible.
- Drive: 15-45 minutes
- Hike: Easy
- Shooting time: 90-120 minutes
- Return to camp by ~9:00 AM
9:00 – 10:00 AM | Breakfast at Camp
10:00 – 11:00 AM | Mastering Masking in Lightroom (Classroom)
Learn practical masking techniques, including inverse and intersecting masks to refine your edits and guide the viewer’s eye.
11:00 – 12:00 PM | Guided Editing Session (Classroom)
Edit your own photos while Erik and the second instructor circulate for one-on-one help.
12:00 – 1:00 PM | Lunch
1:00 – 2:15 PM | Photo Showcase & Reflections
Each participant presents one photo from the workshop. Group discussion and closing reflections on creativity, growth, and the special opportunities of winter photography.
2:15 PM | Farewell & Departure
(Be aware that we will adjust the field locations to ensure we give you the best experience possible. Also, there may be some minor changes to the itinerary as we work out the final details.)
The Fine Print
Legal Compliance
We are committed to operating with integrity by securing all necessary permits, maintaining comprehensive liability insurance, and obtaining any required certifications. This ensures our workshops are conducted legally, ethically, and responsibly. We are also an equal opportunity service provider.
For this workshop, we will be operating under a Commercial Use Authorization issued by Rocky Mountain National Park.
Nature First
We believe nature photography should be practiced in a way that respects and protects the natural world. To uphold this commitment, we follow Nature First Principles, which provide clear guidance for responsible photography in wild places. These principles will be integrated into the workshop, both in practice and instruction.
Nature First is a Colorado-based nonprofit with thousands of members across more than 75 countries, all dedicated to promoting ethical nature photography.
Safety
Participant safety is a top priority. A Wilderness First Responder will be present throughout the workshop to handle any medical concerns. Additionally, we carry satellite communication equipment to contact emergency services if needed.
Cancellation Policy
If you cancel 60 days prior to the workshop we will refund your initial payment minus a $100 fee.
The full balance is due 30 days before the workshop. There will be no refunds on the full amount owed. We will attempt to fill your spot, if filled there will be a 5% processing fee charged and the rest of your payment will be refunded.
There are NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS POLICY, even for medical emergencies. All cancellation requests must be in writing and received either by US mail or E-mail. We encourage participants to purchase refundable airline tickets and trip cancellation insurance. We strongly recommend trip insurance to protect you in the event of an unexpected situation that prevents you from attending the workshop. We recommend Travelguard or World Nomads.
We reserve the right to cancel any workshop if the minimum student enrollment is not met. In the event we cancel a workshop, participants will be given the option to reschedule to a later date or receive a full refund. We are not, however, liable for expenses incurred such as airfare or accommodations, and for this reason we also recommend the purchase of trip insurance.
Signup
Are you ready to sign up? If so, use the button below to go to the registration page on the Highlands Camp website. For questions regarding accommodations or for help with registration please contact Highland’s Program Director, Anna Judy, at [email protected] or 402-601-6178.
The workshop is now full.
Send an email to Anna to be added to the waitlist: [email protected]