unique OUTDOOR
photography
workshops
learn | capture | explore
2025 Photography Workshops
Join us for a 3 or 4 day photography course to improve your skills and capture stunning landscapes!
Small Groups • Unique Locations • Individual Instruction • Creative Editing • Portfolio Feedback
Jan 10-12, 2025: SOLD OUT
Cost: 1,475
Join us on a 3-day winter photography workshop in the small town of Westcliffe, Colorado! We will be shooting beautiful horses running against the snow-capped mountain backdrop – along with old barns, cowboys, and the gorgeous landscape. Located in south-central Colorado, the Wet Mountain Valley may be the state's most beautiful and unspoiled mountain valley.
Jan 24-26, 2025: SOLD OUT
Cost: 1,350
Capture stunning winter scenes of Rocky Mountain National Park in this 3-day landscape photography workshop. Winter is an excellent time of year to visit, with significantly less crowds, magnificent snowcapped mountains and endless beauty. We will base out of Estes Park and spend sunsets and sunrises shooting, with classroom time and image editing during the day.
Feb 21-23, 2025: SOLD OUT
Cost: 1,275
The San Juan Mountains in Colorado are one of the most impressive ranges in the US. In winter they are even more stunning and fun to photograph. We will venture off the beaten path to find snow covered valleys, fences trees and roads to help create strong winter compositions. .
Feb 28-March 2, 2025: SOLD OUT
Cost: 1,250
Join Dan for a 3-day photography workshop in glistening white sands of New Mexico to improve your skills and capture incredible landscapes. With special permits from the National Park service for "early entry" and "stay late," we'll have the opportunity to capture the beauty of the dunes during the best light.
I envisioned that I would capture many new and breathtaking landscapes—which I did! However, what I wasn’t expecting, and what I didn’t really experience in other workshops was Dan’s philosophy of photography. I left Dan’s workshop as a more aware and calculated photographer. Dan has an unmistakable passion for photography, and he challenges his students with his philosophy to help them grow in their photographic journey. — Greg Liengswangwong
March 14-16, 2025: SOLD OUT
Cost: 1,400
In this 3-day workshop we will take the path less traveled in search of unique images. Most people come to Moab to shoot the same images that millions of others have already taken, but you will come home with images most have never seen! My goal is to challenge you to discover new and interesting shooting locations that you may not find on your own. In March there is a higher chance we will have snow on the La Sal Mountains!
Sand dunes blowing in the wind with orange and blue sunset, faded mountains in the background.
Sand dunes blowing in the wind with orange and blue sunset, faded mountains in the background.
COLORADO SAND DUNES
PHOTO WORKSHOP
April 5-6, 2025: SOLD OUT
Cost: $800
Capture the tallest and most awe-inspiring sand dunes in North America! We will be shooting some of the most photogenic areas of the dunes with the stunning Sangre de Cristo Mountain backdrop and meandering flow of the Medano creek bed. I’ve always said that these sand dunes rank as one of my top shooting destinations in the world for landscape photography.
April 14-15, 2025: SOLD OUT
Cost: 1,250
Join me at an authentic working cattle ranch on the outskirts of Moab, Utah to capture beautiful western and desert scenes. You'll have the opportunity to capture cowboys on horses, working cattle scenes, desert landscapes with a mountain backdrop and more. 4WD vehicles included!.
SAWTOOTH MOUNTAINS
PHOTO WORKSHOP
May 29-June 1, 2025: ONE SPOT LEFT
Cost: 1400
4-day workshop! Come capture the jagged and towering Sawtooth Mountains in the heart of Idaho. This lesser-known location is a landscape photographer's paradise, boasting gorgeous alpine lakes, and open countryside comparable to the Tetons. Join Dan Ballard for a weekend of photography instruction in one of the most beautiful mountain ranges in the US.
July 11-13, 2025: Filling Fast!
July 17-20, 2025: SOLD OUT
Cost: 1,250
Get ready for a 3-day photo experience in the Wildflower Capital of Colorado! Striking mountain peaks and rolling hills covered with waist-high wildflowers surround the historic small town of Crested Butte. We will journey down dirt roads that wind through the valleys in search of great images.
CRESTED BUTTE Backroads-Wildflowers
PHOTO WORKSHOP
Aug 1-3, 2025: NOW OPEN!
Cost: 1,100
During wildflower season! Join Dan for a 3-day photography workshop in the charming small town of Crested Butte, tucked away in the remote Elk Mountain Range. Old mining roads from the late 19th century make this the ideal place to explore and find unique landscapes. We’ll take the back roads to photograph crystal clear alpine lakes, aspen groves, rugged mountain vistas.
SILVERTON-OURAY COLORADO OFFROAD
PHOTO WORKSHOP
Sept. 12-14, 2025: NOW OPEN!
Cost: 1,375
Join me for 3-days of shooting the epic scenery of the Silverton-Ouray area in Southwest Colorado. Peaks rise in every direction with waterfalls around almost every corner... if you know where to look and have a 4WD that is! In this workshop we partner with a local jeep guide (included) to explore the dirt roads and mountain passes of these beautiful mountains.
Sept. 25-28, 2025:
ONE SPOT LEFT
Cost: 1,650
Join me for 4-days of winding mountain roads, aspen filled valleys and bursts of orange and gold…. Fall color in Colorado is sure to inspire. But that’s not all this photography workshop is about. We will focus on the dramatic scenery of the towering San Juan Mountains and venture to less known locations to create original images.
The workshop filled in the gaps that I just hadn’t been able to figure out on my own. Dan’s artistic and technical expertise, patience, and ability to recognize the difficulties I was having, explain why I was having them, and provide instant solutions to those problems were invaluable. –Mike Menachof
barn with fog and fall color
barn with fog and fall color
PENNSYLVANIA BARNS IN THE FALL PHOTO WORKSHOP
Oct. 17-19, 2025: 2 Spots Left!
Cost: 1,350
Hidden in the rolling hills of Pennsylvania are some of the most impressive and photogenic old barns and silos in the country. The in-use, rundown beauty of these rustic old farms blew me away. Join me for a 3-day workshop capturing the history and culture of the countryside of Pennsylvania in the fall.
Oct 19-21, 2025: NOW OPEN!
Cost: 1,000
Come capture dozens of waterfalls and gorgeous fall foliage during the quiet hours at Ricketts Glen State Park. This weekday workshop will be the perfect addition to your weekend shooting fall foliage, with classroom time and plenty of one-on-one instruction in the field. Escape the crowds and take advantage of this unique learning experience.
10+ years of experience teaching
While photography is my first passion, teaching is a close second. Over the past years I’ve worked with hundreds of photographers across the globe — from beginner hobbyists to emerging pros who are striving to make it to the next level. I am fluent working with Nikon, Sony and Canon gear. These workshops are for anyone and everyone who wants to improve their photography skills!
Individualized, detailed instruction
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I run my workshops the same way that I shoot personally. We will journey away from taking iconic images to discover new and interesting compositions. My goal is to guide you in creating original images while helping you see the final printed image in your "mind's eye" before you push the button.
I’ve been told by many students that my workshops are unique in the sense that I always stay with the group providing one-on-one instruction and critique. When I am shooting, it is with the aim of sharing ideas and thoughts as the light changes. You will learn about my entire process for creating powerful and dramatic images starting with where to shoot and why. We will dig into how to master composition, understand light as well as image processing in Lightroom.
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