unique OUTDOOR
photography
workshops
2020 Landscape Photography Workshops
2021 Schedule Coming Very Soon!
Join pro Dan Ballard for a 3 day photography course to improve your skills and capture stunning landscapes.
Small Groups • Unique Locations • Individual Instruction • Creative Editing • Portfolio Feedback
COVID-19 UPDATE: Currently, all workshops listed below are continuing as planned, with safety protocols to maintain a safe environment. Your deposit is 100% transferable if a workshop date is impacted by COVID-19. Don't hesitate to email if you have any questions.
CRESTED BUTTE BACKROADS
PHOTO WORKSHOP
AUG 4-6, 2023: FULL! (waitlist)
Cost: 1,375
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.
COLORADO WILDFLOWERS
PHOTO WORKSHOP
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.
July 7-9, 2023: FULL (waitlist)
Cost: 1,275
Sept 24, 2022: NOW OPEN!
Cost: $300 total
In this "mini-workshop" Dan will share his philosophy and techniques for creating powerful images. He will challenge you to think differently about composing and processing your photos, breaking down the art of visual storytelling through engaging demonstrations and exercises. This class is the perfect addition to your fall color photography plans – located in the foothills of the San Juan Mountains!
Jan 20-22, 2023: FULL (waitlist)
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.
Oct 14-16, 2022: FULL (waitlist)
Cost: 1,475
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!.
CRESTED BUTTE FALL COLOR WORKSHOP
Sept. 30-Oct 2, 2022: FULL
Cost: 1,300
Join Joseph Roybal for a 3-day photo workshop in one of the top areas to shoot fall color in country! Sprawling aspen groves, rugged mountain terrain and alpine lakes define this stunning Colorado landscape. Capture intimate scenes along with sweeping mountain vistas during peak light. This is a fall color workshop you don't want to miss!
COLORADO OFFROAD
PHOTO WORKSHOP
Sept. 16-18, 2022: FULL!
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.
SAWTOOTHS IDAHO
PHOTO WORKSHOP
May 27-30, 2022: FULL!
Cost: 1,650
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.
March 4-6, 2022: FULL (waitlist)
Cost: 1,275
Join Pro Photographer Joseph Roybal for a 3-day photography workshop in Death Valley National Park to improve your skills and capture incredible landscapes. From valleys to sand dunes to canyons to salt flats, there's a reason why they call it the photographer's oasis. Very few places on earth offer as many textures, intense colors and extreme conditions to capture.
COLORADO SAND DUNES
PHOTO WORKSHOP
April 8-10, 2022: FULL (waitlist)
Cost: 1,200
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.
Oct 17-19, 2021: FULL (waitlist)
Cost: 900
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.
I recently spent the day with Dan Ballard. He is the real deal. He not only takes breathtaking shots, but he knows how to teach others how to do the same thing. I learned a lot from Dan, he has an easy to understand style and takes the time to explain many other aspects about making your photos marketable.” —Susan Humphrey
COLORADO WILDFLOWERS
PHOTO WORKSHOP
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
PHOTO WORKSHOP
July 23-25 2021: FULL
Cost: 1,375
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.
PFEIFFER BIG SUR
PHOTO WORKSHOP
Summer 2021: COMING SOON!
Cost: 1,175
Join Pro Photographer Joseph Roybal in capturing the gems of California's rugged coast line. The dramatic seascape, towering redwoods, waterfalls and mountain streams of Pfeiffer Big Sur are sure to inspire any photographer. Get ready to learn and explore during this exciting 3-day photography weekend. Email to get on the interest list to be notified when this workshop is open for registration.
Sept. 25-27, 2020: FULL (waitlist)
Cost: 1,275
3-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.
PENNSYLVANIA BARNS IN THE FALL PHOTO WORKSHOP
Oct. 16-18, 2020:
Cost: $1075!
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.
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
DRONE+LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY
WORKSHOP
Oct. 23-25, 2020
Cost: $1075
This photography workshop focuses on improving drone landscape photography skills! 75% in the classroom and 25% in the field. We will dig into drone photography concepts, techniques for taking great images, scouting for drone locations, image editing and more. *This is not a drone workshop - it is a photography workshop with a focus on using drones.
Nov. 6-8, 2020: 2 SPOTS LEFT!
Now only 1,075
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.
Dan Ballard has a keen eye for great landscape photography and experience in capturing it, HOWEVER, it is his determination to share his in-depth knowledge and teach it to others that was the highlight of the weekend. He was very patient with each student and took interest in each individual’s needs and level of experience. I gained tremendous increased knowledge in my landscape shooting as well as image processing in Lightroom. This is a serious workshop for serious landscape photographers of any level. –Stan Crane
COLORADO RANCHES
PHOTO WORKSHOP
Nov. 13-15, 2020: FULL (waitlist)
Cost: 1,475
Spend 3-days shooting stunning western scenes in Westcliffe, Colorado in beautiful winter conditions. This is your chance to shoot beautiful horses running against a mountain backdrop along with old barns, cowboys, homesteads, natural grasses, streams and so much more. We will spend the mornings shooting at an authentic 4,000-acre working cattle ranch!
Dec 4-6, 2020: FULL
Jan 8-10, 2021: FILLING FAST!
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.
WINTER NORWAY
PHOTO WORKSHOP
Feb. 2021: FULL (waitlist)
Cost: 1,750
If you think Norway is beautiful in the summer, you should see the Lofoten Islands during the winter! Massive snow-capped peaks dominate the horizon with epic views in every direction. The sun is up for 7 hours in February so we will have plenty of time to focus on shooting traditional landscape scenes. While we may do some night shooting, this workshop is not centered around the aurora and instead is all about the natural beauty of Norway in the wintertime.
2021 SCHEDULE COMING SOON!
ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK PHOTO WORKSHOP
Jan 8-10, 2021: FULL
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, 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.
March 5-7, 2021: OPEN!
Cost: 1,175
Join Pro Photographer Joseph Roybal for a 3-day photography workshop in Death Valley National Park to improve your skills and capture incredible landscapes. From valleys to sand dunes to canyons to salt flats, there's a reason why they call it the photographer's oasis. Very few places on earth offer as many textures, intense colors and extreme conditions to capture.
BANFF, CANADA
PHOTO WORKSHOP
June 2021: FULL (waitlist)
Cost: 1,575
Imagine spending several days shooting epic mountain scenes that are less-photographed and coming home with unique works of art. I guarantee you will be blown away by the massive snow-capped peaks, glistening glacier lakes and sweeping vistas of the Canadian Rocky Mountains in Banff.
Aug 2021: FULL (waitlist)
Cost: 1,675
Discover the jaw-dropping landscapes of Norway in this 4-day photography workshop. Magnificent peaks, quaint villages and crystal clear fjords set the scene for a fascinating experience. This year we will be shooting in Senja — a true hidden gem, with dozens of exceptional shots and significantly less crowds.
COLORADO SAND DUNES
PHOTO WORKSHOP
May 7-9, 2021: FULL (waitlist)
Cost: 1,175
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.
COLORADO RANCHES
PHOTO WORKSHOP
April 30-May 2 2021: FULL
May 14-16, 2021: FULL
Cost: 1,475
Spend 3-days shooting stunning western scenes in Westcliffe, Colorado in spring conditions. This is your chance to shoot beautiful horses running against a mountain backdrop along with old barns, cowboys, homesteads, natural grasses, streams and so much more. We will spend the mornings shooting at an authentic 4,000-acre working cattle ranch!
Join me for 3-days photographing horses running through lush green fields set against an enormous, snow-capped mountain range along with the beautiful Wyoming landscape. Traditionally dressed cowboys and cowgirls will make the perfect subject as the sun rises behind them. Located outside of Jackson Hole, WY!
June 4-6, 2021: FULL
Cost: 1,475
SAWTOOTHS IDAHO
PHOTO WORKSHOP
May 28-30, 2021: FULL
June 18-20, 2021: FULL
Cost: 1,275
New 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.
Why Take One of My Workshops?
Over 10 years of experience teaching photography.
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!
I run my workshops the same way that I shoot personally. We will journey away from iconic locations to discover new and interesting landscapes. 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.
Take one of my workshops and you will come home not only with beautiful photos, but a deeper understanding for creating stunning works of art.
