Colorado. Where else can you hike to a 12,000-foot hut one morning, take an 1800’s-era steam-powered train the next, and ply the sheer vertical cliffs of purple-hued mountains the day after? The big question is, how do you find and photograph Colorado's best landscapes? For a photographer in this massive state, the options can become overwhelming very quickly. Do you want to go straight to the iconic postcard spots and stand shoulder to shoulder with dozens of other photographers? Or do you want to embark on a classic Colorado adventure? There are plenty of ways to do both, however, I'd argue that your images will be more interesting and dynamic if you tell a story that encompasses the journey and the destination.

Whether I’m on a professional assignment or shooting just for fun, I try to incorporate all the angles. From the bird’s eye view (courtesy of my drone) to the minute and seemingly trivial details. Especially my mode of transport. Even if that mode happens to be my own two feet. In the end, the journey itself is often where you’ll find the best content, especially in the Rockies.

In this video that I produced for Fujifilm North America, I sought out one of Colorado’s most iconic railways. On its way through 14,000 foot peaks, the Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad ambles over trestle bridges and winds through a deep river canyon, revealing hidden treasures that you can’t see any other way. The end of the line deposits you into Silverton, a historic mining town that boasts some of Colorado’s best mountain scenery. The first time I arrived in Silverton, I was blown away by its colorful buildings and jagged mountains on all sides, not to mention the massive coal fired locomotive itself as it parks squarely in the middle of downtown. The whole experience is a visual feast. I think I filled all of my SD cards in under two hours flat.

Hiking is one of the best ways to experience Colorado’s magical vistas. All over the state, countless hikes provide endless fodder for any shutterbug. Whether your hike is ten minutes or ten days long, getting off the beaten path will open up a whole new world photographic possibilities.

One of my favorite ways to explore the mountains of Colorado is by hiking to an alpine hut. In this assignment for Backpacker magazine, I ventured up into the San Juan Mountains and stayed overnight at the Burn Hut. Staying in a hut means that you can carry a much lighter load than your typical backpacking trip. For this trip I didn’t have to carry a tent, sleeping bag, pillow or extra water. These basic comforts were there for me after photographing one of the best viewpoints in all of Colorado: the Wilson Creek overlook at Mount Sneffels.

• Pro Tip:

  Go light with a small tripod or better yet, one that is made of carbon. Just pack the bare essentials like a wide angle lens for landscapes or a general purpose zoom. Don’t forget extra batteries and SD cards! 

• Colorado hut systems:
  • San Juan Huts
  • 10th Mountain Hut Association

• Pro Tip:

  Don’t underestimate how large this state is, even by car. Choose one particular region of Colorado (i.e. Southwest CO) and dive deep. I’ve lived in Colorado for fifteen years and I still have yet to drive through all of it.

• Additional Resources:
  • Backroads and Byways of Colorado
  • 5280 magazine’s Guide to the Four Corners

Do you have any tips for photographing Colorado landscapes? If so, we'd love to hear them.

Please comment below to add any information you'd like to share. Thank you and happy shooting!