COLORADO’S SAN JUAN MTNS & WILDFLOWERS

JULY 6 - 11, 2025

Our workshop is based in the scenic town of Ouray, nicknamed the “Little Switzerland of America." Rugged canyons, alpine waterfalls, and abundant wildflowers will surround us, giving you plenty of opportunities to bring home stunning images. 

Included in your tuition is four, privately guided excursions with Switzerland of America jeep Tours into the San Juan Mountain high country in search of the most beautiful wildflower gardens we can find! Riding in these specialized, open-air trucks lets us soak in the amazing feeling of being in the mountains - and is an adventure in itself! With beauty all around us, these drives will take your breath away! Via dirt roads only accessible by four-wheel drive vehicles, we can travel into some of the highest peaks in the Rockies. The alpine areas we visit, such as Yankee Boy Basin, Black Bear Pass, and Silver Basin are filled with Indian Paintbrush, Columbine, Larkspur, Penstemon, Monument Plant, Corn Lily, and many more species that create lovely wild gardens to explore and photograph.

We also travel to the historic mining town of Silverton, take in the beautiful panorama at Molas Pass, and shoot the incredible shades of orange and red in the mountains at Corkscrew Pass and Grey Copper Gulch. The stunning combination of wildflowers, high peaks, open-air travel on 4WD roads, and group camaraderie make a photo workshop in the San Juan Mountains an adventure you won’t want to miss!

Overview

July 6 - July 11, 2025

Our Workshop begins with a welcome orientation on Sunday, July 6 at 7:00 pm and concludes on Friday, July 11 at 12:00 pm.

Each day will be packed with field sessions led by Doug, including a number of 4x4 truck guided excursions, daily lectures to improve your photographic skills and visual seeing, constructive critiques of participants’ images, and open labs for individual assistance. Classroom sessions are tailored to each workshop and are based on participant interests and goals for the workshop. Additional topics are designed to enhance participants’ skills for the type of shooting the location emphasizes.

Location Highlights: We’ll explore amazing landscapes and nature’s flower gardens in the San Juan Mountains of Southwest Colorado, such the Sneffels range at Dallas Divide, Yankee Boy Basin, Silver Basin, Black Bear Pass, Molas Pass, Corkscrew Pass, Little Molas Lake, Crystal Lake, Animas Forks Town Site, and Grey Copper Gulch.

REGISTRATION

Early Bird Tuition: $2995 by March 21, 2025 ($100 discount!)
After March 21, 2025: $3095
Deposit: $695 due with Registration (after the Early Bird deadline, the deposit will be $795)
Balance: $2300 due April 7, 2025

Tuition includes daily guided jeep tours to backcountry locations and driver tips.

.

Already registered and need to make a final payment - Click Here

Workshop Details

LODGING

Ouray Inn
120 6th Ave, Ouray, CO 81427

Rates Room choices are based on a first-come, first-served basis. A room block has been arranged for July 6-10, 2025 (5 nights) for workshop participants. Rates are the following per night plus tax: single queen $209; single king $229; double queen $239.

To reserve your room please call the Ouray Inn at 970-325-4445 and reference the DJP Workshops room block to secure the group rate. The room block will be released June 1, 2025. After the release date, reservations will be based on availability. Check with the hotel regarding their hotel cancellation policies.

TRAVEL

Participants are responsible for making their own travel arrangements to/from the workshop and during the workshop.

The nearest airports for this workshop are Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ) - 36 miles or Grand Junction Airport (GJT) - 96 Miles. You will find that a number of major car rental companies have office locations on-site at the airport. For transportation to and from field shoots, we suggest that you carpool to lighten our carbon footprint and get to know fellow students.

Doug Johnson Photography is not responsible for cancellations due to medical or other emergencies or reimbursement of non-refundable airline tickets, or hotel rooms in the event of a workshop cancellation. Please consider the purchase of travel insurance.

ACTIVITY LEVEL

Moderate: Up to 2 miles, marked paths and trails with a few steep, more difficult sections. Participants should be comfortable with the adventure of riding in open-air vehicles on bumpy, and sometimes steep, 4x4 backcountry roads. Elevation: 7800ft - 13,000ft.

Truly a once in a life time experience. Exhilarating Jeep rides that take you to the most gorgeous mountain basins filled with more wildflowers that one could ever imagine. Great group community. Couldn’t ask for a better experience!
— Roberta Roth

EQUIPMENT & ATTIRE

We want your experience on a Doug Johnson Photography workshop to be extraordinary and recognize that preparation is one important key to success. Specific guidelines will be sent to participants, but a general list of recommendations can be downloaded via our Gear & Packing List.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Please visit FAQs about Location Workshops.

You can review our Cancellation Policy here.

We are always happy to talk with you about our workshops and what makes a good match for your goals. If you have any questions, please feel free to call Doug at 303-829-2215 or contact us via our online form.