I am very excited to announce my first nature photography workshop in Colorado. I have been doing classes and workshops in Michigan since 1995 and more recently in Ohio and Alberta Canada, but this is a first for me in Colorado.

Late September in Rocky Mountain National Park is prime time for aspen in all of their glorious fall color, and the bull elk are gathering their harems in the meadows for the fall “rut” so it is a great time and place to have a workshop.

The workshop Saturday September 27 (9 am to 5 pm) in Estes Park is fun, fast paced, and jam packed with useful information. This is a “bring your camera and use it” kind of workshop so registration is limited to 12 participants. Intensive classroom exploration sessions are mixed with “go out and do it” photographic experiences. Saturday evening (6 to 8 pm) we will go on a field trip to Rocky Mountain National Park to practice what we have been working on all day. You will go home knowing how to create eye-catching images!

What will this workshop do for you as a photographer? Here are a few excerpts from testimonials for my workshops. You can read the complete testimonials at my web site.

Jim Doty gives the most warm, intense, wonderful photographic digital workshop. He is truly a gift to those who choose to attend.  – Win M

I was so impressed by how many “trade secrets” he freely shared. I couldn’t learn as much as I did in this workshop on my own, if I worked hard for years. – Besma A

 I really had no idea how much you could manipulate a camera to get such great images without using Photoshop.  I found it amazing!  – Melissa D

We have learned so much more about photography than we ever dreamed existed. Thank you so much for teaching us so much with such enthusiasm. – Pat D

I had NO IDEA my camera was capable of so much. – Vickie R

Great Workshop! I can use your material to quickly become a better photographer. – Jim T

Jim Doty’s workshop is excellent. Very down to earth and not so technical to the point of being intimidating. – Steve S

The amount and quality of information was more than I had hoped for. – Alan M

Jim’s workshop showed me the way to put my DSLR’s features to use and the advantages of knowing why and how they function. Easy to follow and understand. – Gene S

And finally, for those of you who dream big, this is from Jeremy Bruskotter who took my nature photography classes at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. Jeremy is now shooting professionally and we lead weekend photography workshops together at The Ohio State University’s prestigious Stone Lab on Gibraltar Island in Lake Erie.

I began to read every book about photography that I could get my hands on. I also enrolled in a nature photography class taught by Jim Doty. Jim’s class proved incredibly helpful, covering many specific techniques employed by professional photographers that weren’t in any of the dozens of books I owned. Jim’s class helped me to develop technically, and the results were instantly apparent.  – Jeremy Bruskotter

So who am I and why do I do this?  I love photography and I love to share what I know with other photographers.

I have the ideal combination of practical photography experience and teaching skills to provide an inspiring workshop experience that will take your photography to a new level.

I am a photography instructor with 19 years experience. I currently teach photography at The Ohio State University and I’ve also taught at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts in Michigan and Graceland University in Iowa. I do photography workshops and seminars for a variety of organizations. During my workshops, seminars, and field trips I have worked with hundreds of photographers at all skill levels. I also do one-on-one, “Shoot with a Pro” photo sessions.

My images can be found in magazines, books, newspapers, calendars, tourist brochures, corporate reports, and on web sites for corporations and not-for-profit organizations.

My nature, portrait, event, and commercial work has been published by the National Wildlife Federation, Black & White Magazine, The Ohio State University, Ohio Sea Grant, Stone Laboratory, Ohio Woodland Stewards Program, Graceland University, UNCF (United Negro College Fund), Crowne Plaza Hotels, Staybridge Suites, Holiday Inn Hotels, Best Western Hotels, Hunt’s Guide to the Upper Peninsula, Heartland Tours and Travel, Midwest Photo Exchange, Wiley Publishing, Inc., The MichMatist, Yukon Review, Magic 106.3, The Herald, Community of Christ, Presbyterian Church (PCUSA),  Kirtland Temple Historic Site, KOA Campgrounds, Terrapin World Imports, and dozens of businesses too numerous to list here.

I am the author of Digital Photography Exposure for Dummies, one of the highest rated photography books at Amazon.com. It is the recommended companion book for the workshop. You can learn all about it here and order it Amazon.

For those who want more, I am leading an optional all day field trip Sunday, Sepember 28 in Rocky Mountain National Park. The field trip is from 8 am to 8 pm (with a 6:30 am option for all of you early birds). Registration is limited to 7 to maximize the time I have to spend with each one of you.

And for those who want still more, Monday and Tuesday (Sep. 29-30) I will be doing one-on-one, “Shoot with a Pro” photo sessions on a half or full day basis from before sunrise until after sunset. There is no faster way to “up your game” than to shoot one-one-one with a professional photographer.

The registration fee for the Saturday workshop, including the evening field trip, is $125. The optional Sunday field trip is an additional $125. The “Shoot with a Pro” sessions Monday and Tuesday are $300 for a half day (your choice of 6:30 am to 11:30 am or 3 pm to 8 pm) and $600 for a full day (6:30 am to 11:30 am AND 3 pm to 8 pm). You are responsible for your own meals, lodging, transportation (but we will car pool from the Inn for the field trips), and entrance fee into Rocky Mountain National Park. More information at the page linked in the last paragraph below.

The workshop Saturday morning and afternoon is hosted by the Alpine Trail Ridge Inn on the far west side of Estes Park and very close to Rocky Mountain National Park. The Alpine Trails Ridge Inn is also providing lodging for workshop participants. They will be holding rooms at a 10% discount from their already competitive rates until July 15. Be sure to to tell them you are there for the workshop when you call to book your room. More information at the page linked in the next paragraph.

A more detailed version of this page with registration details, a map, directions, the workshop topics, essential items to bring to the workshop, important suggestions for what you need to do prior to the workshop, more information on the optional Sunday field trip, and “Shoot with a Pro” sessions are all on this workshop page.