A Few Days in Southern Utah’s High Country for Fall Colors
Each year, I look forward to fall in Southern Utah. The season offers a change of pace and a change of scenery from where I live in Southern California, and it’s one of the few times I intentionally photograph in color. Who doesn’t love the magic of fall colors; the yellows, oranges, and reds lighting up the mountainsides? Even though I’m known for my black and white photography, I can’t resist the pull of autumn. It’s the one season that feels alive in motion, where change itself becomes the subject.
That said, I never completely take off my black and white hat. Even while photographing vibrant aspens and mountain meadows, I’m still looking for structure, contrast, and form, the same elements that draw me to roots. I try to see beyond the color, to notice how light filters through the forest or how rain darkens the bark of an aspen. That focus keeps me grounded in the way I see.
This year’s trip was one of my favorites. I was there assisting my friend and fellow photographer Hunter Page for his fall color workshop. Over the course of several days, we experienced just about every weather condition imaginable—sunny skies, rain, fog, and dramatic clouds that rolled through the canyons. Each change brought new opportunities and moods. That’s one of the things I love about photographing in the mountains: you never really know what’s coming, and that unpredictability often leads to the most memorable images.
Utah in fall is incredible. Hunter knows this hidden corner of the state better than anyone. Over several days of exploring, we didn’t see another photographer the entire time, which made the experience feel even more special. It’s rare these days to find that kind of solitude in a place this beautiful.
I came home with a collection of images I’m proud of, memories that remind me why I make the long drive each year. But my favorite image from the trip turned out to be black and white. I love the simplicity, the structure, and the repetitive patterns of the trees—and yet there’s life in this image. The longer I look, the more I see. I like this image not because it’s monochrome, but because it makes me feel something. The color photographs are beautiful, no doubt, but this one lingers.
As I look back on the trip, I’m already thinking ahead to next year. Utah’s fall season has a way of calling you back. Hunter and I will be returning again for his Utah Fall Colors Workshop, and we’d love to have you join us. If you’ve ever wanted to experience the beauty of Utah’s hidden valleys and aspen forests, keep an eye out for next year’s announcement, it’s a trip worth joining. You can learn more and sign up for updates on the Utah Fall Workshop page.
Of course, I had to stay on a few days after the workshop to head off on my motorcycle and spend a few days moto camping in the mountains.
Until next time, keep seeking the extraordinary in the world around you.
