Vermont Fall Foliage Photography Workshop 2025

Autumn in Vermont Photography Workshop

Dates: October 5 – 9, 2025

Tuition:  $2,495.00  (or $3,695 for VT & NH Combo)

Location: Montpelier, VT

Instructors: Kurt Budliger & Benjamin Williamson

Overview:

There is no question that autumn in Vermont is the most magical time to be out photographing and exploring the natural landscape. From rushing waterfalls and forests draped in autumn color to rolling mountains and quaint New England farms, we’ll visit some of the state’s best scenery and secret spots for dramatic fall color. It truly is one of the best times to visit and photograph Vermont!  The Vermont workshop can be combined with a few additional days in New Hampshire’s White Mountains for a truly epic fall foliage photography experience!  Autumn in New Hampshire Workshop

Key Features:

• Gain a strong technical and creative foundation in outdoor photography
• Learn the importance of “seeing the light,” weather forecasting and location scouting
• Learn how to use filters in the field to control dynamic range
• Learn strategies for making dynamic compositions that have energy and egage the viewer
• Learn how to choose aperture and hyperfocal focusing for depth of field
• Bring your images to life using Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop (beginner and advanced techniques)
• Get individualized instruction and critique in the field as well as classroom
• Photograph intimate ponds, woodlands and streams in glorious autumn color
• Photograph sunrise and sunsets from rolling mountains and along country roads and farmland

Schedule:

The workshop will kick off on Sunday October 5, 2025 at 2:30 PM at the Comfort Inn & Suites at Maplewood in Montpelier, VT with a short reception and slideshow and then it’s into the field we go to make images. There is no “set” daily schedule, rather we keep things flexible in order to best respond to the weather and available light for making images.  Typically, we’ll be out for sunrise, shoot until mid morning and then take a break for a meal and brief rest.  We’ll convene in the conference room for instruction, post processing and critique during the mid-day hours when the light is typically less conducive to photography.  We’ll then head back out into the field in the late afternoon and evening, ending our session after sunset.  We’ll end our time together after our last sunrise shoot of the workshop on Thursday October 9th, with plenty of time to return to the hotel for a normal checkout and departure.

Physical Difficulty:

There will be no strenuous hiking involved during the workshop and most locations will be close to the road.  Some locations, however may involve a short hike of less than a mile with no serious elevation gains.  We will be spending a lot of time shooting along streams and waterfalls that will require scrambling over rocks and down hillsides.  The terrain in the mountains can be very uneven and sometimes slippery along streams and rivers.  Hiking boots and a modest level of health and fitness will greatly enhance your experience.  Participants should be able to carry all personal photo gear (backpack, tripod and layers) comfortable for at least 2 miles round trip.

Accommodations:

Participants are responsible for their own lodging, transportation and meals.  Carpooling is encouraged to minimize our footprint as well as foster camaraderie.  A block of rooms has been reserved at the Comfort Inn & Suites at Maplewood  213 Paine Turnpike N., Montpelier, VT, US, 05602 Phone: (802) 229-2222.