Beertography - Featured Fall and Winter Beer Photos
In early September I posted my first blog entry on my summer adventures with beer photography and I was thrilled with the how the photos turned out. But I'll admit... as summer drew to a close I was a bit concerned that my beertography opportunities were waning as I started thinking about putting away our camping gear, spending more evenings inside by the fire, and taking a break from our crazy summer schedule. But I'm never happy sitting still for too long and as the nights began to carry a chill and I pulled out the fall decor, I began to realize with autumn upon us and Halloween and Thanksgiving just around the corner, there were tons of opportunities and I was suddenly inspired.
For the Labor Day weekend we headed out to Collegiate Peaks campground outside Buena Vista. During our stay, my daughter insisted we go explore the little creek by our campsite. Of course I brought a beer and my camera along and snapped a couple shots. But I have to give credit to my daughter for this one. This location was her idea and it was perfect. Photographer in the making? Maybe so!
Part of the camping trip I spent testing out my new hammock while some of it was spent exploring some Buena Vista, Leadville, and Fairplay. While in the South Park area of Fairplay I noticed these hops growing along a wall and had to stop for a photo opportunity.
A bit later in September I set off on an epic adventure... and the last of my camping excursions for the year. I traveled with a group of friends to spend three days and two nights tackling the infamous Rubicon Trail with my Jeep! This 22 mile trail is where the Jeep Rubicon gets it's name and part of the trail is used as a testing ground by Jeep and many aftermarket Jeep product companies. And while there are lots of trails in California, this one is really a must do for a serious off-road adventurer. Not only are there tough obstacles, but the scenery is beautiful! During the 16 hour drive from Colorado, I stopped at both the Great Salt Lake and the Bonneville Salt Flats for some photo opportunities (and a bit of racing on the salt flats)!
Some epic views and gorgeous lily pad ponds were great spots for beer photos while on the Rubicon Trail.
And of course there were some obligatory photos with the Jeeps in our group.
At the end of the trail we celebrated with lunch and amazing views!
When you finish the trail and run into some rangers what do you do? Ask them if you can take beer photos with their vehicle of course!
When I returned home from California fall was definitely upon us! The sunflowers my daughter and I had grown from seed in our raised planter this year were blooming and ready to be used for some beautiful bouquets. I used this bouquet for a fall photo session with her, and afterward a can of Colette provided the perfect "vase". And of course I had to get creative with some Halloween images. Pulling the wings off my daughter's favorite bat did not go over well, but they got sewn back on and she finally forgave me :) And I tested my skills of pumpkin carving... I've learned my limits because that definitely does not look like the cut out of a beer mug like it was supposed to!
Color inspired me for the photo of the Mexican Yeti Stout (which is definitely one of my favorites), during a fall Jeeping trip over Red Cone pass. And of course the Colette gave me the opportunity to show off my fall dining room decor!
Fun events like the Great American Beer Festival and a beertography Meetup were opportunities for a few images.
And when I had the opportunity to pick up some whiskey barrels that were used to age Great Divide's famous Yeti stout, not only did I get a couple photos, I also made lots of fun Christmas gifts and a couple items for our own home (see one of those below) after breaking them down and getting creative.
An early December trip to Philly, Vermont, and New Hampshire resulted in a few photos with iconic locations... Pat's King of Steaks (and a go to for me whenever I'm in the area), the Dartmouth College campus (Animal House!), and one of the many covered bridges in New England.
Finally, some cold weather and holiday decor were the inspiration for my final images of the year!
Thanks to Great Divide for my beer supply as well as lots of fun events! And of course a special thanks to all my models, friends and family who humor me while I take time out of our adventures to snap these images.
