Opening Scene: A Different Kind of Elevation

There’s something surreal about arriving in Estes Park. Maybe it’s the altitude—over 7,500 feet above sea level—or the fact that it feels like you’ve wandered into a painting. Jagged peaks frame the skyline, elk roam the streets like they own the place (and maybe they do), and then there’s that hotel on the hill.

*Fuji X-H1 + Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN - 1/2400 | f/5 | ISO 800*

*Phone 15 Pro Max - 1/125 | f/2.8 | ISO 50*

*DJI Mini 4 Pro - 1/3200 | f/1.7 | ISO 100*

*Phone 15 Pro Max - 1/60 | f/2.8 | ISO 500*

We stayed at the Stanley Hotel, the historic—and famously haunted—inspiration behind The Shining. With its creaky floors, turn-of-the-century charm, and mountain views, it was the perfect setting to begin a cinematic escape into the Colorado Rockies. Before we hit the trails, we explored its eerie corridors and sun-soaked balconies. The light here, especially in the early morning, is golden and ghostly—a dream for any photographer chasing mood and mystery.

We decided to take a “haunted hotel tour” during our stay and despite being a little skeptical, we were sufficiently creeped out. I’m not saying we saw a ghost while we were walking around the property, but I also can’t explain the extra set of legs poking out in this SOOC photo at the bottom of the set… you be the judge!

*DJI Mini 4 Pro - 1/2000 | f/1.7 | ISO 100*

*iPhone 15 Pro Max - 1/6400 | f/1.8 | ISO 80*

*Fuji X-H1 + Fuji XF35MM F.14 R - 1/25 | f/1.4 | ISO 1600*

DJI Mini 4 Pro

*iPhone 15 Pro Max - 1/60 | f/1.8 | ISO 160*

*Fuji X-H1 + Fuji XF16mm F1.4 R WR - 1/80 | f/1.4 | ISO 800*

iPhone 15 Pro Max

Tip: Early mornings offer the softest, most dramatic shadows—perfect for atmospheric shots of historic architecture.

Into the Park: Rocky Mountain Reverie

Just beyond the town, Rocky Mountain National Park unfolds in all its wild, majestic glory. We spent our days weaving through alpine lakes, pine forests, and sweeping tundra. One hike led us up to Dream Lake, its still waters mirroring a sky so crisp and blue it felt unreal. Another trail took us past frozen waterfalls and through silent groves dusted with late-season snow.

Everywhere we looked, the landscape delivered a sense of scale and stillness that demanded to be captured—wide shots to show the vastness, tight frames to capture the details most people miss.

*Fuji X-H1 + Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN - 1/800 | f/4 | ISO 800*

*Fuji X-H1 + Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN - 1/500 | f/5.6 | ISO 800*

*Fuji X-H1 + Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN - 1/1600 | f/6.4 | ISO 800*

*Fuji X-H1 + Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN - 1/1250 | f/5.6 | ISO 800*

*Fuji X-H1 + Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN - 1/680 | f/5.6 | ISO 800*

*Fuji X-H1 + Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN - 1/850 | f/5.6 | ISO 800*

*Fuji X-H1 + Fuji XF55-200mm F3.5-4.8 R LM OIS - 1/240 | f/5 | ISO 800*

Tip: Use a polarizing filter to cut through glare and bring out the deep blues of the sky and lakes.

Life in Town: Coffee, Colour, and Curiosities

After the hikes, Estes Park welcomed us back with its quirky charm. We wandered through downtown, popping into vintage shops, coffee houses, and family-owned restaurants. Elk sightings were routine—so much so that I nearly missed a perfect shot of a bull elk posing near a gas station, framed perfectly by the mountains behind him.

The town has a kind of cinematic weirdness to it: a mix of rustic Americana and alpine fantasy. The colours are bold—faded signs, woodgrain textures, late afternoon light bouncing off river rock. It’s a town that makes you want to shoot handheld, on the move, chasing candid moments.

*Fuji X-H1 + Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN - 1/6400 | f/2.8 | ISO 800*

*Fuji X-H1 + Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN - 1/3200 | f/4 | ISO 800*

*Fuji X-H1 + Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN - 1/900 | f/5.6 | ISO 800*

iPhone 15 Pro Max

*Fuji X-H1 + Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN - 1/8000 | f/2.8 | ISO 800*

Tip: Look for contrast between natural elements and human ones—it’s a great way to tell a deeper story through your frame.

Final Frames: Thin Air, Big Impressions

Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park aren’t just places you visit—they’re places that linger. Between the haunted hallways of The Stanley, the silent beauty of alpine lakes, and the charm of a town that feels both forgotten and timeless, there’s no shortage of cinematic moments here.

If you’re a photographer chasing light, atmosphere, and dramatic scenery, this part of Colorado delivers in spades. Just bring extra batteries—elevation drains them faster, and trust me, you won’t want to miss a single frame.

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