It’s always interesting starting off a new calendar year as a photographer. You reflect on all you past travels and images from 2025 and are eager to improve on and expand your portfolio into 2026. I always have a ton of plans and ideas for what I want to photograph in the new year so I’m always itching to get out.
The post holiday hangover, parties, events and of course attending to business needs and other family obligations can make it easier said then done hitting the ground running as the year turns over. On top of that, the weather this time of year may also not cooperate and frankly it can be a difficult time to photograph in Rocky Mountain National Park. High winds, peaks covered in clouds and swirling snow squalls and lots of long shadows can challenge any photographer.
So while I make a few failed attempts, keep my eye on the weather and hope for one of those electric neon sunrises, it usually means waiting or missing out longer than you want. It took me nine days into 2026 but I finally captured my first image of 2026 on Friday.
A little light snow over Rocky on Thursday, something we are desperately in need of coated the landscape Friday morning. Clouds over Colorado’s high plains blocked the early morning sunrise but some nice dappled light broke through about 15 minutes after sunrise. Ypsilon Mountain and the Mummy Range had clouds hugging their ridge lines and vertical faces but there was just enough light and clarity to make for an acceptable image.
With the high winds quickly picking up and about to strip the trees of the remaining snow, some beautiful warm sunlight broke through and illuminated the Mummy Range and Ypsilon Mountain. 2026 is now off and running and I cant wait to see what this year has in store.