When you attend my special tour during the Fiesta you will have an advantage that few other photographers can claim. In addition to photography I have a passion for hot air ballooning. I am I licensed pilot and I own and fly a balloon myself. My personal experience combining photography with ballooning allows me to guide you to better photography as you experience the sport from an insider's perspective.

 During the mass ascensions and the nighttime balloon glow events the flying field is a whirl of hectic activity. Having a full understanding of what is going on around you and why can be a great advantage in planning your shooting. I will brief you in advance on all of the relevant aspects of balloons and the event itself and I will  personally introduce you to several pilots and their support teams on the flying field. Knowing that you have been briefed on balloon operations and safety procedures by a fellow pilot gives these pilots and their crew an additional level of comfort that affords you more intimate access to all the action associated with a balloon's launch preparation.

In addition to all the photo opportunities at the Balloon Fiesta Park you will also be given the opportunity to experience and document the excitement of balloon chasing. You can experience the excitement of being official balloon team crew members as you participate in the launch, chase, and recovery of the balloon. The high desert surroundings lend a great scenic aspect to chase photography. 

For the most part ballooning is an early morning sport, with launches taking place shortly after sunrise in most cases. This means that in addition to a morning of balloon photography we still have virtually a full day remaining to explore and photograph in many of the locations that are listed on the itinerary for the regular tours. tours will include Sandia Mountain, the Turquoise Trail, the Jemez Mountains, Kasha Ketuwe, and more. This is the time of year when the aspen trees in the mountains are in their full glory of color. Sometimes snow can be found at higher elevations this time of year as well, making for an incredible range of photographic opportunities during this tour. You may also attend mass balloon ascensions at Fiesta Park, a nighttime balloon glow, and the Special Shapes Rodeo - an event in which only the uniquely shaped balloons of all varieties take part. It is a real treat for photographers as the balloons remain tethered long enough for you to comfortably roam the field and compose your shots without worrying about them flying away.